https://www.techtimes.com/articles/255754/20210108/elon-musk-boosts-signal-advance-stock-1-100-percent-wrong.htm

Too funny.

News is out.

As Indonesia Looks to Expand Nickel Production, Companies Involved in Process Stand to See Substantial Benefit

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: As the electric vehicle market sees impressive growth, the demand for nickel is also rising. Indonesia, which boasts 25% of the world’s nickel resources, is looking for ways to profit from the valuable base metal.

As Indonesia benefits from the growing market, so do the companies involved in the production of nickel, including Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (XFRA: NXFE) (PCRCF Profile). Pacific Rim Cobalt has established a bold expansion plan following a successful exploration and development season in Indonesia last year. Other companies with interest in nickel production include BHP Group (NYSE: BHP), which is expanding its nickel business and has plans to ramp up sales for the fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) sector, and Vale S.A. (NYSE: VALE), which is planning to increase production of the metal by an estimated 70% in coming years, primarily through expansion in Indonesia. One of the world’s largest diversified natural resource companies, Glencore (OTC: GLNCY) is also deeply interested and invested in mining for battery metals. A major copper producer, Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) is also looking to see additional revenue from the growing EV sector.

- Indonesia ideally located with ready access to markets in China and Japan.
- Nickel one of essential minerals needed to produce batteries for the growing electric vehicle market.
- Companies on the ground in Indonesia ideally positioned to profit from growing production, strong EV market.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Growth in EV Market Spurs Mining Boost for Indonesia

In many people’s minds, electric vehicles (EV) are associated with big cities in East Asia, North America and Western Europe. These are major markets where new vehicles are making their presence felt, particularly as environmentally conscious consumers seek to retain their personal mobility while protecting the planet from carbon emissions.

But the drive to put more EV on the roads is having a knock-on effect in other regions. Indonesia, a giant in the production of nickel, is seeing both its economy and its global status boosted by the need for nickel in EV batteries. This shift could help turn the country into an economic superpower, which may have significant consequences for companies working there.

“Mineral to Market” Strategy in Place

Among the companies developing Indonesia’s nickel supply is Pacific Rim Cobalt Corporation (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (XFRA: NXFE), a Canada-based battery metals company with offices in Vancouver, Shanghai, Jakarta and Sentai, Indonesia.

Specializing in acquiring and developing production-grade battery metal projects, Pacific Rim is committed to providing these essential metals to companies producing EV batteries. PCRCF is committed to leveraging its flagship nickel-cobalt Cyclops project by employing a vertically integrated “mineral to market” strategy. The Cyclops operation is nestled at the edge of the Cyclops Mountains in the Papua Province, a region rich with nickel deposits, where past operations have established the presence of the mineral.

Keenly aware of growing interest in the industry, the Indonesian government is paying special attention to licensing rights given to extract minerals in the country. Recently the government updated the mining registration process, in part to encourage companies in this industry.

In light of the favorable government outlook and as a result of consistent efforts, Pacific Rim recently secured government approvals needed from the OMBUDSMAN of the Republic of Indonesia for the Cyclops project to move forward. The nickel and cobalt project has been found fully compliant with the updated mining registration process, meaning it is clear to progress.

Pacific Rim Cobalt CEO Ranjeet Sundher commented: “2019 was a pivotal year for us, and we’re pleased to carry this momentum into 2020. Obtaining approval from Indonesia’s OMBUDSMAN is an important step toward our goal of securing strategic partnerships and participating in Asia’s growing battery metals supply chain.”

Obtaining the approvals marks a significant accomplishment for Pacific Rim, an accomplishment made possible because of the connections the company has established. National, regional and local support has been found for the project, which will provide jobs in Papua Province in mining, transport and support services. With government approval in hand, company officials have now begun discussions with potential strategic partners and investors to further develop the operation.

Rich Resources, Direct Trade Routes Create Global Hub

Pacific Rim’s operation is well timed to tie in with plans of the Indonesian government. Indonesia aims to become a global hub in the EV industry supply chain. Not only does the country have rich sources of nickel, it also has direct nautical trade routes to China and Japan. These powerful neighboring countries represent major markets for the materials Indonesia is producing, thanks to Japan’s high-tech consumer economy and China’s powerful battery industry. Vehicle manufacturers in both countries are focused on becoming leaders in EV, and for that they’ll need battery-grade nickel.

Indonesian president Joko Widodo has established rules to bolster the EV industry in the country in an effort to make the most of this opportunity. Through a series of incentives, the government aims to make EV 20% of the country’s car production by 2025. This movement has attracted investment from major EV players. Operations such as the Cyclops project should appear ideally positioned to play a key role in making that happen.

To support its plan to become a world-leading player in the EV supply chain, Indonesia has stopped export of unprocessed nickel ore. The government has also recently approved environmental impact studies evaluation the completion of several factories designed to produce battery-grade nickel chemicals.

With the Indonesian government providing support for nickel production, and factories being established to process the chemicals, Indonesia won’t just be a source of nickel-bearing ore — it will become a major market for the base metal.

Ambitions of Country, Companies Key for Future

The Indonesian government’s ambitious plans for the country’s EV industry are matched by the ambition of the companies working in the region.

For Pacific Rim, this ambition is supported by the company’s remarkable exploration successes in 2019. Testing on its wholly owned site revealed substantial nickel and cobalt mineralization near the surface.

These conclusions are based on several successful operations in the second half of 2019. Excavation and sampling of test pits produced 530 kg of sample materials, which were sent to Canada for bench scale testing. Test results indicate 75 drill holes, 51 augur holes and 11 test pits were used to check mineral levels down to various depths. Combined with historic results from 856 drill holes and 26 test pits, these provide a detailed picture of the mineral profile at the Cyclops site.

With these results in hand, Pacific Corp. has identified ambitious milestones for development in 2020, including the completion of a pilot plant in Canada and a demonstration plant in Indonesia, which would produce battery-grade nickel and cobalt material to suit the growing EV market. The operations and success of these initial operations will be used to develop design criteria for a full commercial scale plant.

Demand for Nickel Growing

The demand for EV batteries translates to high demand for nickel; demand that doesn’t appear to be letting up any time soon. According to research by Deloitte, EV sales reached 2 million units globally in 2018 and should reach 4 million units in 2020, expanding to 21 million by 2030. At the same time, the cost of EV battery packs has been falling by 20% per year, making EV a more affordable option for consumers.

CRU Mobility and Energy Futures has predicted that the EV market will need 1.3 million tons of nickel per year by 2030, compared with 600,000 tons in 2018. This means that demand for Pacific Rim’s products could more than double in the next decade.

With Indonesia holding 25% of the world’s nickel reserves, the country — and companies with operating inside the country — lies at the nexus of these developments. Spending on new nickel processing plants in the country is expected to reach $20 billion by 2024, thanks to the government’s efforts to create a world-leading EV supply chain. Companies such as Pacific Rim, with an early position in the country’s nickel market, look to be ideally positioned to profit from this.

The EV Nickel Market

The nickel market is increasingly defined by the car manufacturers working in EV.

BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) announced plans to start production of nickel sulphate in the Q2 2020 as the company anticipates increasing sales of its nickel products to the battery industry (http://nnw.fm/6WzrB). In a presentation, company officials noted that BHP sold about 78% of its nickel production to the battery industry in the second half of the 2019 financial year, up from below 60% the year earlier. BHP currently produces around 75,000 tons of nickel metal at its Kwinana refinery on the outskirts of Perth.

The world’s largest producer of nickel, Vale S.A. (NYSE: VALE) is looking to boost its production of the base metal to some 360,000 tons a year, with much of the growth coming from projects planned for Indonesia (http://nnw.fm/z53H7). “Nickel is poised for dramatic change,” said Mark Travers, Vale’s interim executive director for base metals. Currently there is an oversupply of high-quality nickel, but experts anticipate that the market will tighten in coming years as electric vehicle sales climb, observed Travers, who also noted that Vale has two nickel projects on the drawing board in Indonesia being developed with joint venture partners.

In addition to mining nickel, Glencore PLC (OTC: GLNCY) is one of the world’s largest recyclers and processors of nickel-bearing products such as batteries, extracting the minerals from discarded goods and finding ways to reuse them (http://nnw.fm/gCxL7). A major global producer of platinum-group and base metals, Glencore’s nickel supply is produced primarily from locations in Australia, Canada and Europe.

Nickel isn’t the only metal needed for electric vehicles. Copper producer Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) could see a $4 billion increase over the next five years (http://nnw.fm/5RKOy), with the EV market driving a decent chunk of that growth. FCX has a copper mine in Indonesia, which is currently undergoing a transition from open pit to underground. That transition is slated to be complete in 2021, and increased production from that mine, combined with continuing production growth at FCX’s North and South American sites point to copper shipments increasing from 3.8 billion pounds in 2018 to 4.8 billion pounds by 2023.

With EV production anticipated to grow dramatically in the coming year, mining for nickel and other metals essential for that growth takes on added value and importance. Companies involved in that mining appear certain to benefit.

For more information on Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp., visit Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. (CSE:BOLT) (OTCQB:PCRCF) (XFRA:NXFE)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (“NNW”) is a financial news and content distribution company, one of 40+ brands within the InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”), that provides: (1) access to a network of wire solutions via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets; (3) enhanced press release solutions to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience comprising investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

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NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
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www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

As Indonesia Looks to Expand Nickel Production, Companies Involved in Process Stand to See Substantial Benefit

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: As the electric vehicle market sees impressive growth, the demand for nickel is also rising. Indonesia, which boasts 25% of the world’s nickel resources, is looking for ways to profit from the valuable base metal.

As Indonesia benefits from the growing market, so do the companies involved in the production of nickel, including Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (XFRA: NXFE) (PCRCF Profile). Pacific Rim Cobalt has established a bold expansion plan following a successful exploration and development season in Indonesia last year. Other companies with interest in nickel production include BHP Group (NYSE: BHP), which is expanding its nickel business and has plans to ramp up sales for the fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) sector, and Vale S.A. (NYSE: VALE), which is planning to increase production of the metal by an estimated 70% in coming years, primarily through expansion in Indonesia. One of the world’s largest diversified natural resource companies, Glencore (OTC: GLNCY) is also deeply interested and invested in mining for battery metals. A major copper producer, Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) is also looking to see additional revenue from the growing EV sector.

- Indonesia ideally located with ready access to markets in China and Japan.
- Nickel one of essential minerals needed to produce batteries for the growing electric vehicle market.
- Companies on the ground in Indonesia ideally positioned to profit from growing production, strong EV market.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Growth in EV Market Spurs Mining Boost for Indonesia

In many people’s minds, electric vehicles (EV) are associated with big cities in East Asia, North America and Western Europe. These are major markets where new vehicles are making their presence felt, particularly as environmentally conscious consumers seek to retain their personal mobility while protecting the planet from carbon emissions.

But the drive to put more EV on the roads is having a knock-on effect in other regions. Indonesia, a giant in the production of nickel, is seeing both its economy and its global status boosted by the need for nickel in EV batteries. This shift could help turn the country into an economic superpower, which may have significant consequences for companies working there.

“Mineral to Market” Strategy in Place

Among the companies developing Indonesia’s nickel supply is Pacific Rim Cobalt Corporation (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (XFRA: NXFE), a Canada-based battery metals company with offices in Vancouver, Shanghai, Jakarta and Sentai, Indonesia.

Specializing in acquiring and developing production-grade battery metal projects, Pacific Rim is committed to providing these essential metals to companies producing EV batteries. PCRCF is committed to leveraging its flagship nickel-cobalt Cyclops project by employing a vertically integrated “mineral to market” strategy. The Cyclops operation is nestled at the edge of the Cyclops Mountains in the Papua Province, a region rich with nickel deposits, where past operations have established the presence of the mineral.

Keenly aware of growing interest in the industry, the Indonesian government is paying special attention to licensing rights given to extract minerals in the country. Recently the government updated the mining registration process, in part to encourage companies in this industry.

In light of the favorable government outlook and as a result of consistent efforts, Pacific Rim recently secured government approvals needed from the OMBUDSMAN of the Republic of Indonesia for the Cyclops project to move forward. The nickel and cobalt project has been found fully compliant with the updated mining registration process, meaning it is clear to progress.

Pacific Rim Cobalt CEO Ranjeet Sundher commented: “2019 was a pivotal year for us, and we’re pleased to carry this momentum into 2020. Obtaining approval from Indonesia’s OMBUDSMAN is an important step toward our goal of securing strategic partnerships and participating in Asia’s growing battery metals supply chain.”

Obtaining the approvals marks a significant accomplishment for Pacific Rim, an accomplishment made possible because of the connections the company has established. National, regional and local support has been found for the project, which will provide jobs in Papua Province in mining, transport and support services. With government approval in hand, company officials have now begun discussions with potential strategic partners and investors to further develop the operation.

Rich Resources, Direct Trade Routes Create Global Hub

Pacific Rim’s operation is well timed to tie in with plans of the Indonesian government. Indonesia aims to become a global hub in the EV industry supply chain. Not only does the country have rich sources of nickel, it also has direct nautical trade routes to China and Japan. These powerful neighboring countries represent major markets for the materials Indonesia is producing, thanks to Japan’s high-tech consumer economy and China’s powerful battery industry. Vehicle manufacturers in both countries are focused on becoming leaders in EV, and for that they’ll need battery-grade nickel.

Indonesian president Joko Widodo has established rules to bolster the EV industry in the country in an effort to make the most of this opportunity. Through a series of incentives, the government aims to make EV 20% of the country’s car production by 2025. This movement has attracted investment from major EV players. Operations such as the Cyclops project should appear ideally positioned to play a key role in making that happen.

To support its plan to become a world-leading player in the EV supply chain, Indonesia has stopped export of unprocessed nickel ore. The government has also recently approved environmental impact studies evaluation the completion of several factories designed to produce battery-grade nickel chemicals.

With the Indonesian government providing support for nickel production, and factories being established to process the chemicals, Indonesia won’t just be a source of nickel-bearing ore — it will become a major market for the base metal.

Ambitions of Country, Companies Key for Future

The Indonesian government’s ambitious plans for the country’s EV industry are matched by the ambition of the companies working in the region.

For Pacific Rim, this ambition is supported by the company’s remarkable exploration successes in 2019. Testing on its wholly owned site revealed substantial nickel and cobalt mineralization near the surface.

These conclusions are based on several successful operations in the second half of 2019. Excavation and sampling of test pits produced 530 kg of sample materials, which were sent to Canada for bench scale testing. Test results indicate 75 drill holes, 51 augur holes and 11 test pits were used to check mineral levels down to various depths. Combined with historic results from 856 drill holes and 26 test pits, these provide a detailed picture of the mineral profile at the Cyclops site.

With these results in hand, Pacific Corp. has identified ambitious milestones for development in 2020, including the completion of a pilot plant in Canada and a demonstration plant in Indonesia, which would produce battery-grade nickel and cobalt material to suit the growing EV market. The operations and success of these initial operations will be used to develop design criteria for a full commercial scale plant.

Demand for Nickel Growing

The demand for EV batteries translates to high demand for nickel; demand that doesn’t appear to be letting up any time soon. According to research by Deloitte, EV sales reached 2 million units globally in 2018 and should reach 4 million units in 2020, expanding to 21 million by 2030. At the same time, the cost of EV battery packs has been falling by 20% per year, making EV a more affordable option for consumers.

CRU Mobility and Energy Futures has predicted that the EV market will need 1.3 million tons of nickel per year by 2030, compared with 600,000 tons in 2018. This means that demand for Pacific Rim’s products could more than double in the next decade.

With Indonesia holding 25% of the world’s nickel reserves, the country — and companies with operating inside the country — lies at the nexus of these developments. Spending on new nickel processing plants in the country is expected to reach $20 billion by 2024, thanks to the government’s efforts to create a world-leading EV supply chain. Companies such as Pacific Rim, with an early position in the country’s nickel market, look to be ideally positioned to profit from this.

The EV Nickel Market

The nickel market is increasingly defined by the car manufacturers working in EV.

BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) announced plans to start production of nickel sulphate in the Q2 2020 as the company anticipates increasing sales of its nickel products to the battery industry (http://nnw.fm/6WzrB). In a presentation, company officials noted that BHP sold about 78% of its nickel production to the battery industry in the second half of the 2019 financial year, up from below 60% the year earlier. BHP currently produces around 75,000 tons of nickel metal at its Kwinana refinery on the outskirts of Perth.

The world’s largest producer of nickel, Vale S.A. (NYSE: VALE) is looking to boost its production of the base metal to some 360,000 tons a year, with much of the growth coming from projects planned for Indonesia (http://nnw.fm/z53H7). “Nickel is poised for dramatic change,” said Mark Travers, Vale’s interim executive director for base metals. Currently there is an oversupply of high-quality nickel, but experts anticipate that the market will tighten in coming years as electric vehicle sales climb, observed Travers, who also noted that Vale has two nickel projects on the drawing board in Indonesia being developed with joint venture partners.

In addition to mining nickel, Glencore PLC (OTC: GLNCY) is one of the world’s largest recyclers and processors of nickel-bearing products such as batteries, extracting the minerals from discarded goods and finding ways to reuse them (http://nnw.fm/gCxL7). A major global producer of platinum-group and base metals, Glencore’s nickel supply is produced primarily from locations in Australia, Canada and Europe.

Nickel isn’t the only metal needed for electric vehicles. Copper producer Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) could see a $4 billion increase over the next five years (http://nnw.fm/5RKOy), with the EV market driving a decent chunk of that growth. FCX has a copper mine in Indonesia, which is currently undergoing a transition from open pit to underground. That transition is slated to be complete in 2021, and increased production from that mine, combined with continuing production growth at FCX’s North and South American sites point to copper shipments increasing from 3.8 billion pounds in 2018 to 4.8 billion pounds by 2023.

With EV production anticipated to grow dramatically in the coming year, mining for nickel and other metals essential for that growth takes on added value and importance. Companies involved in that mining appear certain to benefit.

For more information on Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp., visit Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. (CSE:BOLT) (OTCQB:PCRCF) (XFRA:NXFE)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (“NNW”) is a financial news and content distribution company, one of 40+ brands within the InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”), that provides: (1) access to a network of wire solutions via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets; (3) enhanced press release solutions to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience comprising investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from NetworkNewsWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Indonesia Consolidates Nickel Production to Feed Growing EV Battery Market

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Demand for electric vehicle batteries is pushing up production of nickel, especially in Indonesia, where the government is moving to benefit from its natural resources.

One of the companies on the leading edge of this upward momentum is Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (XFRA: NXFE) (PCRCF Profile), which is setting out a bold expansion plan following a successful exploration and development season in Indonesia last year. Other companies with interest in nickel production include Honda Motor Company Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) (OTC: HNDAF), which will be looking for more nickel as it increases its EV range. Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) also continues to push the boundary for EV and has seen its stock rise as the market grows. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) (OTC: TOYOF) is moving into EV, with millions of alternative fuel vehicles sold in the United States. Panasonic Corp ADR (OTC: PCRFY) is working with several of these companies to keep up the EV battery supply.

- Indonesia has 25% of the world’s nickel resources, ready access to markets in China and Japan.
- Nickel is among essential minerals needed to produce batteries for the growing electric vehicle market.
- The Indonesian government has established new regulations to support this growing industry.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Electric Vehicles Spur Mining Boost for Indonesia

In many people’s minds, electric vehicles (EV) are associated with big cities in East Asia, North America and Western Europe. These are major markets where new vehicles are making their presence felt, particularly as environmentally conscious consumers seek to retain their personal mobility while protecting the planet from carbon emissions.

But the drive to put more EV on the roads is having a knock-on effect in other regions. Indonesia, a giant in the production of nickel, is seeing both its economy and its global status boosted by the need for nickel in EV batteries. This shift could help turn the country into an economic superpower, which may have significant consequences for companies working there.

Expanding Indonesian Nickel Production

Among the companies developing Indonesia’s nickel supply is Pacific Rim Cobalt Corporation (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (XFRA: NXFE), a Canada-based battery metals company with offices in Vancouver, Shanghai, Jakarta and Sentai, Indonesia.

Pacific Rim specializes in acquiring and developing production-grade battery metal projects and is committed to providing these critical metals to companies producing EV batteries. The company has been working towards leveraging its flagship nickel-cobalt Cyclops project by employing a vertically integrated “mineral to market” strategy. Based in Papua Province, nestled at the edge of the Cyclops Mountains, this operation is based in a region rich with nickel deposits, where past operations have confirmed the presence of the mineral.

The Indonesian government, which controls licensing to extract minerals in the country, is aware of the growing interest in the industry. Recently the government updated the mining registration process, in part to encourage companies in this industry.

In light of the favorable government outlook and as a result of its its ongoing efforts, Pacific Rim recently secured government approvals needed from the OMBUDSMAN of the Republic of Indonesia for the Cyclops project to move forward. The nickel and cobalt project has been found fully compliant with the updated mining registration process, meaning it is clear to progress.

Pacific Rim Cobalt CEO Ranjeet Sundher commented: “2019 was a pivotal year for us, and we’re pleased to carry this momentum into 2020. Obtaining approval from Indonesia’s OMBUDSMAN is an important step toward our goal of securing strategic partnerships and participating in Asia’s growing battery metals supply chain.”

This milestone marker for Pacific Rim has been possible thanks to the support and connections the company has established. National, regional and local support has been found for the project, which will provide jobs in Papua Province in mining, transport and support services. With government approval in hand, company officials have now begun discussions with potential strategic partners and investors to further develop the operation.

A Global Hub for Electric Vehicle Production

Pacific Rim’s operation is well timed to tie in with plans of the Indonesian government.

Indonesia aims to become a global hub in the EV industry supply chain. Not only does the country have rich sources of nickel, it also has direct nautical trade routes to China and Japan. These powerful neighboring countries represent major markets for the materials Indonesia is producing, thanks to Japan’s high-tech consumer economy and China’s powerful battery industry. Vehicle manufacturers in both countries are focused on becoming leaders in EV, and for that they’ll need battery-grade nickel.

To make the most of this opportunity, Indonesian president Joko Widodo has established rules to bolster the EV industry in the country. Through a series of incentives, the government aims to make EV 20% of its car production by 2025. This movement has attracted investment from major EV players. Operations such as the Cyclops project should play a critical role in making that happen.

To support its plan to become a world-leading player in the EV supply chain, Indonesia has stopped export of unprocessed nickel ore. The government has also recently approved environmental impact studies for the completion of several factories designed to produce battery-grade nickel chemicals.

With the Indonesian government providing support for nickel production, and factories being established to process the chemicals, Indonesia won’t just be a source of nickel-bearing ore — it will become a major market for the base metal.

Ambitious Plans for Nickel

The Indonesian government’s ambitious plans for the country’s EV industry are matched by the ambition of the companies working in the region.

For Pacific Rim, this ambition is backed by the company’s impressive exploration successes in 2019. Testing on its wholly owned site revealed significant nickel and cobalt mineralization near the surface.

These conclusions are based on several successful operations in the second half of 2019. Excavation and sampling of test pits produced 530 kg of sample materials, which were sent to Canada for bench scale testing. Test results indicate 75 drill holes, 51 augur holes and 11 test pits were used to check mineral levels down to various depths. Combined with historic results from 856 drill holes and 26 test pits, these provide a detailed picture of the mineral profile at the Cyclops site.

With these results in hand, Pacific Corp. has identified ambitious milestones for development in 2020, including the completion of a pilot plant in Canada and a demonstration plant in Indonesia, which would produce battery-grade nickel and cobalt material to suit the growing EV market. The operations and success of these initial operations will be used to develop design criteria for a full commercial scale plant.

A Growing Market

The demand for EV batteries means that demand for nickel is high and looks set to stay that way. According to research by Deloitte, EV sales reached 2 million units globally in 2018 and should reach 4 million units in 2020, expanding to 21 million by 2030. At the same time, the cost of EV battery packs has been falling by 20% per year, making EV a more affordable option for consumers.

CRU Mobility and Energy Futures has predicted that the EV market will need 1.3 million tons of nickel per year by 2030, compared with 600,000 tons in 2018. This means that demand for Pacific Rim’s products could more than double in the next decade.

With Indonesia holding 25% of the world’s nickel reserves, the country — and companies with operating inside the country — lies at the nexus of these developments. Spending on new nickel processing plants in the country is expected to reach $20 billion by 2024, thanks to the government’s efforts to create a world-leading EV supply chain. Companies such as Pacific Rim, with an early position in the country’s nickel market, look to be ideally positioned to profit from this.

The EV Nickel Market

The nickel market is increasingly defined by the car manufacturers working in EV.

Honda Motor Company Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) (OTC: HNDAF) is making big moves with EV and hybrid vehicles such as the new Fit. The company is increasing its general levels of car production, with a record-breaking year in 2019 for production in China. Critically, Honda is looking beyond the consumer market in its EV work, with a new research agreement with Isuzu to work on heavy-duty trucks driven by electric fuel cells. This would expand the need for EV batteries.

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) is the name most associated with EV. The company has played a leading role in pushing the industry forward as well as in raising its public profile. The company’s stated mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, which means moving transport faster over to EV. Through intense R&D work, the company has pushed its cars to ever greater mileage, while also developing other battery-based projects, such as Megapack utility-scale energy storage. The company’s recent stock-price growth reflects increasing investor confidence in the EV sector.

Like other vehicle companies, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) (OTC: TOYOF) is moving from traditional engines towards EV. The company has sold more than three million alternative fuel vehicles in the United States alone and is now backing its electric vehicles with an extended-battery warranty. The company also offers some of the most innovative EV on the market, with its Mirai the first zero-emissions vehicle with a range of more than 300 miles.

Panasonic Corp ADR (OTC: PCRFY) has entered the vehicle market by providing batteries for car manufacturers. In addition to its partnership with Tesla, Panasonic has established a joint venture with Toyota to produce EV batteries in China and Japan. The latter project is expected to increase Toyota’s battery production capacity 50 times over, bringing down the cost of individual batteries and significantly increasing the demand for components such as nickel.

With EV production going through a period of dramatic growth, nickel mining looks to be set for dramatic expansion. Nowhere will this be more noticeable than in the government-supported industry of Indonesia.

For more information on Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp., visit Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. (CSE:BOLT) (OTCQB:PCRCF) (XFRA:NXFE)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (“NNW”) is a financial news and content distribution company, one of 40+ brands within the InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”), that provides: (1) access to a network of wire solutions via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets; (3) enhanced press release solutions to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience comprising investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from NetworkNewsWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

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NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
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Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Indonesia Consolidates Nickel Production to Feed Growing EV Battery Market

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Demand for electric vehicle batteries is pushing up production of nickel, especially in Indonesia, where the government is moving to benefit from its natural resources.

One of the companies on the leading edge of this upward momentum is Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (XFRA: NXFE) (PCRCF Profile), which is setting out a bold expansion plan following a successful exploration and development season in Indonesia last year. Other companies with interest in nickel production include Honda Motor Company Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) (OTC: HNDAF), which will be looking for more nickel as it increases its EV range. Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) also continues to push the boundary for EV and has seen its stock rise as the market grows. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) (OTC: TOYOF) is moving into EV, with millions of alternative fuel vehicles sold in the United States. Panasonic Corp ADR (OTC: PCRFY) is working with several of these companies to keep up the EV battery supply.

- Indonesia has 25% of the world’s nickel resources, ready access to markets in China and Japan.
- Nickel is among essential minerals needed to produce batteries for the growing electric vehicle market.
- The Indonesian government has established new regulations to support this growing industry.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Electric Vehicles Spur Mining Boost for Indonesia

In many people’s minds, electric vehicles (EV) are associated with big cities in East Asia, North America and Western Europe. These are major markets where new vehicles are making their presence felt, particularly as environmentally conscious consumers seek to retain their personal mobility while protecting the planet from carbon emissions.

But the drive to put more EV on the roads is having a knock-on effect in other regions. Indonesia, a giant in the production of nickel, is seeing both its economy and its global status boosted by the need for nickel in EV batteries. This shift could help turn the country into an economic superpower, which may have significant consequences for companies working there.

Expanding Indonesian Nickel Production

Among the companies developing Indonesia’s nickel supply is Pacific Rim Cobalt Corporation (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (XFRA: NXFE), a Canada-based battery metals company with offices in Vancouver, Shanghai, Jakarta and Sentai, Indonesia.

Pacific Rim specializes in acquiring and developing production-grade battery metal projects and is committed to providing these critical metals to companies producing EV batteries. The company has been working towards leveraging its flagship nickel-cobalt Cyclops project by employing a vertically integrated “mineral to market” strategy. Based in Papua Province, nestled at the edge of the Cyclops Mountains, this operation is based in a region rich with nickel deposits, where past operations have confirmed the presence of the mineral.

The Indonesian government, which controls licensing to extract minerals in the country, is aware of the growing interest in the industry. Recently the government updated the mining registration process, in part to encourage companies in this industry.

In light of the favorable government outlook and as a result of its its ongoing efforts, Pacific Rim recently secured government approvals needed from the OMBUDSMAN of the Republic of Indonesia for the Cyclops project to move forward. The nickel and cobalt project has been found fully compliant with the updated mining registration process, meaning it is clear to progress.

Pacific Rim Cobalt CEO Ranjeet Sundher commented: “2019 was a pivotal year for us, and we’re pleased to carry this momentum into 2020. Obtaining approval from Indonesia’s OMBUDSMAN is an important step toward our goal of securing strategic partnerships and participating in Asia’s growing battery metals supply chain.”

This milestone marker for Pacific Rim has been possible thanks to the support and connections the company has established. National, regional and local support has been found for the project, which will provide jobs in Papua Province in mining, transport and support services. With government approval in hand, company officials have now begun discussions with potential strategic partners and investors to further develop the operation.

A Global Hub for Electric Vehicle Production

Pacific Rim’s operation is well timed to tie in with plans of the Indonesian government.

Indonesia aims to become a global hub in the EV industry supply chain. Not only does the country have rich sources of nickel, it also has direct nautical trade routes to China and Japan. These powerful neighboring countries represent major markets for the materials Indonesia is producing, thanks to Japan’s high-tech consumer economy and China’s powerful battery industry. Vehicle manufacturers in both countries are focused on becoming leaders in EV, and for that they’ll need battery-grade nickel.

To make the most of this opportunity, Indonesian president Joko Widodo has established rules to bolster the EV industry in the country. Through a series of incentives, the government aims to make EV 20% of its car production by 2025. This movement has attracted investment from major EV players. Operations such as the Cyclops project should play a critical role in making that happen.

To support its plan to become a world-leading player in the EV supply chain, Indonesia has stopped export of unprocessed nickel ore. The government has also recently approved environmental impact studies for the completion of several factories designed to produce battery-grade nickel chemicals.

With the Indonesian government providing support for nickel production, and factories being established to process the chemicals, Indonesia won’t just be a source of nickel-bearing ore — it will become a major market for the base metal.

Ambitious Plans for Nickel

The Indonesian government’s ambitious plans for the country’s EV industry are matched by the ambition of the companies working in the region.

For Pacific Rim, this ambition is backed by the company’s impressive exploration successes in 2019. Testing on its wholly owned site revealed significant nickel and cobalt mineralization near the surface.

These conclusions are based on several successful operations in the second half of 2019. Excavation and sampling of test pits produced 530 kg of sample materials, which were sent to Canada for bench scale testing. Test results indicate 75 drill holes, 51 augur holes and 11 test pits were used to check mineral levels down to various depths. Combined with historic results from 856 drill holes and 26 test pits, these provide a detailed picture of the mineral profile at the Cyclops site.

With these results in hand, Pacific Corp. has identified ambitious milestones for development in 2020, including the completion of a pilot plant in Canada and a demonstration plant in Indonesia, which would produce battery-grade nickel and cobalt material to suit the growing EV market. The operations and success of these initial operations will be used to develop design criteria for a full commercial scale plant.

A Growing Market

The demand for EV batteries means that demand for nickel is high and looks set to stay that way. According to research by Deloitte, EV sales reached 2 million units globally in 2018 and should reach 4 million units in 2020, expanding to 21 million by 2030. At the same time, the cost of EV battery packs has been falling by 20% per year, making EV a more affordable option for consumers.

CRU Mobility and Energy Futures has predicted that the EV market will need 1.3 million tons of nickel per year by 2030, compared with 600,000 tons in 2018. This means that demand for Pacific Rim’s products could more than double in the next decade.

With Indonesia holding 25% of the world’s nickel reserves, the country — and companies with operating inside the country — lies at the nexus of these developments. Spending on new nickel processing plants in the country is expected to reach $20 billion by 2024, thanks to the government’s efforts to create a world-leading EV supply chain. Companies such as Pacific Rim, with an early position in the country’s nickel market, look to be ideally positioned to profit from this.

