Stockwinners Market Radar for October 01, 2020 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

20:12 EDT EverQuote CEO sells 33K shares of common stock - In a regulatory filing, EverQuote disclosed that its CEO Seth Birnbaum sold 33K shares of common stock on September 28th in a total transaction size of $1.25M. The holding represents about 7% of his total owned.

19:10 EDT Mesoblast discloses CRL from FDA on remestemcel-l in SR-aGVHD - Mesoblast announced that the FDA has issued a Complete Response Letter to its Biologics License Application for remestemcel-L for the treatment of pediatric steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease, or SR-aGVHD. While the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA voted 9:1 that the available data support the efficacy of remestemcel-L in pediatric patients with SR-aGVHD, the FDA recommended that Mesoblast conduct at least one additional randomized, controlled study in adults and/or children to provide further evidence of the effectiveness of remestemcel-L for SR-aGVHD. As there are currently no approved treatments for this life-threatening condition in children under 12, Mesoblast will urgently request a Type A meeting with the FDA, expected within 30 days, to discuss a potential accelerated approval with a post-approval condition for an additional study. A second interim analysis by the trial's independent Data Safety Monitoring Board is expected in early November, with completion of patient enrollment expected in December. COVID-19 ARDS is an inflammatory disease with a similar profile of damaging inflammatory cytokines as is seen in children with SR-aGVHD, and is the primary cause of death in COVID-19 infection. The trial's primary endpoint is reduction of all-cause mortality within 30 days of randomization. The FDA also identified a need for further scientific rationale to demonstrate the relationship of potency measurements to the product's biologic activity. Assays measuring the potency of remestemcel-L will continue to be refined to provide further scientific rationale for its use in severe inflammatory diseases with high mortality risk, such as SR -aGVHD and COVID-19 ARDS.

18:36 EDT Bed Bath & Beyond CEO: New customers are younger than before - In an interview on CNBC's Mad Money, Mark Tritton said the company doubled down on the digital aspect of the business. Stores are still a key to profitability, Tritton noted. He sees a huge runway for Buy Buy Baby and is focusing heavily on it.

17:56 EDT Novavax CEO sells 12.2K shares of common stock - In a regulatory filing, Novavax disclosed that its CEO Stanley Erck sold 12.2K shares of common stock on September 30th in a total transaction size of $1.35M. The holding represents about 37% of his total owned.

17:39 EDT Endo begins shipment of generic Kuvan tablets - Endo International plc (ENDP) announced that its subsidiary, Par Pharmaceutical, has begun shipping sapropterin dihydrochloride tablets, 100 mg, and powder for oral solution, 100 mg and 500 mg, following final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its Abbreviated New Drug Application. Par's sapropterin dihydrochloride tablets and powder for oral solution are the generic version of Kuvan tablets and powder for oral solution and are the first, and currently the only, generic versions available. According to BioMarin (BMRN), Kuvan tablet and powder for oral solution sales were approximately $489 million for the 12 months ended June 30, 2020.

17:30 EDT Granite Construction awarded $7M project in Southern California - Granite announced that it has been awarded the El Portal Pedestrian Rail Undercrossing project in Encinitas, California by the San Diego Association of Governments. The contract award of $7 million will be booked into Granite's third quarter 2020 backlog. The El Portal Pedestrian Rail Undercrossing project is part of a larger local transportation upgrade plan spearheaded by SANDAG with a heavy emphasis on rail-related projects. The undercrossing and shared use path will allow pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross the rail corridor to access attractions such as Paul Ecke Central Elementary School and the businesses along North Coast Highway 101.

17:23 EDT Boeing awarded $298.37M Air Force contract - Boeing was awarded a $298.37M firm-fixed-price contract for the evolved strategic satellite communications program. This contract provides a prototype payload to develop hardware and software. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and is expected to be complete by May 2025. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. FY20 research and development funds in the amount of $29.45M are being obligated at the time of award. The U.S. Space Force is the contracting activity.

17:22 EDT Assured Guaranty to replace Simpson Manufacturing in S&P 600 at open on 10/7

17:20 EDT Capitol Federal to replace Neogen in S&P 600 at open on 10/7

17:18 EDT Pool Corp. to replace E-Trade in S&P 500 at open on 10/7 - Morgan Stanley (MS) is acquiring E-Trade (ETFC) in a transaction expected to be completed soon pending final conditions.

17:03 EDT Turquoise Hill announces 10 for 1 reverse stock-spli - Turquoise Hill Resources announced that it is proceeding with the planned consolidation, or reverse stock-split, of the company's issued and outstanding common shares at a ratio of one post-consolidation share for every ten pre-consolidation shares The Consolidation will be effective as of October 23. Notice has been provided to the New York Stock Exchange and conditional approval to proceed with the Consolidation has been received from the Toronto Stock Exchange. Subject to the receipt of all required and final approvals, the company's common shares are expected to begin trading on the NYSE and the TSX, on a consolidated basis, on or about October 26.

17:01 EDT Vishay acquires Applied Thin-Film Products for $26.5M - Vishay acquired the worldwide business and substantially all of the U.S. assets of Applied Thin-Film Products, a California-based, privately-held manufacturer of custom, build-to-print thin film substrates for the microwave, fiber optic, and life science industries. Concurrently, a Chinese subsidiary of Applied Thin-Film Products entered into an agreement to sell certain property and equipment to a subsidiary of Vishay at a later date. The total acquisition price is approximately $26.5M, subject to customary post-closing adjustments.

17:00 EDT Inphi transfers listing to Nasdaq - Inphi announced that it will voluntarily transfer its stock exchange listing from the New York Stock Exchange to the Nasdaq Global Select Market. The company will retain the "IPHI" ticker with trading on the Nasdaq expected to begin on October 14, 2020.

16:41 EDT Bank OZK raises quarterly dividend to 27.5c per share - Bank OZK announced its board has approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of 27.5c per common share payable October 19 to shareholders of record as of October 12. The dividend of 27.5c per common share represents an increase of 2.5c per common share, or 0.92%, over the dividend paid in the previous quarter. Bank OZK has increased its quarterly cash dividend in each of the last forty-one quarters.

16:34 EDT Intra-Cellular CMO Andrew Satlin to step down, Suresh Durgam to succeed - Intra-Cellular announced the promotion of Suresh Durgam to the position of CMO Additionally, Andrew Satlin will step down as CMO and will leave the company effective October 28 to pursue a new opportunity. Durgam has served as Intra-Cellular Therapies senior VP, late stage clinical development and medical affairs since joining the company in 2018. The company said he has been instrumental in the success of schizophrenia and bipolar depression programs. Durgam, has over 23 years of experience in clinical research which includes over 17 years in neuropsychiatric drug development, including the development of antipsychotics and antidepressants.

16:32 EDT Gladstone Land acquires orchard, provides other company updates - Gladstone Land Corporation announced that it has acquired 801 acres of farmland, including 757 planted acres of pistachio trees, located in Fresno County, California, for approximately $31.8M. In connection with the acquisition, Gladstone Land also entered into a three-year, triple-net leaseback agreement with the seller. The company also announced that none of its farms had suffered any damages due to the recent hurricanes in the Southeastern U.S. or the recent, and continuing, wildfires occurring in the Western U.S, particularly in California. In addition, the company announced that it has recently renewed two leases that were originally scheduled to expire later in 2020. In the aggregate, the new leases are expected to result in an increase in annual net operating income of approximately $171,000, or 11.4%, over that of the prior leases. The company has two more leases expiring in December 2020 that, in total, make up less than 2% of total annual revenues. The company is in discussions with the current tenant on each farm and expects to renew each lease prior to its expiration at current market rents.

16:31 EDT Parsons awarded $50.6M, six-year contract by U.S. Air Force - Parsons has been awarded a $50.6M, six-year contract by the U.S. Air Force for the manufacturing, integration and sustainment of 13 Recovery of Airbase Denied by Ordnance systems. RADBO employs the Parsons developed ZEUS directed energy system to destroy unexploded ordinance with extreme accuracy in previously denied areas and improves the safety of deployed warfighters.

16:30 EDT TopBuild acquires Garland Insulating - TopBuild Corp. has acquired Garland Insulating, one of the largest locally owned and operated insulation companies in Texas and Colorado. Garland generated approximately $60M in revenue for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2020.

16:24 EDT Twilio up 2% in after-hours trading after guiding to revenue beat

16:18 EDT Bombardier to streamline senior leadership team, eliminates aviation president - Bombardier announced that it has begun the process of streamlining its senior leadership team as it transitions to a pure-play business jet company. As part of this process, the company has eliminated the Bombardier aviation president role and announced that David Coleal will depart the company. "With the sale of Bombardier Transportation nearing completion, we are preparing for our future as a business aviation company," said Eric Martel, president and CEO, Bombardier Inc. "Our goal is to create a leaner, more agile and customer-centric company to better capture growth opportunities with our industry leading business jet portfolio. This includes simplifying our corporate leadership structure."

16:17 EDT Salesforce partners with Deluxe on Small Business Revolution series - Deluxe (DLX) "announced that Salesforce (CRM) has signed on to sponsor season five of the acclaimed Deluxe series Small Business Revolution. The two companies first came together in early 2019, when Deluxe enlisted Salesforce to accelerate the company's go-to-market strategy and improve customer engagement. Now, Salesforce is joining season five in Fredonia, New York, to lift up small businesses as they learn to navigate a new normal."

16:15 EDT Vertiv Holdings names Scott Cripps CAO - Vertiv Holdings announced the naming of Scott A. Cripps to the position of Chief Accounting Officer, effective immediately. "Scott is an outstanding executive who has demonstrated a consistent record of strong accounting and financial leadership throughout his career," said Fallon. "And, Scott will bring both domestic and international experience to our financial leadership team helping us to create meaningful value for our customers, while serving the near- and long-term interests of our shareholders."

16:12 EDT SP Plus commences with plan to install new 'touchless' equipment at LRD - SP Plus announced its selection to provide parking management and operations at Laredo International Airport, LRD, in Laredo, Texas. The Airport Division at SP+ took over the airport's in-house parking operations on October 1, 2020, for LRD's Hourly/Daily and Economy lots. "We selected SP+ to bring new technology and a high level of service and convenience to our travelers and visitors on many levels," commented Jeffrey Miller, Airport Director for LRD. Plans to introduce new parking access and revenue control equipment are underway. The new equipment is scheduled for mid-October installation and will be fully-automated with both cash and credit card options, offering parkers a touchless access and payment experience. To further the touchless experience, intercoms are planned for each entrance, exit and payment kiosk to assist customers through a 24-hour remote management system connected to SP+'s command center, which employs customer service specialists.

16:08 EDT UFP Industries acquires Fire Retardant Chemical Technologies - UFP Industries announced that its UFP Retail Solutions business segment acquired the equity of Fire Retardant Chemical Technologies, FRCT. Founded in 2014 and based in Matthews, North Carolina, FRCT's business includes a research and development laboratory specializing in developing and testing a wide range of high-performance chemicals, including fire retardants and water repellants. The company had approximately $6.4 million in sales in 2019. Dr. Futong Cui, FRCT's founder, president and chief technology officer, will continue to lead the company. "We have been very impressed by UFP Industries' commitment to innovating and harnessing technology to improve the quality and performance of their products," said Dr. Cui. "As part of UFP, FRCT will gain a better understanding of the needs of the market. We'll also have access to the resources we need to develop new technologies to meet those needs and bring them to market faster. With several new products in development and nearing launch, I am excited for FRCT and the opportunities we will create for our customers."

16:05 EDT Metracrine to present new data on MET409 for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis - Metacrine announced that two posters highlighting new data on the company's lead clinical candidate, MET409, a farnesoid X receptor agonist for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH, will be presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases' The Liver Meeting Digital Experience. The virtual meeting is taking place Nov. 13-16. "We are pleased to report new pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data from our MET409 Phase 1b proof-of-concept clinical trial in patients with NASH, a prevalent and potentially life-threatening condition for which there are no approved treatments available today," said Hubert C. Chen, M.D., chief medical officer of Metacrine. "The findings demonstrated robust and sustained FXR activation, which we believe is key to optimizing therapeutic benefits. Combined with a favorable pharmacological and tolerability profile, these results further highlight the therapeutic potential of MET409 for patients with NASH. We look forward to presenting these data, which support the continued advancement of our FXR program, including both MET409 and our second clinical candidate, MET642."