The EV Nickel Market

The nickel market is increasingly defined by the car manufacturers working in EV.

Honda Motor Company Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) (OTC: HNDAF) is making big moves with EV and hybrid vehicles such as the new Fit. The company is increasing its general levels of car production, with a record-breaking year in 2019 for production in China. Critically, Honda is looking beyond the consumer market in its EV work, with a new research agreement with Isuzu to work on heavy-duty trucks driven by electric fuel cells. This would expand the need for EV batteries.

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) is the name most associated with EV. The company has played a leading role in pushing the industry forward as well as in raising its public profile. The company’s stated mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, which means moving transport faster over to EV. Through intense R&D work, the company has pushed its cars to ever greater mileage, while also developing other battery-based projects, such as Megapack utility-scale energy storage. The company’s recent stock-price growth reflects increasing investor confidence in the EV sector.

Like other vehicle companies, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) (OTC: TOYOF) is moving from traditional engines towards EV. The company has sold more than three million alternative fuel vehicles in the United States alone and is now backing its electric vehicles with an extended-battery warranty. The company also offers some of the most innovative EV on the market, with its Mirai the first zero-emissions vehicle with a range of more than 300 miles.

Panasonic Corp ADR (OTC: PCRFY) has entered the vehicle market by providing batteries for car manufacturers. In addition to its partnership with Tesla, Panasonic has established a joint venture with Toyota to produce EV batteries in China and Japan. The latter project is expected to increase Toyota’s battery production capacity 50 times over, bringing down the cost of individual batteries and significantly increasing the demand for components such as nickel.

With EV production going through a period of dramatic growth, nickel mining looks to be set for dramatic expansion. Nowhere will this be more noticeable than in the government-supported industry of Indonesia.

For more information on Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp., visit Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. (CSE:BOLT) (OTCQB:PCRCF) (XFRA:NXFE)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (“NNW”) is a financial news and content distribution company, one of 40+ brands within the InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”), that provides: (1) access to a network of wire solutions via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets; (3) enhanced press release solutions to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience comprising investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from NetworkNewsWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Filmmakers Poised for Big Gains in Hollywood’s ‘Streaming Wars’

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: While big streaming companies battle it out for supremacy, the real winners of an epic battled dubbed the “streaming wars” may have already emerged: the production companies that stand to profit in a big way from the exploding demand for SVoD content.

As digital streaming steadily eclipses all other forms of in-home entertainment delivery, an entertainment war has erupted among leading subscription video on demand (SVoD) providers. These streaming wars have opened the gate for newer production companies to step up and cash in by funneling fresh content to hungry SVoDs. The battle has already resulted in some big winners, including film-production companies, such as Wonderfilm Media Corporation (TSX.V: WNDR) (OTCQB: WDRFF) (WDRFF profile), that are lining up to satisfy the voracious content appetite of these SVoD giants. As on-demand media streaming continues to rival — and in some cases supplant — every other form of entertainment delivery, major streaming service providers such as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) are also duking it out for dominance.

- Leading streaming service providers are spending billions on content annually.
- With approximately 100 films already streaming on the Netflix platform, Wonderfilm is well-positioned to profit upon the cash-strewn battlefield of the streaming wars.
- WNDR differentiates itself by eliminating the downside risk of filmmaking through setting up each film as a single-purpose entity packaged for upfront sale.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Another Entertainment Revolution

The widespread advent of the VCR in the 1970s gave birth to a revolutionary concept: Consumers could take control over their entertainment and watch what they wanted, when they wanted, within the comfort of their own homes. It wasn’t long before millions of households in the United States possessed these high-tech devices.

Fast forward more than 40 years, and VCRs have now become the antiquated stuff of garage sales and thrift shops. But that concept of controlling one’s own entertainment is alive and thriving — and fueling this major entertainment conflict the media has dubbed the streaming wars. The dominance of content streaming and the race to capture — and keep — VOD consumers unquestionably marks the entertainment revolution of this generation.

Younger Ponies Are Joining the Race

To pull ahead of the herd, the biggest SVoD providers are laying out big bucks to forge exclusive content deals, by both commissioning new content and securing existing content. These providers are also striving to bring leading producers and filmmakers into their paddocks. The demand for content in this streaming race is far exceeding the supply, which has given newer players such as Wonderfilm Media Corporation (TSX.V: WNDR) (OTCQB: WDRFF) a prime opportunity to step in and claim their share of the field.

Wonderfilm is a leading publicly traded entertainment company backed by four Hollywood producers who have, collectively, generated more than $1 billion in revenues from hit films. Wonderfilm’s primary business is the production of high-quality feature films and episodic television, and the company provides a continuous annual production slate of approximately $58 million in projects to ensure continuing deployment of capital and specialized industry expertise throughout the packaging, production and collection phases.

With approximately 100 of the 250 films it owns already streaming on the Netflix platform, Wonderfilm is well-positioned to profit upon the cash-strewn battlefield of the streaming wars. In 2019, Wonderfilm also entered into an agreement with one of the largest streaming platforms in the world to add its entire catalogue to the platform during the latter half of 2019.

In addition to offering up its existing film library for streaming on major platforms, Wonderfilm is also primed to produce original content commissioned by SVoDs.

Outside-the-Box Business Model

Wonderfilm was formed to bring together top filmmakers to produce major motion pictures using a unique risk-averse business model. The company differentiates itself by eliminating the downside risk of filmmaking through setting up each film as a single-purpose entity packaged for upfront sale before any money is spent. Productions are structured to minimize risk by matching budget to available funds. Films are sold based on script, writer and cast for each separate production, and once a film is sold, the company uses the proceeds as one of its tools to finance production. Additionally, Wonderfilm capitalizes on tax credits provided by the chosen state in which a film is shot, and these credits are used as an asset to bank against for an upfront loan to complete the financing.

This unique production structure enables Wonderfilm to start generating a return virtually the moment the camera begins rolling. Producer-fee line items ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, depending on total budget, are incorporated into each production budget and are typically paid to Wonderfilm on day one of principle photography.

Through Wonderfilm Global, a film, television and media foreign sales/distribution joint venture launched at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, and in which Wonderfilm has 51% ownership, Wonderfilm is able to keep distribution margins in-house that formerly went to other companies.

Within each production budget, Wonderfilm Global charges fees for sales and distribution to cover presale costs. Unsold presale territories (countries or territories left off of a film’s presale list either strategically or because the broadcaster/distributor is waiting for film completion) become major outside-of-the-budget distribution sales opportunities for Wonderfilm.

The company largely produces relatively low-risk, easy-to-sell films that feature desirable cast and genre. Once upon a time, third-party distribution companies were earning roughly 10%, plus expenses, on the company’s films with zero level of risk. Now, however, Wonderfilm is generating revenue through presales of its own projects and, at times, third-party films.

The average Wonder?lm picture is pre-sold for $5 million, resulting in a commission that is between $500,000 and $750,000 per sale. Now, rather than going to a third party, these commissions remain in-house with Wonder?lm Global. The company anticipates it will sell between 10 and 12 third-party films by fall 2020, which will generate approximately $6 million in commissions for the company.

In addition, the company’s film library continues to grow with each new production, which adds to future sales revenue. Exploitation rights for future worldwide sales return to Wonderfilm four or seven years after delivery, depending on the agreement. As of October 2019, the growing library of Wonderfilm-produced movies comprised 18 titles for future exploitation.

Exciting Projects – Both in the Can and on the Horizon

Wonderfilm has several potential breakout films currently on its development/production roster.

The company takes pride in working with some of Hollywood’s best talents to create unforgettable films while providing exponential future value for shareholders. Wonderfilm’s slate of 2019 films boasts some of Hollywood’s biggest names in the starring roles, including Nicolas Cage and John Travolta. Cage has starred in two Wonderfilm productions since 2018 and is slated to begin filming a third Wonderfilm picture in 2020.

While Wonderfilm focuses on high-ROI low-budget films — the sort that are ideally suited for direct-to-streaming release — the company also produces a handful of large-budget films each year that are designed to generate home-run potential.

Seventeen new Wonderfilm features are currently greenlit for shooting, representing $58 million in production budgets. Most notable among these are the horror film “Amityville 1974,” which is slated for theatrical release in October 2020, and the action film “Inside Game,” starring Tyrese Gibson, which will hit theaters in fall 2020.

Wonderfilm is also actively developing various other new IP projects, among which is a dramatic biopic about the life of Steve McQueen, a screen adaptation of bestselling novel “Merchant of Death,” and a TV series helmed by “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” creator Anthony Zuiker.

Big Opportunities

In the current fight among SVoD providers to offer the most plentiful and alluring content to hook consumers, up-and-coming production companies such as Wonderfilm are in a prime position to strike lucrative deals, both with providers looking to acquire existing content and those seeking to solicit new, proprietary shows.

Newly launched by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) on Nov. 1, 2019, Apple TV+ has already made history as the first streaming platform to earn Golden Globe nominations during its launch year, bringing in nods for its original drama “The Morning Show.” Apple has touted its service as the first all-original video subscription service, thus setting a high bar for itself right out of the gate to continue delivering content that is both all original and award caliber. This is, no doubt, a strong motivating force behind Apple’s efforts to lure hot-commodity filmmaking talents away from established TV networks and movie studios.

Veteran streaming platform Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) has spent a reported $12 billion this year on programming alone to satiate the content appetites of its 166 million global subscribers. Netflix is also one of the production pirates that has been seducing writer-producers from studios and networks with jaw-dropping compensation packages.

Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) has done the same, luring creative minds from established networks and studios with big payoffs. The company spent $1.7 billion on streaming content (both video and music) in Q1 of 2019 alone. Across the film industry, big money is being tossed out in an effort to acquire talents, scripts and ideas, and it’s happening at a level Hollywood has never seen before.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) is another big-hitter that is spending big bucks for streaming content to fill out the offerings on its new Disney Plus platform, which was also just launched in November. Disney has announced plans to spend over $1 billion for original content during fiscal year 2020 and projects it will reach upwards of $2.5 billion in expenditures for Disney Plus programming by 2024.

Hollywood’s streaming wars could last for years as these and other big players with deep pockets wheel and deal, watch and wait. But regardless how long the battle lasts, production companies can claim victories right now as they step in to serve up the plentiful entertainment offerings these SVoD providers — and their patrons — are clamoring for.

For more information on Wonderfilm Media Corporation, visit Wonderfilm Media Corporation (TSX.V: WNDR) (OTCQB: WDRFF)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Filmmakers Poised for Big Gains in Hollywood’s ‘Streaming Wars’

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: While big streaming companies battle it out for supremacy, the real winners of an epic battled dubbed the “streaming wars” may have already emerged: the production companies that stand to profit in a big way from the exploding demand for SVoD content.

As digital streaming steadily eclipses all other forms of in-home entertainment delivery, an entertainment war has erupted among leading subscription video on demand (SVoD) providers. These streaming wars have opened the gate for newer production companies to step up and cash in by funneling fresh content to hungry SVoDs. The battle has already resulted in some big winners, including film-production companies, such as Wonderfilm Media Corporation (TSX.V: WNDR) (OTCQB: WDRFF) (WDRFF profile), that are lining up to satisfy the voracious content appetite of these SVoD giants. As on-demand media streaming continues to rival — and in some cases supplant — every other form of entertainment delivery, major streaming service providers such as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) are also duking it out for dominance.

- Leading streaming service providers are spending billions on content annually.
- With approximately 100 films already streaming on the Netflix platform, Wonderfilm is well-positioned to profit upon the cash-strewn battlefield of the streaming wars.
- WNDR differentiates itself by eliminating the downside risk of filmmaking through setting up each film as a single-purpose entity packaged for upfront sale.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Another Entertainment Revolution

The widespread advent of the VCR in the 1970s gave birth to a revolutionary concept: Consumers could take control over their entertainment and watch what they wanted, when they wanted, within the comfort of their own homes. It wasn’t long before millions of households in the United States possessed these high-tech devices.

Fast forward more than 40 years, and VCRs have now become the antiquated stuff of garage sales and thrift shops. But that concept of controlling one’s own entertainment is alive and thriving — and fueling this major entertainment conflict the media has dubbed the streaming wars. The dominance of content streaming and the race to capture — and keep — VOD consumers unquestionably marks the entertainment revolution of this generation.

Younger Ponies Are Joining the Race

To pull ahead of the herd, the biggest SVoD providers are laying out big bucks to forge exclusive content deals, by both commissioning new content and securing existing content. These providers are also striving to bring leading producers and filmmakers into their paddocks. The demand for content in this streaming race is far exceeding the supply, which has given newer players such as Wonderfilm Media Corporation (TSX.V: WNDR) (OTCQB: WDRFF) a prime opportunity to step in and claim their share of the field.

Wonderfilm is a leading publicly traded entertainment company backed by four Hollywood producers who have, collectively, generated more than $1 billion in revenues from hit films. Wonderfilm’s primary business is the production of high-quality feature films and episodic television, and the company provides a continuous annual production slate of approximately $58 million in projects to ensure continuing deployment of capital and specialized industry expertise throughout the packaging, production and collection phases.

With approximately 100 of the 250 films it owns already streaming on the Netflix platform, Wonderfilm is well-positioned to profit upon the cash-strewn battlefield of the streaming wars. In 2019, Wonderfilm also entered into an agreement with one of the largest streaming platforms in the world to add its entire catalogue to the platform during the latter half of 2019.

In addition to offering up its existing film library for streaming on major platforms, Wonderfilm is also primed to produce original content commissioned by SVoDs.

Outside-the-Box Business Model

Wonderfilm was formed to bring together top filmmakers to produce major motion pictures using a unique risk-averse business model. The company differentiates itself by eliminating the downside risk of filmmaking through setting up each film as a single-purpose entity packaged for upfront sale before any money is spent. Productions are structured to minimize risk by matching budget to available funds. Films are sold based on script, writer and cast for each separate production, and once a film is sold, the company uses the proceeds as one of its tools to finance production. Additionally, Wonderfilm capitalizes on tax credits provided by the chosen state in which a film is shot, and these credits are used as an asset to bank against for an upfront loan to complete the financing.

This unique production structure enables Wonderfilm to start generating a return virtually the moment the camera begins rolling. Producer-fee line items ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, depending on total budget, are incorporated into each production budget and are typically paid to Wonderfilm on day one of principle photography.

Through Wonderfilm Global, a film, television and media foreign sales/distribution joint venture launched at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, and in which Wonderfilm has 51% ownership, Wonderfilm is able to keep distribution margins in-house that formerly went to other companies.

Within each production budget, Wonderfilm Global charges fees for sales and distribution to cover presale costs. Unsold presale territories (countries or territories left off of a film’s presale list either strategically or because the broadcaster/distributor is waiting for film completion) become major outside-of-the-budget distribution sales opportunities for Wonderfilm.

The company largely produces relatively low-risk, easy-to-sell films that feature desirable cast and genre. Once upon a time, third-party distribution companies were earning roughly 10%, plus expenses, on the company’s films with zero level of risk. Now, however, Wonderfilm is generating revenue through presales of its own projects and, at times, third-party films.

The average Wonder?lm picture is pre-sold for $5 million, resulting in a commission that is between $500,000 and $750,000 per sale. Now, rather than going to a third party, these commissions remain in-house with Wonder?lm Global. The company anticipates it will sell between 10 and 12 third-party films by fall 2020, which will generate approximately $6 million in commissions for the company.

In addition, the company’s film library continues to grow with each new production, which adds to future sales revenue. Exploitation rights for future worldwide sales return to Wonderfilm four or seven years after delivery, depending on the agreement. As of October 2019, the growing library of Wonderfilm-produced movies comprised 18 titles for future exploitation.

Exciting Projects – Both in the Can and on the Horizon

Wonderfilm has several potential breakout films currently on its development/production roster.

The company takes pride in working with some of Hollywood’s best talents to create unforgettable films while providing exponential future value for shareholders. Wonderfilm’s slate of 2019 films boasts some of Hollywood’s biggest names in the starring roles, including Nicolas Cage and John Travolta. Cage has starred in two Wonderfilm productions since 2018 and is slated to begin filming a third Wonderfilm picture in 2020.

While Wonderfilm focuses on high-ROI low-budget films — the sort that are ideally suited for direct-to-streaming release — the company also produces a handful of large-budget films each year that are designed to generate home-run potential.

Seventeen new Wonderfilm features are currently greenlit for shooting, representing $58 million in production budgets. Most notable among these are the horror film “Amityville 1974,” which is slated for theatrical release in October 2020, and the action film “Inside Game,” starring Tyrese Gibson, which will hit theaters in fall 2020.

Wonderfilm is also actively developing various other new IP projects, among which is a dramatic biopic about the life of Steve McQueen, a screen adaptation of bestselling novel “Merchant of Death,” and a TV series helmed by “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” creator Anthony Zuiker.

Big Opportunities

In the current fight among SVoD providers to offer the most plentiful and alluring content to hook consumers, up-and-coming production companies such as Wonderfilm are in a prime position to strike lucrative deals, both with providers looking to acquire existing content and those seeking to solicit new, proprietary shows.

Newly launched by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) on Nov. 1, 2019, Apple TV+ has already made history as the first streaming platform to earn Golden Globe nominations during its launch year, bringing in nods for its original drama “The Morning Show.” Apple has touted its service as the first all-original video subscription service, thus setting a high bar for itself right out of the gate to continue delivering content that is both all original and award caliber. This is, no doubt, a strong motivating force behind Apple’s efforts to lure hot-commodity filmmaking talents away from established TV networks and movie studios.

Veteran streaming platform Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) has spent a reported $12 billion this year on programming alone to satiate the content appetites of its 166 million global subscribers. Netflix is also one of the production pirates that has been seducing writer-producers from studios and networks with jaw-dropping compensation packages.

Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) has done the same, luring creative minds from established networks and studios with big payoffs. The company spent $1.7 billion on streaming content (both video and music) in Q1 of 2019 alone. Across the film industry, big money is being tossed out in an effort to acquire talents, scripts and ideas, and it’s happening at a level Hollywood has never seen before.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) is another big-hitter that is spending big bucks for streaming content to fill out the offerings on its new Disney Plus platform, which was also just launched in November. Disney has announced plans to spend over $1 billion for original content during fiscal year 2020 and projects it will reach upwards of $2.5 billion in expenditures for Disney Plus programming by 2024.

Hollywood’s streaming wars could last for years as these and other big players with deep pockets wheel and deal, watch and wait. But regardless how long the battle lasts, production companies can claim victories right now as they step in to serve up the plentiful entertainment offerings these SVoD providers — and their patrons — are clamoring for.

For more information on Wonderfilm Media Corporation, visit Wonderfilm Media Corporation (TSX.V: WNDR) (OTCQB: WDRFF)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

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Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

NetworkNewsBreaks – No Borders Inc. (NBDR) CEO to Present at LD Micro Main Event on December 11

No Borders (OTC: NBDR), an established multifaceted corporation specializing in the acquisition, creation and scaling of commercial and consumer products, this morning announced that its CEO and Chairman Joseph Snyder will be presenting at the 12th Annual LD Micro Main Event taking place Dec. 10-12, 2019, at the Luxe Sunset in Bel Air, California. Snyder will be providing a detailed review of the company’s SEC qualified Reg A offering and “NBDR 2020 Roadmap” at 3:00 PM PST on Wednesday, Dec. 11. In addition, company management will be hosting one on one investor meetings before and after the presentation. To book an investor meeting, email ir@nbdr.co. “I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share our NBDR journey directly with all the investors, industry veterans and other OTC companies at LD Micro Main Event. We are incredibly lucky to have earned the very last company presentation slot and I am very excited to share our NBDR Mission, Reg A details and 2020 Roadmap with everyone at LD Micro 2019!” No Borders CEO and Chairman Joseph Snyder stated in the news release.

To view the full press release, visit http://nnw.fm/kR6TE

About No Borders, Inc.

No Borders, Inc. (OTC:NBDR) is a multifaceted corporation specializing in the acquisition, creation and scaling of commercial and consumer products by utilizing cutting-edge technologies to reduce costs while increasing revenues and shareholder value through technological superiority across its portfolio of assets. The company’s portfolio of brands includes:

- No Borders Naturals Inc., a purveyor of health and wellness products for active consumers and their pets.
- No Borders Dental Resources Inc., a provider of equipment and supplies to medical and dental professionals across the U.S. through the trade name MediDent Supplies (MediDentsupplies.com).
- No Borders Labs Inc., which provides leading-edge tech tools to NBDR internal companies while also offering consulting, architecture and software development services to external businesses looking to update their technology infrastructure for greater efficiency, security and transparency (NoBordersLabs.com).
- CBDLabChain.com which is a powerful tool to demonstrate in an unbiased and unchangeable way a clear sense of security to consumers of CBD products by recording Certificate Of Authority (COA) on a blockchain technology platform. With a goal to provide consumers with peace of mind, No Borders Labs designed CBD LabChain to record THC, CBD and other lab test data variants with those results easily accessible via QR code linkage as well as a clear “Results Guaranteed With Blockchain” icon, which can be integrated directly into individual product labels.

No Borders is headquartered in Arizona with resources in the U.S., South America, Asia and Europe. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.NBDR.co.

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

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

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No Borders Inc. (NBDR) Develops, Releases Lab Test Recording Blockchain Platform

- No Borders Inc. launches CBD LabChain blockchain platform aimed at testing market
- Global cannabis testing market projected to grow at CAGR of 13.2%, surpass $1.5 billion by 2026
- NBDR announces $3 million Reg A offering qualification

Laboratory CBD- and THC-concentration test results for retail CBD products are now on the blockchain, thanks to No Borders Inc. (OTC: NBDR). The company announced it had successfully developed and deployed a revolutionary platform for securely and immutably recording cannabinoid lab test data on its new blockchain based certification platform. The platform – CBD LabChain – was launched in November 2019 at Blockchain Expo 2019, gaining immediate exposure to a wide audience of industry leaders and professionals. No Borders, through its subsidiary No Borders Naturals, is currently the only company in the world to record 100% of its third-party, CBD lab tests on a blockchain-secured platform (http://nnw.fm/uT8j6).

The CBD LabChain platform was built to respond to two crucial consumer concerns: that consumption of a CBD product produces a positive result in an employment drug test and the uncertainty that CBD products contain their stated amount of the cannabinoid. The CBD LabChain platform was developed after extensive research and customer trials as teams from No Borders Naturals traveled coast to coast, sharing the company’s premium line of cannabinoid wellness products with more than 25,000 consumers and then assessing the results.

The CBD LabChain platform records and stores tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and other lab test data variants and make those results easily accessible via QR code and batch number linkage. Additionally, products that use CBD LabChain are offered a “Results Guaranteed with Blockchain” icon that can be directly integrated into individual product labels.

No Borders Labs, another subsidiary of No Borders Inc., believes this innovation makes CBD LabChain a powerful consumer trust tool to help overcome consumer fears and provide a clear sense of security regarding product authenticity, efficacy and potency. The company is actively working with its existing supply chain partners and third-party, lab-testing facilities to offer the trust, security and transparency of the CBD LabChain Certification to other CBD brands, extraction facilities and wholesalers around the world.

As the CBD industry matures, certification is expected to play an increasingly important role. Mounting pressure is expected from consumers and regulators to ensure that products meet safety standards and are not packaged or advertised in a misleading way. Certification and the testing that goes with it can signal product quality. As one industry commentator has remarked (http://nnw.fm/M1AYi), “Testing isn’t just out there because it’s the rules. It adds value to a business.”

As a result, the CBD-testing and certification market is forecast to grow by leaps and bounds. One industry analyst estimates the global cannabis testing market to have been $926.3 million in 2017 and projects it to surpass $1.5 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 13.2% over the forecast period (2018-2026) (http://nnw.fm/40l1R).

In other company news, No Borders announced it had successfully received qualification of its Reg A offering with the SEC to raise up to $3 million. The company has filed state registrations in Colorado, Florida and New York, with several investment groups signing LOIs for partial, full or syndicated participation in the offering (http://nnw.fm/2IXRc).

No Borders Inc. is a multifaceted corporation specializing in technology, acquisitions and distribution of commercial and consumer products with a focus on reducing costs through a lean-operation business model while increasing revenue and shareholder value through technological superiority across its portfolio of assets.

Presently, No Borders has five active subsidiaries: No Borders Naturals Inc., a purveyor of health and wellness products; No Borders Dental Resources Inc., a provider of equipment and supplies to medical and dental professionals, which trades under the name MediDent Supplies; No Borders Labs Inc., which provides leading-edge tech tools to NBDR internal companies while also offering consulting, architecture and software-development services to external businesses; No Borders Funding, which provides capital and strategic funding options for No Borders group companies; and No Borders Education Inc., a provider of staff training and educational tools.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.NBDR.co

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

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from NetworkNewsWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

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No Borders Inc. (NBDR) Launches Revolutionary Blockchain-Based ‘CBD LabChain’ to Deliver Secure, Transparent and Verified Lab Results

- CBD LabChain is the all new blockchain data security platform crafted to provide CBD brands with a transparent, immutable certification of CBD lab test results
- No Borders Labs believes CBD LabChain offers a powerful tool to overcome common consumer concerns regarding trying or using hemp-derived CBD products
- No Borders continues its early filing tradition as a listed company on the OTC Market, reporting another record quarter of revenue growth

No Borders Inc. (OTC: NBDR), a multifaceted corporation specializing in the acquisition, creation and scaling of commercial and consumer products by utilizing cutting edge technologies to reduce costs while increasing revenues and shareholder value, has launched a revolutionary blockchain utilization platform specifically designed for the CBD industry. No Borders CEO and Chairman Joseph Snyder recently presented the company’s CBD LabChain platform to a wide audience of industry leaders and professionals attending Blockchain Expo 2019 in San Francisco (http://nnw.fm/AYsa8).

“I am very proud to share our product launch of CBD LabChain,” Snyder stated in the official launch video (http://nnw.fm/wYp98). “Our product line, NoBordersNaturals.com, is in our humble opinion the finest line of CBD products on the market today. As of today, CBD LabChain is an immutable, secure, permanent record of all of the data, lab test results, THC amounts, CBD amounts, and other pertinent spectrum result that are in the product line that we sell to our consumers today.”

No Borders Naturals is currently the only company in the world to record 100% of its third-party lab tests on the www.CBDLabChain.com platform. However, CBD LabChain, built with a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) revenue model, is now available to existing market participants to record their lab test results for a per-test fee, Snyder said. Results of lab test results are easily accessible via QR Code linkage.

No Borders recently reported its family of companies achieved quarter-over-quarter revenue growth of 25.57%, increasing gross margins by 7.44% to 42.47% in Q3 2019, versus 35.03% in the previous quarter. No Borders also completed and submitted its quarterly filings early, which is now a company tradition and one that demonstrates to stakeholders an ironclad commitment to internal brand growth.

“Clearly, this filing shows that the Company is deploying capital to its brands and businesses at almost a 100% rate,” Cynthia Tanabe, COO of No Borders Inc., stated in a news release (http://nnw.fm/w2ouI). “This is a strong indicator of how much faster and farther the NBDR brands can go with the addition of capital through the Company’s recent SEC filings.”

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.NBDR.co

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

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from NetworkNewsWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

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Unleashing the Disruptive Forces of 3D Printing

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: 3D-printing technology has arrived and appears ready to beneficially disrupt every field it touches.

Additive manufacturing, better known as three-dimensional or 3D printing, has potential to change the world. However, the full promise of the technology has been stymied due to the high costs and complexities of end-product inspection and quality control. With its pioneering PrintRite3D(R) software, Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB) (SGLB Profile) appears to be ready to help unleash the transformative forces of 3D printing and usher in what’s been called the fourth industrial revolution. Aerospace has embraced 3D printing and, for the first time in the industry, Sigma Labs’ software makes possible nondestructive quality assurance during the 3D printing of metal parts, uniquely allowing errors to be corrected in real time. The sector has been searching for just such a validated tool and method to raise quality and cut costs, scale production, and bring 3D printing even more into mainstream manufacturing. Using 3D printing, Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX), delivered the first entry-into-service jet-engine parts ever produced. Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) has qualified more 3D-printed aircraft parts with the FAA than any of its rivals, noting that “3D printing technology is real and it’s fantastic.” Achieving design solutions that have been inconceivable in the past, Boeing (NYSE: BA) has applied the technology to airplanes, missiles, satellites and spacecraft. These amazing achievements are made possible by 3D-printing technology, guided and directed by advanced-engineering simulation software from companies such as ANSYS (NASDAQ: ANSS) and now, it appears, significantly accelerated, enhanced and simplified by the quality assurance software of Sigma Labs.

- The 3D-printing metal industry is impeded by costly, laborious, post–manufacturing, quality-control processes.
- Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D is only known solution that enables real-time, in-process detection and intervention on quality-control manufacturing anomalies.
- SGLB software reduces waste, cost and time; allows OEMs and end users to cost effectively scale production.
- PrintRite3D is patented, third-party validated by DARPA.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Primer and Problem

3D objects can now be printed in more than 250 different materials, from plastics to titanium, creating complex structures and printing almost anything from medical prosthetics to jet engines. Additive manufacturing also reduces costs and weight, in some cases requiring as little as 10% of raw materials used in traditional manufacturing. 3D printing is the kind of technological advancement that could completely revolutionize manufacturing and totally disrupt business models. With 3D printing, the direct manufacturing cost per part is the same to create a single item as it is per part in a production flow of thousands, turning the economies of scale principle on its head. The technology allows companies to build digital designs, push “Send” and render fully formed prototype, customized products or commercial parts in volume — all while saving money, manpower, weight and time.

Like something from science fiction, additive metal-part manufacturing continuously welds 10- to 30-micron layers of powdered metal together with a laser to “sculpt” a final three-dimensional product. During the manufacture of 3D metal parts, a machine is creating the metal of a part while simultaneously forming the shape of the part. The process synthesizes the metal manufacturing functions of foundry or casting into the manufacturing process. These new processes and methods have created new exciting and previously unachievable capabilities. With 3D metal printing the new methods also created a serious unintended problem: How can the manufacturer know if the newly formed metal meets precise specifications in every 10- to 30-micron layer of a 3D part?

Major aerospace companies have taken to manufacturing 3D metal parts, reaping substantial benefits from cutting the weight of some products anywhere from 25% to 40%. The aerospace industry easily converts weight reduction in aircraft components into increased cash flow; the lighter the plane, the more “paying weight” can be carried. Though not readily transferable to other large but less weight-sensitive industries, aerospace is committed and continues to pay for costly, post-process, quality-assurance procedures. Aerospace has also realized a newfound ability to manufacture subassemblies as a single part, which until 3D metal printing were composed of 20 or more different parts.

To capitalize on these enormous benefits, aerospace companies have had to contend with serious risks of flaws in the newly formed metal. Out of necessity, the aerospace industry developed and has relied upon effective but costly solutions ranging from large-production sample runs for preproduction qualifying procedures of both machines and new parts, repeated until consistency is achieved, and CT scan inspection, which is effective but costly. For 3D metal printing to be truly unleashed from the current restraints of low-quality yields and high post-production inspection costs and surge into the broader metal-parts markets, the 3D metal-manufacturing, quality-assurance problem requires a solution that raises yields and deeply cuts post-process inspection costs.

Sigma’s Solution

Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB) has created a new archetype in the development and commercialization of real-time, computer-aided inspection solutions for additive manufacturing. While that might seem like a bold statement, Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D was shown to ensure process consistency and product quality in metal-additive manufacturing in a research study by the prestigious Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) conducted in tandem with Honeywell Aerospace. Exactly what the industry has been searching for — resolution of costly, quality-control challenges that impede the 3D manufacture of precision metal parts. Sigma Labs’ breakthrough software may well be the impetus to truly enable and unleash commercial additive serial production.

Many believe that Sigma Labs has the solution. The company’s patented PrintRite3D version 5.1 software integrates inspection, feedback, data collection and critical analysis into a unified platform. Unlike anything else on the market, Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D 5.1 version:

- Is platform independent and available as a third-party add-on or retrofit package for existing machines
- Mines and identifies thermal signatures of melt-pool disturbances and respective discontinuities using thermal emission spectroscopy
- Harnesses co-axial planck thermometry to provide a verified thermal signature in both temperature and coordinates
- Uses in-process quality metrics, thermal emission density and thermal emission planck to analyze internal thermal signatures and melt-pool disturbances
- Contains a graphical user interface for real-time display of live-part quality results; automated anomaly detection on thermal mapping images provides location and anomalous region size
- Collects data with fixed spatial resolution in the X/Y plane but variable resolution depending on layer height used during the manufacturing process.

Unheard of in the industry, PrintRite3D 5.1 uniquely leverages thermal signatures to monitor the quality of each product part in the production process, layer by layer and in real time. This allows operators to correct or stop production of a defective part, resulting in reduced error rates and higher yields. This incredibly sophisticated and powerful technology may hold enormous potential value.

Sigma Labs has surrounded its IP portfolio with 34 issued and pending patents, both domestically and across the globe. These patents encompass the fundamental technologies underlying Sigma Labs’ melt-pool process control, data analytics, anomaly detection, signature identification and future closed-loop-control of 3D metal printing. Third-party validation of PrintRite3D’s efficacy was demonstrated in research by DARPA, and further validation can be found in the recent announcement that Sigma Labs was awarded an upgraded Phase 2 contract by the premier industry and research network for additive manufacturing, the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Manufacturing Technologies (IAPT).

Commercialization

To date, Sigma Labs has engaged 19 beta customers, including many of the biggest names in the industry, with more evaluation programs likely to follow. Two of these programs have already awarded Sigma Labs Phase 2 contracts for its rapid test and evaluation program, the last step before full commercial orders. The first Phase 2 contract, revealed on the Q3 earnings call, was awarded by Baker Hughes; the second contract was recently awarded by IAPT.

“The third quarter of 2019 was highlighted by continued success in engaging both OEMs and end users as PrintRite3D customers, driving continued industry awareness and developing promising commercial opportunities,” said Sigma Labs chairman and CEO John Rice. It appears that the question isn’t if Sigma Labs will receive large commercial orders but rather a matter of when.

3D printing unlocks vast new opportunities for innovative production techniques, novel products, mass customization and systematic perfection. Major international advancements in additive manufacturing are accelerating these trends at breakneck speeds and giving birth to new convergent applications. Given the magnitude and ramifications of PrintRite3D, it’s no surprise that the software is being evaluated by multiple tier-1 aerospace and OEM partners worldwide. All indications are that Sigma Labs appears ready to deliver the requisite software that truly unleashes the disruptive forces of 3D metal printing.

Committed to 3D Printing

Sigma Labs isn’t the only savvy company committed to the power, potential and future of 3D printing. Multinational conglomerate United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX) has significant business concentrations in aerospace products and services, including jet engines. The company established a $75 million Additive Manufacturing Center of Expertise last year. The company’s Pratt & Whitney division has joined other industry leaders in exploring the applicability of titanium 3D printing for highly demanding and critical rotating engine parts which will be the first additively manufactured rotating part for Pratt & Whitney development programs.

Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) is a global leader in engineering services and aerospace systems. Honeywell Aerospace, which previously entered into 3D-printing R&D contracts with Sigma Labs and 3D Systems, granted Sintavia, a metal additive manufacturing company, approval last year to manufacture components for Honeywell Aerospace using powder bed fusion technology. Sigma Labs’ quality assurance software is designed to simplify quality control, reduce costs and improve yields in the powder bed fusion 3D printing metal process.

Boeing (NYSE: BA) is a multinational corporation that designs, manufactures and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment and missiles worldwide. The company has stated that “additive manufacturing — also known as 3D printing — enables an efficient design process that can achieve design solutions that we could not have imagined in the past.” With a systems approach to additive manufacturing, Boeing’s first significant application of additive manufacturing was to the SES–15 spacecraft.

Software giant ANSYS (NASDAQ: ANSS) offers a complete simulation workflow for additive manufacturing that allows the transition from R&D efforts for metal-additive manufacturing into a successful manufacturing operation. ANSYS is the global leader in engineering simulation. Through its strategy of pervasive engineering simulation, ANSYS helps the world’s most innovative companies deliver radically better products to their customers.

For more information on Sigma Labs, visit Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Unleashing the Disruptive Forces of 3D Printing

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: 3D-printing technology has arrived and appears ready to beneficially disrupt every field it touches.

Additive manufacturing, better known as three-dimensional or 3D printing, has potential to change the world. However, the full promise of the technology has been stymied due to the high costs and complexities of end-product inspection and quality control. With its pioneering PrintRite3D(R) software, Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB) (SGLB Profile) appears to be ready to help unleash the transformative forces of 3D printing and usher in what’s been called the fourth industrial revolution. Aerospace has embraced 3D printing and, for the first time in the industry, Sigma Labs’ software makes possible nondestructive quality assurance during the 3D printing of metal parts, uniquely allowing errors to be corrected in real time. The sector has been searching for just such a validated tool and method to raise quality and cut costs, scale production, and bring 3D printing even more into mainstream manufacturing. Using 3D printing, Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX), delivered the first entry-into-service jet-engine parts ever produced. Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) has qualified more 3D-printed aircraft parts with the FAA than any of its rivals, noting that “3D printing technology is real and it’s fantastic.” Achieving design solutions that have been inconceivable in the past, Boeing (NYSE: BA) has applied the technology to airplanes, missiles, satellites and spacecraft. These amazing achievements are made possible by 3D-printing technology, guided and directed by advanced-engineering simulation software from companies such as ANSYS (NASDAQ: ANSS) and now, it appears, significantly accelerated, enhanced and simplified by the quality assurance software of Sigma Labs.

- The 3D-printing metal industry is impeded by costly, laborious, post–manufacturing, quality-control processes.
- Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D is only known solution that enables real-time, in-process detection and intervention on quality-control manufacturing anomalies.
- SGLB software reduces waste, cost and time; allows OEMs and end users to cost effectively scale production.
- PrintRite3D is patented, third-party validated by DARPA.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Primer and Problem

3D objects can now be printed in more than 250 different materials, from plastics to titanium, creating complex structures and printing almost anything from medical prosthetics to jet engines. Additive manufacturing also reduces costs and weight, in some cases requiring as little as 10% of raw materials used in traditional manufacturing. 3D printing is the kind of technological advancement that could completely revolutionize manufacturing and totally disrupt business models. With 3D printing, the direct manufacturing cost per part is the same to create a single item as it is per part in a production flow of thousands, turning the economies of scale principle on its head. The technology allows companies to build digital designs, push “Send” and render fully formed prototype, customized products or commercial parts in volume — all while saving money, manpower, weight and time.

Like something from science fiction, additive metal-part manufacturing continuously welds 10- to 30-micron layers of powdered metal together with a laser to “sculpt” a final three-dimensional product. During the manufacture of 3D metal parts, a machine is creating the metal of a part while simultaneously forming the shape of the part. The process synthesizes the metal manufacturing functions of foundry or casting into the manufacturing process. These new processes and methods have created new exciting and previously unachievable capabilities. With 3D metal printing the new methods also created a serious unintended problem: How can the manufacturer know if the newly formed metal meets precise specifications in every 10- to 30-micron layer of a 3D part?

Major aerospace companies have taken to manufacturing 3D metal parts, reaping substantial benefits from cutting the weight of some products anywhere from 25% to 40%. The aerospace industry easily converts weight reduction in aircraft components into increased cash flow; the lighter the plane, the more “paying weight” can be carried. Though not readily transferable to other large but less weight-sensitive industries, aerospace is committed and continues to pay for costly, post-process, quality-assurance procedures. Aerospace has also realized a newfound ability to manufacture subassemblies as a single part, which until 3D metal printing were composed of 20 or more different parts.

To capitalize on these enormous benefits, aerospace companies have had to contend with serious risks of flaws in the newly formed metal. Out of necessity, the aerospace industry developed and has relied upon effective but costly solutions ranging from large-production sample runs for preproduction qualifying procedures of both machines and new parts, repeated until consistency is achieved, and CT scan inspection, which is effective but costly. For 3D metal printing to be truly unleashed from the current restraints of low-quality yields and high post-production inspection costs and surge into the broader metal-parts markets, the 3D metal-manufacturing, quality-assurance problem requires a solution that raises yields and deeply cuts post-process inspection costs.

Sigma’s Solution

Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB) has created a new archetype in the development and commercialization of real-time, computer-aided inspection solutions for additive manufacturing. While that might seem like a bold statement, Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D was shown to ensure process consistency and product quality in metal-additive manufacturing in a research study by the prestigious Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) conducted in tandem with Honeywell Aerospace. Exactly what the industry has been searching for — resolution of costly, quality-control challenges that impede the 3D manufacture of precision metal parts. Sigma Labs’ breakthrough software may well be the impetus to truly enable and unleash commercial additive serial production.

Many believe that Sigma Labs has the solution. The company’s patented PrintRite3D version 5.1 software integrates inspection, feedback, data collection and critical analysis into a unified platform. Unlike anything else on the market, Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D 5.1 version:

- Is platform independent and available as a third-party add-on or retrofit package for existing machines
- Mines and identifies thermal signatures of melt-pool disturbances and respective discontinuities using thermal emission spectroscopy
- Harnesses co-axial planck thermometry to provide a verified thermal signature in both temperature and coordinates
- Uses in-process quality metrics, thermal emission density and thermal emission planck to analyze internal thermal signatures and melt-pool disturbances
- Contains a graphical user interface for real-time display of live-part quality results; automated anomaly detection on thermal mapping images provides location and anomalous region size
- Collects data with fixed spatial resolution in the X/Y plane but variable resolution depending on layer height used during the manufacturing process.

Unheard of in the industry, PrintRite3D 5.1 uniquely leverages thermal signatures to monitor the quality of each product part in the production process, layer by layer and in real time. This allows operators to correct or stop production of a defective part, resulting in reduced error rates and higher yields. This incredibly sophisticated and powerful technology may hold enormous potential value.

Sigma Labs has surrounded its IP portfolio with 34 issued and pending patents, both domestically and across the globe. These patents encompass the fundamental technologies underlying Sigma Labs’ melt-pool process control, data analytics, anomaly detection, signature identification and future closed-loop-control of 3D metal printing. Third-party validation of PrintRite3D’s efficacy was demonstrated in research by DARPA, and further validation can be found in the recent announcement that Sigma Labs was awarded an upgraded Phase 2 contract by the premier industry and research network for additive manufacturing, the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Manufacturing Technologies (IAPT).

Commercialization

To date, Sigma Labs has engaged 19 beta customers, including many of the biggest names in the industry, with more evaluation programs likely to follow. Two of these programs have already awarded Sigma Labs Phase 2 contracts for its rapid test and evaluation program, the last step before full commercial orders. The first Phase 2 contract, revealed on the Q3 earnings call, was awarded by Baker Hughes; the second contract was recently awarded by IAPT.

“The third quarter of 2019 was highlighted by continued success in engaging both OEMs and end users as PrintRite3D customers, driving continued industry awareness and developing promising commercial opportunities,” said Sigma Labs chairman and CEO John Rice. It appears that the question isn’t if Sigma Labs will receive large commercial orders but rather a matter of when.

3D printing unlocks vast new opportunities for innovative production techniques, novel products, mass customization and systematic perfection. Major international advancements in additive manufacturing are accelerating these trends at breakneck speeds and giving birth to new convergent applications. Given the magnitude and ramifications of PrintRite3D, it’s no surprise that the software is being evaluated by multiple tier-1 aerospace and OEM partners worldwide. All indications are that Sigma Labs appears ready to deliver the requisite software that truly unleashes the disruptive forces of 3D metal printing.

Committed to 3D Printing

Sigma Labs isn’t the only savvy company committed to the power, potential and future of 3D printing. Multinational conglomerate United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX) has significant business concentrations in aerospace products and services, including jet engines. The company established a $75 million Additive Manufacturing Center of Expertise last year. The company’s Pratt & Whitney division has joined other industry leaders in exploring the applicability of titanium 3D printing for highly demanding and critical rotating engine parts which will be the first additively manufactured rotating part for Pratt & Whitney development programs.

Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) is a global leader in engineering services and aerospace systems. Honeywell Aerospace, which previously entered into 3D-printing R&D contracts with Sigma Labs and 3D Systems, granted Sintavia, a metal additive manufacturing company, approval last year to manufacture components for Honeywell Aerospace using powder bed fusion technology. Sigma Labs’ quality assurance software is designed to simplify quality control, reduce costs and improve yields in the powder bed fusion 3D printing metal process.

Boeing (NYSE: BA) is a multinational corporation that designs, manufactures and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment and missiles worldwide. The company has stated that “additive manufacturing — also known as 3D printing — enables an efficient design process that can achieve design solutions that we could not have imagined in the past.” With a systems approach to additive manufacturing, Boeing’s first significant application of additive manufacturing was to the SES–15 spacecraft.

Software giant ANSYS (NASDAQ: ANSS) offers a complete simulation workflow for additive manufacturing that allows the transition from R&D efforts for metal-additive manufacturing into a successful manufacturing operation. ANSYS is the global leader in engineering simulation. Through its strategy of pervasive engineering simulation, ANSYS helps the world’s most innovative companies deliver radically better products to their customers.

For more information on Sigma Labs, visit Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

NetworkNewsBreaks – No Borders Inc. (NBDR) CEO Presents CBD LabChain Platform at Blockchain Expo 2019

Multifaceted holding corporation No Borders Inc. (OTC: NBDR) this morning announced that it has successfully developed and deployed a revolutionary blockchain platform for securely and immutably recording cannabinoid lab test data on its new public blockchain. The company presented this new platform at Blockchain Expo 2019, gaining immediate exposure to a wide audience of industry leaders and professionals. “No Borders is strongly committed to shareholder value, and the deployment of CBD LabChain is a prime example of our ability to successfully operate in a high growth, high profit vertical while strategically dissecting that vertical for scalable technological solutions to in-vertical pain points,” Joseph Snyder, CEO and chairman of No Borders, stated in the news release. “We continually state our confidence in the real-world value of blockchain, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT). This launch is another tangible example of the technical prowess of the No Borders Labs team.”

To view the full press release, visit http://nnw.fm/AYsa8

About No Borders Inc.

No Borders Inc. is a multifaceted corporation specializing in the acquisition, creation and scaling of commercial and consumer products by utilizing cutting-edge technologies to reduce costs while increasing revenues and shareholder value through technological superiority across its portfolio of assets. The Company’s portfolio of subsidiaries includes:

- No Borders Naturals Inc., a purveyor of health and wellness products for active consumers and their pets (NoBordersNaturals.com).
- No Borders Dental Resources Inc., a provider of equipment and supplies to medical and dental professionals across the U.S. through the trade name MediDent Supplies (MediDentSupplies.com).
- No Borders Labs Inc., which provides leading-edge tech tools to NBDR internal companies while also offering consulting, architecture and software development services to external businesses looking to update their technology infrastructure for greater efficiency, security and transparency (NoBordersLabs.com). CBD LabChain was developed exclusively by No Borders Labs.

No Borders is headquartered in Arizona with resources in the USA, South America, Asia and Europe. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.NBDR.co

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

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from NetworkNewsWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

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Profiting from the Fourth Industrial Revolution

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Heralded as the fourth industrial revolution, 3D printing is about to transform the $12 trillion global manufacturing sector.

Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB) (SGLB Profile) is on the verge of unleashing the dynamic forces of additive metal manufacturing that have been restrained. Long heralded as the fourth industrial revolution, 3D metal printing and its full potential have been stalled due to the high cost and complexities of end-product inspection and quality control. Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D(R) software represents a seismic shift in the quality-assurance process in the manufacture of 3D-printed metal components, and the entire sector is poised for extraordinary growth. Software giant Autodesk Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has aggressively moved into the space developing software across a range of uses in 3D printing. With nearly three decades of experience, Materialise NV (NASDAQ: MTLS) has integrated Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D technology with its Materialise MCP controller, and the companies will jointly demonstrate the latest version of the software platform to the global elite of additive manufacturing at the Formnext exhibition. Siemens AG (OTC: SIEGY) is a global leader in industrializing 3D printing and assisted Sigma in evolving the early version of PrintRite3D INSPECT version 2.0 towards 5.0. Even more momentous, General Electric’s (NYSE: GE) Baker Hughes division has begun the final phase of the PrintRite3D rapid-test and evaluation program, the last step before commercial orders.

- Global 3D printing metal market expected to exceed $3 billion by 2025, progressing at a CAGR of 31.8%.
- Industry hampered by costly and cumbersome quality-control process, inability to scale production.
- Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D appears to be the only solution that enables real-time, in-process detection and intervention of quality-control manufacturing irregularities for critical metal parts.
- Patented and third-party validated by DARPA, PrintRite3D reduces waste, weight, cost and time; allows manufacturers to truly scale-up production.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution Is Here, But Challenges Remain

A computer-aided manufacturing process, 3D metal printing is used to create physical (3D) objects by laser sintering metal, layer by 10-30 micron layer, computer directed by a precise digital design file. Unlike traditional manufacturing techniques that create final products by forging, casting or cutting away from a block of material, additive metal-part manufacturing uses a laser to weld 10-30 micron layers of metal together to “sculpt” a final 3- dimensional product.

Now embraced by global industrial companies, 3D printing is about to disrupt the $12 trillion global manufacturing industry. Companies are clamoring for ways to create hypercritical components and prototypes, improve current products, reduce costs and increase speed to market. The global 3D-printing metal market, projected to exceed $3 billion by 2025 with a CAGR of 31.8%, may grow even faster if operational and production challenges are resolved. The newfound ability to deliver nearly instantaneous parts and customized components that can’t be created with other manufacturing techniques has spurred large investments and research in additive manufacturing. Demand for 3D metal-printing solutions in precision-dependent industries such as aerospace, defense and biomedical is exceptionally strong. However, the costs and challenges of quality control have stymied the process and inhibited the ability to scale production that these companies so desperately desire.

The Sigma Solution

With its PrintRite3D software, Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB) has established a new paradigm in the development and commercialization of real-time, computer-aided inspection solutions. Sigma Labs PrintRite3D product is designed to resolve the bottlenecks and costly quality-control challenges that impede the 3D manufacture of precision metal parts. The company’s breakthrough software could revolutionize commercial additive manufacturing by enabling nondestructive quality assurance during production and uniquely allowing errors to be corrected in real time.

Currently, 3D-printed metal parts are inspected after production using CT scans and other techniques. The reason that 3D metal parts require so much cost and care to inspect after manufacturing is that manufacturing 3D metal parts requires that a machines is making the metal of a part at the same time that it is forming the part. The process is synthesizing the metal-manufacturing functions of foundry or casting into the manufacturing process. New processes and methods create exciting new capabilities, and with 3D metal printing exciting new methods also created a big unintended problem: how can the manufacturer know if the newly formed metal is good in every 10-30 micron layer of a 3D part? The manufacturer doesn’t really know until after parts are made which of the finished parts meet design specifications. Lost time, lost profits and the difficulties of economically scaling production plague the metal additive manufacturing process. 3D metal-printing manufacturers must find ways to dramatically increase production speed and quality yields and dramatically decrease the excessive cost of post-process quality control to reach economically viable commercial production.

To move 3D metal printing into the mainstream, parts must be inspected and certified during the manufacturing process rather than after. Parts in the production process that are developing signs of quality-control problems must be identified in real-time. The anomaly, along with the solution, must then be communicated to the machine operator to immediately implement repairs. 3D printing will only truly surpass conventional manufacturing techniques when the additive manufacturing industry moves from post-process quality control to in-process quality assurance. Sigma Labs believes it has the solution.

Driven by Science

Sigma Labs was founded in 2010 by a team of Los Alamos National Labs scientists and engineers to develop and commercially license advanced metallurgical products. After assessing 3D metal-printing technology, riddled with capricious and costly quality-control issues, the team realized the enormous potential of 3D metal printing could only scale up if in-process, quality-assurance tools were developed to observe, manage and control manufacturing complexities. Only then could the reliability and repeatability of high-precision quality metal parts be achieved. Sigma Labs’ patented and third-party validated software has achieved these objectives and now delivers the critical elements needed to unleash the promise of 3D metal printing and usher in the fourth industrial revolution.

Recognizing the immense value, Sigma Labs has established a strong IP portfolio consisting of 34 issued and pending patents both domestically and across the globe. These patents encompass the fundamental technologies underlying Sigma Labs’ melt pool process control, data analytics, anomaly detection, signature identification and future “closed-loop control” of 3D metal printing. Third-party product validation of efficacy was shown to ensure process consistency and product quality in metal additive manufacturing in a research study sponsored by the prestigious Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) conducted in tandem with Honeywell Aerospace.

OEMs and End Users Line Up

Sigma Labs is now in the execution and delivery phase of commercial development. Millions have been poured into R&D, perfecting the latest PrintRite3D 5.0, protecting the IP and engaging 19 beta customers with many of the biggest names in industry. Along with other large OEMs and end users, Sigma Labs has a test and evaluation program in place with aerospace behemoth Airbus, purportedly for use in the helicopter division since components are cheaper to produce and weigh less than counterparts made by conventional methods.

Even more momentous may be the recent revelation on Sigma Labs’ earnings call that General Electric’s Baker Hughes division has begun the final phase of the PrintRite3D rapid test and evaluation program. This two-machine contract is the last step before full commercial orders, and there are 18 other test programs currently in place. The contract award with Baker Hughes, a global leader in energy and industrial solutions, is Phase 2 of the rapid test and evaluation program, the final validation phase. A successful Phase 2 program could evolve into a material commercial order, integrating PrintRite3D into dedicated production machines.

"The conversion from our initial test and evaluation program to the Phase 2 pilot rollout is a testament to the traction our enabling technology is garnering in the additive manufacturing industry,” stated Sigma Labs chairman and CEO John Rice. With 19 current beta customers and more likely on the way, the traction Rice refers to could quickly turn to a tsunami of commercial orders.

"The third quarter of 2019 was highlighted by continued success in engaging both OEMs and end users as PrintRite3D customers, driving continued industry awareness and developing promising commercial opportunities," Rice further stated on the earnings call.

Committed to the Future of 3D Printing

There’s little doubt that the next industrial revolution is at the doorstep and about to transform the way products are made. Additive manufacturing is rewriting the rules for how products are designed, built and created. Major companies across the globe are dedicating massive resources and talent to bring additive manufacturing into the mainstream. This titanic transformation provides a generational opportunity for those with the vision to recognize the explosive impact and speed to market realities. As Rice stated, "Additive manufacturing is, in our mind, undoubtedly the next industrial revolution and we are on the forefront of revolutionizing an essential element for its widely forecast leap to serial manufacturing.”

American software giant Autodesk Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) specializes in producing software for people who make things, from architects to engineers and beyond. The company has aggressively moved into the additive manufacturing space, developing software across a range of uses in 3D printing. The company’s highly regarded Netfabb(R) is a connected software for additive manufacturing, design and simulation used to streamline workflows and reduce build errors.

Among the world’s largest industrial manufacturing companies, Siemens AG (OTC: SIEGY) is leading the way in adopting 3D printing on an industrial scale. Working in partnership with other companies, it has been developing new control technology that seamlessly integrates hardware and software to optimize 3D printing. Siemens is currently evaluating the Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D software on one of its metal printers.

An early pioneer of 3D printing, Materialise NV (NASDAQ: MTLS) has been instrumental in developing the technology since 1990. The company’s research indicates that 3D printing could help shift the balance of power and challenge China’s intent to become the world leader in manufacturing. Materialise has integrated Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D technology with its Materialise MCP controller, and the companies will jointly demonstrate the latest version of the software platform to the global elite of additive manufacturing at the Formnext exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, on November 19-22.

General Electric (NYSE: GE) has made a major commitment to bring additive manufacturing into the mainstream. GE features some of the most advanced additive technologies available, from machines that create products quickly and precisely to powders, 3D-printing services and consulting. GE’s Baker Hughes division has begun the final phase of the PrintRite3D rapid test and evaluation program, the last step before commercial orders.

For more information on Sigma Labs, visit Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.networknewswire.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" >https://www.networknewswire.com/[tag]https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com
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www.NetworkNewsWire.com
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Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Profiting from the Fourth Industrial Revolution

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Heralded as the fourth industrial revolution, 3D printing is about to transform the $12 trillion global manufacturing sector.

Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB) (SGLB Profile) is on the verge of unleashing the dynamic forces of additive metal manufacturing that have been restrained. Long heralded as the fourth industrial revolution, 3D metal printing and its full potential have been stalled due to the high cost and complexities of end-product inspection and quality control. Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D(R) software represents a seismic shift in the quality-assurance process in the manufacture of 3D-printed metal components, and the entire sector is poised for extraordinary growth. Software giant Autodesk Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has aggressively moved into the space developing software across a range of uses in 3D printing. With nearly three decades of experience, Materialise NV (NASDAQ: MTLS) has integrated Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D technology with its Materialise MCP controller, and the companies will jointly demonstrate the latest version of the software platform to the global elite of additive manufacturing at the Formnext exhibition. Siemens AG (OTC: SIEGY) is a global leader in industrializing 3D printing and assisted Sigma in evolving the early version of PrintRite3D INSPECT version 2.0 towards 5.0. Even more momentous, General Electric’s (NYSE: GE) Baker Hughes division has begun the final phase of the PrintRite3D rapid-test and evaluation program, the last step before commercial orders.

- Global 3D printing metal market expected to exceed $3 billion by 2025, progressing at a CAGR of 31.8%.
- Industry hampered by costly and cumbersome quality-control process, inability to scale production.
- Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D appears to be the only solution that enables real-time, in-process detection and intervention of quality-control manufacturing irregularities for critical metal parts.
- Patented and third-party validated by DARPA, PrintRite3D reduces waste, weight, cost and time; allows manufacturers to truly scale-up production.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution Is Here, But Challenges Remain

A computer-aided manufacturing process, 3D metal printing is used to create physical (3D) objects by laser sintering metal, layer by 10-30 micron layer, computer directed by a precise digital design file. Unlike traditional manufacturing techniques that create final products by forging, casting or cutting away from a block of material, additive metal-part manufacturing uses a laser to weld 10-30 micron layers of metal together to “sculpt” a final 3- dimensional product.

Now embraced by global industrial companies, 3D printing is about to disrupt the $12 trillion global manufacturing industry. Companies are clamoring for ways to create hypercritical components and prototypes, improve current products, reduce costs and increase speed to market. The global 3D-printing metal market, projected to exceed $3 billion by 2025 with a CAGR of 31.8%, may grow even faster if operational and production challenges are resolved. The newfound ability to deliver nearly instantaneous parts and customized components that can’t be created with other manufacturing techniques has spurred large investments and research in additive manufacturing. Demand for 3D metal-printing solutions in precision-dependent industries such as aerospace, defense and biomedical is exceptionally strong. However, the costs and challenges of quality control have stymied the process and inhibited the ability to scale production that these companies so desperately desire.

The Sigma Solution

With its PrintRite3D software, Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB) has established a new paradigm in the development and commercialization of real-time, computer-aided inspection solutions. Sigma Labs PrintRite3D product is designed to resolve the bottlenecks and costly quality-control challenges that impede the 3D manufacture of precision metal parts. The company’s breakthrough software could revolutionize commercial additive manufacturing by enabling nondestructive quality assurance during production and uniquely allowing errors to be corrected in real time.

Currently, 3D-printed metal parts are inspected after production using CT scans and other techniques. The reason that 3D metal parts require so much cost and care to inspect after manufacturing is that manufacturing 3D metal parts requires that a machines is making the metal of a part at the same time that it is forming the part. The process is synthesizing the metal-manufacturing functions of foundry or casting into the manufacturing process. New processes and methods create exciting new capabilities, and with 3D metal printing exciting new methods also created a big unintended problem: how can the manufacturer know if the newly formed metal is good in every 10-30 micron layer of a 3D part? The manufacturer doesn’t really know until after parts are made which of the finished parts meet design specifications. Lost time, lost profits and the difficulties of economically scaling production plague the metal additive manufacturing process. 3D metal-printing manufacturers must find ways to dramatically increase production speed and quality yields and dramatically decrease the excessive cost of post-process quality control to reach economically viable commercial production.

To move 3D metal printing into the mainstream, parts must be inspected and certified during the manufacturing process rather than after. Parts in the production process that are developing signs of quality-control problems must be identified in real-time. The anomaly, along with the solution, must then be communicated to the machine operator to immediately implement repairs. 3D printing will only truly surpass conventional manufacturing techniques when the additive manufacturing industry moves from post-process quality control to in-process quality assurance. Sigma Labs believes it has the solution.

Driven by Science

Sigma Labs was founded in 2010 by a team of Los Alamos National Labs scientists and engineers to develop and commercially license advanced metallurgical products. After assessing 3D metal-printing technology, riddled with capricious and costly quality-control issues, the team realized the enormous potential of 3D metal printing could only scale up if in-process, quality-assurance tools were developed to observe, manage and control manufacturing complexities. Only then could the reliability and repeatability of high-precision quality metal parts be achieved. Sigma Labs’ patented and third-party validated software has achieved these objectives and now delivers the critical elements needed to unleash the promise of 3D metal printing and usher in the fourth industrial revolution.

Recognizing the immense value, Sigma Labs has established a strong IP portfolio consisting of 34 issued and pending patents both domestically and across the globe. These patents encompass the fundamental technologies underlying Sigma Labs’ melt pool process control, data analytics, anomaly detection, signature identification and future “closed-loop control” of 3D metal printing. Third-party product validation of efficacy was shown to ensure process consistency and product quality in metal additive manufacturing in a research study sponsored by the prestigious Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) conducted in tandem with Honeywell Aerospace.

OEMs and End Users Line Up

Sigma Labs is now in the execution and delivery phase of commercial development. Millions have been poured into R&D, perfecting the latest PrintRite3D 5.0, protecting the IP and engaging 19 beta customers with many of the biggest names in industry. Along with other large OEMs and end users, Sigma Labs has a test and evaluation program in place with aerospace behemoth Airbus, purportedly for use in the helicopter division since components are cheaper to produce and weigh less than counterparts made by conventional methods.

Even more momentous may be the recent revelation on Sigma Labs’ earnings call that General Electric’s Baker Hughes division has begun the final phase of the PrintRite3D rapid test and evaluation program. This two-machine contract is the last step before full commercial orders, and there are 18 other test programs currently in place. The contract award with Baker Hughes, a global leader in energy and industrial solutions, is Phase 2 of the rapid test and evaluation program, the final validation phase. A successful Phase 2 program could evolve into a material commercial order, integrating PrintRite3D into dedicated production machines.

"The conversion from our initial test and evaluation program to the Phase 2 pilot rollout is a testament to the traction our enabling technology is garnering in the additive manufacturing industry,” stated Sigma Labs chairman and CEO John Rice. With 19 current beta customers and more likely on the way, the traction Rice refers to could quickly turn to a tsunami of commercial orders.

"The third quarter of 2019 was highlighted by continued success in engaging both OEMs and end users as PrintRite3D customers, driving continued industry awareness and developing promising commercial opportunities," Rice further stated on the earnings call.

Committed to the Future of 3D Printing

There’s little doubt that the next industrial revolution is at the doorstep and about to transform the way products are made. Additive manufacturing is rewriting the rules for how products are designed, built and created. Major companies across the globe are dedicating massive resources and talent to bring additive manufacturing into the mainstream. This titanic transformation provides a generational opportunity for those with the vision to recognize the explosive impact and speed to market realities. As Rice stated, "Additive manufacturing is, in our mind, undoubtedly the next industrial revolution and we are on the forefront of revolutionizing an essential element for its widely forecast leap to serial manufacturing.”

American software giant Autodesk Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) specializes in producing software for people who make things, from architects to engineers and beyond. The company has aggressively moved into the additive manufacturing space, developing software across a range of uses in 3D printing. The company’s highly regarded Netfabb(R) is a connected software for additive manufacturing, design and simulation used to streamline workflows and reduce build errors.

Among the world’s largest industrial manufacturing companies, Siemens AG (OTC: SIEGY) is leading the way in adopting 3D printing on an industrial scale. Working in partnership with other companies, it has been developing new control technology that seamlessly integrates hardware and software to optimize 3D printing. Siemens is currently evaluating the Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D software on one of its metal printers.

An early pioneer of 3D printing, Materialise NV (NASDAQ: MTLS) has been instrumental in developing the technology since 1990. The company’s research indicates that 3D printing could help shift the balance of power and challenge China’s intent to become the world leader in manufacturing. Materialise has integrated Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D technology with its Materialise MCP controller, and the companies will jointly demonstrate the latest version of the software platform to the global elite of additive manufacturing at the Formnext exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, on November 19-22.

General Electric (NYSE: GE) has made a major commitment to bring additive manufacturing into the mainstream. GE features some of the most advanced additive technologies available, from machines that create products quickly and precisely to powders, 3D-printing services and consulting. GE’s Baker Hughes division has begun the final phase of the PrintRite3D rapid test and evaluation program, the last step before commercial orders.

For more information on Sigma Labs, visit Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.networknewswire.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" >https://www.networknewswire.com/[tag]https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com
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NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

New Hope in the Battle Against Ovarian Cancer

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Despite the enormous progress made in the war against cancers, ovarian cancer has proved to be a tenacious foe. Progress is being made, however, as AI predictive models are being used to better target deadly ovarian cancers.