15:46 EDT Volkswagen reports Q3 U.S. sales down 7.6% to 86,446 vehicles - Volkswagen of America reports Q3 2020 sales down 7.6% from last year to 86,446 vehicles. "Sales rose in September, led by our SUVs, as our new Atlas Cross Sport, refreshed Atlas and Tiguan keep drawing customers to the brand. We intend to build on that foundation and will expand next year with the Taos and ID.4," said Duncan Movassaghi, EVP sales and marketing, Volkswagen of America.

15:15 EDT BofA CEO says pledge of no layoffs this year 'still stands,' Bloomberg reports - Bloomberg cites comments from Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, backing his previously communicated pledge that the bank will not make any layoffs this year.

15:05 EDT Eros STX Global jumps over 13% after announcing Greenland will debut on HBO - Shares of Eros STX Global are currently up 30c per share or 13.4% to $2.50 per share on Thursday afternoon after reporting that that STXfilms' Greenland will debut on HBO and stream on HBO Max in the United States in early 2021, following a domestic release on Premium Video On-Demand, PVOD, services in the fourth quarter of 2020. The announcement was made by Adam Fogelson, Chairman of STXfilms Motion Picture Group. Greenland opened #1 in 22 markets overseas, through STX's network of international distribution partners that led an international-first strategy. Greenland is outperforming the Gerard Butler hit Angel Has Fallen in most key territories. The film has already grossed over $45M in revenue for STX, on a $35M production budget, despite uniquely challenging market conditions. STX will continue to roll-out the film theatrically in many international markets.

14:40 EDT Crocs up 10% as Justin Bieber post viewed as tease of collaboration - Singer Justin Bieber has posted "Soon" underneath a photo of a pair of Crocs' Classic Clogs floating in a pool, sparking speculation that an announcement of a deal with the clog maker is forthcoming. Reference Link

14:09 EDT Washington Gov. issues statement on Boeing's decision to move 787 production - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has released a statement on the Boeing's decision to move all 787 Dreamliner production to South Carolina, saying that "Washington state remains the best place in the world to build airplanes. Boeing's success as a company is a credit to the workers and taxpayers of Washington state. Today's announcement is an insult to the hardworking aerospace employees who build 787s. I recently asked Boeing's leadership what the company needs to keep 787 production in Washington state. In all our conversations, they never asked for anything. I understand the serious market forces Boeing faces today. What I don't understand is why the company can't commit to restoring production here when the market for this plane improves. This news falls hardest on the more than 1,000 Washington workers who build the 787, and many more who face uncertainty as a result of this decision. The aerospace industry will remain a major employer in our state with about 70,000 workers. The state is committed to maintaining support for those companies and workers. But Boeing's decision to take the 787 to South Carolina necessitates a review of our partnership and the company's favorable tax treatment. We have the most talented workforce in the world and unparalleled infrastructure. We are consistently the top-ranked state for workers and businesses, and there remains a competitive business environment for aerospace manufacturing in our state."Reference Link

14:03 EDT Gilead sees meeting global demand for Veklury in October

14:02 EDT Gilead: Veklury distribution has transitioned from U.S. government to company

13:56 EDT HHS says Gilead's remdesivir now available directly from distributor - Beginning October 1, American hospitals can purchase Veklury, or remdesivir, directly from the drug's distributor, HHS announced. Veklury is an antiviral drug currently authorized for emergency use by healthcare providers to treat hospitalized adult and pediatric patients with suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Over the past five months, the U.S. government has overseen the allocation and distribution of Veklury due to drug's limited supply to ensure fair and equitable distribution to COVID-19 patients. On October 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revised the Emergency Use Authorization for Veklury removing the U.S. government's role in directing the allocation of the drug, HHS said. The revised EUA identifies Gilead Sciences (GILD) and its authorized distributors as the responsible parties for the distribution of Veklury. AmerisourceBergen (ABC) will remain the sole distributor of Veklury through the end of the year to ensure consistency and continuity of the distribution process. The current supply of Veklury exceeds market demand as evidenced by recent allocation numbers from HHS' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, whose records indicate that of the 500,000 treatment courses made available in the United States between July and September 2020, state and territorial health departments accepted 84% of their allocations, or 423,765 treatment courses. However, only 32%, or 160,981 treatment courses, of the total allocation was actually purchased by hospitals in their jurisdictions. Over the course of the project, ASPR allocated over 700,000 treatment courses, which included the reallocation of 200,000 treatment courses that were not initially accepted by state and territorial health departments. Gilead anticipates producing sufficient quantities of Veklury to meet current needs and future demands from any waves of SARS-CoV-2 infections, the virus that causes COVID-19. The cost of Veklury will not change in the transition from U.S. government oversight of allocation to direct commercial sales. Hospitals will continue to pay no more than Gilead's wholesale acquisition price, or WAC, approximately $3,200 per treatment course. Reference Link

13:39 EDT Aspen Aerogels strength attributed to circulation of battery patent publication - Shares of Aspen Aerogels have jumped as traders circulated a patent publication related to a patent for "carbon aerogel-based cathodes for lithium-sulfur batteries," according to contacts. In afternoon trading, Aspen shares are up $2.08, or 19%, to $13.03. Reference Link

13:34 EDT Aspen Aerogels trading halted, volatility trading pause

13:07 EDT General Dynamics awarded $306M VA task order to modernize claims processing - General Dynamics Information Technology announced it was awarded the File Conversion Services task order under the Veterans Intake, Conversion, and Communication Services program by the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefit Administration. The single award under the VICCS indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract is valued at $306M over five years. Under the task order, GDIT will leverage managed services and artificial intelligence to digitally convert historical veteran records, automate data extraction of existing records and process Official Military Personnel File requests in support of veteran benefits claims processing. The modernization of the VA's military service recordkeeping will enable the VBA to more rapidly process and award veterans' claims for disability, housing, education, loans, pension and several other benefits.

12:54 EDT Constellation Brands: September was a 'very, very positive month' - Comments taken from Q2 earnings conference call.

12:00 EDT Owens & Minor falls -9.2% - Owens & Minor is down -9.2%, or -$2.32 to $22.79.

12:00 EDT Boqii falls -12.9% - Boqii is down -12.9%, or -93c to $6.27.

12:00 EDT SailPoint rises 13.2% - SailPoint is up 13.2%, or $5.22 to $44.79.

11:24 EDT Boeing to consolidate production of 787 jets to North Charleston - Boeing said today it will consolidate production of 787 jets at its facility in North Charleston, South Carolina, starting in mid-2021, according to the company's best estimate. The decision comes as the company "is strategically taking action to preserve liquidity and reposition certain lines of business in the current global environment to enhance efficiency and improve performance for the long-term." It added, "While Boeing's versatile 787 family has outperformed other widebody airplanes during the challenging market downturn, its production system has been adjusted to accommodate the current difficult market environment while positioning the 787 family to ramp up production as air travel increases." The company began assembling 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes at its Everett, Washington site in 2007, and brought the North Charleston facility on line as a second final assembly line in 2010. However, only the North Charleston site is set up to build the larger 787-10 model. Production of the smaller 787 models will continue in Everett until the program transitions to the previously-announced production rate of six airplanes a month in 2021. Boeing said it is assessing potential impacts to employment in Everett and North Charleston and will communicate any changes directly to its employees.

11:14 EDT General Motors delivered 665,192 vehicles in Q3, down 10% y/y - General Motors announced that it delivered 665,192 vehicles in the third quarter of 2020, a decrease in total vehicle sales of about 10% compared to a year ago. In a sign of a recovering industry, sales improved sequentially each month within the quarter. Industry and GM sales rebounded significantly in September, finishing the month with year-over-year sales increases. Total industry SAAR was an estimated 15.9 million vehicles for the quarter, up about 4 million units from the previous quarter. "Our dealers are doing exceptionally well utilizing a combination of customer-facing online technologies - such as Shop. Click. Drive. - and showroom sales to deliver vehicles safely to our customers. This is contributing to retail share gains while we continue to refill the pipeline," said Kurt McNeil, GM vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. "Industry-wide, dealers are selling a high mix of large pickups as the summer comes to an end. Our strong large pickup and all-new full-size SUV lineups from Chevrolet and GMC are selling extremely fast."

10:50 EDT Amag announces agreement to be acquired by Covis for $13.75 per share in cash - Covis Group S.a r.l. and AMAG Pharmaceuticals announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Covis will acquire AMAG for $13.75 per share in cash, or approximately $498M on a fully diluted basis and approximately $647M on an enterprise basis, including debt obligations expected to be assumed or repaid net of cash. The offer represents a premium of approximately 46% to the closing price of AMAG's common stock on September 30, the last full trading day prior to the announcement. The completion of the tender offer is subject to customary closing conditions, including the tender of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of AMAG's common stock, the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, and other customary conditions. Following the successful completion of the tender offer, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Covis will merge with AMAG and the outstanding AMAG shares not tendered in the tender offer will be converted into the right to receive the same $13.75 per share in cash paid in the tender offer. The tender offer is expected to commence in October 2020. Covis plans to finance the transaction with cash on hand, and a combination of committed debt and equity financing. There is no financing condition to the obligations of Covis to consummate the transaction. As part of the transaction, Covis intends to enter into an amended and restated credit facility with its current lenders, pursuant to which the Lenders will provide up to a $460 million senior secured incremental term loan and a $55 million secured revolver. The proceeds from the Covis Debt Financing, plus equity commitments from Covis' equity sponsor, will be used to pay the cash purchase price for the transaction and repay any of the existing AMAG debt that is not assumed. The Covis Debt Financing amount will be added to Covis' current $450 million term loan facility with the Lenders. As the merger will result in a change of control under the terms of AMAG's Indenture governing its 3.25% Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2022, the holders of the Convertible Notes will have the right to put at par the Convertible Notes held by them for a period of twenty business days following the closing of the merger. All Board members and executive officers of AMAG have agreed to tender their shares in favor of the transaction. The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of each company, is expected to close in November 2020, pending Hart-Scott-Rodino approval and the conditions to the tender offer being satisfied. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor, and Goodwin Procter LLP is acting as legal advisor to AMAG. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison LLP is acting as legal advisor to Covis.

10:49 EDT Amag announces agreement to be acquired by Covis for $13.75 per share in cash

10:32 EDT Future FinTech appoints Weicheng Pan as chief strategy officer - Future FinTech Group announced it has appointed Weicheng Pan as Chief Strategy Officer of the company. Pan will be responsible for the company's strategic planning, international M&A, investment and financing activities, and will support the management team to promote the company's global development strategy. Since November 2019, Pan has served as dean of Guangdong Jewish Mindset Business School and president of Malaysia Chengji Business School.

10:06 EDT BAE Systems awarded naval guns contract for U.K.'s Type 31 frigate program - BAE Systems will produce and deliver Bofors 40 Mk4 and Bofors 57 Mk3 naval guns for the U.K. Ministry of Defence's Type 31 general purpose frigate program. The agreement, through a contract with Babcock International, will supply the Royal Navy with a set of advanced, multi-purpose gun systems for its fleet of five ships, with the first ship expected to go into service in 2027. The contract includes five Bofors 57 Mk3 medium caliber guns and 10 Bofors 40 Mk4 small caliber guns. Both close-in weapon systems are designed to protect the ships against modern and future complex threats. The guns also offer the Royal Navy optimized ammunition types, including the cost-efficient programmable Bofors 3P all-target munition. BAE Systems' scope of work for the Type 31 program also includes services, tools, spares, documentation and support. Both naval gun systems will be manufactured at BAE Systems' facility in Karlskoga, Sweden, with deliveries expected to take place in 2023 and 2024.

10:01 EDT O2Micro granted patent for circuits that drive light sources - O2Micro announced the grant of a patent for circuits that drive light sources, along with a light source module. O2Micro was issued 21 claims under U.S. patent US 10,757,770 B2 on Aug 25, for the invention of light source driving circuits and a light source module. The module supports dual light sources, along with a current allocation unit. The allocation unit adjusts the current through each light source based on the output.

10:00 EDT Boqii falls -9.6% - Boqii is down -9.6%, or -69c to $6.51.

10:00 EDT Fortress Value Acquisition rises 9.8% - Fortress Value Acquisition is up 9.8%, or $1.32 to $14.90.

10:00 EDT American Equity rises 43.5% - American Equity is up 43.5%, or $9.55 to $31.55.

09:47 EDT SailPoint rises 13.0% - SailPoint is up 13.0%, or $5.12 to $44.70.