Ovarian cancer is difficult to treat and lethal, with survival rates much lower than other cancers that affect women. Recently, the battle against ovarian cancer has shifted strategy, and new optimism has come to the fore. Predictive models using artificial intelligence on large data sets of patient drug-treatment protocols and historical outcomes are now providing actionable intelligence for pharma to develop targeted therapeutics and for oncologists to prescribe the best course of treatment to improve individual patient outcomes. Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) (POAI Profile) is laser focused on providing the molecular information critically needed to improve the lives of women stricken with ovarian cancer. The company has begun sequencing ovarian cancers as part of its CancerQuest2020 project and is building the largest ovarian multi-omic database in the world, designed to speed the development of new drugs and provide better therapeutic choices. The rest of pharma is also racing to find solutions. Roche Holdings AG (OTCQX: RHHBY) acquired a molecular information company, is researching new ovarian specific drugs and is finding ways to identify the patients who will benefit most from detailed molecular information. GlaxoSmithKline PLC (NYSE: GSK) has developed a long-term approach to finding new cancer treatments by focusing attention in four key areas. AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) recently announced a new first-line maintenance treatment for advanced ovarian cancer. And Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) has entered into clinical collaborations to evaluate drug combination therapeutic regimens for ovarian cancers.

- Ovarian cancer has only a 46% survival rate.
- Understanding the complexities of ovarian cancers through multi-omic sequencing delivers insights and actionable intelligence.
- New insights speed drug development and deliver better targeted treatments.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Ovarian Cancer Kills

Cancer is one of the most significant human challenges in our history. It’s a worldwide scourge, responsible for one in six deaths each year. Major progress has been achieved on multiple fronts, but the war is far from over. Although no simple solution to the complexities of the disease exists, with new insights and intelligence, the battle against unyielding cancers can be won. Ovarian cancer is a formidable assailant. The disease is the 11th most common cancer among women but is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death and is the deadliest of gynecologic cancers. These numbers are nearly meaningless unless the diseases takes someone close, such as a mother, sister, wife, daughter or close friend. Thankfully, the dismal prognosis looks like it may be about to change.

New Therapeutic Paradigm

There’s a paradigm shift occurring in cancer therapeutics, and ovarian cancer patients look to be the beneficiaries. Treatment protocols for ovarian cancer have historically consisted of a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. However, the scientific community has come to the realization that, given the vagaries and complexities of a patient’s cancer, targeted therapeutics are imperative to increase survival rates. To administer exactly the right drug or drug combinations that give a patient the best chance of survival requires comprehensive molecular information.

That’s why the work of Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) is so important. Predictive Oncology’s subsidiary, Helomics, currently has about 150,000 cases on its molecular information platform, 38,000 of which are specific to ovarian cancer. This unique and valuable scientific asset places Predictive Oncology among the leaders in providing the critical molecular information needed for more effective patient treatments and new drug discovery.

Leveraging this asset, Predictive Oncology, through Helomics, entered a collaborative agreement with UPMC-Magee to establish a data- and artificial-intelligence-driven approach to treating ovarian cancer. This collaboration is expected to validate the enormous value of using AI-powered decision-making for identifying specific treatments on specific genotypes to predict clinical outcomes for ovarian cancer patients. Better information leads to better therapeutics and better outcomes.

Marking another company milestone in its CancerQuest 2020 project, Predictive Oncology announced just last week that Helomics has begun sequencing retrospective ovarian cancer cases from the UPMC-Magee collaboration. Helomics is looking at both the mutations in the tumor (genome) as well as the expression of genes (transcriptome), in order to build a comprehensive multi-omic picture of the tumor that can then be brought together with Helomics’ data set of drug-response profiles to build an AI-driven predictive model of ovarian cancer. This is enormously important, as it will give clinicians, oncologists and researchers unparalleled insights into exactly which drug or drug combinations to use in ovarian cancer treatments and provide the actionable intelligence required by pharma for new drug development.

“We believe the combination of the rich multi-omic profile of the tumor and clinical outcome data will allow us to build an AI-driven model of ovarian cancer capable of predicting the tumor drug response and patient outcome,” said Helomics CTO Dr. Mark Collins.

Building Value

The value of these clinically validated, AI-driven predictive models can’t be overstated. They may be used to predict the relationship between a genomic profile of the patient’s tumor, the drug response and the eventual outcome for that patient. This is expected to provide clear, actionable insights for the clinician to truly personalize each patient’s therapy. In the short term, these models will be used together with Helomics’ PDx tumor-profiling platform in revenue-generating partnerships with pharma companies to develop new targeted therapies and to select patents for clinical trials and in translational research projects. In translational research projects, the model is used to dramatically reduce the amount of experimental work by performing experiments “in-silico,” or inside a computer. The model will then make recommendations that Helomics can test in its CLIA laboratory.

Today Helomics has drug-response profiles and samples of over 38,000 ovarian tumors that, when sequenced, would be the largest ovarian multi-omic database in the world. This allows Helomics to build AI-driven predictive models of considerable scientific and commercial value. With the company’s first predictive model targeted for completion in early 2020, Helomics plans to have an initial pilot with pharma using its AI predictive models to look for new drugs/biomarkers for ovarian cancer.

In addition, Helomics has another 120,000 tumors with drug-response data across 137 cancer types that include lung, breast, pancreatic, colon and head and neck. The company intends to continue moving forward in sequencing all 120,000 tumors and build out predictive models in these additional disease categories. Once all tumors are sequenced, Helomics will have the largest pan-cancer, multi-omic database with drug responses in the market. Helomics has initiated its outreach for lung-cancer outcome data and looks to ramp up its efforts in the first quarter 2020 to develop AI models to predict clinical outcomes for lung cancer from genomic, drug response and outcome data. The company plans on integrating that data along with its drug responses to have an initial pilot in lung cancer with pharma in late-second quarter 2020.

The Opportunity

Market comparables are difficult to find since potential competitors are privately held. The nearest comparable is Foundation Medicine, which has been acquired by Swiss biopharma giant, Roche. Roche paid $1 billion to acquire a 57% stake in Foundation Medicine in January 2015. At the time of the acquisition, Foundation Medicine reported 68,000 cases on its molecular information platform. Underscoring the importance of precision medicine and the value of molecular information on cancers, Roche acquired the remainder of Foundation Medicine last year for $2.4 billion, valuing the company at over $5.3 billion.

By comparison, Predictive Oncology’s molecular information platform currently has 150,000 cases with 38,000 of these specific to ovarian cancer. POAI is rapidly building the world’s largest ovarian multi-omic database and expects the initial model developed with UPMC-Magee to be commercialized with pharma early next year. The company then intends to sequence the remaining 120,000 cases to create what will become the largest pan-cancer, multi-omic database with drug response in the market.

Strong industry demand and large unmet medical need indicate that Predictive Oncology’s assets may be grossly undervalued. As PAOI continues to execute on its strategy of validation and commercialization, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the company soar in value.

Pharma

Predictive Oncology isn’t the only company savvy enough to see the opportunity.

One of the first companies to offer targeted treatments based on comprehensive molecular information was Roche Holdings AG (OTCQX: RHHBY). The world’s largest biotech company, Roche has put huge efforts into cancer treatment, making it a global leader in this field. Those efforts have paid off in more effective therapies. A large part of this comes in the form of new drugs, an area where Roche looks to make breakthroughs. The company has invested substantial resources into finding ways to target its treatments for the people who will most benefit from them.

British drug giant GlaxoSmithKline PLC (NYSE: GSK) has made cancer treatment one of its main areas of focus. It takes years to develop new treatments, so the company has developed a long-term strategic approach to R&D in which it identifies novel targets, mechanisms and potential treatments into which it can channel resources. This concerted effort has resulted in four areas of focus for battling cancer: using the immune system, engineering human T-cells, affecting how DNA is directed by the epigenome, and treatments that work by targeting the cancer in two ways at once.

AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) has used its proximity to some of the world’s finest minds to become a cancer-fighting powerhouse. The company recently announced successful trials using Lynparza to battle ovarian cancer, with indications of better results than chemotherapy in specific advanced forms of the cancer. The same drug has shown signs of effectiveness in prostate cancer.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) has also seen success in recent clinical trials. These often explore not just a single drug but a combination of treatments, as in the company’s use of Opdivo and Yervoy together with chemotherapy to tackle non-small cell lung cancer, a treatment which has proven more effective than chemotherapy alone. The European Commission has recently approved the use of Opdivo in treating specific melanomas, allowing another pool of patients access to more effective treatment.

As companies dedicate resources and work to win the war against ovarian cancer, companies wielding powerful data combined with AI-driven analytics appear well positioned to lead the pack.

For more information on Predictive Oncology, visit Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

New Hope in the Battle Against Ovarian Cancer

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Despite the enormous progress made in the war against cancers, ovarian cancer has proved to be a tenacious foe. Progress is being made, however, as AI predictive models are being used to better target deadly ovarian cancers.

Ovarian cancer is difficult to treat and lethal, with survival rates much lower than other cancers that affect women. Recently, the battle against ovarian cancer has shifted strategy, and new optimism has come to the fore. Predictive models using artificial intelligence on large data sets of patient drug-treatment protocols and historical outcomes are now providing actionable intelligence for pharma to develop targeted therapeutics and for oncologists to prescribe the best course of treatment to improve individual patient outcomes. Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) (POAI Profile) is laser focused on providing the molecular information critically needed to improve the lives of women stricken with ovarian cancer. The company has begun sequencing ovarian cancers as part of its CancerQuest2020 project and is building the largest ovarian multi-omic database in the world, designed to speed the development of new drugs and provide better therapeutic choices. The rest of pharma is also racing to find solutions. Roche Holdings AG (OTCQX: RHHBY) acquired a molecular information company, is researching new ovarian specific drugs and is finding ways to identify the patients who will benefit most from detailed molecular information. GlaxoSmithKline PLC (NYSE: GSK) has developed a long-term approach to finding new cancer treatments by focusing attention in four key areas. AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) recently announced a new first-line maintenance treatment for advanced ovarian cancer. And Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) has entered into clinical collaborations to evaluate drug combination therapeutic regimens for ovarian cancers.

- Ovarian cancer has only a 46% survival rate.
- Understanding the complexities of ovarian cancers through multi-omic sequencing delivers insights and actionable intelligence.
- New insights speed drug development and deliver better targeted treatments.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Ovarian Cancer Kills

Cancer is one of the most significant human challenges in our history. It’s a worldwide scourge, responsible for one in six deaths each year. Major progress has been achieved on multiple fronts, but the war is far from over. Although no simple solution to the complexities of the disease exists, with new insights and intelligence, the battle against unyielding cancers can be won. Ovarian cancer is a formidable assailant. The disease is the 11th most common cancer among women but is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death and is the deadliest of gynecologic cancers. These numbers are nearly meaningless unless the diseases takes someone close, such as a mother, sister, wife, daughter or close friend. Thankfully, the dismal prognosis looks like it may be about to change.

New Therapeutic Paradigm

There’s a paradigm shift occurring in cancer therapeutics, and ovarian cancer patients look to be the beneficiaries. Treatment protocols for ovarian cancer have historically consisted of a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. However, the scientific community has come to the realization that, given the vagaries and complexities of a patient’s cancer, targeted therapeutics are imperative to increase survival rates. To administer exactly the right drug or drug combinations that give a patient the best chance of survival requires comprehensive molecular information.

That’s why the work of Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) is so important. Predictive Oncology’s subsidiary, Helomics, currently has about 150,000 cases on its molecular information platform, 38,000 of which are specific to ovarian cancer. This unique and valuable scientific asset places Predictive Oncology among the leaders in providing the critical molecular information needed for more effective patient treatments and new drug discovery.

Leveraging this asset, Predictive Oncology, through Helomics, entered a collaborative agreement with UPMC-Magee to establish a data- and artificial-intelligence-driven approach to treating ovarian cancer. This collaboration is expected to validate the enormous value of using AI-powered decision-making for identifying specific treatments on specific genotypes to predict clinical outcomes for ovarian cancer patients. Better information leads to better therapeutics and better outcomes.

Marking another company milestone in its CancerQuest 2020 project, Predictive Oncology announced just last week that Helomics has begun sequencing retrospective ovarian cancer cases from the UPMC-Magee collaboration. Helomics is looking at both the mutations in the tumor (genome) as well as the expression of genes (transcriptome), in order to build a comprehensive multi-omic picture of the tumor that can then be brought together with Helomics’ data set of drug-response profiles to build an AI-driven predictive model of ovarian cancer. This is enormously important, as it will give clinicians, oncologists and researchers unparalleled insights into exactly which drug or drug combinations to use in ovarian cancer treatments and provide the actionable intelligence required by pharma for new drug development.

“We believe the combination of the rich multi-omic profile of the tumor and clinical outcome data will allow us to build an AI-driven model of ovarian cancer capable of predicting the tumor drug response and patient outcome,” said Helomics CTO Dr. Mark Collins.

Building Value

The value of these clinically validated, AI-driven predictive models can’t be overstated. They may be used to predict the relationship between a genomic profile of the patient’s tumor, the drug response and the eventual outcome for that patient. This is expected to provide clear, actionable insights for the clinician to truly personalize each patient’s therapy. In the short term, these models will be used together with Helomics’ PDx tumor-profiling platform in revenue-generating partnerships with pharma companies to develop new targeted therapies and to select patents for clinical trials and in translational research projects. In translational research projects, the model is used to dramatically reduce the amount of experimental work by performing experiments “in-silico,” or inside a computer. The model will then make recommendations that Helomics can test in its CLIA laboratory.

Today Helomics has drug-response profiles and samples of over 38,000 ovarian tumors that, when sequenced, would be the largest ovarian multi-omic database in the world. This allows Helomics to build AI-driven predictive models of considerable scientific and commercial value. With the company’s first predictive model targeted for completion in early 2020, Helomics plans to have an initial pilot with pharma using its AI predictive models to look for new drugs/biomarkers for ovarian cancer.

In addition, Helomics has another 120,000 tumors with drug-response data across 137 cancer types that include lung, breast, pancreatic, colon and head and neck. The company intends to continue moving forward in sequencing all 120,000 tumors and build out predictive models in these additional disease categories. Once all tumors are sequenced, Helomics will have the largest pan-cancer, multi-omic database with drug responses in the market. Helomics has initiated its outreach for lung-cancer outcome data and looks to ramp up its efforts in the first quarter 2020 to develop AI models to predict clinical outcomes for lung cancer from genomic, drug response and outcome data. The company plans on integrating that data along with its drug responses to have an initial pilot in lung cancer with pharma in late-second quarter 2020.

The Opportunity

Market comparables are difficult to find since potential competitors are privately held. The nearest comparable is Foundation Medicine, which has been acquired by Swiss biopharma giant, Roche. Roche paid $1 billion to acquire a 57% stake in Foundation Medicine in January 2015. At the time of the acquisition, Foundation Medicine reported 68,000 cases on its molecular information platform. Underscoring the importance of precision medicine and the value of molecular information on cancers, Roche acquired the remainder of Foundation Medicine last year for $2.4 billion, valuing the company at over $5.3 billion.

By comparison, Predictive Oncology’s molecular information platform currently has 150,000 cases with 38,000 of these specific to ovarian cancer. POAI is rapidly building the world’s largest ovarian multi-omic database and expects the initial model developed with UPMC-Magee to be commercialized with pharma early next year. The company then intends to sequence the remaining 120,000 cases to create what will become the largest pan-cancer, multi-omic database with drug response in the market.

Strong industry demand and large unmet medical need indicate that Predictive Oncology’s assets may be grossly undervalued. As PAOI continues to execute on its strategy of validation and commercialization, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the company soar in value.

Pharma

Predictive Oncology isn’t the only company savvy enough to see the opportunity.

One of the first companies to offer targeted treatments based on comprehensive molecular information was Roche Holdings AG (OTCQX: RHHBY). The world’s largest biotech company, Roche has put huge efforts into cancer treatment, making it a global leader in this field. Those efforts have paid off in more effective therapies. A large part of this comes in the form of new drugs, an area where Roche looks to make breakthroughs. The company has invested substantial resources into finding ways to target its treatments for the people who will most benefit from them.

British drug giant GlaxoSmithKline PLC (NYSE: GSK) has made cancer treatment one of its main areas of focus. It takes years to develop new treatments, so the company has developed a long-term strategic approach to R&D in which it identifies novel targets, mechanisms and potential treatments into which it can channel resources. This concerted effort has resulted in four areas of focus for battling cancer: using the immune system, engineering human T-cells, affecting how DNA is directed by the epigenome, and treatments that work by targeting the cancer in two ways at once.

AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) has used its proximity to some of the world’s finest minds to become a cancer-fighting powerhouse. The company recently announced successful trials using Lynparza to battle ovarian cancer, with indications of better results than chemotherapy in specific advanced forms of the cancer. The same drug has shown signs of effectiveness in prostate cancer.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) has also seen success in recent clinical trials. These often explore not just a single drug but a combination of treatments, as in the company’s use of Opdivo and Yervoy together with chemotherapy to tackle non-small cell lung cancer, a treatment which has proven more effective than chemotherapy alone. The European Commission has recently approved the use of Opdivo in treating specific melanomas, allowing another pool of patients access to more effective treatment.

As companies dedicate resources and work to win the war against ovarian cancer, companies wielding powerful data combined with AI-driven analytics appear well positioned to lead the pack.

For more information on Predictive Oncology, visit Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Entertainment Businesses Adopt New Approaches for Streaming Age

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: As video streaming grows to dominate media consumption, companies are on the lookout for new ways to profit from the burgeoning trend.

Wonderfilm Media Corporation (TSXV: WNDR) (OTCQB: WDRFF) (WDRFF Profile) has developed a low-risk approach to content production by providing original works with top Hollywood talent. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is launching its new TV+ service with a slew of big-name stars and big-budget productions. Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) continues to be a dominant player, with a strong mix of original and established content. The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) is using its range of high-profile entertainment brands to carve out its own place in the market. Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: LGF.A), which has produced content for other streamers, now has its own Latinx platform in the successful Pantaya.

- Leading streaming services are now valued in the billions of dollars.
- Original content is critical to success, creating opportunities for new production companies to gain entry into streaming markets.
- A variety of channels are targeting different niches and business models.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Streaming Services Explode

This month sees a dramatic moment in the growth of streaming services, with Apple and Disney each kicking off their own platforms. The market for streaming video on demand is now worth $36 billion per year, an extraordinary figure for such a young industry. As viewers shift away from the schedules of broadcast media to a format where they can watch what they want when they want, the $2 trillion media and entertainment industry is facing serious upheaval.

The performance of the most-profitable streaming services, especially Netflix and Amazon, has drawn the attention of other companies. Apple’s background in technology and media distribution makes it a natural player in this arena. Older media firms are also leaping in, as they try to avoid hemorrhaging profits to upstart firms. The question now is which strategies will lead to success.

The Video-Streaming Revolution

This period of upheaval has created opportunities not just for established players but for newer companies such as Wonderfilm Media Corporation (TSX.V: WNDR) (OTCQB: WDRFF). Backed by four Hollywood producers with a billion dollars’ worth of movie revenues between them, Wonderfilm aims to use its collective expertise to tap into investment in streaming services, quickly financing and flexibly producing films for the streaming market.

Wonderfilm is up against some big players. Apple+, launched on November 1, sees one of the pioneers of downloadable content make a move into video streaming. Even before the channel launched, a Morgan Stanley report assessed the service’s future value at $9 billion a year by 2025. With its devices already in so many people’s hands, Apple has a head start in reaching a big audience.

The other new entrant in the video-streaming game is relying on its reputation for content rather than technology to draw viewers in. While Wonderfilm focuses on creating new content, Disney+ will rely on established properties. Alongside its host of animated princesses and kid-friendly TV, Disney owns the rights to the Star Wars and Marvel superhero franchises. New shows such as The Mandalorian will draw in fans eager to see more of their favorite fictional worlds, while the streaming of some of the biggest cinematic blockbusters will be concentrated in this one channel.

Wonderfilm has discussed plans to launch its own streaming channel, but for now the company is focused on creating films for other distributors, both cinematic and online. The boom in streaming services isn’t just good for the companies running those services, it’s also a potential windfall for content creators such as Wonderfilm, as streamers launch a content gold rush.

The Appeal of Original Content

The boom in streaming services has led to what some have called a “golden age of spending” on TV content. The success of high-profile Netflix original shows such as “House of Cards” and “Daredevil” has inspired others to follow suit. Amazon has shifted from a pure distributor model to a leading content creator, while Disney intends to draw in audiences with new material set in its established worlds.

Media companies are expected to spend $107 billion over 2019 on content creation, with 22% of that coming from Disney alone. Do that math, and that equals hundreds of millions of dollars every day going to companies producing films and TV shows. Audiences have shown that they want more than just repeats on their streaming services, and that original content draws attention, awards, and most importantly subscription fees. With more companies going into streaming, the demand for new content is expected to escalate, fueling interest in and success from companies such as Wonderfilm.

A company that can quickly pull together mass amounts of appealing original content is likely to thrive in this environment, and Wonderfilm has the leadership to make that happen. The company was created by Kirk Shaw, the second-most prolific filmmaker in America. A hardworking producer, Shaw has 230 films and seven TV shows under his belt. He founded Insight Film Studios, Canada’s largest independent film studio, and played a part in crafting award-winning blockbusters such as The Hurt Locker.

Shaw’s experience, skills and contacts put Wonderfilm in a strong position to provide streaming services the content they crave. But in such a busy market, having the right business model is going to be critical, and it’s on this that companies in the streaming arena could rise and fall.

Business Models for Streaming Entertainment

The basis of the Disney+ model is clear. As one of the largest entertainment providers in the world and owner of many of the most popular characters and properties, the company is relying on the appeal of its existing creations. While Disney plans some original content, the company’s offerings audiences will likely see known characters and situations in new arrangements, such as shows featuring characters from the Marvel cinematic universe.

Upstart companies can’t compete with Disney on the same terms, and so have to find their own niche within the streaming ecosystem. Wonderfilm has identified that sweet spot by focusing on producing plentiful content while minimizing risk through an established three-part strategy.

Two parts of this strategy are relatively obvious. By partnering with established stars, such as Ryan Phillippe in action-thriller The 2nd, the company can increase its potential returns. Add to this its ability to create quality entertainment on relatively low budgets and the company should produce films that will provide plenty of bang for their buck.

But it’s the third part that sets Wonderfilm’s model apart. Once the company secures a script and signs an A-list star, Wonderfilm pre-sells the film before shooting starts. Whether the project is sold to a streaming service or a cinematic distributor, this approach eliminates distribution risks. Not only does this secure much of the finance needed to make a film happen, it also ensures that the project will reach its audience. That allows the company to confidently produce films on a fast, steady production schedule.

Vying for Viewers

Of course, Wonderfilm isn’t the only entertainment company seeing the streaming opportunity.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is using its brand recognition, together with convenient connections to its existing software and hardware, to sell a whole new entertainment brand to customers with its streaming service. The business savvy behemoth has shown an awareness of the important of high-profile original content for a streaming service. From day one, Apple TV+ featured original content designed to appeal to a range of viewers. Among its original offerings is The Morning Show, a drama about a newsroom starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrel, and See, a sci-fi show starring Jason Momoa.

The service that made streaming big, Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) goes from strength to strength with its ongoing combination of established favorites and original content. The appearance of Friends on the service created a renewed surge of interest, as fans of the 1990s sitcom surfed a wave of nostalgia. But it’s Netflix’s new productions that make the company stand out and have gained it over 158 million viewers in 190 countries. Netflix is currently starting production on its first Egyptian show, based on a best-selling novel, and has announced its first French animation, as it seeks to appeal to a truly global audience.

Disney (NYSE: DIS) is also trying to demonstrate the diversity of content on its Disney+ channel. The company recently announced nonfiction content featured on the platform, including a documentary about legendary lyricist Harold Ashman. But it’s Disney’s fan-favorite properties that are creating a buzz. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series has been renewed for a second season just as it’s about to appear on Disney+, while Star Wars fans await The Mandalorian, a much-anticipated offering designed to add live-action TV to one of the world’s greatest film franchises.

Helping to fill the content libraries of these platforms is Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: LGF.A), one of the largest independent television businesses in the world. The company behind Mad Men, Dear White People, and Orange Is the New Black, Lions Gate has entered the streaming market directly through its Latinx content platform, Pantaya. Established two years ago, the service has succeeded by targeting a specific niche, exceeding expectations by acquiring half a million subscribers for its mixture of English, Spanish and bilingual content.

The explosion of streaming services creates great opportunities for creative businesses. From fast, low-risk productions to targeting specific niches, each one will flourish by finding its own unique model.

For more information on Wonderfilm Media Corporation, visit Wonderfilm Media Corporation (TSX.V: WNDR) (OTCQB: WDRFF)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Entertainment Businesses Adopt New Approaches for Streaming Age

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: As video streaming grows to dominate media consumption, companies are on the lookout for new ways to profit from the burgeoning trend.

Wonderfilm Media Corporation (TSXV: WNDR) (OTCQB: WDRFF) (WDRFF Profile) has developed a low-risk approach to content production by providing original works with top Hollywood talent. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is launching its new TV+ service with a slew of big-name stars and big-budget productions. Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) continues to be a dominant player, with a strong mix of original and established content. The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) is using its range of high-profile entertainment brands to carve out its own place in the market. Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: LGF.A), which has produced content for other streamers, now has its own Latinx platform in the successful Pantaya.

- Leading streaming services are now valued in the billions of dollars.
- Original content is critical to success, creating opportunities for new production companies to gain entry into streaming markets.
- A variety of channels are targeting different niches and business models.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Streaming Services Explode

This month sees a dramatic moment in the growth of streaming services, with Apple and Disney each kicking off their own platforms. The market for streaming video on demand is now worth $36 billion per year, an extraordinary figure for such a young industry. As viewers shift away from the schedules of broadcast media to a format where they can watch what they want when they want, the $2 trillion media and entertainment industry is facing serious upheaval.

The performance of the most-profitable streaming services, especially Netflix and Amazon, has drawn the attention of other companies. Apple’s background in technology and media distribution makes it a natural player in this arena. Older media firms are also leaping in, as they try to avoid hemorrhaging profits to upstart firms. The question now is which strategies will lead to success.

The Video-Streaming Revolution

This period of upheaval has created opportunities not just for established players but for newer companies such as Wonderfilm Media Corporation (TSX.V: WNDR) (OTCQB: WDRFF). Backed by four Hollywood producers with a billion dollars’ worth of movie revenues between them, Wonderfilm aims to use its collective expertise to tap into investment in streaming services, quickly financing and flexibly producing films for the streaming market.

Wonderfilm is up against some big players. Apple+, launched on November 1, sees one of the pioneers of downloadable content make a move into video streaming. Even before the channel launched, a Morgan Stanley report assessed the service’s future value at $9 billion a year by 2025. With its devices already in so many people’s hands, Apple has a head start in reaching a big audience.

The other new entrant in the video-streaming game is relying on its reputation for content rather than technology to draw viewers in. While Wonderfilm focuses on creating new content, Disney+ will rely on established properties. Alongside its host of animated princesses and kid-friendly TV, Disney owns the rights to the Star Wars and Marvel superhero franchises. New shows such as The Mandalorian will draw in fans eager to see more of their favorite fictional worlds, while the streaming of some of the biggest cinematic blockbusters will be concentrated in this one channel.

Wonderfilm has discussed plans to launch its own streaming channel, but for now the company is focused on creating films for other distributors, both cinematic and online. The boom in streaming services isn’t just good for the companies running those services, it’s also a potential windfall for content creators such as Wonderfilm, as streamers launch a content gold rush.

The Appeal of Original Content

The boom in streaming services has led to what some have called a “golden age of spending” on TV content. The success of high-profile Netflix original shows such as “House of Cards” and “Daredevil” has inspired others to follow suit. Amazon has shifted from a pure distributor model to a leading content creator, while Disney intends to draw in audiences with new material set in its established worlds.

Media companies are expected to spend $107 billion over 2019 on content creation, with 22% of that coming from Disney alone. Do that math, and that equals hundreds of millions of dollars every day going to companies producing films and TV shows. Audiences have shown that they want more than just repeats on their streaming services, and that original content draws attention, awards, and most importantly subscription fees. With more companies going into streaming, the demand for new content is expected to escalate, fueling interest in and success from companies such as Wonderfilm.

A company that can quickly pull together mass amounts of appealing original content is likely to thrive in this environment, and Wonderfilm has the leadership to make that happen. The company was created by Kirk Shaw, the second-most prolific filmmaker in America. A hardworking producer, Shaw has 230 films and seven TV shows under his belt. He founded Insight Film Studios, Canada’s largest independent film studio, and played a part in crafting award-winning blockbusters such as The Hurt Locker.

Shaw’s experience, skills and contacts put Wonderfilm in a strong position to provide streaming services the content they crave. But in such a busy market, having the right business model is going to be critical, and it’s on this that companies in the streaming arena could rise and fall.

Business Models for Streaming Entertainment

The basis of the Disney+ model is clear. As one of the largest entertainment providers in the world and owner of many of the most popular characters and properties, the company is relying on the appeal of its existing creations. While Disney plans some original content, the company’s offerings audiences will likely see known characters and situations in new arrangements, such as shows featuring characters from the Marvel cinematic universe.

Upstart companies can’t compete with Disney on the same terms, and so have to find their own niche within the streaming ecosystem. Wonderfilm has identified that sweet spot by focusing on producing plentiful content while minimizing risk through an established three-part strategy.

Two parts of this strategy are relatively obvious. By partnering with established stars, such as Ryan Phillippe in action-thriller The 2nd, the company can increase its potential returns. Add to this its ability to create quality entertainment on relatively low budgets and the company should produce films that will provide plenty of bang for their buck.

But it’s the third part that sets Wonderfilm’s model apart. Once the company secures a script and signs an A-list star, Wonderfilm pre-sells the film before shooting starts. Whether the project is sold to a streaming service or a cinematic distributor, this approach eliminates distribution risks. Not only does this secure much of the finance needed to make a film happen, it also ensures that the project will reach its audience. That allows the company to confidently produce films on a fast, steady production schedule.

Vying for Viewers

Of course, Wonderfilm isn’t the only entertainment company seeing the streaming opportunity.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is using its brand recognition, together with convenient connections to its existing software and hardware, to sell a whole new entertainment brand to customers with its streaming service. The business savvy behemoth has shown an awareness of the important of high-profile original content for a streaming service. From day one, Apple TV+ featured original content designed to appeal to a range of viewers. Among its original offerings is The Morning Show, a drama about a newsroom starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrel, and See, a sci-fi show starring Jason Momoa.

The service that made streaming big, Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) goes from strength to strength with its ongoing combination of established favorites and original content. The appearance of Friends on the service created a renewed surge of interest, as fans of the 1990s sitcom surfed a wave of nostalgia. But it’s Netflix’s new productions that make the company stand out and have gained it over 158 million viewers in 190 countries. Netflix is currently starting production on its first Egyptian show, based on a best-selling novel, and has announced its first French animation, as it seeks to appeal to a truly global audience.

Disney (NYSE: DIS) is also trying to demonstrate the diversity of content on its Disney+ channel. The company recently announced nonfiction content featured on the platform, including a documentary about legendary lyricist Harold Ashman. But it’s Disney’s fan-favorite properties that are creating a buzz. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series has been renewed for a second season just as it’s about to appear on Disney+, while Star Wars fans await The Mandalorian, a much-anticipated offering designed to add live-action TV to one of the world’s greatest film franchises.

Helping to fill the content libraries of these platforms is Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: LGF.A), one of the largest independent television businesses in the world. The company behind Mad Men, Dear White People, and Orange Is the New Black, Lions Gate has entered the streaming market directly through its Latinx content platform, Pantaya. Established two years ago, the service has succeeded by targeting a specific niche, exceeding expectations by acquiring half a million subscribers for its mixture of English, Spanish and bilingual content.

The explosion of streaming services creates great opportunities for creative businesses. From fast, low-risk productions to targeting specific niches, each one will flourish by finding its own unique model.

For more information on Wonderfilm Media Corporation, visit Wonderfilm Media Corporation (TSX.V: WNDR) (OTCQB: WDRFF)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Delivering Precision Medicine’s True Potential: Big Data, Artificial Intelligence Identify New Cancer Therapeutics

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The field of precision medicine has latched upon what may well be the Holy Grail in the fight against cancer. When big data are utilized by teams of pathologists, data can be incredibly helpful, but when the right data are comprehensively analyzed by artificial intelligence (AI)-powered models, the data can be downright lifesaving.

Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) (POAI Profile) is in an enviable position in the precision-medicine industry due to its incredibly rich data set of more than 150,000 clinically validated cases on its molecular information platform, with 30,000-plus specific to ovarian cancer. The company is leveraging this unique database through Artificial Intelligence to provide the actionable insights needed to drive pharma R&D programs and improve patient outcomes. A data asset like this typically takes at least five years to fully validate and most competitors are only in the early stages of the process. Predictive Oncology already has it. The uniqueness of its data combined with its proprietary AI platform show true disruptive potential in the field of precision medicine. Leading pharma companies in the space such as Roche Holding AG (OTCQX: RHHBY), GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK), AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) have also shown keen interest in the promise of precision medicine and are making multibillion dollar investments in the space.

- The precision medicine market is projected to explode to more than $96 billion within the next five years.
- POAI has already assembled one of the largest databases of drug-response and outcome data in the world.
- Helomics’ vast database of drug-response profiles (response-ome) of 150,000 patient tumors spans 137 cancer types.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Value of Data in Precision Medicine

For some time, clinicians have been utilizing key genomic data to understand a patient’s individual tumor type in attempts to effectively prescribe therapies that will work. However, the scientific community has come to realize, due to low success rates in these applications, that genomic data itself — utilizing a just-genomics approach — doesn’t fully address the complexities of cancer and is merely scratching the surface of personalized medicine’s true potential.

The precision-medicine space has a real unmet need, with a surging demand for a multi-omic approach rather than just genomics to better understand and treat the complexities of cancer. The multi-omic approach (genome, transcriptome, epigenome, proteome, responseome and microbiome) provides researchers and clinicians the comprehensive information and interactions necessary for new drug development and treating each patient’s unique cancer in the most effective method possible. Comparatively, the multi-omic approach provides a three-dimensional, 360-degree view of the cancer, while genomics alone is just a flat, one-dimensional image.

Market Potential

Major players in the space are looking to get their hands on comprehensive, multi-omic data sets that can help them not only understand the type of cancer a patient may have but also strongly predict which therapies will be most effective in fighting each specific cancer. Unfortunately, such data is fragmented and scarce, and the initiation of such data collecting is costly and time consuming. Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) has already assembled one of the largest databases of drug-response and outcome data in the world.

Indicating market trajectory, the precision medicine market is projected to explode to more than $96 billion within the next five years. The value of actionable data sets has steadily increased across the pharma industry, as significant acquisitions have commanded an ever-steeper price.

In January 2015, Swiss biopharma giant Roche paid $1 billion to acquire a 57% stake in molecular information developer Foundation Medicine, pledging another $157 million to accelerate product development. Underscoring the importance of precision medicine and the value of molecular information on cancers, Roche acquired the remainder of Foundation Medicine in 2018 for $2.4 billion, valuing the company at over $5.3 billion. At the time of the acquisition, Foundation Medicine reported 68,000 cases on its molecular information platform.

Predictive Assets

By comparison, Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) currently has about 150,000 cases on its molecular information platform, with more than 30,000 specific to ovarian cancer. The company’s data is highly differentiated, having both drug-response data and access to historical outcome data from patients. The value is evidenced in a joint collaborative agreement with UPMC/Magee.

The collaboration is focused on using D-CHIP(TM), an AI platform from Helomics, a POAI subsidiary, to analyze the genomic and drug-response profiles of women with ovarian cancer to determine predictive value in terms of response/nonresponse to therapy. Both parties believe that the collaboration will demonstrate the enormous value of using AI-powered, evidence-based decision making in the context of specific treatments on specific genotypes to predict clinical outcomes for this group of patients.

With ovarian cancer as its first target, Helomics intends to sequence 50% of its 30,000-plus ovarian tumors over the next nine to twelve months, generating what may be the world’s first comprehensive, actionable, multi-omic dataset for ovarian cancer.

In addition to UPMC/Magee, Predictive Oncology has established agreements with Interpace Diagnostics Group to build AI-driven models of thyroid cancer to enhance diagnosis and identify the best therapeutic options for thyroid cancer. The company also entered a collaborative research agreement with molecular imaging company ChemImage to establish the feasibility of coupling genomics to Raman spectroscopy to better determine disease progression in prostate cancer.

Helomics also participated in the landmark 100,000 Genomes Project, a UK-government project that is sequencing whole genomes from National Health Service patients. The project is focusing on rare and infectious diseases, along with common types of cancer. The 100,00 Genomes Project featured nine major pharmaceutical companies and only one molecular information company — Predictive Oncology.

Standing Out

What sets Predictive Oncology apart in the quest for actionable cancer intelligence is that PAOI’s data assets are already in place, with data profiles dating back to 2003. By contrast, companies beginning to collect and analyze data must wait to discover how patients’ tumors will initially respond to prescribed therapies and to evaluate patient outcomes, a process that takes approximately five years. In short, POAI is on an execution trajectory not a developmental plan. By coupling outcome data with multi-omic data, POAI is creating what may be the most comprehensive, actionable dataset on ovarian cancer in the world. These actionable insights are imperative for pharmaceutical research and development programs and, most importantly, improving outcomes for the cancer patients of today and tomorrow.

Considering Roche’s $3.4 billion investment in Foundation Medicine based on the value of its molecular information, Predictive Oncology exhibits strong market potential. With a current market capitalization of only about $14 million, there should be an opportunity somewhere between here and the $3.4 billion Roche invested.

Today, Helomics’ vast database of drug-response profiles (response-ome) of 150,000 patient tumors spans 137 cancer types—a depth and breadth of data that many industry competitors only wish they could obtain. When artificial intelligence is utilized in predictive models to analyze this data, the model’s efficacy becomes more fine-tuned in congruence with such a wealth of data. Much like the search engines engineered by Google and Amazon, the more information about a patient that is fed into a machine, the better it is at predicting outcomes for that patient.

That’s the promise of precision medicine, being able to develop drugs and tailor therapeutic treatments to each individual’s specific cancer, providing the best possible outcomes. Predictive Oncology is at the vanguard of delivering the actionable intelligence required to bring the promise of precision medicine to reality.

The race to develop actionable intelligence on tumors has begun, and Predictive Oncology’s five-year head start has positioned it at the head of the pack.

Pharma on the Hunt

Roche Holding AG (OTCQX: RHHBY), a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives, has been developing medicines with the goal of redefining treatment in oncology for over 50 years. The company’s efforts are still invested in innovative treatments, including digital health software, which provides data-driven results to support life-changing decisions. Roche uses artificial intelligence and algorithms to deliver self-learning products that constantly update available data and help healthcare professionals make more timely and informed healthcare treatment decisions.

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK), a science-led global healthcare company, is focused on developing transformational medicines to improve survival and potentially achieve cures in the field of oncology. GSK recently announced its collaboration with the University of California to establish a new Laboratory for Genetics Research (LGR). This partnership aims to accelerate the development of next-generation functional genomics technologies and build on the databases GSK currently has available from human genetics.

AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN), a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, is utilizing precision medicine in the most prevalent and deadly tumor types. AZN is concentrating on biomarker-driven indications to dramatically improve five-year survival in five tumor types, including ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Senior vice president of Precision Medicine at AstraZeneca Ruth March notes that the greatest advance of personalized healthcare in oncology has been the realization that some tumors are driven by individual genes. Discovering which genes cause certain types of tumors enables scientists to develop a medicine that’s best for that tumor, and then select patients that are best for that medicine.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. BMY aims to create individualized treatment strategies tailored to individual patients, offering the greatest possible patient benefit. BMY is partnering with companies to leverage next-generation sequencing to develop gene expression profiles for immune-oncology assets studied across a variety of cancers. BMY leadership sees this sequencing as a key component of precision medicine; since each tumor has a different biology, these biological differences can be associated with different outcomes. The company continues to gain new insights using sophisticated, proven and emerging technologies.

With very lives at stake, it’s little wonder that key players in the pharma sector have shifted focus to precision medicine, a powerhouse combination of rich, historical patient data and powerful AI platforms.

For more information on Predictive Oncology, visit Predictive Oncology Inc. (NASDAQ: POAI)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Delivering Precision Medicine’s True Potential: Big Data, Artificial Intelligence Identify New Cancer Therapeutics

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The field of precision medicine has latched upon what may well be the Holy Grail in the fight against cancer. When big data are utilized by teams of pathologists, data can be incredibly helpful, but when the right data are comprehensively analyzed by artificial intelligence (AI)-powered models, the data can be downright lifesaving.

Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) (POAI Profile) is in an enviable position in the precision-medicine industry due to its incredibly rich data set of more than 150,000 clinically validated cases on its molecular information platform, with 30,000-plus specific to ovarian cancer. The company is leveraging this unique database through Artificial Intelligence to provide the actionable insights needed to drive pharma R&D programs and improve patient outcomes. A data asset like this typically takes at least five years to fully validate and most competitors are only in the early stages of the process. Predictive Oncology already has it. The uniqueness of its data combined with its proprietary AI platform show true disruptive potential in the field of precision medicine. Leading pharma companies in the space such as Roche Holding AG (OTCQX: RHHBY), GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK), AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) have also shown keen interest in the promise of precision medicine and are making multibillion dollar investments in the space.

- The precision medicine market is projected to explode to more than $96 billion within the next five years.
- POAI has already assembled one of the largest databases of drug-response and outcome data in the world.
- Helomics’ vast database of drug-response profiles (response-ome) of 150,000 patient tumors spans 137 cancer types.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Value of Data in Precision Medicine

For some time, clinicians have been utilizing key genomic data to understand a patient’s individual tumor type in attempts to effectively prescribe therapies that will work. However, the scientific community has come to realize, due to low success rates in these applications, that genomic data itself — utilizing a just-genomics approach — doesn’t fully address the complexities of cancer and is merely scratching the surface of personalized medicine’s true potential.

The precision-medicine space has a real unmet need, with a surging demand for a multi-omic approach rather than just genomics to better understand and treat the complexities of cancer. The multi-omic approach (genome, transcriptome, epigenome, proteome, responseome and microbiome) provides researchers and clinicians the comprehensive information and interactions necessary for new drug development and treating each patient’s unique cancer in the most effective method possible. Comparatively, the multi-omic approach provides a three-dimensional, 360-degree view of the cancer, while genomics alone is just a flat, one-dimensional image.

Market Potential

Major players in the space are looking to get their hands on comprehensive, multi-omic data sets that can help them not only understand the type of cancer a patient may have but also strongly predict which therapies will be most effective in fighting each specific cancer. Unfortunately, such data is fragmented and scarce, and the initiation of such data collecting is costly and time consuming. Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) has already assembled one of the largest databases of drug-response and outcome data in the world.

Indicating market trajectory, the precision medicine market is projected to explode to more than $96 billion within the next five years. The value of actionable data sets has steadily increased across the pharma industry, as significant acquisitions have commanded an ever-steeper price.

In January 2015, Swiss biopharma giant Roche paid $1 billion to acquire a 57% stake in molecular information developer Foundation Medicine, pledging another $157 million to accelerate product development. Underscoring the importance of precision medicine and the value of molecular information on cancers, Roche acquired the remainder of Foundation Medicine in 2018 for $2.4 billion, valuing the company at over $5.3 billion. At the time of the acquisition, Foundation Medicine reported 68,000 cases on its molecular information platform.

Predictive Assets

By comparison, Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI) currently has about 150,000 cases on its molecular information platform, with more than 30,000 specific to ovarian cancer. The company’s data is highly differentiated, having both drug-response data and access to historical outcome data from patients. The value is evidenced in a joint collaborative agreement with UPMC/Magee.

The collaboration is focused on using D-CHIP(TM), an AI platform from Helomics, a POAI subsidiary, to analyze the genomic and drug-response profiles of women with ovarian cancer to determine predictive value in terms of response/nonresponse to therapy. Both parties believe that the collaboration will demonstrate the enormous value of using AI-powered, evidence-based decision making in the context of specific treatments on specific genotypes to predict clinical outcomes for this group of patients.

With ovarian cancer as its first target, Helomics intends to sequence 50% of its 30,000-plus ovarian tumors over the next nine to twelve months, generating what may be the world’s first comprehensive, actionable, multi-omic dataset for ovarian cancer.

In addition to UPMC/Magee, Predictive Oncology has established agreements with Interpace Diagnostics Group to build AI-driven models of thyroid cancer to enhance diagnosis and identify the best therapeutic options for thyroid cancer. The company also entered a collaborative research agreement with molecular imaging company ChemImage to establish the feasibility of coupling genomics to Raman spectroscopy to better determine disease progression in prostate cancer.

Helomics also participated in the landmark 100,000 Genomes Project, a UK-government project that is sequencing whole genomes from National Health Service patients. The project is focusing on rare and infectious diseases, along with common types of cancer. The 100,00 Genomes Project featured nine major pharmaceutical companies and only one molecular information company — Predictive Oncology.

Standing Out

What sets Predictive Oncology apart in the quest for actionable cancer intelligence is that PAOI’s data assets are already in place, with data profiles dating back to 2003. By contrast, companies beginning to collect and analyze data must wait to discover how patients’ tumors will initially respond to prescribed therapies and to evaluate patient outcomes, a process that takes approximately five years. In short, POAI is on an execution trajectory not a developmental plan. By coupling outcome data with multi-omic data, POAI is creating what may be the most comprehensive, actionable dataset on ovarian cancer in the world. These actionable insights are imperative for pharmaceutical research and development programs and, most importantly, improving outcomes for the cancer patients of today and tomorrow.

Considering Roche’s $3.4 billion investment in Foundation Medicine based on the value of its molecular information, Predictive Oncology exhibits strong market potential. With a current market capitalization of only about $14 million, there should be an opportunity somewhere between here and the $3.4 billion Roche invested.

Today, Helomics’ vast database of drug-response profiles (response-ome) of 150,000 patient tumors spans 137 cancer types—a depth and breadth of data that many industry competitors only wish they could obtain. When artificial intelligence is utilized in predictive models to analyze this data, the model’s efficacy becomes more fine-tuned in congruence with such a wealth of data. Much like the search engines engineered by Google and Amazon, the more information about a patient that is fed into a machine, the better it is at predicting outcomes for that patient.

That’s the promise of precision medicine, being able to develop drugs and tailor therapeutic treatments to each individual’s specific cancer, providing the best possible outcomes. Predictive Oncology is at the vanguard of delivering the actionable intelligence required to bring the promise of precision medicine to reality.

The race to develop actionable intelligence on tumors has begun, and Predictive Oncology’s five-year head start has positioned it at the head of the pack.

Pharma on the Hunt

Roche Holding AG (OTCQX: RHHBY), a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives, has been developing medicines with the goal of redefining treatment in oncology for over 50 years. The company’s efforts are still invested in innovative treatments, including digital health software, which provides data-driven results to support life-changing decisions. Roche uses artificial intelligence and algorithms to deliver self-learning products that constantly update available data and help healthcare professionals make more timely and informed healthcare treatment decisions.

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK), a science-led global healthcare company, is focused on developing transformational medicines to improve survival and potentially achieve cures in the field of oncology. GSK recently announced its collaboration with the University of California to establish a new Laboratory for Genetics Research (LGR). This partnership aims to accelerate the development of next-generation functional genomics technologies and build on the databases GSK currently has available from human genetics.

AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN), a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, is utilizing precision medicine in the most prevalent and deadly tumor types. AZN is concentrating on biomarker-driven indications to dramatically improve five-year survival in five tumor types, including ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Senior vice president of Precision Medicine at AstraZeneca Ruth March notes that the greatest advance of personalized healthcare in oncology has been the realization that some tumors are driven by individual genes. Discovering which genes cause certain types of tumors enables scientists to develop a medicine that’s best for that tumor, and then select patients that are best for that medicine.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. BMY aims to create individualized treatment strategies tailored to individual patients, offering the greatest possible patient benefit. BMY is partnering with companies to leverage next-generation sequencing to develop gene expression profiles for immune-oncology assets studied across a variety of cancers. BMY leadership sees this sequencing as a key component of precision medicine; since each tumor has a different biology, these biological differences can be associated with different outcomes. The company continues to gain new insights using sophisticated, proven and emerging technologies.

With very lives at stake, it’s little wonder that key players in the pharma sector have shifted focus to precision medicine, a powerhouse combination of rich, historical patient data and powerful AI platforms.

For more information on Predictive Oncology, visit Predictive Oncology Inc. (NASDAQ: POAI)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Californian Cannabis Industry Blazes Trail of Growth for US

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: California continues to be the leading center for the U.S. cannabis industry, with huge growth already taking place and plenty of potential for more.

Cannabis Strategic Ventures (OTCQB: NUGS) (NUGS Profile) is among the growing number of California cannabis companies boasting multiple cultivation, manufacturing and distribution licenses. Its wholly owned and operated flagship farm, NUGS FARM, recently completed its first harvest. Like Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Acreage Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: ACRGF) is invested up and down the supply chain, with new brands targeting markets in California and elsewhere. Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) recently announced expansion in Pennsylvania, catering to the state’s 180,000 registered cannabis users. Halo Labs Inc. (OTCQX: AGEEF) provides vital support services to the California market, using cutting-edge technology to extract active ingredients from cannabis. Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) has financed a fresh wave of expansion through a sale-and-leaseback agreement on its existing cultivation properties.

- California’s industry is expected to be worth $3.1 billion this year and could reach more than three times this size as it takes over from the illegal market.
- Public companies are expanding thanks to support from the state and ancillary businesses.
- Federal legislation keeps many of these companies from stock exchange listings, so they are traded as over-the-counter shares.
- Cultivation operations provide the bedrock for their growth.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

California Leads the Way for Cannabis Industry

As with many other significant economic and social changes, California is currently leading the way in the legal cannabis market. The first state to legalize medical cannabis has created a whole new sector of the legal economy and continues to set the standard that the rest of the market follows. The words cannabis and California go hand in hand.

The fall harvest is approaching, highlighting how much cannabis cultivation in California has thrived. Growing consumer demand in both the medical and recreational cannabis segments has led to constant growth for the industry. Consumers want more and better cannabis, and companies are moving to meet that demand. Cannabis investment is rising as companies realize the potential rewards of investing in cannabis.

Maturing Industry Makes More Cannabis Stocks Available

Investors both inside and outside California have been turning their attention to the state’s cannabis industry. These investors are flocking to pick up stocks in cannabis-related enterprises such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures (OTCQB: NUGS), a cannabis-related holding company that has recently made significant investments in the Californian cultivation market.

The early days of the cannabis industry were uncertain ones for investors. Though California had taken the bold step of legalizing the medical cannabis industry, the shape of that industry and the profitability of companies remained uncertain. Questions about how the federal government would respond, given that this state-level legislation was at odds with federal laws shaped by the war on drugs, contributed to that uncertainty. Further changes such as the legalization of cannabis in California for recreational purposes, which happened only three years ago, have meant ongoing uncertainty and adaptation.

In-state progress has made positioned companies such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures for success. The state has a fully regulated market, with licensing arrangements for the production, processing and sale of cannabis. Sophisticated infrastructure is emerging to nurture the industry, both in the government machinery that regulates it and in the businesses that provide materials and services.

The result is a growing number of public companies, some new and others well established. Investors have a range of options to choose from and greater confidence than ever before that their money is in safe hands.

California’s Billion-Dollar Cannabis Industry

The central driver for growth is the high demand for cannabis that exists in California. The state’s legal cannabis industry is expected to reach $3.1 billion in sales this year, according to a report from research firms Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics. This expected demand has fueled spectacular growth in the number and scale of cultivation operations, as new ones enter the market every year. Cannabis Strategic Ventures’ NUGS FARM site made its first sales this September and is building toward its full operational capacity for the start of next year. Others are in similar positions, gearing up from first sales to big cultivation and sales operations.

These sales are likely to increase as more of the state’s shadow market in cannabis moves into the light. Illegal operations in California are estimated to be worth $8.7 billion this year. The state is working to eradicate these operations and create a safer, better-regulated market that will protect consumers, workers and well-run businesses.

Operations such as NUGS FARM are both a result of and a contribution to the erosion of the illegal market. As police crack down on illegal operations, customers move toward legal outlets to obtain their drugs. In addition, the existence of legal outlets is itself a draw away from the illegal sellers. By providing a safe, legal way for customers to obtain what they’re looking for, with more consistent results and value for money, enforcement agencies are eroding the illegal market’s customer base.

Investing in Cannabis Off the Exchanges

Despite this, many cannabis companies are unable to list their stocks on American exchanges. Instead, the likes of Cannabis Strategic Ventures are traded as over-the-counter stocks on OTC Markets.

The reason behind this is federal legislation. Though many states have changed their views, the United States government still treats cannabis as a Schedule One drug, legally regarded to be as dangerous as heroin or LSD, despite the overwhelming scientific evidence against this stance. This means that companies that directly cultivate and sell recreational cannabis are barred from listing on U.S. financial exchanges. Some ancillary and biotech companies have found a way around this and onto the exchanges, while others have been listed in Canada instead. But for many, over-the-counter sales between traders remain the way forward.

The Practicalities of Cannabis Cultivation

Despite the challenge this situation creates, there is no shortage of funding for cannabis growers. For the first time, investors are starting to learn what a cannabis cultivation project looks like.

Many of these operations are based on indoor growing, which allows for greater security and consistency of results. NUGS FARM is a 6.5-acre greenhouse operation, using specialized farming equipment to feed, water and monitor the plants. The farm has licenses to cultivate, manufacture and distribute cannabis, giving Cannabis Strategic Ventures the right to be involved in and provide quality control through the entire supply chain. NUGS can produce tens of thousands of pounds of cannabis annually, with the plants coming from the company’s own unique, high-quality flower strains. NUGS has started booking sales of this produce as it gears up to full capacity in early 2020.

This is the shape of the Californian cannabis industry — sophisticated, forward looking and constantly expanding. Challenges such as the illegal market and federal regulations are being overcome — or even turned to the industry’s advantage.

All In On Cannabis

Across the 33 states in which medical or recreational cannabis is now legal, companies are enjoying similar patterns of expansion.

Starting with its founder’s investment in a cannabis license in Maine eight years ago, Acreage Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: ACRGF) has since expanded to create a company operating in states across the United States. A team of experts with experience in everything from legislation to healthcare to cultivation, the company is invested all along the supply chain, from cultivation to manufacturing to dispensing to branding. Acreage Holdings recently rolled out a new set of products under its House of Brands strategy. California is among the target markets for these products, tapping into that large and growing customer base.

Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) is another multistate operator with cultivation centers in a number of states. The company is focused on the medical rather than the recreational sector of the market, focusing on the health benefits that cannabis can bring. Green Thumb Industries recently opened its seventh retail store in Pennsylvania, a sizeable market with 180,000 in-state registered medical cannabis patients. Such moves have led to a tripling in Green Thumb’s revenues in the second quarter of this year.

The industry isn’t just about cultivation and retail; there’s a large base of support services backing that. Among those companies is Halo Labs Inc. (OTCQX: AGEEF), which specializes in the extraction of active ingredients from cannabis. This extraction allows the chemicals to be used in products ranging from medicines to vaping liquid to food and drink. Halo’s leading-edge technology gives it an advantage in the extraction market, a fast-moving segment based on swiftly changing technology. Halo Labs was recently awarded two new licenses for operations in California, where it already has a 9,400-square-foot campus dedicated to the processing of cannabis products.

A vertically integrated company working across the United States, Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) is one of the leading multistate cannabis companies. Cresco deals with the whole supply chain of cannabis, including cultivation, processing, packaging, shipping and sales in its own dispensaries. The company recently made a sale-and-leaseback deal on two of its cultivation properties in Illinois to provide extra funds for expansion in the state. Like California, Illinois has plenty of room for expansion, and the industry there is expected to eventually reach $2 to $4 billion in value. The deal will position Cresco to make the most of that growth.

The cannabis industry is growing in many states, following the lead of California, where a powerful market is forging the way ahead for the rest of the country.

For more information on Cannabis Strategic Ventures, visit Cannabis Strategic Ventures Inc. (NUGS)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from CannabisNewsWire, text “CANNABIS” to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Californian Cannabis Industry Blazes Trail of Growth for US

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: California continues to be the leading center for the U.S. cannabis industry, with huge growth already taking place and plenty of potential for more.

Cannabis Strategic Ventures (OTCQB: NUGS) (NUGS Profile) is among the growing number of California cannabis companies boasting multiple cultivation, manufacturing and distribution licenses. Its wholly owned and operated flagship farm, NUGS FARM, recently completed its first harvest. Like Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Acreage Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: ACRGF) is invested up and down the supply chain, with new brands targeting markets in California and elsewhere. Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) recently announced expansion in Pennsylvania, catering to the state’s 180,000 registered cannabis users. Halo Labs Inc. (OTCQX: AGEEF) provides vital support services to the California market, using cutting-edge technology to extract active ingredients from cannabis. Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) has financed a fresh wave of expansion through a sale-and-leaseback agreement on its existing cultivation properties.

- California’s industry is expected to be worth $3.1 billion this year and could reach more than three times this size as it takes over from the illegal market.
- Public companies are expanding thanks to support from the state and ancillary businesses.
- Federal legislation keeps many of these companies from stock exchange listings, so they are traded as over-the-counter shares.
- Cultivation operations provide the bedrock for their growth.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

California Leads the Way for Cannabis Industry

As with many other significant economic and social changes, California is currently leading the way in the legal cannabis market. The first state to legalize medical cannabis has created a whole new sector of the legal economy and continues to set the standard that the rest of the market follows. The words cannabis and California go hand in hand.

The fall harvest is approaching, highlighting how much cannabis cultivation in California has thrived. Growing consumer demand in both the medical and recreational cannabis segments has led to constant growth for the industry. Consumers want more and better cannabis, and companies are moving to meet that demand. Cannabis investment is rising as companies realize the potential rewards of investing in cannabis.

Maturing Industry Makes More Cannabis Stocks Available

Investors both inside and outside California have been turning their attention to the state’s cannabis industry. These investors are flocking to pick up stocks in cannabis-related enterprises such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures (OTCQB: NUGS), a cannabis-related holding company that has recently made significant investments in the Californian cultivation market.

The early days of the cannabis industry were uncertain ones for investors. Though California had taken the bold step of legalizing the medical cannabis industry, the shape of that industry and the profitability of companies remained uncertain. Questions about how the federal government would respond, given that this state-level legislation was at odds with federal laws shaped by the war on drugs, contributed to that uncertainty. Further changes such as the legalization of cannabis in California for recreational purposes, which happened only three years ago, have meant ongoing uncertainty and adaptation.

In-state progress has made positioned companies such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures for success. The state has a fully regulated market, with licensing arrangements for the production, processing and sale of cannabis. Sophisticated infrastructure is emerging to nurture the industry, both in the government machinery that regulates it and in the businesses that provide materials and services.

The result is a growing number of public companies, some new and others well established. Investors have a range of options to choose from and greater confidence than ever before that their money is in safe hands.

California’s Billion-Dollar Cannabis Industry

The central driver for growth is the high demand for cannabis that exists in California. The state’s legal cannabis industry is expected to reach $3.1 billion in sales this year, according to a report from research firms Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics. This expected demand has fueled spectacular growth in the number and scale of cultivation operations, as new ones enter the market every year. Cannabis Strategic Ventures’ NUGS FARM site made its first sales this September and is building toward its full operational capacity for the start of next year. Others are in similar positions, gearing up from first sales to big cultivation and sales operations.

These sales are likely to increase as more of the state’s shadow market in cannabis moves into the light. Illegal operations in California are estimated to be worth $8.7 billion this year. The state is working to eradicate these operations and create a safer, better-regulated market that will protect consumers, workers and well-run businesses.

Operations such as NUGS FARM are both a result of and a contribution to the erosion of the illegal market. As police crack down on illegal operations, customers move toward legal outlets to obtain their drugs. In addition, the existence of legal outlets is itself a draw away from the illegal sellers. By providing a safe, legal way for customers to obtain what they’re looking for, with more consistent results and value for money, enforcement agencies are eroding the illegal market’s customer base.

Investing in Cannabis Off the Exchanges

Despite this, many cannabis companies are unable to list their stocks on American exchanges. Instead, the likes of Cannabis Strategic Ventures are traded as over-the-counter stocks on OTC Markets.

The reason behind this is federal legislation. Though many states have changed their views, the United States government still treats cannabis as a Schedule One drug, legally regarded to be as dangerous as heroin or LSD, despite the overwhelming scientific evidence against this stance. This means that companies that directly cultivate and sell recreational cannabis are barred from listing on U.S. financial exchanges. Some ancillary and biotech companies have found a way around this and onto the exchanges, while others have been listed in Canada instead. But for many, over-the-counter sales between traders remain the way forward.

The Practicalities of Cannabis Cultivation

Despite the challenge this situation creates, there is no shortage of funding for cannabis growers. For the first time, investors are starting to learn what a cannabis cultivation project looks like.

Many of these operations are based on indoor growing, which allows for greater security and consistency of results. NUGS FARM is a 6.5-acre greenhouse operation, using specialized farming equipment to feed, water and monitor the plants. The farm has licenses to cultivate, manufacture and distribute cannabis, giving Cannabis Strategic Ventures the right to be involved in and provide quality control through the entire supply chain. NUGS can produce tens of thousands of pounds of cannabis annually, with the plants coming from the company’s own unique, high-quality flower strains. NUGS has started booking sales of this produce as it gears up to full capacity in early 2020.

This is the shape of the Californian cannabis industry — sophisticated, forward looking and constantly expanding. Challenges such as the illegal market and federal regulations are being overcome — or even turned to the industry’s advantage.

All In On Cannabis

Across the 33 states in which medical or recreational cannabis is now legal, companies are enjoying similar patterns of expansion.

Starting with its founder’s investment in a cannabis license in Maine eight years ago, Acreage Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: ACRGF) has since expanded to create a company operating in states across the United States. A team of experts with experience in everything from legislation to healthcare to cultivation, the company is invested all along the supply chain, from cultivation to manufacturing to dispensing to branding. Acreage Holdings recently rolled out a new set of products under its House of Brands strategy. California is among the target markets for these products, tapping into that large and growing customer base.

Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) is another multistate operator with cultivation centers in a number of states. The company is focused on the medical rather than the recreational sector of the market, focusing on the health benefits that cannabis can bring. Green Thumb Industries recently opened its seventh retail store in Pennsylvania, a sizeable market with 180,000 in-state registered medical cannabis patients. Such moves have led to a tripling in Green Thumb’s revenues in the second quarter of this year.

The industry isn’t just about cultivation and retail; there’s a large base of support services backing that. Among those companies is Halo Labs Inc. (OTCQX: AGEEF), which specializes in the extraction of active ingredients from cannabis. This extraction allows the chemicals to be used in products ranging from medicines to vaping liquid to food and drink. Halo’s leading-edge technology gives it an advantage in the extraction market, a fast-moving segment based on swiftly changing technology. Halo Labs was recently awarded two new licenses for operations in California, where it already has a 9,400-square-foot campus dedicated to the processing of cannabis products.

A vertically integrated company working across the United States, Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) is one of the leading multistate cannabis companies. Cresco deals with the whole supply chain of cannabis, including cultivation, processing, packaging, shipping and sales in its own dispensaries. The company recently made a sale-and-leaseback deal on two of its cultivation properties in Illinois to provide extra funds for expansion in the state. Like California, Illinois has plenty of room for expansion, and the industry there is expected to eventually reach $2 to $4 billion in value. The deal will position Cresco to make the most of that growth.

The cannabis industry is growing in many states, following the lead of California, where a powerful market is forging the way ahead for the rest of the country.

For more information on Cannabis Strategic Ventures, visit Cannabis Strategic Ventures Inc. (NUGS)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from CannabisNewsWire, text “CANNABIS” to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Gene Therapies with Potential to Conquer Tough-to-Tackle Breast Cancers

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Advances in biotechnology look to deliver promising new treatment options against breast cancer.

Independent researchers have found that Genprex Inc.’s (NASDAQ: GNPX) (GNPX Profile) TUSC2 prevented tumor growth against triple-negative breast cancer. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is focusing on those patients with the greatest need and, in the process, has developed a new breast-cancer treatment option. Roche Holding (OTCQX: RHHBY) is expanding the use of its biotech to both identify and treat patients with challenging breast cancers. AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) has been rapidly increasing its research, targeting more than 15 different types of cancer. AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) has seen hopeful results against metastatic breast cancer as it works in collaboration with a Japanese firm.

- Breast cancer is a major killer, responsible for 25% of cancers in women and half a million deaths each year.
- Gene therapies offer a way to treat previously difficult or unstoppable cancers.
- The attention of major pharmaceutical companies is pushing research forward fast.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Battling Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most widely prevalent cancers in the world. Accounting for a quarter of all cancers in women worldwide, as well as a number of cases in men, it kills over half a million people every year.

Treatment for breast cancer varies, based on both the patient’s circumstances and type of cancer. The development of treatments to suppress or even eliminate cancer has led to a high survival rate in wealthy countries, with around 85% of patients in the United States and United Kingdom surviving for at least five years from diagnosis. But even in these countries, survival depends upon the exact form of the cancer, how far it has progressed and whether a treatment has been developed for that particular form. Cancer is a difficult disease to defeat, and survival can depend upon the ability of scientists to counter a specific genetic defect in a specific set of cells.