09:45 EDT Carnival cancels cruises from most U.S. homeports for November and December - Following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control's decision to extend its no-sail order for cruise operations, Carnival Cruise Line is notifying guests and travel agents that it has cancelled cruises from all U.S. homeports except Miami and Port Canaveral for November and December 2020, the company announced. "While operations from Miami and Port Canaveral in November and December are still not certain, Carnival is focusing its initial return to service from those two homeports, whenever that might occur. Carnival continues to work on protocols and procedures that would allow for the resumption of cruise operations, with a gradual, phased-in approach, designating Miami and Port Canaveral as the first two homeports for embarkations. Cruises currently scheduled for November and December from those two homeports will remain in place for the time being while Carnival evaluates options. However, the cruise line is providing guests booked on cruises in November and December out of Miami and Port Canaveral the ability to voluntarily cancel their reservation and receive the same offer that all other impacted guests are receiving, which includes a combination future cruise credit and onboard credit, or a full refund," Carnival stated. Reference Link

09:40 EDT Centogene CentoSure SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay issued FDA EUA - The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the Centogene CentoSure SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay. Reference Link

09:32 EDT Argo Group appoints Allison Kiene as general counsel - Argo Group announced the appointment of Allison Kiene to serve as the company's general counsel. In this role, Kiene will be responsible for the company's legal and compliance teams and will report directly to CEO. Kevin Rehnberg. Kiene joins Argo from Sompo International Holdings Ltd., where she served as assistant general counsel and CCO, data protection officer.

09:28 EDT Mullen Technologies now accepting pre-orders for electric SUV - Mullen Technologies, an emerging electric vehicle manufacturer that previously announced a definitive agreement to merge with Net Element (NETE) in a stock-for-stock reverse merger in which Mullen's stockholders will receive a majority of the outstanding stock in the post-merger company, announced that the company has begun to accept pre-orders for the Mullen MX-05 Pure Electric all-wheel drive Sports Utility Vehicle. Mullen announced earlier this month that development of its pre-production facility in Monrovia, California, will begin today, October 1. "This facility will be fully operational in mid-2021 and is scheduled to begin the pre-production process of the MX-05 in the third quarter 2021. First deliveries to the public should be in the second quarter 2022," the company stated.

09:21 EDT Adamas Pharmaceuticals appoints Adrian Quartel as CMO - Adamas Pharmaceuticals (ADMS) announced the appointment of Adrian Quartel, MD as CMO. As a member of the executive leadership team, Adrian will provide leadership and direction for all scientific and medical functions. He was most recently global head of Medical Affairs at BioMarin (BMRN), where he oversaw the launch of six products

09:20 EDT Blink Charging to deploy 14 IQ 200 charging stations in Richmond, Calif. - Blink Charging announced the sale and planned deployment of 14 IQ 200 charging station at five locations in the City of Richmond, California. Funds have been awarded to the City of Richmond by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District through the Transportation Fund for Clean Air program making this public EV access expansion project possible. The units are scheduled for installation at the ferry terminal building, the Bayview Library, the May Valley Fire Station, the Hilltop Fire Station, North Richmond Fire Station #62 and at the Port of Richmond, and will consist of several configuration options including dual-port, smart/kiosk, and advanced units. The first units are tentatively scheduled for installation at the ferry terminal building during National Drive Electric Week, from September 28 to October 4, 2020.

09:16 EDT Royal Gold completes separation of Wassa, Prestea/Bogos stream agreements - Royal Gold (RGLD) announced that it has completed the separation of the Wassa and Prestea/Bogoso stream agreement into separate stream agreements with Golden Star Resources (GSS) for the Wassa mine and with Future Global Resources, or FGR, for the Prestea/Bogoso mines effective September 30. Royal Gold entered into a stream agreement with Golden Star on May 6, 2015, as amended, which provides for the right to purchase 10.5% of the gold produced from Golden Star's Wassa and Prestea/Bogoso mines until an aggregate delivery of 240,000 ounces, after which the stream percentage would decrease to 5.5%. The cash purchase price for gold was 20% of the spot price per ounce delivered until the aggregate delivery of 240,000 ounces, and 30% of the spot price per ounce delivered thereafter. On July 27, Golden Star announced that it signed a binding agreement for the sale of the Prestea/Bogoso mines to FGR, which required the separation of the original stream agreement into separate stream agreements for each of Wassa and Prestea/Bogoso. From May 6, 2015 through June 30, approximately 110,500 ounces of payable gold were delivered to Royal Gold from the Wassa and Prestea/Bogoso mines according to the terms of the original stream agreement. Of this total, 69,700 ounces were delivered from Wassa and 40,800 ounces were delivered from Prestea/Bogoso. In summary, the Wassa Stream Agreement gold stream rates and cash purchase prices remain consistent with the original stream agreement, and the gold delivery threshold of 240,000 ounces will apply to the Wassa mine. Based on the deliveries received from Golden Star under the original stream agreement, as of June 30, approximately 129,500 ounces remain to be delivered before the 240,000 ounce delivery threshold is reached. The material terms of the Wassa Stream Agreement, including security and the rights and obligations of both Royal Gold and Golden Star, remain consistent with those in the Original Stream Agreement as they relate to the Wassa mine.

09:14 EDT General Moly announces NYSE suspension of trading, commences delisting - General Moly announced that the staff of NYSE Regulation has determined to commence proceedings to delist the Company's common stock from the NYSE American Exchange. Trading in the Company's common stock has been suspended. As previously announced, the Company is currently below compliance with the $2M, $4M, and $6M stockholders' equity requirements of Sections 1003(a)(i), (ii), and (iii) of the NYSE American Company Guide , respectively.

09:10 EDT Verizon expands LTE Home Internet to more rural areas - Verizon LTE Home Internet is expanding to cover rural parts of 189 markets in 48 states. With LTE Home Internet, customers can work, study or home-school their kids using the nation's most awarded 4G LTE network. They'll get unlimited data, and experience download speeds of 25 Mbps with peak download speeds of 50 Mbps.4 With easy self-setup, customers can install the router on their own - no tech or tools are needed.

09:10 EDT Holly Energy Partners subsidiary conducts binding open season - Holly Energy Partners announced its wholly-owned subsidiary, Frontier Aspen, is conducting a binding open season to assess shipper interest in committed crude oil interstate transportation service of expansion capacity that Carrier is considering developing on its existing pipeline, from origin points in and around Casper, Wyoming to destination points in and around Frontier Station, Utah. Carrier expects to commence service on the expansion capacity in Q3 of 2021. This open season will provide an opportunity for shippers to support the expansion by making volume commitments, thereby becoming "Committed Shippers" for the term of their transportation service agreements. Subject to the terms of their TSAs, Committed Shippers will be entitled to "Committed Service" that will not be subject to prorationing in the ordinary course for a quantity up to the Committed Shipper's volume commitment.

09:09 EDT Qualigen expands AML candidate research agreement with University of Lousville - Qualigen Therapeutics has entered into an amended Sponsored Research Agreement with the University of Louisville to advance development of Qualigen's anticancer drug candidate AS1411-GNP, also known as ALAN. The work being performed under the original Sponsored Research Agreement comprises animal studies to assess antitumor efficacy and safety of different ALAN compositions designed to treat pediatric and adult acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. UofL will perform preclinical studies on AML and on additional indications including glioblastoma and non-small cell lung cancer, which comprises approximately 85% of the 1.6 million global lung cancer cases each year. Additionally, Qualigen and UofL will study how ALAN may inhibit metastasis of cancer cells as a potential adjuvant therapy. ALAN is a combination with the potential to target and destroy tumor cells in a wide variety of cancer types with minimal side effects. The company is aiming to commence Phase 1 human trials in 2021 for AML, its lead indication. Qualigen has an exclusive worldwide license agreement from the UofL for ALAN.

09:07 EDT Castor Maritime acquires dry bulk vessel for $13.86M - Castor Maritime announces that on September 28, 2020, it entered, through a separate, wholly-owned subsidiary, into an agreement to purchase a 2010 Japan-built Panamax dry bulk carrier for a purchase price of $13.86 million from an unaffiliated third party seller. The acquisition is expected to be consummated by taking delivery of the vessel by mid October 2020 and is subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions.

09:05 EDT SAP acquiring omnichannel customer engagement platform Emarsys - SAP has entered into an agreement to acquire Emarsys, an omnichannel customer engagement platform provider. Emarsys is a fully integrated cloud-based marketing platform across e-mail, mobile, social, SMS, and the web at scale. Emarsys was founded in Vienna, Austria, and has over 1,500 customers worldwide and more than 800 employees across 13 offices including London, Berlin, Sydney and Budapest, as well as a U.S. headquarters in Indianapolis. The transaction is expected to close in Q4, subject to regulatory approval. Purchase price and other terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

09:05 EDT Olin Winchester assumes full control of Lake City Army Ammunition Plant - Olin Corporation announced that effective October 1, its ammunition division, Olin Winchester, assumed full management and operational control of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. The U.S. Army selected Winchester to operate and manage the Lake City Plant in September 2019. The contract has an initial term of seven years and may be extended by the U.S. Army for up to three additional years. Winchester is now the world's largest small arms ammunition manufacturer.

09:05 EDT Slack Technologies appoints Sean Catlett as chief security officer - Slack Technologies announced the appointment of Sean Catlett as Slack's chief security officer. He will be responsible for protecting the organization and customers' data. Sean joins Slack from Reddit, where he served as chief information security officer. At Reddit, Sean built and grew the company's security and privacy functions, protecting the site's more than 430M monthly active users around the world.

09:04 EDT Bed Bath & Beyond says 'exciting digital growth' in Q2 - Says "very pleased" with improvement in gross margin. Expects to ramp up CapEx level in near future. Expects customers to shop earlier for holiday period and has adjusted strategy "accordingly." Says operating lean with "the right inventory." Says efforts in Q2 "sustainable" in Q3, Q4.

09:03 EDT Akari says EMA meeting establishes clear path for Phase III study of nomacopan - Akari Therapeutics announces completion of a scientific advice meeting with the European Medicines Agency in advance of initiating a Phase III pivotal study of nomacopan for the treatment of bullous pemphigoid. Following prior similar agreement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at an End of Phase II meeting, the EMA has agreed to Akari's proposal for a Phase III randomized placebo-controlled study with nomacopan in patients with moderate to severe BP with a primary endpoint of disease remission on minimal oral corticosteroids. Akari believes the overlapping advice now received from both agencies allows the pivotal Phase III study design to satisfy both the FDA and EMA recommendations. BP is a severe orphan autoimmune inflammatory blistering skin disease with no approved treatments in the U.S. and Europe with an approximately three-fold increase in mortality in the BP population treated with current standard of care. The prevalence of BP is estimated to be over 100,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe. In the Phase III study, patients will be randomized to receive either nomacopan plus oral corticosteroids or placebo plus OCS for six months. Following an initial stabilization phase, the steroids will be tapered according to disease response to a minimal level of OCS which is considered safe. If disease response is rapid, as was seen in the nomacopan Phase II study in BP patients, OCS could be tapered to the minimal level within six weeks. Once patients are on minimal OCS plus either nomacopan or placebo, the primary endpoint will be achieved by those patients with complete disease remission on minimal OCS for eight weeks or longer during the 24-week treatment period. Patients will then enter an extension study to provide at least six months of additional data. An important secondary endpoint is reduction in cumulative OCS use on nomacopan as high dose OCS are regarded as unsafe in this vulnerable patient population.

09:02 EDT Dick's Sporting announces grand opening of 11 stores - Dick's Sporting will expand its nationwide footprint with the opening of six DICK'S Sporting Goods stores, two combination DICK'S and Golf Galaxy locations and three DICK'S Sporting Goods Warehouse Sale locations in October. The retailer will also open a limited number of Soccer Shops, a new, elevated soccer experience, starting later this month and host its first-ever Loyalty Appreciation Week beginning October 5. The opening of its newest stores will bring approximately 400 collective jobs to communities through the hiring of full-time, part-time and temporary associates for the stores.

08:53 EDT Antares Pharma enters exclusive license agreement with Ferring for Nocdurna - Antares Pharma entered into an exclusive license agreement with Ferring Pharmaceuticals for the marketed product NOCDURNA, which is indicated for the treatment of nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria in adults who awaken at least two times per night to urinate, in the United States. Ferring commercially launched NOCDURNA in late 2018 upon approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2018 as the first and only rapidly dissolving sublingual tablet that treats adult patients with nocturia, who awaken at least two times per night to urinate, due to nocturnal polyuria. More than 70 million people in the U.S. are affected by nocturia. NP is present in up to 88% of nocturia patients. Patients may already be taking medication for overactive bladder or benign prostatic hyperplasia; however, these medications may not reduce night-time urination because they do not treat NP. In patients diagnosed with NP, the kidneys produce too much urine at night, which can lead to frequent night-time bathroom visits and can be very disruptive to sleep. Under the terms of the agreement, Ferring received an upfront payment of $5M upon execution and will be paid an additional $2.5M at one year from execution and is eligible for tiered royalties and additional commercial milestone payments potentially totalling up to $17.5M based on net sales of NOCDURNA in the United States. NOCDURNA is patent-protected with Orange Book-listed patents in the United States with varying expirations through 2030

08:51 EDT Momenta completes proposed sale to Johnson & Johnson - Momenta Pharmaceuticals (MNTA) announced the successful completion of its sale to Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) for $52.50 per share, totaling approximately $6.5B. The all-cash tender offer by Vigor Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, for all outstanding shares of Momenta common stock for $52.50 per share expired at 12:00 a.m. New York City time, at the end of the day on September 30, 2020. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the depositary and paying agent for the tender offer, has advised that approximately 100,595,118 shares of Momenta's common stock were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the tender offer, representing approximately 79.4% of the outstanding shares of Momenta's common stock on a fully diluted basis. All of the conditions to the tender offer have been satisfied, and on October 1, 2020, Vigor accepted for payment, and will as promptly as practicable pay for, all shares validly tendered and not properly withdrawn in the tender offer. The acquisition was completed on October 1, 2020 through a merger of Vigor with and into Momenta in accordance with Section 251(h) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware without a vote of Momenta's stockholders. Momenta now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. In connection with the merger, shares of Momenta that were not tendered in the tender offer were acquired by Johnson & Johnson and converted into the right to receive $52.50 per share. As a result of the completion of the merger, Momenta's common stock will be delisted from the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

08:44 EDT PepsiCo sees advertising, marketing expenditure slightly more of a drag in Q4 - Sees advertising, marketing expenditure slightly more of a drag in Q4 vs. Q3.

08:42 EDT OSI Systems receives $6M order to enhance airport checkpoint inspections - OSI Systems announced that its Security division received an order for approximately $6M to upgrade aviation checkpoint inspection systems. OSI Systems' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deepak Chopra, stated, "As a global leader in security screening solutions for passenger, baggage, and cargo, we look forward to supporting the enhancements for this customer."

08:42 EDT Ayr Strategies enters agreements to expand operations in Ohio, Pennsylvania - Ayr Strategies announced the addition of cultivation and processing facilities in Ohio, expanding the Company's presence to four key states. Ayr also announced the addition of a grower-processor in Pennsylvania, deepening its presence in that market. Including these pending transactions, Ayr will have operations in Massachusetts, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In Ohio, Ayr has reached agreements to acquire and/or manage cultivation and processing facilities. In Pennsylvania, Ayr has agreed to acquire a cultivating and processing facility, which follows the Company's initial expansion into Pennsylvania, announced in August, where Ayr announced a transaction to acquire the rights to develop six retail dispensaries throughout the state and a significant cultivation and production campus. Following the closings of the announced acquisitions in Ohio and Pennsylvania, Ayr will have access to a population of approximately 35 million people across four states. In total, the Company will have seven operating dispensaries, nine additional dispensary licenses, and approximately 160,000 ft2 of cultivation and processing space, with the ability to expand to over 460,000 ft2. Ayr has estimated the total value of today's announced transactions at $39 million, including $26.9 million of cash, $2.1 million in stock and $10.0 million in seller notes. The acquisitions are subject to final due diligence, customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Ayr has signed a definitive purchase agreement for an operational processing facility and has an agreed non-binding term sheet regarding exclusive management rights over a level 1 cultivation license in Ohio, a growing and undersupplied market. These are the first steps toward establishing a vertically integrated operation in the state. The cultivation facility of approximately 58,000 ft2 is under construction and the approximately 9,000 ft2 processing facility is fully operational. Consideration for the two transactions totals US$18.2 million, including $10.2 million of cash and $8.0 million in convertible seller notes. Following the closing and completion of the initial phase of the level 1 cultivation facility build-out, Ayr has the flexibility to further expand canopy subject to the approval of the Ohio Department of Commerce. Ayr has signed a definitive purchase agreement to add to its portfolio a leading grower-processor in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The 38,400 ft2 cultivation and extraction facility is approved as operational and has the capacity to expand to 74,000 ft2. Total consideration of US$20.8 million includes $16.7 million of cash, $2.1 million in stock and $2.0 million in seller notes.

08:40 EDT Sonim expands distribution into Europe through partnership with Capestone - Sonim Technologies announced a partnership with Capestone, a distributor of explosion-proof devices based in the Netherlands and Germany. This new partnership will expand the distribution of Sonim's mobility solutions throughout Europe.

08:37 EDT Fluent appoints Carla Newell to board of directors - Fluent announced the appointment of Carla Newell to the Company's Board of Directors. In her new role with Fluent, Ms. Newell will serve as a member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. Ms. Newell currently serves as Chief Legal and Risk Officer and Head of Health Business Development for Ancestry.

08:37 EDT CommScope CEO Eddie Edwards steps down, Charles Treadway succeeds - CommScope announced that Eddie Edwards, president and CEO, is stepping down after 15 years of service to the company. Succeeding Edwards is Charles Treadway, who has been appointed as president, CEO and a member of the CommScope board. This leadership transition is the result of the company's ongoing succession planning program led by the board. Treadway brings to CommScope strategic, operational and go-to-market expertise. He has served 17 of the last 20 years as CEO of global businesses located in the U.S., China and Latin America. Most recently, Treadway served as CEO of Accudyne Industries. The company also announced that Frank Drendel has been named chairman emeritus.Drendel founded CommScope in 1976 and has served continuously as its CEO and/or chairman of the board since.

08:35 EDT Yield10 Bioscience completes harvesting for 2020 Field Test Program - Yield10 Bioscience announced it has completed the harvest for its 2020 Field Test Program for Camelina and canola trials conducted in the United States and Canada. Yield10's 2020 Field Test Program is designed to evaluate several novel traits in Camelina and canola, and the Company expects to begin reporting data from the field tests in the fourth quarter of 2020 through early 2021. A summary of the 2020 Field Test Program: Camelina/C3004: C3004 is a trait designed to increase seed yield that has shown promise in previous greenhouse and growth chamber experiments. Camelina/CRISPR E3902: E3902 is a CRISPR genome-edited trait designed to boost oil content. This line demonstrated positive results in 2019 field tests. Camelina/CRISPR C3007: C3007 is a CRISPR genome-edited trait designed to boost oil content. This is the first season of field testing the trait. Camelina/C3014 and C3015: Yield10 has designed a novel trait and reprogrammed Camelina to produce a PHA biomaterial as a third seed product in addition to the oil and protein meal. Canola/C3004: C3004 is a trait designed to increase seed yield. This is the first season of field testing the trait in canola. Canola/C3003: Yield10 grew 14 new canola/C3003 commercial quality lines for seed bulk up in the field in 2020 that the Company currently plans to field test in 2021. C3003 is a seed yield trait. In the field tests of its novel traits in Camelina and canola, Yield10 monitored key agronomic and growth parameters of the plants throughout the growth period. Yield10 also plans to evaluate seed yield, oil content, PHA content and/or other metrics of the traits as appropriate after seed harvest. The field tests are designed to generate data on the performance of the novel traits under field conditions and to advance the development of the traits toward commercialization. The program will also generate field grown seed for subsequent field studies.

08:34 EDT Twin River Worldwide to acquire Jumer's Casino & Hotel for $120M in cash - Twin River Worldwide announced that it has entered into an agreement with Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Inc. to acquire Jumer's Casino & Hotel in Rock Island, Illinois for a purchase price of $120M in cash. The total consideration for the transaction represents an implied proforma purchase multiple of approximately 7.4x trailing twelve months earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The multiple excludes the impact of any potential cost synergies or possible revenue enhancement opportunities from operational improvements. Based on Jumer's Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2019, the acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings. The company expects to finance the purchase price with a combination of cash on hand, cash from ongoing operations, and borrowings under its revolving credit facility. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2021 subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is subject to a customary working capital adjustment.

08:34 EDT Shyft Group acquires aluminum truck body manufacturer F3 MFG - Shyft Group acquired F3 MFG, an aluminum truck body and accessory manufacturer. F3 will join the Shyft Specialty Vehicles business unit and continue to go-to-market under the DuraMag and Magnum brands. The transaction was paid for with available cash and is expected to be accretive in 2021. F3 operates out of a 140,000-square-foot production facility in Waterville, Maine. The operation includes aluminum manufacturing, finishing, assembly, and installation of DuraMag contractor, service, and van bodies. The location will continue to serve as the business' primary manufacturing and assembly facility for both product lines.

08:33 EDT PepsiCo: Pandemic-related costs not likely to go away by next year - Comments taken from Q3 earnings conference call.

08:31 EDT Fauquier Bankshares and Virginia National Bankshares sign merger agreement - Fauquier Bankshares and Virginia National Bankshares signed a definitive agreement to combine in a strategic merger of equals. The combined company would have approximately $1.6B in total assets, $1.4B in total deposits, $1.3B in loans and more than $1.0B in AUM based upon reported amounts as of June 30. After the merger, the combined company will operate under the Virginia National brand and will be able to serve larger clients in its core Virginia markets of Charlottesville, Warrenton, Winchester and the counties of Albemarle, Fauquier, Frederick and Prince William. It will also accelerate current market expansions in Richmond and Northern Virginia. The merger agreement was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies. Fauquier shareholders will receive 0.6750 shares of Virginia National common stock for each share of Fauquier common stock held. After the merger of Fauquier into Virginia National, Virginia National shareholders will own approximately 51.4% of the combined company, and Fauquier shareholders will own approximately 48.6%. Upon consummation of the transaction, Fauquier will merge into Virginia National and Virginia National will be the surviving holding company. Offices of The Fauquier Bank will be rebranded as VNB offices after systems are integrated. Virginia National's headquarters will remain in Charlottesville, Virginia. Following the merger, the boards of directors of Virginia National and VNB will include seven members from the current Virginia National and VNB boards and six members from the current Fauquier and The Fauquier Bank boards. Current Virginia National Chairman, William Dittmar, Jr., will continue to serve as Chairman of the combined company and current Fauquier Chairman, John Adams, Jr., will be appointed Vice Chairman. At the effective time of the merger, Rust will continue to serve as President and CEO of Virginia National, while Bogan will be appointed President and CEO of VNB. Rust and Bogan will both serve on the boards of Virginia National and VNB. The combination is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021, subject to approval of both companies' shareholders, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

08:30 EDT Cumulus completes intial closing of tower portfolio monetization transaction - Cumulus Media announced that the Company completed the initial closing of its tower portfolio monetization transaction for $208 million in gross proceeds on September 30, 2020. After transaction fees and expenses and related costs, the Company received approximately $202 million in net proceeds at the initial closing. The use of net proceeds from the transaction are governed by the Company's Term Loan Credit Facility due 2026 and its 6.75% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2026. As defined in the Debt Agreements, net proceeds of approximately $64 million from assets being sold and not being leased back and net proceeds of approximately $96 million from assets being sold and leased back are required to pay down the Term Loan and be applied to a tender offer with respect to the 6.75% Notes on a pro rata basis. The paydown from the Sale-Leaseback Proceeds is required to be made at closing for the Term Loan portion and within thirty days of closing for the 6.75% Notes. As such, at closing, the Company paid down approximately $49 million of its Term Loan at par, and it intends in the near future to launch a tender offer for up to approximately $47 million of the 6.75% Notes at par. Any amounts offered but not accepted under the tender offer will be used for an additional par paydown of the Term Loan. The mandatory prepayment/tender offer required in connection with the Sale Proceeds is subject to a 12-month reinvestment right. At closing, the Company entered into a master lease agreement for the continued use of substantially all of the towers that were sold: The initial term of the lease is ten years, followed by five option periods of five years each. The annual lease payment obligation for the assets leased back in the initial closing is approximately $13.2 million, subject to customary escalators, and will be accounted for as a reduction of the financial liability and interest expense. Annual tenant revenues of approximately $2.2 million and operating expenses of approximately $2.3 million will no longer be reflected in the Company's financial statements. The Company will report non-cash imputed rental income for tower sites where it continues to use a portion of the tower along with other existing and future tenants. The transaction will not have any effect on the Company's current broadcast operations. The Company anticipates that one or more subsequent closings will be held for the assets comprising the remainder of the previously announced $213 million purchase price, subject to adjustment based upon due diligence and the curing of outstanding site defects. The Company anticipates that substantially all, if not all, of the subsequent closings will occur by the end of the second quarter of 2021.