Good News for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients

Because cancers are so varied and challenging to tackle, every individual win is worth celebrating. That’s why recent news relating to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has brought excitement both for independent researchers and for Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage, gene-therapy company whose tumor suppressor candidate 2 (TUSC2) was found to prevent tumor growth in TNBC.

TNBC covers a variety of cancers that do not express three specific types of receptor proteins. Most hormone therapies for breast cancer target one of these receptors, so tackling a cancer that doesn’t feature any of those receptors is more difficult. TNBC is an extremely aggressive subtype of breast cancer associated with poor prognosis and high mortality rates. The lack of targeted treatment for triple-negative breast cancer makes it a particularly feared diagnosis. Because up to 20% of breast-cancer patients are fighting TNBC, finding therapies that effectively fight these forms of cancer is essential.

Recently TNBC patients have heard good news, thanks to research published in Nature. This research shows that TUSC2 prevented the growth of tumors in TNBC. And with Genprex already working on cancer treatments using TUSC2, including its lead drug candidate, Oncoprex(TM) immunogene therapy, the new research appears to validate the company’s focus and direction.

Currently Genprex is conducting clinical and preclinical research to evaluate the effectiveness of TUSC2 when combined with targeted therapies and immunotherapies for non-small cell lung cancer. Existing preclinical data also suggest that TUSC2 may be effective against glioblastoma, head and neck cancer, kidney cancer and soft-tissue sarcomas. This new independent study raises the possibility that TUSC2 expression may also be used to treat this most aggressive subset of breast cancer.

“The results of the study evaluating TUSC2 for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer are encouraging,” said Genprex chairman and CEO Rodney Varner. “We believe that the data reported in this Nature article by independent researchers supports our belief that TUSC2 may be effective to treat a variety of cancers, including some of the most-deadly types of cancer.”

This new report is a particularly encouraging moment for Genprex, as the study doesn’t come from the company’s own research work but instead verifies its value through an independent source. With multiple teams and researchers in multiple locations all evaluating and studying TUSC2 as a potential source for cancer treatment, the evidence is mounting that this approach may provide something new and valuable for doctors and patients.

Gene Therapy to Tackle Breast Cancer

Like many of the most promising cancer treatments, Genprex’s TUSC2 treatment is a form of gene therapy.

A technology less than 50 years old, gene therapy remains on the cutting edge of modern medicine. The approach involves delivering new genetic material into the patient’s body, where it is absorbed by cells. This rewrites the code of those cells, changing how they grow, reproduce, spread and die.

The growth and death of cells is fundamental to the challenge of cancer. Damaged genetic material leads cancer cells to develop in harmful ways and spread through the body, sometimes at a rapid rate. Treatments such as Genprex’s Oncoprex can be used to write over the harmful DNA code and introduce a new gene. The result is that cancer itself is rewritten to reduce its harm.

Genetic treatments vary in the way they affect the body’s cells. Some directly destroy cancerous cells. Others slow their reproduction, thereby reducing the spread of unhealthy tissue throughout the body. Other treatments make cells more susceptible to forms of treatment that might otherwise be ineffective.

TUSC2 treatment falls into both categories, helping cancer dells to die and preventing the growth of cancerous tumors. If successfully used, this approach could halt the growth of existing cancers and their spread through the body. TUSC2 is a vital element of treatment if cancer is to be prevented from running rampant through patients.

Genprex’s Oncoprex therapy delivers cancer-fighting genes by encapsulating them into nanoscale hollow spheres called nanovesicles. The nanovesicles are then administered intravenously. They flow through the bloodstream until they locate and are absorbed by the cancer cells. The TUSC2 gene then expresses proteins that are missing or in short supply, bringing the damaged cells closer to normal behavior. By rewriting the very fundamentals of the body, such treatments may save lives.

Disruptive Technology for the Medical Sector

“Disruptive” isn’t a term that’s often applied to medicine, where the aim is to avoid disrupting the health of the human body. But technology such Genprex’s Oncoprex immunogene therapy is disruptive precisely because it could improve doctors’ ability to preserve health. It may also change the course of cancer, as new technology often opens up new possibilities.

Since its first successful use in the 1980s, gene therapy has rightly been presented as a disruptive technology. It deals with health on a basic level, altering the building blocks of life. This is why Genprex was among the companies presenting at the 4th Annual Disruptive Growth Conference in New York this September. Oncoprex’s multimodal mechanism allows it to tackle cancer in a number of different ways, reducing the cancer’s spread, encouraging the death of cancer cells and modulating the response of the immune system to fight cancer. It can block mechanisms that cause resistance to other anti-cancer drugs and so increase the effectiveness of a broader course of treatment.

As both treatments and the business models of companies behind them develop, the battle against cancer is being transformed.

Founded more than 140 years ago, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is one of the oldest players in the field of cancer treatment, a company that has spent more than a century making medicines to help people around the world. Lilly uses predictive and prognostic biomarkers to work out how a tumor is likely to behave and how it will respond to potential therapies. This approach allows more targeted treatment designed to tackle the patient’s specific cancer, thereby increasing the likelihood of success in any given case. LLY’s Verzenio treatment has been shown to be effective in cancer treatment, encouraging cell death and reducing the spread of tumors. The company’s strategy is a targeted one, concentrating on those cancer patients with the greatest need, and so providing the greatest possible impact from its medicines.

Another long-established company, Roche Holding (OTCQX: RHHBY) was one of the first to provide targeted treatments such as those offered by gene therapy. The world’s largest biotech company, Roche has poured a huge amount of resources into biopharmaceuticals and is a global leader in cancer treatments. The company recently announced the expanded use of its technology to identify TNBC patients and so to provide them with the targeted treatment they need to fight their cancer. The company’s support for cancer patients extends beyond better medicine for those in wealthy countries. Roche is a supporter of a health-care approach in South Africa that takes treatment to the rails, providing mobile health-care facilities and services that include breast cancer screening for people who might otherwise lack access.

A research-driven biopharmaceutical company, AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) is working on new treatments for more than 15 different cancers, including forms of breast cancer. The company’s wide-ranging work means that insights from one area can affect work in another, allowing greater progress in the overall understanding of cancer and the development of specific, targeted treatments. AbbVie’s oncology research has increased dramatically over the past six years, often through partnerships with other companies, allowing a rich cross-fertilization of ideas.

Based in the United Kingdom, AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) benefits from its proximity to some of the finest minds in the world and an elite recruitment pool. Like AbbVie, AstraZeneca has been making breakthroughs in a wide range of cancer types. Research in collaboration with a Japanese company has recently led to promising results for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, as the company works to improve survival rates and quality of life for breast cancer patients.

With the attention of so many big players in the biopharmaceutical industry, promising treatments for cancer are developing fast.

For more information on Genprex, visit Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Gene Therapies with Potential to Conquer Tough-to-Tackle Breast Cancers

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Advances in biotechnology look to deliver promising new treatment options against breast cancer.

Independent researchers have found that Genprex Inc.’s (NASDAQ: GNPX) (GNPX Profile) TUSC2 prevented tumor growth against triple-negative breast cancer. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is focusing on those patients with the greatest need and, in the process, has developed a new breast-cancer treatment option. Roche Holding (OTCQX: RHHBY) is expanding the use of its biotech to both identify and treat patients with challenging breast cancers. AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) has been rapidly increasing its research, targeting more than 15 different types of cancer. AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) has seen hopeful results against metastatic breast cancer as it works in collaboration with a Japanese firm.

- Breast cancer is a major killer, responsible for 25% of cancers in women and half a million deaths each year.
- Gene therapies offer a way to treat previously difficult or unstoppable cancers.
- The attention of major pharmaceutical companies is pushing research forward fast.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Battling Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most widely prevalent cancers in the world. Accounting for a quarter of all cancers in women worldwide, as well as a number of cases in men, it kills over half a million people every year.

Treatment for breast cancer varies, based on both the patient’s circumstances and type of cancer. The development of treatments to suppress or even eliminate cancer has led to a high survival rate in wealthy countries, with around 85% of patients in the United States and United Kingdom surviving for at least five years from diagnosis. But even in these countries, survival depends upon the exact form of the cancer, how far it has progressed and whether a treatment has been developed for that particular form. Cancer is a difficult disease to defeat, and survival can depend upon the ability of scientists to counter a specific genetic defect in a specific set of cells.

Good News for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients

Because cancers are so varied and challenging to tackle, every individual win is worth celebrating. That’s why recent news relating to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has brought excitement both for independent researchers and for Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage, gene-therapy company whose tumor suppressor candidate 2 (TUSC2) was found to prevent tumor growth in TNBC.

TNBC covers a variety of cancers that do not express three specific types of receptor proteins. Most hormone therapies for breast cancer target one of these receptors, so tackling a cancer that doesn’t feature any of those receptors is more difficult. TNBC is an extremely aggressive subtype of breast cancer associated with poor prognosis and high mortality rates. The lack of targeted treatment for triple-negative breast cancer makes it a particularly feared diagnosis. Because up to 20% of breast-cancer patients are fighting TNBC, finding therapies that effectively fight these forms of cancer is essential.

Recently TNBC patients have heard good news, thanks to research published in Nature. This research shows that TUSC2 prevented the growth of tumors in TNBC. And with Genprex already working on cancer treatments using TUSC2, including its lead drug candidate, Oncoprex(TM) immunogene therapy, the new research appears to validate the company’s focus and direction.

Currently Genprex is conducting clinical and preclinical research to evaluate the effectiveness of TUSC2 when combined with targeted therapies and immunotherapies for non-small cell lung cancer. Existing preclinical data also suggest that TUSC2 may be effective against glioblastoma, head and neck cancer, kidney cancer and soft-tissue sarcomas. This new independent study raises the possibility that TUSC2 expression may also be used to treat this most aggressive subset of breast cancer.

“The results of the study evaluating TUSC2 for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer are encouraging,” said Genprex chairman and CEO Rodney Varner. “We believe that the data reported in this Nature article by independent researchers supports our belief that TUSC2 may be effective to treat a variety of cancers, including some of the most-deadly types of cancer.”

This new report is a particularly encouraging moment for Genprex, as the study doesn’t come from the company’s own research work but instead verifies its value through an independent source. With multiple teams and researchers in multiple locations all evaluating and studying TUSC2 as a potential source for cancer treatment, the evidence is mounting that this approach may provide something new and valuable for doctors and patients.

Gene Therapy to Tackle Breast Cancer

Like many of the most promising cancer treatments, Genprex’s TUSC2 treatment is a form of gene therapy.

A technology less than 50 years old, gene therapy remains on the cutting edge of modern medicine. The approach involves delivering new genetic material into the patient’s body, where it is absorbed by cells. This rewrites the code of those cells, changing how they grow, reproduce, spread and die.

The growth and death of cells is fundamental to the challenge of cancer. Damaged genetic material leads cancer cells to develop in harmful ways and spread through the body, sometimes at a rapid rate. Treatments such as Genprex’s Oncoprex can be used to write over the harmful DNA code and introduce a new gene. The result is that cancer itself is rewritten to reduce its harm.

Genetic treatments vary in the way they affect the body’s cells. Some directly destroy cancerous cells. Others slow their reproduction, thereby reducing the spread of unhealthy tissue throughout the body. Other treatments make cells more susceptible to forms of treatment that might otherwise be ineffective.

TUSC2 treatment falls into both categories, helping cancer dells to die and preventing the growth of cancerous tumors. If successfully used, this approach could halt the growth of existing cancers and their spread through the body. TUSC2 is a vital element of treatment if cancer is to be prevented from running rampant through patients.

Genprex’s Oncoprex therapy delivers cancer-fighting genes by encapsulating them into nanoscale hollow spheres called nanovesicles. The nanovesicles are then administered intravenously. They flow through the bloodstream until they locate and are absorbed by the cancer cells. The TUSC2 gene then expresses proteins that are missing or in short supply, bringing the damaged cells closer to normal behavior. By rewriting the very fundamentals of the body, such treatments may save lives.

Disruptive Technology for the Medical Sector

“Disruptive” isn’t a term that’s often applied to medicine, where the aim is to avoid disrupting the health of the human body. But technology such Genprex’s Oncoprex immunogene therapy is disruptive precisely because it could improve doctors’ ability to preserve health. It may also change the course of cancer, as new technology often opens up new possibilities.

Since its first successful use in the 1980s, gene therapy has rightly been presented as a disruptive technology. It deals with health on a basic level, altering the building blocks of life. This is why Genprex was among the companies presenting at the 4th Annual Disruptive Growth Conference in New York this September. Oncoprex’s multimodal mechanism allows it to tackle cancer in a number of different ways, reducing the cancer’s spread, encouraging the death of cancer cells and modulating the response of the immune system to fight cancer. It can block mechanisms that cause resistance to other anti-cancer drugs and so increase the effectiveness of a broader course of treatment.

As both treatments and the business models of companies behind them develop, the battle against cancer is being transformed.

Founded more than 140 years ago, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is one of the oldest players in the field of cancer treatment, a company that has spent more than a century making medicines to help people around the world. Lilly uses predictive and prognostic biomarkers to work out how a tumor is likely to behave and how it will respond to potential therapies. This approach allows more targeted treatment designed to tackle the patient’s specific cancer, thereby increasing the likelihood of success in any given case. LLY’s Verzenio treatment has been shown to be effective in cancer treatment, encouraging cell death and reducing the spread of tumors. The company’s strategy is a targeted one, concentrating on those cancer patients with the greatest need, and so providing the greatest possible impact from its medicines.

Another long-established company, Roche Holding (OTCQX: RHHBY) was one of the first to provide targeted treatments such as those offered by gene therapy. The world’s largest biotech company, Roche has poured a huge amount of resources into biopharmaceuticals and is a global leader in cancer treatments. The company recently announced the expanded use of its technology to identify TNBC patients and so to provide them with the targeted treatment they need to fight their cancer. The company’s support for cancer patients extends beyond better medicine for those in wealthy countries. Roche is a supporter of a health-care approach in South Africa that takes treatment to the rails, providing mobile health-care facilities and services that include breast cancer screening for people who might otherwise lack access.

A research-driven biopharmaceutical company, AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) is working on new treatments for more than 15 different cancers, including forms of breast cancer. The company’s wide-ranging work means that insights from one area can affect work in another, allowing greater progress in the overall understanding of cancer and the development of specific, targeted treatments. AbbVie’s oncology research has increased dramatically over the past six years, often through partnerships with other companies, allowing a rich cross-fertilization of ideas.

Based in the United Kingdom, AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) benefits from its proximity to some of the finest minds in the world and an elite recruitment pool. Like AbbVie, AstraZeneca has been making breakthroughs in a wide range of cancer types. Research in collaboration with a Japanese company has recently led to promising results for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, as the company works to improve survival rates and quality of life for breast cancer patients.

With the attention of so many big players in the biopharmaceutical industry, promising treatments for cancer are developing fast.

For more information on Genprex, visit Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Technological Innovation Pushes Bounds of Edible Cannabis Market

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: A desire to move away from smoking may be fueling growth in the edible cannabis products.

Sproutly Canada Inc. (CSE: SPR) (OTCQB: SRUTF) (FSE: 38G) (SRUTF Profile) is developing new technology to manufacture cannabis edibles and to accurately measure their active ingredients. Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) (LXRP Profile) has created a bold new technology to make cannabis’ active ingredients more palatable and absorbable. BevCanna Enterprises Inc. (CSE: BEV) (OTC: BVNNF) is producing white-label products, giving other brands access to the market. HEXO Corp. (TSX: HEXO) (NYSE: HEXO) is meeting its regulatory needs by acquiring other licensed cannabis producers and processors. Valens GroWorks Corp. (TSX.V: VGW) (OTCQX: VGWCF) has created a large and growing extraction and testing facility.

- Cannabis in food and drink offers both health and social advantages over smoking.
- The market’s growth depends upon meeting the standards of regulators.
- Market growth is driving innovation not just in the production of edible cannabis but also in the technology to measure contents.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Expanding the Bounds of Cannabis

As the legal boundaries of the North American cannabis industry expand, businesses are looking for ways to make the most of their products and reach the widest possible market. This quest has led to a growing shift in focus away from smoking, which is accompanied by significant health concerns and social challenges. Instead, companies are increasingly focused on alternatives such as edible cannabis products.

The growing demand presents challenges. One of the most obvious is developing the technology to effectively extract the active ingredients in cannabis and incorporate them into foods, drinks, vaping oils and other products. In addition, meeting regulatory standards is also a factor, as authorities move to set standards for a newly legalized industry. Meeting such standards means improving control over products, which in turn means improving measurement systems. And that means developing the technology to do the measuring.

The Advantages of Edible Cannabis

Edibles are quickly becoming an important focus for the cannabis market. Some companies are offering edibles, including beverages, as part of a wider product line, creating cannabis-infused drinks alongside wider beverage lines or more diverse cannabis products. Other companies have narrowed their focus to either cannabis edibles or cannabis-infused drinks. For Sproutly Canada Inc. (CSE: SPR) (OTCQB: SRUTF) (FSE: 38G), the focus is on supplying water-soluble cannabis solutions and bionatural oils to be used in the beverages and consumables market.

The shift toward edibles is a direct response to the decrease in smoking. Cannabis legalization has arrived just as tobacco smoking is seeing a steep decline. Both the percentage of people who smoke and the number of cigarettes they consume each day are going down. Many people who are interested in cannabis, whether for medical or recreational reasons, don’t want to take up smoking. If the cannabis industry is to grow, it appears the most effective way may be to find other ways to reach these potential consumers.

Beverages may be one of the most promising ways to replace smoking as the leading form of cannabis consumption; this trend should provide growing business opportunities for companies such as Sproutly. Cannabis-infused beverages allow consumers to choose between alcohol and cannabis on a night out, with users of each able to enjoy the same social setting together.

The downside of this choice is that ingested cannabis typically takes longer to kick in than either alcohol or smoking, disrupting the social dynamic. Sproutly is working to solve this problem with its innovative Infuz2O technology, which provides faster delivery of the active ingredients in ingested cannabis. For both medical users looking for fast relief and recreational users looking to keep pace with their companions, it’s a potentially valuable step.

Cannabis Regulation and Measurement

Cannabis edibles don’t automatically become legal just because cannabis itself has. For example, a delay was written into Canada’s legalization legislation to give time to prepare regulations for ingestible cannabis products such as those Sproutly supports.

These regulations, like those around smokable cannabis, are created with good reason. Governments need to be able to establish standards for recreational drugs to minimize the risk of harm both to consumers and to others who may be affected by those consuming the products.

One form of regulation that appears certain to make its way from alcohol to cannabis is the need to measure and state the strength of consumer products. Two decades of development mean that the methods for these measurements are fairly well established for smokable cannabis, but ingestible cannabis products raise new challenges — ones that Sproutly subsidiary Infusion Biosciences Inc. is addressing.

The methods currently used for the detection and quantitation of cannabinoids were designed for isolated oils. That means they are unable to accurately and reliably measure cannabinoid contents in finished edible and beverage products, which are significantly more complicated. But under the leadership of Sproutly’s chief science officer, Dr. Arup Sen, Infusion Biosciences has developed analytical methods that measure the cannabinoid molecules in water-soluble and oil preparations created using Sproutly’s APP technology. This development marks a significant step toward accurately testing and labeling the content of cannabis ingestibles.

“The ability to test for cannabinoids in water formulations has been unreliable for cannabis beverages globally due to the existing testing standards and practices,” said Sen. “With ever-increasing food-safety standards that need to be met for cannabis beverage and edible products, the completion of our research and the Developed Analytics are significant milestones in the commercialization of APP Technology; this is another step forward towards reliable and accurate testing for ingestible cannabis products.”

Innovating on All Levels

To successfully develop the market for ingestibles, cannabis companies need to be innovating on every level, from the extraction of active ingredients to their measurement, to the recipes for active foods and drinks. Even the way that cannabis is marketed is going to change as its place in people’s lives changes.

Although it’s unlikely that any company will attack this from every angle, it’s a good sign for the market that so many are taking on multiple interlinked issues at once. This is visible in Sproutly’s approach, with the creation of new technology to both create and measure ingestibles.

Infuz2O is the centerpiece of Sproutly’s work. A water-soluble cannabis liquid that moves away from the need for emulsification or encapsulation, Infuz2O allows the delivery of a precisely measured dose of active ingredients from cannabis in an odorless and easy-to-handle form. The effects of the cannabis are felt within five minutes and wear off within 90 minutes, bringing the experience closer to that of alcohol. This delivery method could make it easier to manage for consumers who are new to cannabis or who want to consume their drinks alongside alcohol drinkers, both important pieces for the beverage market.

By developing Infuz2O alongside its testing technology, Sproutly has given itself a way to test the reliability of its product as well as a product to test the measurements on. The move appears to be both a logical and efficient strategy.

Beyond Weed

Cannabis is moving beyond its old image, where “weed” was a fitting label for something that spread where it wasn’t permitted — something primitively grown and furtively consumed. A plethora of companies are now working to develop sophisticated products for a more sophisticated — and legal — market.

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) is another innovator in the field of delivery methods. The company’s DehydraTECH(TM) technology uses fatty acids to make cannabinoids both more palatable and easier for the body to absorb. This increases the efficiency of cannabis products as well as removing a challenge to the flavor of ingestibles. Like Sproutly, LXRP is working in close cooperation with the authorities to improve the measurement and understanding of cannabinoids through groundbreaking research with the National Research Council of Canada.

BevCanna Enterprises Inc. (CSE: BEV) (OTC: BVNNF) is innovating within the industry by importing a business model that has seen little use in cannabis — white-label products. BevCanna researches, packages and produces cannabis-infused beverages to appear under the branding of other companies. The approach keeps the company itself out of the public eye while allowing its clients easy access to this new market without having to develop extensive in-house expertise.

Licensing is an essential part of the cannabis regulatory process. Consequently, companies are moving to acquire more licenses to produce and sell cannabinoids. Some are doing this primarily through their own applications, but others, such as HEXO Corp. (TSX: HEXO) (NYSE: HEXO), have been using acquisitions to build up its businesses. A medical cannabis provider that entered the recreational market last year, HEXO has acquired Newstrike, the parent company of Up Cannabis Inc., a licensed producer and distributor. This acquisition should give HEXO a bigger footprint within the profitable Canadian cannabis market, where unmet demand continues to offer great profit potential.

As a growing number of farmers start cultivating cannabis, somebody needs to provide the extraction and testing services to turn the crops into ingredients for ingestibles. Valens GroWorks Corp. (TSX.V: VGW) (OTCQX: VGWCF) provides extraction and testing services. The company uses a variety of extraction methods to obtain the active ingredients from cannabis crops, producing extracts ideally suited for the products they will be used in. This summer, Valens announced that its extraction capacity had reached 425,000 kg per year, with plans to reach more than a million kilograms.

As the cannabis market shifts towards edible products, extraction and testing work, along with the innovative technology driving it, may become a linchpin of the cannabis economy.

For more information on Sproutly Canada, visit Sproutly Canada Inc. (OTCQB: SRUTF) (CSE: SPR) (FRA: 38G)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from CannabisNewsWire, text “CANNABIS” to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

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CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
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www.CannabisNewsWire.com
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Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Technological Innovation Pushes Bounds of Edible Cannabis Market

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: A desire to move away from smoking may be fueling growth in the edible cannabis products.

Sproutly Canada Inc. (CSE: SPR) (OTCQB: SRUTF) (FSE: 38G) (SRUTF Profile) is developing new technology to manufacture cannabis edibles and to accurately measure their active ingredients. Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) (LXRP Profile) has created a bold new technology to make cannabis’ active ingredients more palatable and absorbable. BevCanna Enterprises Inc. (CSE: BEV) (OTC: BVNNF) is producing white-label products, giving other brands access to the market. HEXO Corp. (TSX: HEXO) (NYSE: HEXO) is meeting its regulatory needs by acquiring other licensed cannabis producers and processors. Valens GroWorks Corp. (TSX.V: VGW) (OTCQX: VGWCF) has created a large and growing extraction and testing facility.

- Cannabis in food and drink offers both health and social advantages over smoking.
- The market’s growth depends upon meeting the standards of regulators.
- Market growth is driving innovation not just in the production of edible cannabis but also in the technology to measure contents.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Expanding the Bounds of Cannabis

As the legal boundaries of the North American cannabis industry expand, businesses are looking for ways to make the most of their products and reach the widest possible market. This quest has led to a growing shift in focus away from smoking, which is accompanied by significant health concerns and social challenges. Instead, companies are increasingly focused on alternatives such as edible cannabis products.

The growing demand presents challenges. One of the most obvious is developing the technology to effectively extract the active ingredients in cannabis and incorporate them into foods, drinks, vaping oils and other products. In addition, meeting regulatory standards is also a factor, as authorities move to set standards for a newly legalized industry. Meeting such standards means improving control over products, which in turn means improving measurement systems. And that means developing the technology to do the measuring.

The Advantages of Edible Cannabis

Edibles are quickly becoming an important focus for the cannabis market. Some companies are offering edibles, including beverages, as part of a wider product line, creating cannabis-infused drinks alongside wider beverage lines or more diverse cannabis products. Other companies have narrowed their focus to either cannabis edibles or cannabis-infused drinks. For Sproutly Canada Inc. (CSE: SPR) (OTCQB: SRUTF) (FSE: 38G), the focus is on supplying water-soluble cannabis solutions and bionatural oils to be used in the beverages and consumables market.

The shift toward edibles is a direct response to the decrease in smoking. Cannabis legalization has arrived just as tobacco smoking is seeing a steep decline. Both the percentage of people who smoke and the number of cigarettes they consume each day are going down. Many people who are interested in cannabis, whether for medical or recreational reasons, don’t want to take up smoking. If the cannabis industry is to grow, it appears the most effective way may be to find other ways to reach these potential consumers.

Beverages may be one of the most promising ways to replace smoking as the leading form of cannabis consumption; this trend should provide growing business opportunities for companies such as Sproutly. Cannabis-infused beverages allow consumers to choose between alcohol and cannabis on a night out, with users of each able to enjoy the same social setting together.

The downside of this choice is that ingested cannabis typically takes longer to kick in than either alcohol or smoking, disrupting the social dynamic. Sproutly is working to solve this problem with its innovative Infuz2O technology, which provides faster delivery of the active ingredients in ingested cannabis. For both medical users looking for fast relief and recreational users looking to keep pace with their companions, it’s a potentially valuable step.

Cannabis Regulation and Measurement

Cannabis edibles don’t automatically become legal just because cannabis itself has. For example, a delay was written into Canada’s legalization legislation to give time to prepare regulations for ingestible cannabis products such as those Sproutly supports.

These regulations, like those around smokable cannabis, are created with good reason. Governments need to be able to establish standards for recreational drugs to minimize the risk of harm both to consumers and to others who may be affected by those consuming the products.

One form of regulation that appears certain to make its way from alcohol to cannabis is the need to measure and state the strength of consumer products. Two decades of development mean that the methods for these measurements are fairly well established for smokable cannabis, but ingestible cannabis products raise new challenges — ones that Sproutly subsidiary Infusion Biosciences Inc. is addressing.

The methods currently used for the detection and quantitation of cannabinoids were designed for isolated oils. That means they are unable to accurately and reliably measure cannabinoid contents in finished edible and beverage products, which are significantly more complicated. But under the leadership of Sproutly’s chief science officer, Dr. Arup Sen, Infusion Biosciences has developed analytical methods that measure the cannabinoid molecules in water-soluble and oil preparations created using Sproutly’s APP technology. This development marks a significant step toward accurately testing and labeling the content of cannabis ingestibles.

“The ability to test for cannabinoids in water formulations has been unreliable for cannabis beverages globally due to the existing testing standards and practices,” said Sen. “With ever-increasing food-safety standards that need to be met for cannabis beverage and edible products, the completion of our research and the Developed Analytics are significant milestones in the commercialization of APP Technology; this is another step forward towards reliable and accurate testing for ingestible cannabis products.”

Innovating on All Levels

To successfully develop the market for ingestibles, cannabis companies need to be innovating on every level, from the extraction of active ingredients to their measurement, to the recipes for active foods and drinks. Even the way that cannabis is marketed is going to change as its place in people’s lives changes.

Although it’s unlikely that any company will attack this from every angle, it’s a good sign for the market that so many are taking on multiple interlinked issues at once. This is visible in Sproutly’s approach, with the creation of new technology to both create and measure ingestibles.

Infuz2O is the centerpiece of Sproutly’s work. A water-soluble cannabis liquid that moves away from the need for emulsification or encapsulation, Infuz2O allows the delivery of a precisely measured dose of active ingredients from cannabis in an odorless and easy-to-handle form. The effects of the cannabis are felt within five minutes and wear off within 90 minutes, bringing the experience closer to that of alcohol. This delivery method could make it easier to manage for consumers who are new to cannabis or who want to consume their drinks alongside alcohol drinkers, both important pieces for the beverage market.

By developing Infuz2O alongside its testing technology, Sproutly has given itself a way to test the reliability of its product as well as a product to test the measurements on. The move appears to be both a logical and efficient strategy.

Beyond Weed

Cannabis is moving beyond its old image, where “weed” was a fitting label for something that spread where it wasn’t permitted — something primitively grown and furtively consumed. A plethora of companies are now working to develop sophisticated products for a more sophisticated — and legal — market.

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) is another innovator in the field of delivery methods. The company’s DehydraTECH(TM) technology uses fatty acids to make cannabinoids both more palatable and easier for the body to absorb. This increases the efficiency of cannabis products as well as removing a challenge to the flavor of ingestibles. Like Sproutly, LXRP is working in close cooperation with the authorities to improve the measurement and understanding of cannabinoids through groundbreaking research with the National Research Council of Canada.

BevCanna Enterprises Inc. (CSE: BEV) (OTC: BVNNF) is innovating within the industry by importing a business model that has seen little use in cannabis — white-label products. BevCanna researches, packages and produces cannabis-infused beverages to appear under the branding of other companies. The approach keeps the company itself out of the public eye while allowing its clients easy access to this new market without having to develop extensive in-house expertise.

Licensing is an essential part of the cannabis regulatory process. Consequently, companies are moving to acquire more licenses to produce and sell cannabinoids. Some are doing this primarily through their own applications, but others, such as HEXO Corp. (TSX: HEXO) (NYSE: HEXO), have been using acquisitions to build up its businesses. A medical cannabis provider that entered the recreational market last year, HEXO has acquired Newstrike, the parent company of Up Cannabis Inc., a licensed producer and distributor. This acquisition should give HEXO a bigger footprint within the profitable Canadian cannabis market, where unmet demand continues to offer great profit potential.

As a growing number of farmers start cultivating cannabis, somebody needs to provide the extraction and testing services to turn the crops into ingredients for ingestibles. Valens GroWorks Corp. (TSX.V: VGW) (OTCQX: VGWCF) provides extraction and testing services. The company uses a variety of extraction methods to obtain the active ingredients from cannabis crops, producing extracts ideally suited for the products they will be used in. This summer, Valens announced that its extraction capacity had reached 425,000 kg per year, with plans to reach more than a million kilograms.

As the cannabis market shifts towards edible products, extraction and testing work, along with the innovative technology driving it, may become a linchpin of the cannabis economy.

For more information on Sproutly Canada, visit Sproutly Canada Inc. (OTCQB: SRUTF) (CSE: SPR) (FRA: 38G)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from CannabisNewsWire, text “CANNABIS” to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Hemp Set to Overtake Tobacco in Kentucky Amid Boom for Growers, Suppliers

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Hemp may be taking the first steps to overtake tobacco as a leading industry in Kentucky.

Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) (SGMD Profile) is among the companies moving into Kentucky, with a million-dollar investment in hemp growth. Hemp’s national prominence is growing through deals such as Aurora Cannabis Inc.’s (TSX: ACB) (NYSE: ACB) collaboration with United Fighting Championship (UFC). Research work by Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) may involve using hemp to treat a growing range of physical and mental ailments. Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CURLF) (CSE: CURA) is serving states without a strong, homegrown hemp industry, such as Florida. In addition, companies across the cannabis sector, such as Cronos Group Inc. (TSX: CRON) (NASDAQ: CRON), are diversifying their product ranges as more hemp crops come online.

- Once the hemp heartland of the United States, Kentucky is rebuilding this lost industry following recent legislative changes.
- Both tobacco farmers and specialist hemp companies are contributing to the boom.
- The trend appears to also be profitable for companies providing support services, such as CBD extraction and hydroponic supplies.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

A Surprising State

In some ways, Kentucky is a surprising place to see a hemp boom. Conservative lobbyists in the state have consistently resisted legalization measures for related plants, despite the wider growth of the industry. Given the “thin end of the wedge” arguments wielded against drug reform, the hemp industry might have expected to face a cold response in the state.