08:26 EDT Navios Maritime Holdings sells two drybulk vessels for $51M - Navios Maritime Holdings (NM) announced that it sold the Navios Gem, a 2014-built Capesize vessel of 181,336 dwt, and the Navios Victory, a 2014-built Panamax vessel of 77,095 dwt, to Navios Maritime Partners (NMM) for a sale price of $51.0 million, subject to working capital adjustments. Part of the sale proceeds were used for the prepayment of the $33.0 million outstanding bank debt of the two vessels. The transaction was approved by the independent directors of the Board of Directors of Navios Holdings. Following the sale, Navios Holdings controls a fleet of 49 vessels, of which 16 are Capesize vessels, 26 are Panamaxes, five are Ultra-Handymaxes and two are Handysizes.

08:24 EDT Pfenex trading halted, news dissemination

08:22 EDT Consolidated Communications introduces CCiTV to California, Illinois - Consolidated Communications is introducing CCiTV to residential and small and medium business customers in its California and Illinois service areas. Available on Oct. 2, CCiTV offers flexible, easy-to-use TV programming to customers when they want it, where they want it and how they want it.

08:21 EDT Hims & Hers to be traded on NYSE via merger agreement with Oaktree Acquisition - Hims (HIMS) and Oaktree Acquisition (OAC), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company's securities are expected to be traded on the NYSE under the symbol (HIMS). Launched in 2017, Hims & Hers has built a proprietary platform that connects consumers to licensed healthcare professionals for care across numerous specialties, including primary care, mental health, sexual health and dermatology, among others. Since its founding, the company has facilitated more than 2M telehealth consultations, enabling greater access to high quality, convenient and affordable care for people in all 50 states. The company has driven 100%+ compounded annual revenue growth over the last two years and has more than doubled gross margins to 70%+, with revenue that is over 90% recurring in nature. The business combination values the combined company at an enterprise value of approximately $1.6B and is expected to deliver up to $280M of cash to the combined company through the contribution of up to $205M of cash held in Oaktree Acquisition Corp.'s trust account, and a $75M concurrent private placement of common stock of the combined company, priced at $10.00 per share, from institutional investors, including funds managed by Franklin Templeton and certain Oaktree clients. The enterprise value equals 8.9x estimated 2021 revenue and 12.2x estimated 2021 gross profit, an attractive valuation relative to telehealth peers despite the company's growth and margin profile. As part of the transaction, Hims & Hers' current management and existing equity holders will roll nearly 100% of their equity into the combined company. Leading existing institutional backers of the company intend to roll 100% of their shares and the transaction agreement provides for up to $75M of cash consideration at closing to shareholders, at their election. Assuming no public shareholders of Oaktree Acquisition Corp. exercise their redemption rights and before any potential cash consideration to Hims & Hers shareholders, current Hims & Hers equity holders will own approximately 84%, Oaktree Acquisition Corp. shareholders will own approximately 12%, and PIPE investors will own approximately 4% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, respectively, of the combined company at closing. Furthermore, the combined company will be capitalized with up to $330 million in cash, including proceeds received from the transaction together with existing cash on Hims & Hers' balance sheet. The business combination includes a minimum cash closing condition of $200M, which is calculated as cash delivered from Oaktree Acquisition Corp.'s trust account, plus cash delivered from the PIPE, minus the up to $75M of cash consideration at closing to shareholders as described above. Hims & Hers intends to continue investing in growth and new product categories to accelerate its goal of becoming the digital front door to the healthcare system. The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of each Hims & Hers and Oaktree Acquisition, is subject to approval by Oaktree Acquisition's shareholders and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in Q4.

08:20 EDT Madrigal announces acceptance of three abstracts for The Liver Meeting - Madrigal Pharmaceuticals announced that, based on data from studies with MGL-3196 three posters and an oral presentation of these data will be presented at The Liver Meeting Digital Experience, The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Meeting in November 2020. Resmetirom is the first orally administered, small-molecule, liver-directed, truly beta-selective thyroid hormone receptor agonist and is currently in Phase 3 development for the treatment of NASH patients both with biopsy-confirmed fibrosis stage 2-3 and in presumed NASH subjects diagnosed non-invasively. ALGORITHM FOR PREDICTING ADVANCED NASH FIBROSIS ON SCREENING BIOPSY IN RESMETIROM PHASE 3 MAESTRO-NASH CLINICAL TRIAL: MAESTRO-NASH is a Phase 3 double-blind placebo-controlled serial liver biopsy study to evaluate resmetirom for the treatment of NASH with F2 or F3 fibrosis and an exploratory F1 arm. Data was assessed for the power of the screening paradigm to predict eligible NASH with fibrosis on liver biopsy. These data suggest that PRO-C3 is a marker not only of fibrosis stage in NASH but also of the level of NASH activity in the NASH liver. In the absence of a liver biopsy, elevated PRO-C3 in the setting of metabolic syndrome, fibroscan and MRI-PDFF may predict advanced NASH. TREATMENT WITH RESMETIROM IN PHASE 3 MAESTRO-NAFLD-1 NASH STUDY OPEN LABEL ARM: EFFECTS ON BIOMARKERS AND IMAGING: Data from the ongoing Open Label Arm of Madrigal's MAESTRO-NAFLD-1 trial will be presented. In this 52 week Phase 3 open label study, NASH patients identified using non-invasive imaging and biomarkers were treated with resmetirom 100 mg and demonstrated rapid reduction in hepatic fat, biomarkers and atherogenic lipids after 12-16 weeks of treatment, potentially supporting use of non-invasive tests to monitor individual NASH patient response to resmetirom treatment. IMPROVEMENT OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVEMENT OF FAT FRACTION BY MRI-PDFF IN PATIENTS WITH NONALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS TREATED WITH RESMETIROM: A review of patient reported outcome data from resmetirom's Phase 2 NASH study demonstrates that NASH patients treated with resmetirom who had liver fat reduction also improved some quality of life measures, particularly physical components such as bodily pain. Ongoing Phase 3 studies will assess long-term sustainability of quality of life improvements with resmetirom treatment.

08:17 EDT Verso CEO Adam St. John resigns, Randy Nebel named interim CEO - Verso announced that Adam St. John has resigned as President and CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors, effective as of September 30. The Verso Board of Directors has named Randy Nebel, a current member of the Board, as interim President and CEO. Nebel will also continue to serve as a member of Verso's Board. Verso's Board will commence a search for a permanent President and CEO, and plans to engage a national executive search firm to help identify and evaluate qualified candidates. Nebel joined Verso's Board in 2019 and has extensive paper and packaging industry knowledge and experience. He previously served as Executive Vice President of Integrated Packing at KapStone Paper and Packaging.

08:15 EDT OncoCyte to enter licensing, collaboration agreement with Chronix Biomedical - Oncocyte Corporation announced that it has agreed to enter a licensing and collaboration agreement with Chronix Biomedical. Oncocyte is licensing Chronix's patented CNI Monitor technology for the TheraSure-CNI MONITOR clinical assay. This liquid biopsy diagnostic uses copy number instability to sensitively quantify the cell-free DNA from the primary solid tumor in a patient's blood. As part of the collaboration, Chronix will use its proven laboratory network in Germany to accelerate the EU market commercial launch of Oncocyte's DetermaRx. The agreement will allow Oncocyte to increase its test portfolio in the U.S. to address a broader care continuum. It expands the Company's suite of offerings beyond its currently commercially available tests - DetermaRx, for chemotherapy treatment selection, and DetermaIO, for immunotherapy treatment selection. Specifically, the TheraSure-CNI MONITOR test will launch Oncocyte into the market for therapeutic response monitoring, which follows treatment selection in the cancer care continuum. Therapeutic response monitoring includes immunotherapy response monitoring, a market opportunity that independent estimates have projected may approach $15 billion by 2025.

08:13 EDT Ford announces changes to operating model - Ford is making changes to its operating model, including: concentrating decision-making and accountability around product and customer groups in three regional business units - The Americas and International Markets, Europe and China; accelerating innovation in an effort to be a leader in new businesses such as autonomous vehicles and mobility; harnessing expertise in industrial platforms to develop connected vehicles; unleashing technology and software in ways that set Ford apart from competitors. CEO Jim Farley said the company is targeting consistent operating performance that includes adjusted earnings before interest and taxes of 8% of revenue with strong automotive adjusted free cash flow, so the company can fully invest in customers and growth.

08:12 EDT RMR Group announces Nashville redevelopment project - The RMR Group (RMR) announced the filing of a Specific Plan with the City of Nashville for 111 North 1st Street, a 16-acre property on Nashville's East Bank. RMR believes the East Bank, historically an industrial area, has the potential to transition into one of the most dynamic mixed-use neighborhoods in the city supported by Nashville's rapid growth and diversified economy. RMR is exploring the transformative redevelopment project on behalf of its client company, Service Properties Trust (SVC). With this filing, RMR seeks to create residential and hospitality options, best-in-class office space and a vibrant street life centered around multimodal roads and destination retail. If approved, the rezoning and revitalization of 111 North 1st Street would allow for the creation of over three million square feet of mixed-use space. The project will introduce crucial infrastructure for vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic, transforming a once-industrial area into a walkable streetscape. The development plan also proposes ample new green space that allows for future connections to the East Bank Greenway. Jesse Abair, Senior Director of Development, The RMR Group, provided the following statement: "Our proposal for a people-centric, live-work-play development would provide a critical link between Downtown and East Nashville. Enhancing connectivity for the city's transportation and greenway networks is one of the primary objectives of this project. We believe the redevelopment of 111 North 1st Street can be a catalyst for the emergence of the East Bank into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood, and we look forward to continuing our work with the city to shape this project for the benefit of Nashville's residents, businesses and visitors alike."

08:11 EDT CCL Industries closes Graphic West acquisition - CCL Industries announced the closing of the acquisition of Graphic West International after receiving regulatory approval in Poland. The company now trades as "CCL Specialty Cartons" with immediate effect.

08:09 EDT Digital Ally awarded contract with Fort Eustis air force base - Digital Ally announced it has been awarded a significant contract for the deployment of one-hundred FirstVu HD body-worn cameras, fourteen DVM-800 in-car digital audio/video systems, fourteen patented VuLink automatic activation systems, access to VuVault.com back-end software and storage platform and other services for Fort Eustis Air Force Base. The contract was awarded through the Government Services Administration, an independent agency of the United States government which aids in purchasing for government agencies. Fort Eustis Air Force is located in Newport News, Virginia, and is home to the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, and to the U.S. Army Aviation Logistics School.

08:09 EDT X4 Pharmaceuticals appoints Allison Lawton to board of directors - X4 Pharmaceuticals announced the expansion of its board of directors with the appointment of Alison Lawton. Lawton currently serves as a special advisor and board member at Kaleido Biosciences, Inc., and as an independent director of ProQR Therapeutics.

08:07 EDT Icahn Enterprises enters into agreement with Brett Icahn, adopts succession plan - Icahn Enterprises announced that it and its investment management subsidiary, Icahn Capital LP, have entered into an Agreement with Brett Icahn, the son of Chairman Carl Icahn. Pursuant to the Agreement, Brett Icahn and a new team of portfolio managers will manage a portfolio of assets within Icahn Enterprises' Investment segment over a 7-year term, subject to certain veto rights by Carl Icahn. Brett Icahn will also join the Board of Directors of Icahn Enterprises and purchase $10 million in market value of depositary units from Carl Icahn. Brett Icahn, a graduate of Princeton University, joined Icahn Capital in 2002 and in 2010 became responsible for co-managing the Sargon Portfolio, a portfolio of assets within the Investment segment, subject to certain veto rights by Carl Icahn. The Sargon Portfolio generated annualized gross returns of 26.8% from its formation on April 1, 2010 through its expiration on July 31, 2016. Icahn Enterprises also announced the adoption of a management succession plan, pursuant to which it is currently anticipated that Brett Icahn will succeed Carl Icahn as Chairman of Icahn Enterprises and Chief Executive Officer of the Investment segment following the end of the 7-year term of the Agreement or earlier if Carl Icahn should so determine. Icahn Capital has hired three portfolio managers who will work in the Investment segment under the supervision of Brett Icahn and Carl Icahn: Gary Hu, most recently an Analyst with Silver Point Capital; Steven Miller, most recently an Analyst in the Distressed and Special Situations group at BlueMountain Capital Management; and Andrew Teno, most recently a director at Fir Tree Partners.

08:05 EDT Ford announces Jim Farley succeeds Jim Hackett as CEO

08:04 EDT Milestone Scientific projects over five-fold sequential increase in sales for Q3 - Milestone Scientific announced that it projects sales for the third quarter ending September 30, 2020 increased sequentially more than five-fold versus the second quarter ending June 30, 2020. Leonard Osser, Interim CEO of Milestone Scientific, noted, "Although we continue to witness the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am pleased to report our dental sales have improved considerably. Specifically, dental offices throughout the country and the rest of the world have begun to reopen, as illustrated by the increase in handpiece orders. The dental business has proven quite resilient, illustrating the loyalty of our current users and reinforcing the long-term positive outlook for the business. Moreover, we have enhanced our sales and marketing activities, which should boost sales of our dental instruments as the market recovers, which, in turn, should help drive incremental high margin, recurring handpiece sales. Our sales and marketing initiatives around the CompuFlo Epidural System are also taking hold. We have added additional anesthesiologists utilizing our instrument. We remain highly encouraged by the feedback from hospitals and look forward to announcing several important transactions that we believe will further validate our strategy. Overall, we are in a strong financial position, given the fact we had over $14 million of cash on hand as of September 30, 2020. In the meantime, gross margins from the dental business have held steady in the high 60 percent range, we continue to carefully monitor expenses and we have maintained appropriate inventory levels to ensure available stock as dental offices begin to return to more normal levels. Given the increase in dental sales, which contribute substantial margin, our burn has been substantially reduced in the third quarter. We have no plans to raise capital and, in fact, have a strong cash runway to support our accelerated marketing activities both on the dental and medical fronts as the market improves."

08:03 EDT Phreesia acquires co-developed patient care applications by Merck and Geisinger - Phreesia is pleased to announce that it has acquired two web-based workflow applications co-developed by Geisinger, a large health system based in Danville, Pa., and Merck, known as MSD outside of the USA and Canada. The newly acquired applications are designed to help improve patient communication and care delivery. The Family Caregiver application facilitates two-way communications and coordination of care for oncology patients and their caregivers. The other application, MedTrue, integrates different medication data sources to assist with medication reconciliation and adherence, resulting in a patient- and healthcare team-verified medication list.

08:02 EDT United Health Products submits HemoStyp PMA response to FDA - United Health Products announced that it has submitted documents requested by the FDA in conjunction with its PMA Class III application to use HemoStyp in internal surgeries. The company expects the FDA to grant approval to its PMA Class III application or request additional information within 30 days.

07:57 EDT Auxly Cannabis reduces workforce to accelerate path to profitability - The company said, "The Company is dedicated to executing on its corporate strategy and increasing its market share, while also improving its margins and reducing corporate overhead, with a target of achieving positive adjusted EBITDA during the first half of 2021. Auxly has established itself as a leader in Cannabis 2.0, with its current product offering achieving leading national market share; most notably, owning the #2 spot in national vape sales, which represented more than 60% of the Company's cannabis revenues in the first half of 2020. In addition to its Cannabis 2.0 products, the Company has seen success with its recent launches of the Robinsons brand, a unique, ultra-premium dried flower product for the cannabis connoisseur, and Kolab Project's dried flower and pre-roll products, both of which have been incredibly well received by consumers. Despite recent market challenges brought on by COVID-19 and other industry related obstacles, such as slower than expected national retail expansion, the Company has maintained this leadership position and expects to see stronger sales in the remainder of 2020 and into 2021. In addition to the actions already taken to reduce operating costs at two of Auxly's cultivation assets, Inverell S.A. located in Uruguay and Robinsons Outdoor Grow located in Nova Scotia, the Company has taken added measures to reduce its workforce to further accelerate its path to profitability. The Company expects to generate approximately $3M in quarterly SG&A savings through these cumulative reductions, resulting in an expected cash-based SG&A run-rate of approximately $10M by the first quarter of 2021. These reductions, coupled with the Company's anticipated continued strong cannabis sales, will better position the Company to achieve its profitability goals and drive value for its shareholders. Auxly will continue to explore strategic alternatives for certain non-core assets as it looks to achieve its targeted positive adjusted EBITDA."

07:54 EDT Diginex lists, begins trading on Nasdaq - Diginex Limited (EQOS) announced that it has completed its business combination transaction with 8i Enterprises Acquisition Corp. (JFK), a special purpose acquisition company. The Transaction, which was approved at a Special Meeting of Shareholders on September 15, creates the first listed company on Nasdaq with a cryptocurrency exchange. Diginex Limited will trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "EQOS" where it will offer investors the opportunity to participate in the growth of digital assets. The company's warrants will trade under the ticker "EQOSW".

07:52 EDT AnPac Bio announces up to $7M equity investment from Keystone - AnPac Bio-Medical announced that the Company has entered into an agreement with Keystone Capital Partners for a preferred stock investment of $7M. Additional details on the transaction are outlined in the accompanying Registration Statement filed on September 30, 2020. The investment provides AnPac Bio with additional access to growth capital to expand its operations in China and continue to commercialize in the United States. Additionally, the Company intends to use the funding proceeds to advance its CDA technology to provide cost-effective early-detection cancer screening and testing.

07:49 EDT Revival Gold nominates Maura Lendon to board - Revival Gold announces the nomination of Ms. H. Maura Lendon to stand for election as an independent director to Revival Gold's Board of Directors at the Company's annual general and special meeting to be held on November 24th, 2020 at 10:00 am ET. Ms. Lendon is the founder and Chief General Counsel of Scalable General Counsel.

07:48 EDT DraftKings signs deal to be official DFS and sports betting partner of Eagles - DraftKings and the Philadelphia Eagles announced a new multi-year deal which will make DraftKings the Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner and Official Sports Betting Partner of the Philadelphia Eagles. As part of the new agreement, DraftKings will receive exclusive naming rights to Lincoln Financial Field's field club, which will be called "The DraftKings Field Club." The DraftKings Field Club will open its doors to ticketed guests once the in-person sports experience returns to Lincoln Financial Field, the company and team announced. In addition to receiving field club naming rights at Lincoln Financial Field, DraftKings' branding will be integrated throughout a number of the Eagles' social media channels and digital assets. The company will also deliver "Eagles Stat Showdown," a new free-to-play game that will give fans the opportunity to win weekly prizes throughout the NFL season.

07:47 EDT Athira Pharma initiates patient dosing for LIFT-AD study - Athira Pharma announced that patient dosing has begun in the company's Phase 2/3 clinical trial evaluating ATH-1017, a once-daily investigational drug for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. The clinical trial, known as LIFT-AD, will enroll up to approximately 300 Alzheimer's patients in the United States and Australia. The Phase 2/3 clinical trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of ATH-1017 in individuals with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. Clinical efficacy will be measured by improvement in cognition and global/functional assessments comparing treatment arms to placebo. Up to approximately 300 patients will be randomized across two dose groups and one placebo group on a 1:1:1 basis to receive a daily subcutaneous injection of ATH-1017 or placebo over a treatment course of 26 weeks. Athira's completed Phase 1a/b clinical trials of ATH-1017 for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease established that the treatment was generally well tolerated at all tested doses. Measures evaluating brain function with electroencephalogram also produced a strong suite of translational data. Additionally, a statistically significant improvement in Event-Related Potential P300 latency, a functional measure of working memory processing speed and executive function, was noted in patients with Alzheimer's disease following multiple dose treatment with ATH-1017 compared with those receiving placebo. Through the LIFT-AD clinical trial and other anticipated clinical trials, Athira is seeking to establish a connection between these P300 latency results and improved cognition. ATH-1017's novel mechanism of action is agnostic to the underlying disease pathology of Alzheimer's and other dementias. It focuses on network recovery and information transmission in the brain, which has the potential to improve clinical outcomes for patients.

07:44 EDT Constellation Brands expects Gallo, Nobilo transactions to close by end of 3Q21 - Expects divestment of Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy brand and concentrate business to close by end of 3Q21. Plans to retain Cooks and J.Roget brands and Mission Bell Winery.

07:43 EDT Cedar Fair provides business, liquidity update - Attendance at the reopened parks has been impacted by self-imposed limitations, fewer operating days and hours, significantly reduced marketing spend, and a limited event lineup. Despite these limitations, park attendance trends have gradually improved since reopening. Attendance versus the prior-year period has ranged from approximately 20% to 25% upon initially reopening, to approximately 35% to 40% for the last few weeks leading up to Labor Day. On several days in August, attendance at several parks easily exceeded 50% of prior-year attendance. As of Sept. 27, the company had cash on hand of approximately $215M, compared with a balance of $301M as of June 28, which represents an average cash burn rate of approximately $30M per month during Q3. Including $359M available under its revolving credit facility, net of $16M of letters of credit, the company had total liquidity of approximately $574M as of September 27. Based on this level of liquidity, the company anticipates it will have ample liquidity to meet its cash obligations through the end of 2021, even if operations remain disrupted. "Given the challenges and uncertain environment caused by the pandemic, we are pleased to have opened seven of our parks to date," said Cedar Fair President and CEO Richard Zimmerman. "Getting parks open has allowed us to reengage with our customers and, at the same time, demonstrate the ability to provide our guests and associates with a safe and enjoyable entertainment offering. While attendance levels were somewhat soft upon initially reopening, we are pleased with how demand trends have improved and are encouraged with this positive momentum as we look ahead to 2021."

07:39 EDT Camtek receives orders totaling $15M for front-end inspection from two customers - Camtek received orders amounting to $15M for systems serving front-end macro inspection applications from two large manufacturers. These orders for Camtek's latest Eagle model are expected to be installed during 4Q20 and 1Q21.

07:38 EDT Constellation CEO says "well positioned" to deliver organic growth in FY21 - President and CEO Bill Newlands said, "Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, we delivered excellent Q2 results, as we continued to invest in brands and capabilities to drive sustainable long-term growth. We remain confident in the resiliency of our business, our brand health and consumer takeaway remain strong, and we are well positioned to deliver a solid year of organic growth in fiscal 21."

07:37 EDT Windtree Therapeutics: First patient dosed in Phase 2 Study of istaroxime - Windtree Therapeutics announced that it has dosed the first patient in its Phase 2 study of istaroxime in patients experiencing early cardiogenic shock. Early cardiogenic shock is one of two developmental programs for istaroxime. The second is acute heart failure, which is supported by positive phase 2a and phase 2b trial results and a FDA Fast Track designation.

07:36 EDT Enlivex Therapeutics spikes up over 90% following COVID therapeutic results - Shares of Enlivex Therapeutics are up over 90% at $11.45 per share after the company reported positive results in Allocetra treatment of patients with severe or critical conditions due to COVID-19.

07:35 EDT Solid Biosciences says FDA lifts clinical hold on IGNITE DMD trial - Solid Biosciences announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has lifted the clinical hold placed on the Company's IGNITE DMD Phase I/II clinical trial. As announced in July 2020, the FDA had requested further manufacturing information, updated safety and efficacy data for all patients dosed, and provided direction on total viral load to be administered per patient. Based on the Company's response to these requests, the FDA acknowledged that the Company satisfactorily addressed all clinical hold questions. As part of its commitment to continuously improve its manufacturing processes, Solid implemented and shared with the FDA manufacturing process changes that remove the majority of empty viral capsids, allowing target dosing to be achieved with fewer viral particles. This reduction in the total amount of virus delivered to each patient is intended to support safe dosing of SGT-001 for the duration of the IGNITE DMD trial. In its July 2020 communication, the FDA requested additional information regarding the comparability between SGT-001 made using Solid's prior manufacturing process and its current, improved process. In response to this request, Solid submitted data from a new, quantitative, in vitro microdystrophin expression assay that demonstrates comparability between SGT-001 manufactured by the two processes. Solid is reducing the maximum weight of the next two patients dosed to 18 kg per patient, with safety outcomes from these two patients driving potential weight increase of patients dosed subsequently. This reduction, in conjunction with the delivery of fewer viral particles as a result of the Company's manufacturing process improvements, will reduce patients' total viral load while continuing dosing at the 2E14 vg/kg dose.Solid provided the FDA with updated safety and functional efficacy data for all patients dosed to date in IGNITE DMD. There have been no additional drug-related adverse events up to 30 months post dosing. Additionally, to mitigate the risk of serious drug-related adverse events, Solid is amending the IGNITE DMD clinical protocol to include the prophylactic use of both anti-complement inhibitor eculizumab and C1 esterase inhibitor, and increasing the prednisone dose in the first month post dosing.