Yet the state’s hemp sector has deep roots. During the 19th century, Kentucky was the largest producer of hemp in the United States, producing three-quarters of the nation’s hemp fiber. As hemp production went into decline following the First World War, tobacco took its place as a major cash crop for the state. However, tobacco now faces challenges of its own. With hemp production made legal on a federal level for the first time in nearly half a century, Kentucky has once again emerged as the country’s leading manufacturer.

Overtaking Tobacco

Kentucky has become a go-to state for companies with an interest in hemp, such as Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD).

Since federal legislation allowed the production of hemp at test sites in 2014, Kentucky has taken a leading role in the industry. The Bluegrass state was one of only three states to exceed 100 acres by 2016, and research permits were issued for more than 12,000 acres in 2017. By the time the 2018 farm bill proposed the legalization of hemp across the United States, Kentucky hemp growers were becoming a powerful lobby. They won the support of the state’s politicians, helping to push national legislation through in December.

Sugarmade’s involvement in Kentucky comes through, at least in part, a million-dollar investment in Nevada-based Hempistry Inc. Hempistry has begun growing high-grade hemp on a 23,000-acre land option it holds in Kentucky. High in cannabidiol (CBD), an active ingredient in high demand for wellness products, this hemp offers a chance to maximize earnings from the land and set down roots for larger operations in the state.

Commentators watching the development of hemp in Kentucky have speculated that plant could overtake tobacco, once the state’s leading cash crop. A growing number of savvy tobacco farmers have started growing hemp on part of their land, hedging their bets against the decline in tobacco sales. Hemp certainly appears to be a natural alternative to tobacco for these farmers, as it can be grown in similar conditions and sold into related markets.

Consequently, the Kentucky hemp industry is already turning into a large and diverse one, driven by two separate trends. One is the need of farmers for new crops, as declining tobacco sales and the pressure of trade wars impact their profits. The other is the emergence of companies with a focus on hemp and related crops, such as Sugarmade. These companies provide specialist tools and invaluable knowledge, while the farmers bring decades of experience growing crops in the region. Old and new knowledge combine to build a booming industry.

Looking to buoy up the economic health of their state, Representative James Comer and Senator Mitch McConnell have pushed the hemp agenda at a national level, creating the space for Kentucky’s hemp industry to thrive. McConnell has been particularly crucial, using his position as majority leader to advocate for hemp reform, including publicly reinforcing his support for the industry through a tour of the state with Sonny Perdue, head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). With this growing federal support, Kentucky hemp growers appear to be making long-term investments, confident that politicians will ensure a friendly business climate.

Providing the Fundamentals

Of course, it takes more than political goodwill to make an industry grow. Suppliers providing tools and materials to support the fundamental activities involved in the industry are crucial. This need is what attracted Sugarmade to the industry and is still the bedrock of the company’s hemp strategy.

Sugarmade entered the hemp space as a supplier of hydroponic equipment. Hydroponics are essential to the hemp market. While some hemp is grown outdoors, much is grown indoors, where greater control can be asserted over growing conditions. Hydroponic systems are used for this indoor agriculture, and Sugarmade supplies some of the best available systems available. In addition, the company is looking forward, exploring the use of artificial intelligence to monitor crops and ensure the best growth.

Agricultural supplies are one of the bottlenecks in the hemp industry. The sector has grown so quickly that suppliers have struggled to keep up. These circumstances have created what appear to be ideal conditions for Sugarmade, as demand for its core products seem to be all but ensured, allowing the company to expand by acquiring other firms. This savvy pick-and-shovel strategy has taken Sugarmade beyond its original strategy and into the Kentucky cultivation sector through the investment in Hempistry.

Supplying producers has given Sugarmade space to diversify. In addition to hydroponics, SGMD now sells extraction equipment. This is used by hemp growers or specialist processing companies to extract the CBD from hemp, so that it can then be sold to manufacturers as a raw ingredient. Sugarmade’s future plans include the introduction of new types of processing machines, aimed to keep the sector innovating and moving forward and also strengthen the company’s position as a leader in the space.

Subsidiary services such as extraction are one more reason why hemp may grow in importance to surpass tobacco. These services provide extra forms of employment and an extra boost for a state such as Kentucky. The state’s workers and tax base benefit not just from hemp farming but also from agricultural supplies, processing businesses and the entire supply chain of hemp and CBD products, a chain that looks set to only expand as the industry continues to see extraordinary growth.

The Hemp Boom

Big players from related industries are also making use of hemp to broaden what they offer as well.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX: ACB) (NYSE: ACB) recently acquired Hempco Food and Fiber Inc., a company it has been investing in since 2017. This provides Aurora with a high-volume supply of raw hemp from which it can extract cannabidiol for use in a wide range of products. The company is also working to raise the profile of hemp and find new ways to use the it. At least part of these efforts are being accomplished through a partnership with mixed martial arts company UFC. Aurora’s products and discoveries are designed to be used to help UFC athletes manage pain relief, tackle muscle strains, and enjoy the rest and relaxation they need between fights. As well as drawing attention to Aurora and hemp, the collaboration may prove invaluable insight into what CBD can do for professional athletes.

A pioneer in the use of cannabinoids, Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is a company with a heavy focus on research, contributing to studies around the world. The company has recently gained permission from the U.S. government to import CBD to the states for clinical trials at the NYU School of Medicine. These studies will explore the effectiveness of CBD in treating patients suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and AUD with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

While regions such as Kentucky are seeing a hemp boom, others have yet to see such growth and remain underserved for CBD products. Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CURLF) (CSE: CURA) is focused on these areas, taking the opportunity provided by unmet demand. States such as Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York have limited licensing and large populations, making them ideal settings for this strategy. Curaleaf is about to open its 26th dispensary in Florida.

Cronos Group Inc. (TSX: CRON) (NASDAQ: CRON) is working to strengthen its position in the hemp market through the recently completed acquisition of four subsidiaries of the Redwood Holding Group. This adds a range of hemp-derived consumer products to Cronos’s lines, giving it more prominence in the market.

The hemp boom isn’t limited to Kentucky, but with growing political and corporate support, the state appears set to return to its former place as the U.S. hemp leader.

For more information on Sugarmade, visit Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from CannabisNewsWire, text “CANNABIS” to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Hemp Set to Overtake Tobacco in Kentucky Amid Boom for Growers, Suppliers

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Hemp may be taking the first steps to overtake tobacco as a leading industry in Kentucky.

Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) (SGMD Profile) is among the companies moving into Kentucky, with a million-dollar investment in hemp growth. Hemp’s national prominence is growing through deals such as Aurora Cannabis Inc.’s (TSX: ACB) (NYSE: ACB) collaboration with United Fighting Championship (UFC). Research work by Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) may involve using hemp to treat a growing range of physical and mental ailments. Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CURLF) (CSE: CURA) is serving states without a strong, homegrown hemp industry, such as Florida. In addition, companies across the cannabis sector, such as Cronos Group Inc. (TSX: CRON) (NASDAQ: CRON), are diversifying their product ranges as more hemp crops come online.

- Once the hemp heartland of the United States, Kentucky is rebuilding this lost industry following recent legislative changes.
- Both tobacco farmers and specialist hemp companies are contributing to the boom.
- The trend appears to also be profitable for companies providing support services, such as CBD extraction and hydroponic supplies.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

A Surprising State

In some ways, Kentucky is a surprising place to see a hemp boom. Conservative lobbyists in the state have consistently resisted legalization measures for related plants, despite the wider growth of the industry. Given the “thin end of the wedge” arguments wielded against drug reform, the hemp industry might have expected to face a cold response in the state.

Yet the state’s hemp sector has deep roots. During the 19th century, Kentucky was the largest producer of hemp in the United States, producing three-quarters of the nation’s hemp fiber. As hemp production went into decline following the First World War, tobacco took its place as a major cash crop for the state. However, tobacco now faces challenges of its own. With hemp production made legal on a federal level for the first time in nearly half a century, Kentucky has once again emerged as the country’s leading manufacturer.

Overtaking Tobacco

Kentucky has become a go-to state for companies with an interest in hemp, such as Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD).

Since federal legislation allowed the production of hemp at test sites in 2014, Kentucky has taken a leading role in the industry. The Bluegrass state was one of only three states to exceed 100 acres by 2016, and research permits were issued for more than 12,000 acres in 2017. By the time the 2018 farm bill proposed the legalization of hemp across the United States, Kentucky hemp growers were becoming a powerful lobby. They won the support of the state’s politicians, helping to push national legislation through in December.

Sugarmade’s involvement in Kentucky comes through, at least in part, a million-dollar investment in Nevada-based Hempistry Inc. Hempistry has begun growing high-grade hemp on a 23,000-acre land option it holds in Kentucky. High in cannabidiol (CBD), an active ingredient in high demand for wellness products, this hemp offers a chance to maximize earnings from the land and set down roots for larger operations in the state.

Commentators watching the development of hemp in Kentucky have speculated that plant could overtake tobacco, once the state’s leading cash crop. A growing number of savvy tobacco farmers have started growing hemp on part of their land, hedging their bets against the decline in tobacco sales. Hemp certainly appears to be a natural alternative to tobacco for these farmers, as it can be grown in similar conditions and sold into related markets.

Consequently, the Kentucky hemp industry is already turning into a large and diverse one, driven by two separate trends. One is the need of farmers for new crops, as declining tobacco sales and the pressure of trade wars impact their profits. The other is the emergence of companies with a focus on hemp and related crops, such as Sugarmade. These companies provide specialist tools and invaluable knowledge, while the farmers bring decades of experience growing crops in the region. Old and new knowledge combine to build a booming industry.

Looking to buoy up the economic health of their state, Representative James Comer and Senator Mitch McConnell have pushed the hemp agenda at a national level, creating the space for Kentucky’s hemp industry to thrive. McConnell has been particularly crucial, using his position as majority leader to advocate for hemp reform, including publicly reinforcing his support for the industry through a tour of the state with Sonny Perdue, head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). With this growing federal support, Kentucky hemp growers appear to be making long-term investments, confident that politicians will ensure a friendly business climate.

Providing the Fundamentals

Of course, it takes more than political goodwill to make an industry grow. Suppliers providing tools and materials to support the fundamental activities involved in the industry are crucial. This need is what attracted Sugarmade to the industry and is still the bedrock of the company’s hemp strategy.

Sugarmade entered the hemp space as a supplier of hydroponic equipment. Hydroponics are essential to the hemp market. While some hemp is grown outdoors, much is grown indoors, where greater control can be asserted over growing conditions. Hydroponic systems are used for this indoor agriculture, and Sugarmade supplies some of the best available systems available. In addition, the company is looking forward, exploring the use of artificial intelligence to monitor crops and ensure the best growth.

Agricultural supplies are one of the bottlenecks in the hemp industry. The sector has grown so quickly that suppliers have struggled to keep up. These circumstances have created what appear to be ideal conditions for Sugarmade, as demand for its core products seem to be all but ensured, allowing the company to expand by acquiring other firms. This savvy pick-and-shovel strategy has taken Sugarmade beyond its original strategy and into the Kentucky cultivation sector through the investment in Hempistry.

Supplying producers has given Sugarmade space to diversify. In addition to hydroponics, SGMD now sells extraction equipment. This is used by hemp growers or specialist processing companies to extract the CBD from hemp, so that it can then be sold to manufacturers as a raw ingredient. Sugarmade’s future plans include the introduction of new types of processing machines, aimed to keep the sector innovating and moving forward and also strengthen the company’s position as a leader in the space.

Subsidiary services such as extraction are one more reason why hemp may grow in importance to surpass tobacco. These services provide extra forms of employment and an extra boost for a state such as Kentucky. The state’s workers and tax base benefit not just from hemp farming but also from agricultural supplies, processing businesses and the entire supply chain of hemp and CBD products, a chain that looks set to only expand as the industry continues to see extraordinary growth.

The Hemp Boom

Big players from related industries are also making use of hemp to broaden what they offer as well.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX: ACB) (NYSE: ACB) recently acquired Hempco Food and Fiber Inc., a company it has been investing in since 2017. This provides Aurora with a high-volume supply of raw hemp from which it can extract cannabidiol for use in a wide range of products. The company is also working to raise the profile of hemp and find new ways to use the it. At least part of these efforts are being accomplished through a partnership with mixed martial arts company UFC. Aurora’s products and discoveries are designed to be used to help UFC athletes manage pain relief, tackle muscle strains, and enjoy the rest and relaxation they need between fights. As well as drawing attention to Aurora and hemp, the collaboration may prove invaluable insight into what CBD can do for professional athletes.

A pioneer in the use of cannabinoids, Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is a company with a heavy focus on research, contributing to studies around the world. The company has recently gained permission from the U.S. government to import CBD to the states for clinical trials at the NYU School of Medicine. These studies will explore the effectiveness of CBD in treating patients suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and AUD with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

While regions such as Kentucky are seeing a hemp boom, others have yet to see such growth and remain underserved for CBD products. Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CURLF) (CSE: CURA) is focused on these areas, taking the opportunity provided by unmet demand. States such as Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York have limited licensing and large populations, making them ideal settings for this strategy. Curaleaf is about to open its 26th dispensary in Florida.

Cronos Group Inc. (TSX: CRON) (NASDAQ: CRON) is working to strengthen its position in the hemp market through the recently completed acquisition of four subsidiaries of the Redwood Holding Group. This adds a range of hemp-derived consumer products to Cronos’s lines, giving it more prominence in the market.

The hemp boom isn’t limited to Kentucky, but with growing political and corporate support, the state appears set to return to its former place as the U.S. hemp leader.

For more information on Sugarmade, visit Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD)

About CannabisNewsWire

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DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Innovative Drug-Delivery Systems Benefit Patients and Businesses

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Drugs play an essential role in treating anything from a mild headache to life-threatening disease — and everything in between. While effectiveness of drugs is what most often captures the spotlight, that effectiveness is closely associated with the drug-delivery technology used, and innovation in this space may have a huge impact on how successful a drug can be.

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) (LXRP Profile) has developed one of the most innovative drug-delivery systems seen in years, a system that can be used to deliver a wide range of drugs in a more palatable and effective way. Seattle Genetics Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN) is developing anti-cancer drugs whose delivery systems deliver killer treatments directly to harmful cells. Cancer-treatment company Exelixis Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) has recently entered into a partnership specifically to develop innovative new drugs. Axsome Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM) uses a variety of delivery mechanisms to treat illnesses of the central nervous system, including narcolepsy, migraines and depression. Provention Bio Inc. (NASDAQ: PRVB) is focused on immune diseases and has recently seen significant progress in the development of lupus and diabetes drugs.

- New methods of delivery could make many drugs more effective.
- The delivery systems can be applied to everything from nicotine to cancer treatments.
- Investment and outside expertise have helped fuel the companies developing these treatments.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Seeking Innovations in Therapeutics

The search for innovation is vital in any sector but particularly so in health and medicine. While existing products can sometimes be rebranded or improved, the genuinely transformative are focused on saving lives and improving the well-being of patients around the world.

Innovations in bioscience aren’t always dramatic. Some, such as gene therapy or new treatments for viruses, can easily grab the headlines. But other improvements can also make a radical difference to people’s lives, from making treatments more affordable to making medicines more palatable and efficient, allowing patients to complete courses of treatment. Innovative new delivery systems can achieve these goals and are therefore among the most highly sought-after advances by companies in the fields of medicine, biotechnology and even consumer products.

New Approaches to Nicotine

One important area where this type of innovation has been particularly effective is the delivery of nicotine, in which Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) is making momentous advances.

Despite public health campaigns and legislative changes, tobacco remains a major health problem around the world. Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and, in 85% of cases, is linked to smoking. Even smokers who get lucky and dodge the cancer bullet pay the heavy costs of addiction, from its expense to distinctive odors and respiratory problems.

Because of nicotine’s addictive quality, many people find it difficult to break the hold tobacco has over their lives, their health and their wallets. Until recently, innovation in the nicotine industry was almost zero, with the creation of nicotine patches and gums having occurred decades ago.

Vaping, by virtue of retaining some of smoking’s ritual and social aspects, has become a popular alternative, but there is great uncertainty over how healthy it is, and only longitudinal studies will allow public-health organizations to find the answer. Lexaria’s nicotine-delivery technology may represent the single largest innovation in the nicotine industry in 30 years.

Lexaria’s DehydraTECH(TM) technology can be used to deliver nicotine in a safer way. By ingeniously combining nicotine with food-grade fatty acids, the patented DehydraTECH technology creates an oral form of nicotine delivery that does not target the lungs and does not cause lung cancer. Neither is the nicotine absorbed as an aerosol — the plague of the ongoing and growing vape epidemic.

And this appears to be only the beginning of where this innovative drug-delivery platform may change the landscape.

A Novel Approach to Drug Absorption

DehydraTECH may be the most novel form of drug delivery discovered in decades. Fatty acids used in the technology mask the smell and taste of the drug and potentially greatly reduce stomach upset. This allows it to be added to all sorts of foods and drinks — oral delivery — without relying on artificial flavors or loads of sugar to mask a drug. This is useful not just for nicotine but for other pharmaceuticals as well.

In addition to covering the smells and tastes associated with drugs, DehydraTECH also improves the delivery of the substances it contains. One of the reasons smoking is so appealing is because there are lower barriers for a drug to enter the bloodstream through the lungs than through the digestive system. Smoking delivers drugs quickly and effectively but in an unhealthy manner. DehydraTECH is also designed to deliver drugs quickly and effectively but in a much healthier method than smoking or vaping.

DehydraTECH is already patented for delivery of a range of substances including nicotine, NSAIDs and many more. As markets for these health and wellness products expand, so will the market for effective delivery systems. As a result, there’s more need than ever for a solution such as DehydraTECH.

Establishing Profitable Relationships

Though a relatively young company, Lexaria has already established positive relationships with companies and investors from the Fortune 500. Lexaria’s technology is being examined and may be put into production by one of America’s largest companies through a R&D and product development agreement and a technology license whereby Lexaria can receive ongoing royalties based on utilization of DehydraTECH.

To boost its expansion efforts, Lexaria has appointed Brian Quigley to its board of directors. Quigley is a former executive at Altria, one of the world’s biggest tobacco companies, where he spent seven years as president and CEO for U.S. Smokeless Tobacco and Nu-Mark, Altria’s innovation company. His experience, knowledge and connections are valuable assets that could make a big difference in Lexaria’s push to demonstrate the value of DehydraTECH both to investors and to customers.

With tobacco consumers as one of Lexaria’s largest target markets for noncombusted nicotine delivery, an ex-tobacco executive is a natural fit. But there’s more to Lexaria’s expansion than investment hunting and careful boardroom choices.

Groundbreaking Research

Lexaria’s growth, like that of any good biotech company, is founded in its R&D program. Through groundbreaking work with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Lexaria has improved understanding of what is happening in its technology, down to the molecular level. Rigorous testing, including liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, demonstrated that the DehydraTECH process does not create a covalent-bonded new molecular entity (“NME”), and so will not need the extra regulatory screening required for NME’s in Canada and the United States.

Meanwhile, the company has continued to innovate in creating its proprietary technology and to ensure it retains control of its creations. In August, Lexaria received five new granted patents: two in the United States and three in Australia. This brings the company’s total up to 16 patents, all revolving around its DehydraTECH process and the products stemming from it.

Lexaria’s newest patent awards also include — for the first time —granted claims for pharmaceutical applications for treatment of conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, hepatic disease, and alcohol, opioid, nicotine or cocaine addiction, among others. Lexaria appears to have established itself as an noteworthy, up-and-coming player within the biotech industry.

And Lexaria isn’t keeping its revolutionary technology to itself. Instead, the company is licensing DehydraTECH out to other companies, allowing those companies to use the technology to improve delivery of their own drugs and compounds. Eleven licenses have been granted so far, including one to Altria, which will use DehydraTECH in alternative nicotine products, and one to Hill Street Beverages for use in beverages around the world.

Working on Delivery Systems

Delivery systems are a vital component in the drug industry and are highly sought after. They allow treatments to bypass bodily defenses that may treat them as intruders and to more effectively target the site of ailments. That’s why they’re vital to cancer treatments such as those being developed by Seattle Genetics Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN). The company has been working on antibody-drug conjugate technology, which can deliver cell-killing agents directly to cancer cells. A treatment using this technology was recently approved by the FDA.

Exelixis Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) has spent 25 years working on effective cancer treatments. Its industry-leading small molecule chemical compound library, which consists of more than four million discrete drug leads, has been used in the development of three distinct drugs for the treatment of cancer. The company recently entered into an agreement with Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited to work on cancer medicines with unique action mechanisms.

Axsome Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM) uses a variety of delivery mechanisms to treat illnesses of the central nervous system including narcolepsy, migraines and Alzheimer’s disease. The company is also working on products to help users quit smoking. Axsome recently began Phase 3 trials of the use of one of its medicines to tackle major depressive disorders and has accelerated trials of a migraine treatment.

For Provention Bio Inc. (NASDAQ: PRVB), the focus is on immune diseases — both preventing and treating them. Provention Bio’s central innovation is to focus on earlier stages of diseases and to tackle them before heavy symptoms set in. The company recently announced clinical trials of a drug targeting lupus and has seen its work on a diabetes drug expedited by the FDA so that treatment will reach patients faster.

Novel delivery systems are creating new drugs to tackle everything from tobacco addiction to cancer relief, and such breakthroughs could be the making of the companies behind them.

For more information on Lexaria, please visit Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
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www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Innovative Drug-Delivery Systems Benefit Patients and Businesses

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Drugs play an essential role in treating anything from a mild headache to life-threatening disease — and everything in between. While effectiveness of drugs is what most often captures the spotlight, that effectiveness is closely associated with the drug-delivery technology used, and innovation in this space may have a huge impact on how successful a drug can be.

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) (LXRP Profile) has developed one of the most innovative drug-delivery systems seen in years, a system that can be used to deliver a wide range of drugs in a more palatable and effective way. Seattle Genetics Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN) is developing anti-cancer drugs whose delivery systems deliver killer treatments directly to harmful cells. Cancer-treatment company Exelixis Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) has recently entered into a partnership specifically to develop innovative new drugs. Axsome Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM) uses a variety of delivery mechanisms to treat illnesses of the central nervous system, including narcolepsy, migraines and depression. Provention Bio Inc. (NASDAQ: PRVB) is focused on immune diseases and has recently seen significant progress in the development of lupus and diabetes drugs.

- New methods of delivery could make many drugs more effective.
- The delivery systems can be applied to everything from nicotine to cancer treatments.
- Investment and outside expertise have helped fuel the companies developing these treatments.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Seeking Innovations in Therapeutics

The search for innovation is vital in any sector but particularly so in health and medicine. While existing products can sometimes be rebranded or improved, the genuinely transformative are focused on saving lives and improving the well-being of patients around the world.

Innovations in bioscience aren’t always dramatic. Some, such as gene therapy or new treatments for viruses, can easily grab the headlines. But other improvements can also make a radical difference to people’s lives, from making treatments more affordable to making medicines more palatable and efficient, allowing patients to complete courses of treatment. Innovative new delivery systems can achieve these goals and are therefore among the most highly sought-after advances by companies in the fields of medicine, biotechnology and even consumer products.

New Approaches to Nicotine

One important area where this type of innovation has been particularly effective is the delivery of nicotine, in which Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) is making momentous advances.

Despite public health campaigns and legislative changes, tobacco remains a major health problem around the world. Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and, in 85% of cases, is linked to smoking. Even smokers who get lucky and dodge the cancer bullet pay the heavy costs of addiction, from its expense to distinctive odors and respiratory problems.

Because of nicotine’s addictive quality, many people find it difficult to break the hold tobacco has over their lives, their health and their wallets. Until recently, innovation in the nicotine industry was almost zero, with the creation of nicotine patches and gums having occurred decades ago.

Vaping, by virtue of retaining some of smoking’s ritual and social aspects, has become a popular alternative, but there is great uncertainty over how healthy it is, and only longitudinal studies will allow public-health organizations to find the answer. Lexaria’s nicotine-delivery technology may represent the single largest innovation in the nicotine industry in 30 years.

Lexaria’s DehydraTECH(TM) technology can be used to deliver nicotine in a safer way. By ingeniously combining nicotine with food-grade fatty acids, the patented DehydraTECH technology creates an oral form of nicotine delivery that does not target the lungs and does not cause lung cancer. Neither is the nicotine absorbed as an aerosol — the plague of the ongoing and growing vape epidemic.

And this appears to be only the beginning of where this innovative drug-delivery platform may change the landscape.

A Novel Approach to Drug Absorption

DehydraTECH may be the most novel form of drug delivery discovered in decades. Fatty acids used in the technology mask the smell and taste of the drug and potentially greatly reduce stomach upset. This allows it to be added to all sorts of foods and drinks — oral delivery — without relying on artificial flavors or loads of sugar to mask a drug. This is useful not just for nicotine but for other pharmaceuticals as well.

In addition to covering the smells and tastes associated with drugs, DehydraTECH also improves the delivery of the substances it contains. One of the reasons smoking is so appealing is because there are lower barriers for a drug to enter the bloodstream through the lungs than through the digestive system. Smoking delivers drugs quickly and effectively but in an unhealthy manner. DehydraTECH is also designed to deliver drugs quickly and effectively but in a much healthier method than smoking or vaping.

DehydraTECH is already patented for delivery of a range of substances including nicotine, NSAIDs and many more. As markets for these health and wellness products expand, so will the market for effective delivery systems. As a result, there’s more need than ever for a solution such as DehydraTECH.

Establishing Profitable Relationships

Though a relatively young company, Lexaria has already established positive relationships with companies and investors from the Fortune 500. Lexaria’s technology is being examined and may be put into production by one of America’s largest companies through a R&D and product development agreement and a technology license whereby Lexaria can receive ongoing royalties based on utilization of DehydraTECH.

To boost its expansion efforts, Lexaria has appointed Brian Quigley to its board of directors. Quigley is a former executive at Altria, one of the world’s biggest tobacco companies, where he spent seven years as president and CEO for U.S. Smokeless Tobacco and Nu-Mark, Altria’s innovation company. His experience, knowledge and connections are valuable assets that could make a big difference in Lexaria’s push to demonstrate the value of DehydraTECH both to investors and to customers.

With tobacco consumers as one of Lexaria’s largest target markets for noncombusted nicotine delivery, an ex-tobacco executive is a natural fit. But there’s more to Lexaria’s expansion than investment hunting and careful boardroom choices.

Groundbreaking Research

Lexaria’s growth, like that of any good biotech company, is founded in its R&D program. Through groundbreaking work with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Lexaria has improved understanding of what is happening in its technology, down to the molecular level. Rigorous testing, including liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, demonstrated that the DehydraTECH process does not create a covalent-bonded new molecular entity (“NME”), and so will not need the extra regulatory screening required for NME’s in Canada and the United States.

Meanwhile, the company has continued to innovate in creating its proprietary technology and to ensure it retains control of its creations. In August, Lexaria received five new granted patents: two in the United States and three in Australia. This brings the company’s total up to 16 patents, all revolving around its DehydraTECH process and the products stemming from it.

Lexaria’s newest patent awards also include — for the first time —granted claims for pharmaceutical applications for treatment of conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, hepatic disease, and alcohol, opioid, nicotine or cocaine addiction, among others. Lexaria appears to have established itself as an noteworthy, up-and-coming player within the biotech industry.

And Lexaria isn’t keeping its revolutionary technology to itself. Instead, the company is licensing DehydraTECH out to other companies, allowing those companies to use the technology to improve delivery of their own drugs and compounds. Eleven licenses have been granted so far, including one to Altria, which will use DehydraTECH in alternative nicotine products, and one to Hill Street Beverages for use in beverages around the world.

Working on Delivery Systems

Delivery systems are a vital component in the drug industry and are highly sought after. They allow treatments to bypass bodily defenses that may treat them as intruders and to more effectively target the site of ailments. That’s why they’re vital to cancer treatments such as those being developed by Seattle Genetics Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN). The company has been working on antibody-drug conjugate technology, which can deliver cell-killing agents directly to cancer cells. A treatment using this technology was recently approved by the FDA.

Exelixis Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) has spent 25 years working on effective cancer treatments. Its industry-leading small molecule chemical compound library, which consists of more than four million discrete drug leads, has been used in the development of three distinct drugs for the treatment of cancer. The company recently entered into an agreement with Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited to work on cancer medicines with unique action mechanisms.

Axsome Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM) uses a variety of delivery mechanisms to treat illnesses of the central nervous system including narcolepsy, migraines and Alzheimer’s disease. The company is also working on products to help users quit smoking. Axsome recently began Phase 3 trials of the use of one of its medicines to tackle major depressive disorders and has accelerated trials of a migraine treatment.

For Provention Bio Inc. (NASDAQ: PRVB), the focus is on immune diseases — both preventing and treating them. Provention Bio’s central innovation is to focus on earlier stages of diseases and to tackle them before heavy symptoms set in. The company recently announced clinical trials of a drug targeting lupus and has seen its work on a diabetes drug expedited by the FDA so that treatment will reach patients faster.

Novel delivery systems are creating new drugs to tackle everything from tobacco addiction to cancer relief, and such breakthroughs could be the making of the companies behind them.

For more information on Lexaria, please visit Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Gene Therapy Treatments Offer Hope for Cancer Patients

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Recent developments in gene therapy hold out hope for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including fatal lung cancer.

Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX) (GNPX Profile) is focused on using gene therapy to tackle lung cancer, developing new drugs that can be used alongside existing treatments. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) has created a state-of-the-art research center focused on gene therapy treatments, which it uses for illnesses including cancer. Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) is using biotechnology to tackle a range of challenging diseases, including HIV and hepatitis. Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SRPT) is developing 20 different genetic treatments for a wide range of diseases. Merck & Company Inc. (NYSE: MRK) has treatments in development for both prostate and lung cancer, offering further hope for those battling potentially fatal diseases.

- Despite multiple available treatments, lung cancer usually remains deadly.
- Gene therapy provides a different way of treating this disease, altering the cancer’s cells.
- Bringing these treatments to market involves a complicated process that must be carefully managed.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Battling Lung Cancer

Despite huge public awareness and a decrease in smoking, lung cancer remains one of the most common types of cancer and is a major killer in many countries. An estimated 2.09 million people were affected by lung cancer worldwide in 2018, and 1.76 million of them died. While prevention has improved, survival rates remain low once the disease takes root.

Survival rates for late-stage lung cancer have improved little in recent decades, and better treatments are the dream of all involved with the disease, from researchers and doctors to patients and their loved ones. In a bid to beat the cancer, companies are now turning to new technologies such as gene therapy. But the road to success is a long, challenging one.

Combating Cancer

Tackling cancer has become a huge issue for modern governments, charities and health-care businesses. Companies such as Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX) have put the whole focus of their operations on tackling the disease. Whether aimed at curing the disease or extending the lives of patients, these treatments are varied and often innovative. But the very nature of cancer, in which a body’s own cells destroy it, makes this difficult.

A number of approaches are commonly recommended by cancer experts. These include surgery, removing cancerous tissue in hopes of stopping it from spreading; radiotherapy, in which radiation is used to contain and kill cancerous cells; and chemotherapy, in which drugs are deployed. All can be effective in the right circumstances, and they are often at their most effective when combined.

In efforts to advance the battle against cancer, companies and researchers often gather at events such as the Sachs Annual Immuno-Oncology BD&L and Investment Forum held earlier this year, at which companies such as Genprex presented information about their progress. The cross-fertilization of ideas is as invaluable as the crossover of treatments, allowing researchers to learn from each other’s progress and to seek the funding they need to bring treatments to market.

Genprex has been successful in securing this vital funding, obtaining monies from a variety of sources, including a successful IPO and a $10 million private placement. This success has allowed the company to press forward with research in one of the boldest new forms of treatment: gene therapy.

Gene Therapy for Cancer

Imagined in the 1970s and first carried out in the 1980s, gene therapy is one of the newest frontiers in medicine. The therapy involves the delivery of nucleic acids, the tiny building blocks of life, into human cells. This can rewrite the genetics of cells, removing parts that are causing ill health and strengthening those that fight disease.

Gene therapy can be used against cancer in a variety of ways. Tumor suppressor genes can be introduced to rapidly reproducing cancerous cells, slowing down or halting their spread. Adenoviruses can be used to destroy cancer cells. Enzymes can even be introduced into cells to make them more susceptible to chemotherapy drugs, improving the effectiveness of existing treatments.

The details of treatments vary and are often very specific. For example, Genprex’s drug candidate Oncoprex(TM) uses electrically charged nanoparticles to deliver its treatment directly to cancer cells, avoiding healthy cells. Once taken into a cancer cell, Oncoprex’s TUSC2 gene creates a protein that can restore damaged functions in a cell.