07:33 EDT Conagra Brands sees Q2 adjusted operating margin 18%-18.5%

07:33 EDT Pulse Biosciences announces FDA IDE approval for sebaceous hyperplasia study - Pulse Biosciences announced FDA Investigational Device Exemption, or IDE, approval and initiation of a pivotal study to evaluate the treatment of sebaceous hyperplasia, or SH, lesions using the CellFX System. The data generated from this study is intended to support a 510 submission to expand the indication for use of the CellFX System specifically to treat SH lesions. Following IDE approval, several patients have been enrolled, with the first patient procedure completed on September 28. The multicenter prospective comparative study is intended to evaluate the safety and efficacy of procedures to clear facial SH lesions performed with the CellFX System versus those performed by electrodessication in a comparator group. Enrollment of 60 patients across five study sites is expected to be completed in approximately three months. All subjects will have up to two treatments and will be evaluated through the primary safety and efficacy endpoints at 60-days following their last treatment.

07:27 EDT LHC Group signs two new joint venture agreements, purchases hospice provider - LHC Group has finalized two new joint venture agreements in Georgia and purchased a hospice provider in Colorado. In Gainesville, Ga., LHC Group and Northeast Georgia Health System will share ownership of SunCrest Home Health, a provider serving patients and families in the surrounding region. The agency will be renamed Northeast Georgia Home Health. Moving forward, the agency will be integrated in accordance with LHC Group's current JV processes and procedures. In Colorado, LHC Group will purchase Santa Rita Hospice in Aurora. The provider will operate under the At Home Hospice name in a shared space with At Home Healthcare, LHC Group's home health provider in Aurora. In Augusta, Ga., the company finalized a JV with University Health Care System to enhance home health and hospice services in that market. LHC Group expects incremental annualized revenue from this JV of approximately $8.3M and that it will not materially affect its 2020 diluted EPS.

07:25 EDT Conagra Brands raises quarterly dividend 29% to 27.5c per share - To be paid on December 2 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 2.

07:18 EDT Black Diamond Group, Mi'kmaq Communities receive letter of award for $720M lodge - Black Diamond Group announced that it and Wskijnu'k Mtmo'taqnuow Agenc, a corporate body wholly owned by the 13 Mi'kmaw communities in Nova Scotia, working together in partnership, have received a letter of award from the proponents of the Goldboro LNG Facility confirming that the Partnership has been selected to exclusively negotiate the contract providing for the construction of a lodge and associated amenities during the four year construction phase of the Goldboro LNG Facility proposed for Guysborough County, Nova Scotia. The estimated value of the contract is $720M. The Partnership, named Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Black Diamond Limited Partnership, is owned 51% by WMA. The Mi'kmaq will be responsible for the lodge's hospitality services. Black Diamond, which owns 49% of the Partnership, will be responsible for the supply and rental of the lodge which will house up to 5,000 workers. The contract is expected to begin on or before June 30, 2021, the anticipated date for a final investment decision by Calgary-based Pieridae Energy Limited, which owns the right to develop the multi-billion dollar Goldboro LNG Facility. Pieridae Energy is a public corporation the shares of which trade on the TSX. The letter of award from Pieridae Energy remains subject to a positive FID and/or approval of funding for pre-FID work and contemplates that the Partnership will enter into definitive service orders as specific requirements are fully defined.

07:17 EDT Bed Bath & Beyond generated over $750M in cash flow in Q2 - During the fiscal 2020 second quarter, the company generated cash flow of over $750M including operational earnings and working capital, net of capital investments; reduced its gross debt by approximately $500M or 30% through a bond tender offer and repayment of a bank loan; and further enhanced its liquidity position by approximately $400M to approximately $2.2B through strong cash generation and a new $850M secured asset-based lending facility.

07:14 EDT Corvus Gold announces results from drill program at Mother Lode project - Corvus Gold announces it has received additional results from its current drill program at the Mother Lode project with a successful expansion of the new Central Intrusive Zone "CIZ" and Upper Oxide targets. These latest results continue to define the shape and continuity of the gold mineralization in these important mineral resource expansion areas of the Mother Lode deposit. Key intercepts include ML20-163, with 73.2m @ 1.92 g/t Au, ML20-144CT with 44.9m @ 1.67 g/t Au, ML20-150CT with 43.8m @ 2.60 g/t Au, ML20-152CT with 63.4m @ 2.01 g/t Au and ML20-154CT with 24.8m @ 2.47 g/t Au which demonstrates good vertical continuity with the initial CIZ discover hole ML19-123CT. The CIZ target along with Corvus Gold's new Lynnda Strip discovery is the focus of its mineral resource expansion drill program over the next several months. CIZ results confirm the direct association of gold mineralization with the north trending intrusive dike swarm as postulated earlier. These latest results indicate this is a broad zone of gold mineralization that varies in width along strike, and remains open at depth. The dominantly oxide nature of the zone to a depth of approximately 600 metres is positive for driving the pit to capture most of the currently defined mineralization. Preliminary cyanide leach results from hole ML19-123CT show the CIZ oxide mineralization appears to have a high gold recovery averaging above 90%, which Corvus believes indicates good heap leach potential. In addition, hole ML20-137CT towards the north end of the projected CIZ zone encountered an unexpected high-grade silver interval including a 46 g/t sample. Corvus believes that this could be an indication of a hotter, potentially more productive part of the system that requires follow-up drilling. Drilling at the CIZ target continues to determine the development of higher-grade shoots within this new and expanding deposit at depth. Metallurgical testing of the CIZ has begun to better characterize its processing potential for its future addition to the Mother Lode mine plan. Results from the Central Main Zone sulfide body continue to infill the resource model with higher-grade intercepts, which are expected to improve the grade and size of the mineral resource as well as its confidence level. These new core-drilling intercepts through the Main Zone have consistently come in at higher grades than the earlier reverse circulation drill holes. This positive variance may be reflecting a better sample that more effectively tests the zone. Hole ML20-163 evaluated the southern extension of CIZ and the Main zone below the historic Mother Lode pit with continued encouraging results. In addition, the core drilling is defining a number of unique breccia zones at the top of the CIZ dike swarm that cut the Central Main Zone and are associated with higher-grade gold mineralization. These unique heterolithic breccias appear to be diatreme type or associated with explosive activity above the tops of the intrusive dikes and are a good sign of a dynamic and large gold system. Additional intersections into the Upper Oxide Zone are defining a sizable body of low-grade heap leach mineralization that will be beneficial to the mining of the deeper, higher-grade deposit at Mother Lode. This zone of mineralization was previously classified as overburden, thus Corvus believes that the reclassification could add to the heap leach mineralization and potentially reduce the overall strip ratio.

07:11 EDT LiveXLive Media reports record quarterly increase in paid suscribers to 932K - LiveXLive Media reported year-to-date operational metrics, including: paid subscribers increased a record 55K in Q3 to a new record high of 932K; paid subscribers increased 157K in the past 12 months; over 50K Pay-Per-View tickets sold in 121 countries since LiveXLive's launch of PPV events in May, at an average ticket price of approximately $27, generating more than $1.35M in ticket sales to date in 2020. Over the past six months, LiveXLive livestreamed 74 events featuring 1,351 artists generating content which has been viewed over 83 million times, as compared to 19 events featuring 198 artists generating content which was viewed over 49 million times for the same period a year ago. LiveXLive's database of unique users reaches 38 million while its distribution network now reaches over 300 million people annually. Engagements within LiveXLive's social media channels garnered a double digit increase with total engagements up over 63% and average engagements per post up 122%. LiveXLive's owned content franchises, LiveZone, MusicLives ON and LiveXLive Presents, earned over 9.3 million views with over 144 artists over the last 6 months. PodcastOne's franchise of exclusive shows has grown to 234, while the total social media reach across the exclusive talent roster of PodcastOne exceeds 261 million. During COVID-19, LiveXLive has supported over 17 charities. LiveXLive's's employee headcount has grown to 117 from 78 one year ago.

07:10 EDT Cubic awarded SFMTA contract to deliver a customer information system - Cubic announced it was awarded a contract from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, or SFMTA, to deliver a next-generation customer information system, or CIS, for the San Francisco Municipal Railway public transportation network. Cubic will provide upgraded system software, multimedia LCD digital signs at bus shelters and railway platforms, on-board digital sign software, an updated mobile app with trip planning capabilities, as well as an analytics platform, all designed to optimize transit operations and enhance the travel experience for transit riders.

07:07 EDT XPO Logistics doubles app downloads to 200,000 - XPO Logistics announced that demand for its XPO Connect digital freight marketplace has reached two new global milestones - over 200,000 downloads of the Drive XPO mobile app and more than 65,000 carriers registered on the platform. The latest numbers represent a 100% increase in app downloads and a 63% increase in carrier registrations since January. The company entered the year with a cumulative 100,000 driver downloads and 40,000 registered carriers since the technology's 2018 launch.

07:07 EDT TransAlta,Tidewater Midstream to sell Pioneer pipeline to ATCO Gas & Pipeline - TransAlta and its partner Tidewater Midstream & Infrastructure have entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with ATCO Gas and Pipelines to sell the Pioneer Pipeline for a purchase price of C$255M. This agreement replaces the company's previous agreement to sell its interest in the Pioneer Pipeline to NOVA Gas Transmission. ATCO acquired the right to purchase the Pioneer Pipeline through an option agreement with NGTL. Following closing of the transaction, Pioneer will be integrated into NGTL's and ATCO's Alberta natural gas transmission systems to provide natural gas supply to the company's power generation stations at Sundance and Keephills. As part of this transaction, TransAlta has entered into additional long-term gas transportation agreements with NGTL for a total of new and existing transportation service of 400 TJ/day by 2023. TransAlta's current commitments, including the 139 TJ/day with Tidewater, remain in place until closing of the transaction. The transaction is anticipated to close by 2Q21.

07:07 EDT Nokia offers automated 4G/5G network slicing with RAN, transport, core domains - Nokia announced it is the first vendor to offer extreme automation of 4G and 5G network slicing across all network domains, including RAN, transport and core. The company introduces new network management, controller and orchestration capabilities to its solution, enabling mobile operators for the first time to rapidly deliver and assure network slicing services within minutes instead of hours or days. Nokia's new automation capabilities, which comply with the 3GPP and IETF slicing specifications, are an extension of its 4G/5G end-to-end network slicing solution announced in February and the slice orchestrator announced in June2. First deliveries are planned by the end of 2020. Slice automation enables operators to streamline operations, thereby reducing operational costs and meeting expectations for service velocity. Delivering slicing services quickly and efficiently requires operators to automate the life cycle management of slices in real time across different network domains. Automating the network slice creation and update becomes a key success factor for operators as the number of services, customers and slices continue to surge. Nokia's new slicing management solution consists of radio, transport and core domain controllers and assurance tools. Controllers support real-time slice operations and automation for the creation, modification and deletion of a large number of slices in their respective, multivendor domain. Operators can create different customer policies and group profiles for slices with different network performance, quality, routing and security capabilities. This enables them to provide new slicing services for small, medium or large enterprises, private wireless, Internet of Things, fixed wireless access, content and applications.

07:06 EDT Bed Bath & Beyond reports Q2 gross margin up 1,000 bps to 36.7% - Gross Margin Increased 1,000 bps to 36.7%; Adjusted Gross Margin Increased 200 bps to 35.9%, Driven by Favorable Product Mix, Including Lower Coupon Expense and Better Optimization of Promotion and Markdowns; and Leverage of Distribution and Fulfillment Costs; Partially Offset by Expected Digital Channel Mix.

07:05 EDT Bed Bath & Beyond reports Q2 comp sales growth from digital channels of 89%

07:04 EDT Emerson Electric acquires Progea Group - Emerson Electric announced it has completed the acquisition of the Progea Group, a provider of industrial internet of things, plant analytics, human machine interface and supervisory control and data acquisition technologies. The addition of Progea's capabilities in analytics, industrial visualization and IIoT will build upon Emerson's embedded software and control portfolio for manufacturing, infrastructure and building automation applications and enable customers to streamline comprehensive machine and plant control systems to a single partner. The company said is acquisition will help bridge a customer technology gap by lowering total cost of ownership and reducing the barriers that come with working across multiple vendors to drive more successful digital transformation and integration.

07:02 EDT Chiasma president, principal financial officer Mark Fitzpatrick to step down - Chiasma announced that Mark Fitzpatrick intends to step down as President and Principal Financial Officer. The company plans to initiate an executive search to identify Mr. Fitzpatrick's successor. To ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Fitzpatrick has agreed to remain in his current position until June 30, 2021 or the company's appointment of its next CFO, if earlier.