Repairing a cell might sound like a bad idea when that cell is cancerous, but the problem with cancer cells stems from the fact that they are broken. If the cells were healthy to begin with, they wouldn’t damage the body that produces them. Oncoprex restores pathways in the cell that lead to natural cell death, while interrupting those that lead the cell to replicate. This means that cancer cells stop spreading so fast and start dying.

A number of companies have emerged with the aim of applying gene therapy to specific diseases. For example, Genprex specializes in tackling non-small cell lung cancer through its developmental drug Oncoprex. But these treatments don’t exist in isolation, and while each company’s developments often result in the profits that come from hard work, they also strengthen the knowledge base available as the company works to find a cure.

Commercializing Cancer Treatments

For many in medicine, commercialization is a dirty word, dealing as it does with the financial value placed on human lives. But commercialization of cancer drugs represents far more than this. It represents the entire process of testing a treatment and ensuring that it can be effectively replicated and safely used.

This process is complex, and it is vitally important that a company understands and controls the steps involved if the process is to succeed. This leads to the public announcement of commercialization plans to demonstrate a company’s work.

For example, Genprex recently published its milestones for the development of Oncoprex over the next year. These include working out details of a newly optimized manufacturing method, completing the development of the drug’s delivery system, and recruiting both sites and patients to take part in clinical trials of the drug. As Oncoprex is designed to work in combination with other cancer treatments, this will involve contracting for multiple trials to establish its safety and effectiveness not just alone but alongside other treatments such as immunotherapy.

Any such program is an attempt to manage uncertainties. What sites will be available for testing? How many patients will be willing to participate? What will the results of the trials be? By planning for these questions and the steps involved in tackling them, a company such as Genprex can create a smoother path to market for its treatments and hasten the arrival of better care for patients.

Developing Drugs and Beyond

Genprex is not alone in its efforts to find effective treatments for some of the world’s terminal diseases.

One of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) is heavily involved in developing cancer treatments, working in areas such as metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Like Genprex, Pfizer is exploring the potential of gene therapy, and it is dedicating substantial resources to the challenge. The company recently announced the investment of half a billion dollars in a state-of-the-art gene therapy facility in North Carolina, where it will work on highly specialized, one-time gene therapies using custom-made, recombinant, adeno-associated viruses to deliver cures.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) has been turning its biopharmaceutical expertise to dealing with a variety of diseases, including HIV and hepatitis C. The company recently invested heavily in Galapagos, a company developing innovative small-molecule medicines. By combining expertise across the two companies, Gilead Sciences will be able to develop more innovative medicines. “We are excited to close this unique agreement, which will generate both long-term strategic value and mutual, immediate benefits,” said Daniel O'Day, Chairman and chief executive officer of Gilead. “The collaboration reflects Gilead's intent to grow our innovation network through diverse and creative partnerships.”

Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SRPT) is also working on treatments for a range of diseases, with more than 20 gene therapies in its development pipeline to tackle ailments including muscular dystrophy. Like Genprex, Sarepta has been presenting its findings at conferences, increasing awareness of its achievements and providing opportunities to seek funding. The company is currently seeking accelerated approval of its golodirsen injection to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a process that has highlighted the complications of commercialization. After the FDA raised unexpected concerns, the company is moving to address these and so bring its treatment to patients as quickly as possible.

A global health-care company with more than 125 years in the business, Merck & Company Inc. (NYSE: MRK) has more than 30 treatments currently going through development and review. Among these are several cancer treatments, such as one for prostate cancer, which has recently shown good results in testing. Merck is bringing hope to lung cancer patients through its KEYTRUDA treatment. The company has been carrying out research into the treatment’s effectiveness against non-small cell lung cancer, evaluating its use both on its own and in combination with other therapies. The results show a strong foundation for the treatment of cancer.

Like other diseases, lung cancer faces a growing range of treatments, not least from gene therapy. Through these treatments, and rigorous processes to bring them to market, the lives of patients are being put in safe hands.

For more information on Genprex, visit Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Gene Therapy Treatments Offer Hope for Cancer Patients

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Recent developments in gene therapy hold out hope for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including fatal lung cancer.

Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX) (GNPX Profile) is focused on using gene therapy to tackle lung cancer, developing new drugs that can be used alongside existing treatments. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) has created a state-of-the-art research center focused on gene therapy treatments, which it uses for illnesses including cancer. Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) is using biotechnology to tackle a range of challenging diseases, including HIV and hepatitis. Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SRPT) is developing 20 different genetic treatments for a wide range of diseases. Merck & Company Inc. (NYSE: MRK) has treatments in development for both prostate and lung cancer, offering further hope for those battling potentially fatal diseases.

- Despite multiple available treatments, lung cancer usually remains deadly.
- Gene therapy provides a different way of treating this disease, altering the cancer’s cells.
- Bringing these treatments to market involves a complicated process that must be carefully managed.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Battling Lung Cancer

Despite huge public awareness and a decrease in smoking, lung cancer remains one of the most common types of cancer and is a major killer in many countries. An estimated 2.09 million people were affected by lung cancer worldwide in 2018, and 1.76 million of them died. While prevention has improved, survival rates remain low once the disease takes root.

Survival rates for late-stage lung cancer have improved little in recent decades, and better treatments are the dream of all involved with the disease, from researchers and doctors to patients and their loved ones. In a bid to beat the cancer, companies are now turning to new technologies such as gene therapy. But the road to success is a long, challenging one.

Combating Cancer

Tackling cancer has become a huge issue for modern governments, charities and health-care businesses. Companies such as Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX) have put the whole focus of their operations on tackling the disease. Whether aimed at curing the disease or extending the lives of patients, these treatments are varied and often innovative. But the very nature of cancer, in which a body’s own cells destroy it, makes this difficult.

A number of approaches are commonly recommended by cancer experts. These include surgery, removing cancerous tissue in hopes of stopping it from spreading; radiotherapy, in which radiation is used to contain and kill cancerous cells; and chemotherapy, in which drugs are deployed. All can be effective in the right circumstances, and they are often at their most effective when combined.

In efforts to advance the battle against cancer, companies and researchers often gather at events such as the Sachs Annual Immuno-Oncology BD&L and Investment Forum held earlier this year, at which companies such as Genprex presented information about their progress. The cross-fertilization of ideas is as invaluable as the crossover of treatments, allowing researchers to learn from each other’s progress and to seek the funding they need to bring treatments to market.

Genprex has been successful in securing this vital funding, obtaining monies from a variety of sources, including a successful IPO and a $10 million private placement. This success has allowed the company to press forward with research in one of the boldest new forms of treatment: gene therapy.

Gene Therapy for Cancer

Imagined in the 1970s and first carried out in the 1980s, gene therapy is one of the newest frontiers in medicine. The therapy involves the delivery of nucleic acids, the tiny building blocks of life, into human cells. This can rewrite the genetics of cells, removing parts that are causing ill health and strengthening those that fight disease.

Gene therapy can be used against cancer in a variety of ways. Tumor suppressor genes can be introduced to rapidly reproducing cancerous cells, slowing down or halting their spread. Adenoviruses can be used to destroy cancer cells. Enzymes can even be introduced into cells to make them more susceptible to chemotherapy drugs, improving the effectiveness of existing treatments.

The details of treatments vary and are often very specific. For example, Genprex’s drug candidate Oncoprex(TM) uses electrically charged nanoparticles to deliver its treatment directly to cancer cells, avoiding healthy cells. Once taken into a cancer cell, Oncoprex’s TUSC2 gene creates a protein that can restore damaged functions in a cell.

Repairing a cell might sound like a bad idea when that cell is cancerous, but the problem with cancer cells stems from the fact that they are broken. If the cells were healthy to begin with, they wouldn’t damage the body that produces them. Oncoprex restores pathways in the cell that lead to natural cell death, while interrupting those that lead the cell to replicate. This means that cancer cells stop spreading so fast and start dying.

A number of companies have emerged with the aim of applying gene therapy to specific diseases. For example, Genprex specializes in tackling non-small cell lung cancer through its developmental drug Oncoprex. But these treatments don’t exist in isolation, and while each company’s developments often result in the profits that come from hard work, they also strengthen the knowledge base available as the company works to find a cure.

Commercializing Cancer Treatments

For many in medicine, commercialization is a dirty word, dealing as it does with the financial value placed on human lives. But commercialization of cancer drugs represents far more than this. It represents the entire process of testing a treatment and ensuring that it can be effectively replicated and safely used.

This process is complex, and it is vitally important that a company understands and controls the steps involved if the process is to succeed. This leads to the public announcement of commercialization plans to demonstrate a company’s work.

For example, Genprex recently published its milestones for the development of Oncoprex over the next year. These include working out details of a newly optimized manufacturing method, completing the development of the drug’s delivery system, and recruiting both sites and patients to take part in clinical trials of the drug. As Oncoprex is designed to work in combination with other cancer treatments, this will involve contracting for multiple trials to establish its safety and effectiveness not just alone but alongside other treatments such as immunotherapy.

Any such program is an attempt to manage uncertainties. What sites will be available for testing? How many patients will be willing to participate? What will the results of the trials be? By planning for these questions and the steps involved in tackling them, a company such as Genprex can create a smoother path to market for its treatments and hasten the arrival of better care for patients.

Developing Drugs and Beyond

Genprex is not alone in its efforts to find effective treatments for some of the world’s terminal diseases.

One of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) is heavily involved in developing cancer treatments, working in areas such as metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Like Genprex, Pfizer is exploring the potential of gene therapy, and it is dedicating substantial resources to the challenge. The company recently announced the investment of half a billion dollars in a state-of-the-art gene therapy facility in North Carolina, where it will work on highly specialized, one-time gene therapies using custom-made, recombinant, adeno-associated viruses to deliver cures.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) has been turning its biopharmaceutical expertise to dealing with a variety of diseases, including HIV and hepatitis C. The company recently invested heavily in Galapagos, a company developing innovative small-molecule medicines. By combining expertise across the two companies, Gilead Sciences will be able to develop more innovative medicines. “We are excited to close this unique agreement, which will generate both long-term strategic value and mutual, immediate benefits,” said Daniel O'Day, Chairman and chief executive officer of Gilead. “The collaboration reflects Gilead's intent to grow our innovation network through diverse and creative partnerships.”

Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SRPT) is also working on treatments for a range of diseases, with more than 20 gene therapies in its development pipeline to tackle ailments including muscular dystrophy. Like Genprex, Sarepta has been presenting its findings at conferences, increasing awareness of its achievements and providing opportunities to seek funding. The company is currently seeking accelerated approval of its golodirsen injection to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a process that has highlighted the complications of commercialization. After the FDA raised unexpected concerns, the company is moving to address these and so bring its treatment to patients as quickly as possible.

A global health-care company with more than 125 years in the business, Merck & Company Inc. (NYSE: MRK) has more than 30 treatments currently going through development and review. Among these are several cancer treatments, such as one for prostate cancer, which has recently shown good results in testing. Merck is bringing hope to lung cancer patients through its KEYTRUDA treatment. The company has been carrying out research into the treatment’s effectiveness against non-small cell lung cancer, evaluating its use both on its own and in combination with other therapies. The results show a strong foundation for the treatment of cancer.

Like other diseases, lung cancer faces a growing range of treatments, not least from gene therapy. Through these treatments, and rigorous processes to bring them to market, the lives of patients are being put in safe hands.

For more information on Genprex, visit Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Passage of California Assembly Bill Expected to Spur More Growth in the Hemp, CBD Markets

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: With a powerhouse economy worth more than $3 trillion, California’s economy ranks as the fifth largest in the world. Current legislation is expected to pave the way for the state’s hemp market to explode.

With a series of smart acquisitions and brand expansions, Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) (SGMD Profile)appears to be a strong pick-and-shovel presence as California looks at passing hemp-friendly legislation. Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) just announced a new hemp-based acquisition, while Greenlane Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: GNLN) and The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) (TGOD Profile) have both inked deals that strengthen their presence in the hemp industry as well. KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: KSHB), another industry supplier, just created a new sales division aimed at mass distribution, industry education and compliance, and building CBD-brand distribution networks.

- Pending California legislation could rewrite hemp demand in California, whose economy ranks as fifth largest in the world.
- A more welcome legal environment is expected to create significant additional demand in the marketplace.
- Sugarmade’s careful strategy may place the company in an ideal position as the industry prepares for change.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Legislation Could Warm Up State’s Hemp Market

No state has had a bigger impact on the growth of consumer hemp and CBD products than California. But the Golden State may just be getting warmed up relative to hemp and CBD consumption. Current state legislation — Assembly Bill 228 — could rewrite the hemp demand equation for farmers and industry supplies across the entire United States.

While California has been liberal relative to cannabis legalization, state regulators have been downright prudish relative to allowing hemp cultivation and the use of CBD added to food and beverages. This attitude could all change soon as California’s state senate has until September 15, 2019, to pass AB 228. The legislation, which clarifies the statues of CBD in foods and drinks, passed with a unanimous vote in California’s Assembly, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom is widely expected to sign the bill into law, making the legislation effective immediately.

Hydroponics Critical Link in Hemp Cultivation

The California market fully opening to CBD in food and beverage is expected to create significant additional demand in the marketplace. Not only will consumer brands benefit but so too will cultivators and those companies that supply the industry, including companies such as Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD).

Sugarmade is a brand development company with a focus on providing hydroponics to the burgeoning hemp market. That’s why companies such as Sugarmade are a critical link in the hemp-farming process. Essential to growing consistent, high-grade hemp, hydroponics provides critical lighting equipment necessary to control photosynthesis, specialized nutrient mixes to provide plants with the food they need, and measurement solutions and environmental controls used by staff to measure, monitor and control the quality, strength and health of the plants.

Companies with expertise in hydroponics are essential in the hemp-industry supply chain, but because of the previously restricted market, these companies have been relatively small. All that is changing as numerous companies look to meet the needs of the growing hemp market, and Sugarmade appears set to become a leader among these companies.

Sugarmade’s calculated strategy entails deliberate growth on two fronts: organically by brand expansion and through acquisitions. Sugarmade has been working on a handful of deals that provide it with key components that may place the company in an ideal position as the industry prepares for change, especially in California.

“Sugarmade plans to integrate these businesses fully as soon as is possible, making us one of the larger suppliers to this growing marketplace,” said Jimmy Chan, CEO of Sugarmade. “Additionally, we are in the process of vetting other possible acquisitions to further enhance the portfolio of hydroponic and cultivation supply products. We are certainly excited about our prospects for the remaining part of this year and into next year.”

Sugarmade Strengthening Position as Industry Leader

Sugarmade has been actively seeking acquisitions and executing new supply contracts to strengthen its place as a leader in the hemp-industry supply space. The company’s most recent action involves exercising its option to invest in Hempistry Inc, a company founded by Sugarmade’s own Chan. Utilizing advanced plant genetics and technological innovation, Hempistry is now scaling operations to approximately 2,600 acres aggregated between its subsidiaries, while adding to the product value chain and enhancing production efficiencies.

“These investments into Hempistry make sense for Sugarmade, not only from a financial standpoint relative to probable rate of return, but also from a business development standpoint,” said Chan. “As Hempistry and other local cultivators grow, we believe Sugarmade’s status as a potential supplier to cultivators will also continue to rise.”

Sugarmade’s other brands in the hemp sector include Zenhydro.com, a comprehensive online hydroponics supply outlet; AthenaUnited.com, a specialist company providing hydroponic supplies to large commercial cultivators; CarryOutSupplies.com, a leader in paper and plastic supplies; and BudLife Cannabis Storage Solutions, which offers the world’s only patented intelligent packaging, storage and distribution for medicinal plants.

The company also recently announced that it is set to acquire the flagship operation of Hydro4Less, which is expected to produce about $5 million in revenues and be profitable this year. In the agreement, Sugarmade gained an option to purchase two additional Hydro4Less retail operations, currently producing in excess of $20 million annually.

In addition, expanding on an already-existing marketing agreement with Bizright LLC, SGMD announced that it will acquire Bzrth Inc. These accretive acquisitions will make Sugarmade one of the largest publicly traded hydroponic supply companies in the world.

Companies Moving into Welcome Environment

As legislation in the United States moves toward creating a more welcome environment, Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) has established a new growth opportunity in the United States with its acquisition of a hemp-based products platform, Redwood Holding Group LLC. CRON has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire four of Redwood’s operating subsidiaries. Redwood manufactures, markets and distributes hemp-derived, CBD-infused skincare and other consumer products online and through retail and hospitality partner channels in the United States under the brand, Lord Jones(TM). Redwood’s products use pure hemp oil that contains natural phytocannabinoids and terpenes found in the plant. The transaction is expected to close in 3Q 2019, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Greenlane Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: GNLN), one of the largest global sellers of premium cannabis accessories, CBD and liquid nicotine products, recently announced an exclusive U.S. distribution partnership with Cookies for the national launch of the Cookies hemp-derived CBD product line, including Cookies CBD cartridges for the G Pen Gio. Cookies CBD products will feature terpene profiles inspired by famous Cookies strains, such as Cereal Milk, London Pound Cake 75, and Gelatti. “We are positioning ourselves as a CBD category captain, building a portfolio of the most-respected brands in the sector through exclusive distribution agreements,” said Greenlane chairman and CEO Aaron LoCascio. “Over the past several months, we have signed exclusive distribution agreements to build a portfolio of the best existing and new CBD offerings, including exclusive deals with Bloom Farms, Cookies, Select, Mary’s Nutritionals, and Slang. The pace of these particular partnerships illustrate that Greenlane continues to be the partner of choice for cannabis brands that seek to build global brands with hemp-derived CBD products.”

The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) (TGOD Profile) recently signed a multiyear agreement with Neptune Wellness Inc. for extraction, formulation and packaging services, including exclusive rights on processing and manufacturing of certified organic products for the Canadian market. The largest deal for a processor to date, the agreement cements TGOD’s leadership position in organic consumer wellness products and represents a significant investment in high-value manufacturing and supply chain jobs. Neptune’s expertise will enable TGOD to quickly scale up production of a wide range of consumer wellness products. Under the terms of the agreement, TGOD will allocate more than 230,000 kilograms of cannabis and hemp biomass for Neptune to process and transform into premium certified-organic consumer wellness products. The contract between TGOD and Neptune covers a period of three years and is expected to be back-end loaded with the first year accounting for approximately 20% of the total value.

KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: KSHB) is expanding its platform by launching a new retail services division. Led by an experienced team, the division is designed to facilitate partnerships with large-scale, go-to-market operations focused on CBD mass distribution. The new business unit will also focus on industry education and compliance as well as building distribution networks of CBD brands across conventional retail channels. “The maturation of the cannabis industry has opened up countless avenues for business development across the industry’s supply chain,” said KushCo Holdings president and CRO Jason Vegotsky. “The cannabis industry continues to scale at an ever-increasing rate, and we are excited to be adding two seasoned CPG sales veterans with analytical and customer-centric backgrounds to our team.”

As the attitude surrounding hemp cultivation, distribution and use continues to warm up, opportunities within the industry are certain to increase. Companies that are committed to providing quality services within the space look to benefit exponentially as the market appears certain to expand.

For more information on Sugarmade, visit Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from CannabisNewsWire, text “CANNABIS” to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

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DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Passage of California Assembly Bill Expected to Spur More Growth in the Hemp, CBD Markets

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: With a powerhouse economy worth more than $3 trillion, California’s economy ranks as the fifth largest in the world. Current legislation is expected to pave the way for the state’s hemp market to explode.

With a series of smart acquisitions and brand expansions, Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) (SGMD Profile)appears to be a strong pick-and-shovel presence as California looks at passing hemp-friendly legislation. Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) just announced a new hemp-based acquisition, while Greenlane Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: GNLN) and The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) (TGOD Profile) have both inked deals that strengthen their presence in the hemp industry as well. KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: KSHB), another industry supplier, just created a new sales division aimed at mass distribution, industry education and compliance, and building CBD-brand distribution networks.

- Pending California legislation could rewrite hemp demand in California, whose economy ranks as fifth largest in the world.
- A more welcome legal environment is expected to create significant additional demand in the marketplace.
- Sugarmade’s careful strategy may place the company in an ideal position as the industry prepares for change.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Legislation Could Warm Up State’s Hemp Market

No state has had a bigger impact on the growth of consumer hemp and CBD products than California. But the Golden State may just be getting warmed up relative to hemp and CBD consumption. Current state legislation — Assembly Bill 228 — could rewrite the hemp demand equation for farmers and industry supplies across the entire United States.

While California has been liberal relative to cannabis legalization, state regulators have been downright prudish relative to allowing hemp cultivation and the use of CBD added to food and beverages. This attitude could all change soon as California’s state senate has until September 15, 2019, to pass AB 228. The legislation, which clarifies the statues of CBD in foods and drinks, passed with a unanimous vote in California’s Assembly, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom is widely expected to sign the bill into law, making the legislation effective immediately.

Hydroponics Critical Link in Hemp Cultivation

The California market fully opening to CBD in food and beverage is expected to create significant additional demand in the marketplace. Not only will consumer brands benefit but so too will cultivators and those companies that supply the industry, including companies such as Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD).

Sugarmade is a brand development company with a focus on providing hydroponics to the burgeoning hemp market. That’s why companies such as Sugarmade are a critical link in the hemp-farming process. Essential to growing consistent, high-grade hemp, hydroponics provides critical lighting equipment necessary to control photosynthesis, specialized nutrient mixes to provide plants with the food they need, and measurement solutions and environmental controls used by staff to measure, monitor and control the quality, strength and health of the plants.

Companies with expertise in hydroponics are essential in the hemp-industry supply chain, but because of the previously restricted market, these companies have been relatively small. All that is changing as numerous companies look to meet the needs of the growing hemp market, and Sugarmade appears set to become a leader among these companies.

Sugarmade’s calculated strategy entails deliberate growth on two fronts: organically by brand expansion and through acquisitions. Sugarmade has been working on a handful of deals that provide it with key components that may place the company in an ideal position as the industry prepares for change, especially in California.

“Sugarmade plans to integrate these businesses fully as soon as is possible, making us one of the larger suppliers to this growing marketplace,” said Jimmy Chan, CEO of Sugarmade. “Additionally, we are in the process of vetting other possible acquisitions to further enhance the portfolio of hydroponic and cultivation supply products. We are certainly excited about our prospects for the remaining part of this year and into next year.”

Sugarmade Strengthening Position as Industry Leader

Sugarmade has been actively seeking acquisitions and executing new supply contracts to strengthen its place as a leader in the hemp-industry supply space. The company’s most recent action involves exercising its option to invest in Hempistry Inc, a company founded by Sugarmade’s own Chan. Utilizing advanced plant genetics and technological innovation, Hempistry is now scaling operations to approximately 2,600 acres aggregated between its subsidiaries, while adding to the product value chain and enhancing production efficiencies.

“These investments into Hempistry make sense for Sugarmade, not only from a financial standpoint relative to probable rate of return, but also from a business development standpoint,” said Chan. “As Hempistry and other local cultivators grow, we believe Sugarmade’s status as a potential supplier to cultivators will also continue to rise.”

Sugarmade’s other brands in the hemp sector include Zenhydro.com, a comprehensive online hydroponics supply outlet; AthenaUnited.com, a specialist company providing hydroponic supplies to large commercial cultivators; CarryOutSupplies.com, a leader in paper and plastic supplies; and BudLife Cannabis Storage Solutions, which offers the world’s only patented intelligent packaging, storage and distribution for medicinal plants.

The company also recently announced that it is set to acquire the flagship operation of Hydro4Less, which is expected to produce about $5 million in revenues and be profitable this year. In the agreement, Sugarmade gained an option to purchase two additional Hydro4Less retail operations, currently producing in excess of $20 million annually.

In addition, expanding on an already-existing marketing agreement with Bizright LLC, SGMD announced that it will acquire Bzrth Inc. These accretive acquisitions will make Sugarmade one of the largest publicly traded hydroponic supply companies in the world.

Companies Moving into Welcome Environment

As legislation in the United States moves toward creating a more welcome environment, Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) has established a new growth opportunity in the United States with its acquisition of a hemp-based products platform, Redwood Holding Group LLC. CRON has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire four of Redwood’s operating subsidiaries. Redwood manufactures, markets and distributes hemp-derived, CBD-infused skincare and other consumer products online and through retail and hospitality partner channels in the United States under the brand, Lord Jones(TM). Redwood’s products use pure hemp oil that contains natural phytocannabinoids and terpenes found in the plant. The transaction is expected to close in 3Q 2019, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Greenlane Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: GNLN), one of the largest global sellers of premium cannabis accessories, CBD and liquid nicotine products, recently announced an exclusive U.S. distribution partnership with Cookies for the national launch of the Cookies hemp-derived CBD product line, including Cookies CBD cartridges for the G Pen Gio. Cookies CBD products will feature terpene profiles inspired by famous Cookies strains, such as Cereal Milk, London Pound Cake 75, and Gelatti. “We are positioning ourselves as a CBD category captain, building a portfolio of the most-respected brands in the sector through exclusive distribution agreements,” said Greenlane chairman and CEO Aaron LoCascio. “Over the past several months, we have signed exclusive distribution agreements to build a portfolio of the best existing and new CBD offerings, including exclusive deals with Bloom Farms, Cookies, Select, Mary’s Nutritionals, and Slang. The pace of these particular partnerships illustrate that Greenlane continues to be the partner of choice for cannabis brands that seek to build global brands with hemp-derived CBD products.”

The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) (TGOD Profile) recently signed a multiyear agreement with Neptune Wellness Inc. for extraction, formulation and packaging services, including exclusive rights on processing and manufacturing of certified organic products for the Canadian market. The largest deal for a processor to date, the agreement cements TGOD’s leadership position in organic consumer wellness products and represents a significant investment in high-value manufacturing and supply chain jobs. Neptune’s expertise will enable TGOD to quickly scale up production of a wide range of consumer wellness products. Under the terms of the agreement, TGOD will allocate more than 230,000 kilograms of cannabis and hemp biomass for Neptune to process and transform into premium certified-organic consumer wellness products. The contract between TGOD and Neptune covers a period of three years and is expected to be back-end loaded with the first year accounting for approximately 20% of the total value.

KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: KSHB) is expanding its platform by launching a new retail services division. Led by an experienced team, the division is designed to facilitate partnerships with large-scale, go-to-market operations focused on CBD mass distribution. The new business unit will also focus on industry education and compliance as well as building distribution networks of CBD brands across conventional retail channels. “The maturation of the cannabis industry has opened up countless avenues for business development across the industry’s supply chain,” said KushCo Holdings president and CRO Jason Vegotsky. “The cannabis industry continues to scale at an ever-increasing rate, and we are excited to be adding two seasoned CPG sales veterans with analytical and customer-centric backgrounds to our team.”

As the attitude surrounding hemp cultivation, distribution and use continues to warm up, opportunities within the industry are certain to increase. Companies that are committed to providing quality services within the space look to benefit exponentially as the market appears certain to expand.

For more information on Sugarmade, visit Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from CannabisNewsWire, text “CANNABIS” to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
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www.CannabisNewsWire.com
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Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

NetworkNewsBreaks – ORHub, Inc. (ORHB) Enters Strategic Partnership with Medical News Minute

ORHub (OTC: ORHB), a Microsoft Silver Partner and cloud-based healthcare intelligence company focused on the business of surgery, today announced its partnership with Medical News Minute, a physician-directed medical broadcast media company. Under the partnership, the two specialized companies are joining efforts to increase exposure of ORHub’s Surgical Spotlight(R). “Upon first introduction to ORHub Surgical Spotlight(R), I saw nothing but opportunity and an inevitable partnership on the horizon,” ORHub Chairman and CEO Dr. Bobby Lazzara, a former critical care and cardio thoracic surgeon, said in the news release. “This tool will be an invaluable and critical resource in every OR, exponentially increasing productivity and benefitting physicians, healthcare organizations, and patients.”

To view the full press release, visit http://nnw.fm/0aX7D

About ORHub, Inc.

ORHub is a growth stage data analytics company on a mission to optimize the Business of Surgery through lean process improvement. As a Microsoft Silver Partner, ORHub leverages the Azure cloud to help customers unlock the power in their data captured in the OR. Surgical Spotlight® helps providers harness that data, identify millions of dollars in opportunities, and get leaders back to their primary focus: improving care, increasing patient access and reducing costs. A first-of-kind team building tool brings all stakeholders together with regular and accessible information. ORHub specializes in business intelligence for the operating room, built by professionals from the operating room. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ORHub.com.

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

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from NetworkNewsWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

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Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

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NetworkNewsBreaks – ORHub, Inc. (ORHB) Appoints CEO Dr. Robert “Bobby” Lazzara as Chairman of the Board



ORHub, Inc. (OTC: ORHB), a Microsoft Silver Partner and cloud-based healthcare analytics company, today announced that its board of directors has unanimously agreed to appoint Dr. Robert Lazzara as its chairman. “It is an exciting time for ORHub, and I welcome the expanded responsibility as Chairman of the Board,” Dr. Lazzara said in the news release. “We have a great team, and a great product. We are Singularly focused on Surgical Spotlight, a unique point of care product, that can springboard the company into rapid growth, not only through tremendous cost savings and improved patient access for health systems, but by improving clinical outcomes for patients and physicians through our long term strategic plan.”

To view the full press release, visit http://nnw.fm/a9rVy

About ORHub, Inc.

ORHub is a growth stage data analytics company on a mission to optimize the Business of Surgery through lean process improvement. As a Microsoft Silver Partner, ORHub leverages the Azure cloud to help customers unlock the power in their data captured in the OR. Surgical Spotlight® helps providers harness that data, identify millions of dollars in opportunities, and get leaders back to their primary focus: improving care, increasing patient access and reducing costs. A first-of-kind team building tool brings all stakeholders together with regular and accessible information. ORHub specializes in business intelligence for the operating room, built by professionals from the operating room. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ORHub.com.

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

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

To receive SMS text alerts from NetworkNewsWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
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212.418.1217 Office
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NetworkNewsBreaks – ORHub, Inc. (ORHB) Releases Video Segment on Value of Key Performance Data for Substantial Cost Controls



ORHub (OTC: ORHB), a cloud-based healthcare analytics company on a mission to optimize the business of surgery through lean process improvement, today released a brief presentation drawing focus on how perioperative leadership stands to benefit from the ability to harness daily procedural costs. In the educational video segment, ORHub Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert “Bobby” Lazzara describes how ORHub Surgical Receipts create state-of-the-art solutions, effectively eliminating overinflated spending. In the video, Dr. Lazzara explains, “Behaviors that can center focus on team building and the development of surgical systems is approaching hospital systems nationwide, saving millions of dollars in improved patient access, all at the same time!”

To view the full press release, visit http://nnw.fm/ACy3k

About ORHub Inc.

ORHub is a growth-stage data analytics company on a mission to optimize the business of surgery through lean-process improvement. As a Microsoft silver partner, ORHub leverages the Azure cloud to help customers unlock the power in their data captured in the OR. Surgical Spotlight(R) helps providers harness that data, identify millions of dollars in opportunities and get leaders back to their primary focus: improving care, increasing patient access and reducing costs. A first-of-kind, team-building tool brings all stakeholders together with regular and accessible information. ORHub specializes in business intelligence for the operating room, built by professionals from the operating room. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ORHub.com.

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

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

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NetworkNewsBreaks – Why ORHub Inc. (ORHB) Is ‘One to Watch’

ORHub (OTC: ORHB) is a healthcare data analytics company focused on enhancing the business of surgery through lean process advancement. A recent article discussing the company reads, “ORHub’s Surgical Spotlight(R) is a cloud-based analytics tool that helps administrators, nurse leaders and surgeons make improved business decisions for the operating room. By taking data feeds from the facility’s Operating Room Information System, ORHub produces a functional and elegant dashboard that allows users to easily identify opportunities for improvement. . . . These capabilities allow providers to harness data, identify millions of dollars in opportunities, and get leaders back to their primary focus of improving care, increasing patient access and reducing costs. A first-of-kind, team-building tool brings all stakeholders together with regular and accessible information. ORHub specializes in business intelligence for the operating room, built by professionals with experience in the operating room.”

To view the full article, visit http://nnw.fm/Tc2Dg

About ORHub Inc.

ORHub is a growth-stage data analytics company on a mission to optimize the business of surgery through lean-process improvement. As a Microsoft silver partner, ORHub leverages the Azure cloud to help customers unlock the power in their data captured in the OR. Surgical Spotlight(R) helps providers harness that data, identify millions of dollars in opportunities and get leaders back to their primary focus: improving care, increasing patient access and reducing costs. A first-of-kind, team-building tool brings all stakeholders together with regular and accessible information. ORHub specializes in business intelligence for the operating room, built by professionals from the operating room. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ORHub.com.

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

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

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NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
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Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com