07:01 EDT Bed Bath & Beyond reports Q2 SSS up 6%

06:51 EDT Novartis announces new interim data from ongoing Phase 3 STR1VE-EU trial - Novartis Gene Therapies announced new interim data from the ongoing Phase 3 STR1VE-EU clinical trial for Zolgensma that demonstrated patients with spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, Type 1 continued to experience significant therapeutic benefit, including event-free survival, rapid and sustained improvement in motor function and motor milestone achievement, including for some patients with more aggressive disease at baseline compared to previous trials. These data as of December 31, 2019, and presented during a virtual Clinical Trial Poster Session as part of the World Muscle Society 2020 Virtual Congress, "support the robust clinical evidence that has demonstrated a consistent, transformative benefit across Zolgensma clinical trials for the treatment of patients with SMA," the company said. "These strong interim results from the STR1VE-EU clinical trial continue to demonstrate consistent and significant therapeutic benefit in patients with SMA Type 1, the most common form of the disease, adding to the robust body of clinical evidence for Zolgensma. With more than 600 patients now treated, including some more than five years post-treatment and more than five years old, these data further reinforce the transformative benefit a one-time dose of Zolgensma has on SMA patients," said Shephard Mpofu, M.D., SVP, Chief Medical Officer, Novartis Gene Therapies.

06:46 EDT Pfizer receives FDA Fast Track designation for PF-06939926 - Pfizer announced that its investigational gene therapy candidate (PF-06939926) being developed to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy received Fast Track designation from the U.S. FDA. PF-06939926 is currently being evaluated to determine the safety and efficacy of this gene therapy in boys with DMD.

06:41 EDT Quarterhill subsidiary enters patent license agreement with Intel - Quarterhill (QTRHF) subsidiary Wi-LAN announced a new patent license agreement with Intel (INTC) granting Intel certain patent rights for a multi-year term. The agreement also includes the settlement and dismissal of all litigation pending between WiLAN's Auriga Innovations, subsidiary and each of Intel, HP Inc (HPQ) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) currently pending before the United States District Court, Western District of Texas. The specific consideration payable under the Agreement and all other terms and conditions are confidential.

06:40 EDT PepsiCo sees NA snacks, foods businesses remaining 'resilient'

06:38 EDT NGL Energy Partners reports commissioning of Poker Lake Epress pipeline - NGL Energy Partners (NGL) has begun receiving produced water from ExxonMobil (XOM) subsidiary XTO Energy's Poker Lake Development in the Delaware Basin. These volumes represent full commissioning of NGL's 30-inch pipeline, Poker Lake Express, which has been constructed to transport volumes associated with its 18-year Poker Lake acreage dedication. This dedication includes first-call rights for produced water covering approximately 70,000 contiguous acres in Eddy County, NM. The Partnership is utilizing the new Poker Lake Express Pipeline, which has an initial capacity of over 350,000 barrels per day and connects into its integrated Delaware Basin produced water pipeline infrastructure network, to service this dedication and transport these volumes. The Partnership expects to expand its takeaway capacity with an additional pipeline as the Poker Lake Development progresses, ultimately increasing total takeaway capacity to over 700,000 barrels per day from this development.

06:34 EDT Cabot Microelectronics announces name change to CMC Materials - Cabot Microelectronics announces its name change and rebranding to CMC Materials, effective October 1. This comprehensive rebrand to CMC Materials includes a new visual identity and website. The company's stock ticker, CCMP, remains unchanged.

06:32 EDT Teleflex announces expanded indications for Arrow EZ-IO System - Teleflex has announced it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. FDA to expand the Indications for Use of the Arrow EZ-IO Intraosseous Vascular Access System. This device can be used when intravenous access is difficult or impossible to obtain in emergent, urgent, or medically necessary cases. The Arrow EZ-IO System is now available with the expanded indication stating use of the device may be extended for up to 48 hours when alternate intravenous access is not available or reliably established in adults, and in pediatric patients 12 years and older.

06:13 EDT Genworth, China Oceanwide announce update on merger agreement - Genworth and China Oceanwide announced that Oceanwide has reached a general agreement with Hony Capital on the key commercial terms and conditions of its $1.8B offshore financing plan to complete the acquisition of Genworth, and that Oceanwide has provided satisfactory information regarding its funding plan for the portion of the funds being sourced from Mainland China. However, it has not reached a final agreement with Hony Capital on all terms and conditions due to the logistical challenges presented by the global pandemic, including travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine requirements. These challenges have lengthened the time required for Oceanwide and Hony Capital to hold in-person discussions to finalize these terms and conditions. As a result of these delays, the parties also announced that they have agreed to a 16th waiver and agreement of each party's right to terminate their previously announced merger agreement. The 16th waiver extends the previous deadline of September 30 to no later than November 30. The duration of the extension was informed by both Oceanwide and Genworth's expectation of further delays due to continued required travel and quarantine restrictions in the near-term. It also takes into account the upcoming Chinese national holiday, Mid-Autumn Festival, which will take place from October 1 through October 8. Negotiations between Oceanwide and Hony Capital will resume following this holiday. Oceanwide has confirmed that Oceanwide's existing financing arrangement for debt funding of up to $1.8B through Hony Capital has been extended through December 31. The parties also agreed to an interim checkpoint on October 31, by which time Oceanwide needs to provide Genworth with satisfactory evidence that the necessary funding will be available to close the transaction by November 30. If Oceanwide does not deliver evidence satisfactory to Genworth by October 31, Genworth will have the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate the merger agreement on or after October 31.

06:10 EDT Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Genuity Science announce discovery and development pact - Genuity Science and Ionis Pharmaceuticals announced a broad, multi-year collaboration aimed at accelerating the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics across a range of up to 20 diseases. The collaboration is expected to play an important role in allowing Ionis to continue delivering transformational medicines to patients for many years to come. Genuity Science's approach combines whole-genome sequence and deep phenotype data resulting in better definition of the underlying disease mechanisms. This approach, when coupled with Ionis' proprietary antisense technology, has the potential to expedite the drug development process through a more direct translation of targets into therapeutics. Under terms of the multi-year collaboration, Genuity Science will receive a combination of upfront payments and development milestones, plus product royalties.

06:07 EDT CDC extends cruise ship No Sail order through October 31 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday the extension of a No Sail Order for cruise ships through October 31, 2020. This order continues to suspend passenger operations on cruise ships with the capacity to carry at least 250 passengers in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction. The CDC said: "Cumulative surveillance data reported to CDC from March 1 through September 29, 2020, shows at least 3,689 COVID-19 or COVID-like illness cases on cruise ships in U.S. waters, in addition to at least 41 reported deaths. We recognize these numbers are likely incomplete and an underestimate. ecent outbreaks on cruise ships overseas provide current evidence that cruise ship travel continues to transmit and amplify the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,-even when ships sail at reduced passenger capacities-and would likely spread the infection into U.S. communities if passenger operations were to resume prematurely in the United States."

06:05 EDT Itamar Medical: WatchPAT 300 HSAT device receives PMDA approval in Japan - Itamar Medical announced that its flagship WatchPAT 300 Home Sleep Apnea Testing device has been granted PMDA approval for use in the Japanese market, effective September 14. Japan represents the second largest potential patient market for Itamar Medical behind the U.S, where the company currently operates. The WatchPAT 300, an easy-to-use, non-invasive HSAT device, will be made available in Japan through Philips Japan Co., Itamar Medical's exclusive Japanese distributor since 2014.

06:03 EDT Maxar Technologies surpasses 200 customers using SecureWatch - Maxar Technologies announced it has surpassed 200 customers using SecureWatch, its cloud-based, geospatial subscription service. Contracted revenue for the product has roughly doubled in the past year.

05:49 EDT Dr. Reddy's launches Cinacalcet Tablets in the U.S. - Dr. Reddy's announced the launch of Cinacalcet Tablets, a therapeutic equivalent generic version of Sensipar Tablets, approved by the FDA. Dr. Reddy's Cinacalcet Tablets are available in 30 mg, 60 mg, and 90 mg tablets in a bottle count size of 30.

05:42 EDT Pluristem, ADSCC unveil potential COVID-19 treatment as first joint project - Pluristem and the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, or ADSCC, unveiled their first joint projects in a presentation at the Malta Conferences Foundation. Pluristem and ADSCC presented the new projects, part of the recently signed memorandum of understanding, or MOU, aimed at harnessing the power of regenerative medicine. The first joint project brings together the expertise and knowledge of Pluristem and ADSCC to advance a potential COVID-19 treatment. The project will involve the first-time administration of Pluristem's PLX cells via a nebulizer, a drug delivery device that helps a patient inhale a medication through a mask or mouthpiece, to COVID-19 patients. The collaboration will allow ADSCC to expand its stem cell therapy options using Pluristem's novel PLX cells, while enabling Pluristem to leverage ADSCC's nebulizer administration experience to develop a new treatment delivery model for PLX cells. ADSCC has reported effectively using nebulizers to treat patients suffering from COVID-19 infection with stem cells sourced from the patient's own blood. Further discussions for additional projects are underway, including for the potential collaboration in chronic Graft Versus Host Disease.

05:36 EDT Elbit Systems awarded $33M tactical radio contract from Asia-Pacific customer - Elbit Systems announced that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $33M to supply tactical radio systems to a customer in Asia-Pacific. The contract will be performed over a 12-month period. Under the contract, the company will equip the customer's Artillery and Infantry Forces with tactical radio systems including vehicular, man-packed and handheld configurations. The radio systems feature advanced networking capabilities enabling reliable and secure voice and data communication services over extended ranges. This contract award follows a recent decision by the customer to equip its Army with additional networked combat solutions from Elbit Systems, including E-LynX Software Defined Radios, or SDR, and TORCH-X Command and Control systems.

05:30 EDT SBM Offshore awarded contracts from Exxon Mobil subsidiary for Prosperity FPSO - SBM Offshore (SBFF) announced that Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, or EEPGL, an affiliate of Exxon Mobil (XOM), has confirmed the award of contracts for the next phase of the Payara development project located in the Stabroek block in Guyana. Under these contracts, SBM Offshore will construct, install and then lease and operate the Prosperity FPSO for a period of up to two years, after which the FPSO ownership and operation will transfer to EEPGL. The award follows completion of front-end engineering and design studies, completion of the multi-purpose hull, receipt of requisite government approvals and the final investment decision on the project by ExxonMobil and block co-venturers. The Payara development is the third development within the Stabroek block, circa 200 kilometers offshore Guyana. EEPGL is the operator and holds a 45% interest in the Stabroek block, Hess Guyana (HES) holds a 30% interest and Cnooc Petroleum Guyana (CEO) holds a 25% interest. The Prosperity FPSO will utilize a design that largely replicates the design of the Liza Unity FPSO. As such, the design is based on SBM Offshore's Fast4Ward program that incorporates the company's new build, multi-purpose hull combined with several standardized topsides modules. The FPSO will be designed to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day, will have associated gas treatment capacity of 400M cubic feet per day and water injection capacity of 250,000 barrels per day. The FPSO will be spread moored in water depth of about 1,900 meters and will be able to store around 2 million barrels of crude oil. As a result of the award from EEPGL, SBM Offshore also anticipates the award of contracts to Guyanese companies for work to be performed in Guyana. For example, the company is looking at executing scope for fabrication and coating of a portion of the light structural steel for the FPSO in Guyana, which would be a first for SBM Offshore in country. Additionally, SBM Offshore is preparing to recruit and employ Guyanese engineers into the Payara project team. Both activities are focused on development of Guyanese capacity, building on efforts to date for the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity FPSOs.

05:20 EDT TechnipFMC awarded subsea system contract from Exxon Mobil subsidiary - TechnipFMC (FTI) has been awarded a contract by Exxon Mobil (XOM) subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, or EEPGL, for the subsea system for the proposed Payara project. TechnipFMC will manufacture and deliver the subsea production system, including 41 enhanced vertical deep water trees and associated tooling, six flexible risers and ten manifolds along with associated controls and tie-in equipment. In support of this project, TechnipFMC will continue hiring and training Guyanese engineers. Payara is the second oil discovery in the Stabroek Block located approximately 120 miles offshore Guyana with water depths of 6,200 feet. ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana is the operator.

05:09 EDT Ibex CFO Richard Collin to depart role, Belinda Franco to succeed - Ibex announced that Belinda Franco has joined Ibex and will become director of finance and CFO. "Belinda brings a wealth of experience to the role and will be a valuable addition to the management team" said Paul Baehr, Ibex president and CEO. "Belinda will work with Richard Collin, our Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, during a transition period and will replace Richard after we complete our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020", added Baehr.