Stockwinners Market Radar for November 06, 2020 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

18:13 EST Eversource urges shareholders to reject mini-tender offer by TRC Capital - Eversource Energy announced that it has received notice of an unsolicited mini-tender offer by TRC Capital Corporation of Ontario, Canada to purchase up to 1.5 million Eversource Energy common shares at a price of $88.00 per share in cash. TRC Capital's offer price of $88.00 per share is approximately 4.54 percent lower than the $92.19 closing share price of Eversource Energy common shares on October 9, 2020 - the last trading day prior to the date of the offer. The offer is for approximately 0.44 percent of the Eversource Energy common shares outstanding as of the October 9, 2020 offer date. Eversource Energy does not endorse TRC Capital's unsolicited mini-tender offer and recommends that shareholders do not tender their shares in response to TRC Capital's offer because the offer is at a price below the current market price for Eversource Energy common shares and subject to numerous conditions. Eversource Energy is not affiliated or associated in any way with TRC Capital, its mini-tender offer or the offer documentation.

17:57 EST Microsoft CEO sells 104.5K shares of common stock - In a regulatory filing, Microsoft disclosed that its CEO Satya Nadella sold 104.5K shares of common stock on November 5th in a total transaction size of $23.25M. The holding represents about 7% of his total owned.

17:24 EST Lockheed Martin awarded up to $339.32M Army contract - Lockheed Martin was awarded an Other Transaction Authority agreement with a ceiling of $339.32M for the Mid-Range Capability. Work has an estimated completion date of December 31, 2023. FY20 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $57.96M were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office is the contracting activity.

17:03 EST Aptevo Therapeutics spikes 132% to $55.06 after disclosing stake by Tang Capital

16:59 EST Silver Lake discloses 15.6% stake Root Inc - Silver Lake Group disclosed a 15.6% stake in Root Inc as part of a 13D regulatory filing, which represents over 9.25M shares. The filing does allow for activism.

16:38 EST CSX's Goldman sells 12,000 common shares - In a regulatory filing, CSX EVP and chief legal officer Nathan D. Goldman disclosed the sale of 12,000 common shares of the company on November 5 at a price of $87.23 per share.

16:30 EST ManpowerGroup raises semi-annual dividend 7.3% to $1.17 per share - The board of directors of ManpowerGroup has declared a semi-annual dividend of $1.17 per share, a 7.3% increase from the most recent dividend of $1.09 per share paid in June 2020. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2020 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 1, 2020.

16:05 EST D.E. Shaw reports 5.0% passive stake in JinkoSolar - D.E. Shaw disclosed a 5.0% stake in JinkoSolar, which represents over 8.92M shares. The filing does not allow for activism.

15:35 EST Eisai down 19% as FDA panel votes on Alzheimer's drug candidate - On the question of whether Biogen's (BIIB) Study 302 provides strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of aducanumab for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, today's FDA panel voted one yes, eight no, and two uncertain. Biogen shares remain halted as the panel meeting continues. Shares of Eisai (ESALY) are down 18% to $84.52 in afternoon trading following news of the panel's vote. Biogen licensed aducanumab from Neurimmune under a collaborative development and license agreement. Since October 2017 Biogen and Eisai have collaborated on the development and commercialization of aducanumab globally.

15:21 EST FDA panel votes 8 to 1 against effectiveness of Biogen 302 study - On the question of whether Biogen's Study 302 provides strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of aducanumab for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, today's FDA panel voted one yes, eight no, and two uncertain.

15:19 EST JetBlue adds 25 added flights from New York area to support holiday demand - JetBlue announced it is expanding service from New York City over the peak Thanksgiving weekend, with additional nonstop flights from New York, Newark and Westchester County airports. "Additions include Florida destinations like Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando and Tampa, and more frequency in popular VFR markets like Port-au-Prince, San Juan, Santiago and Santo Domingo. Plus high-demand transcontinental routes to Los Angeles and San Francisco. These additional 25 flights will operate between November 20th and November 30th, as part of JetBlue's strategy to add capacity in routes with strong potential for leisure and VFR demand," the company said. "As we head toward the holidays, we're seeing signs of strong demand in certain markets. To help get more customers to their destinations and capture more revenue during this important time of year, we are adding additional flights over Thanksgiving weekend," added Scott Laurence, head of revenue and planning at JetBlue.

14:51 EST AmerisourceBergen reaches agreement with CDC over pharmacy vaccine access - AmerisourceBergen said it has reached an agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to include Good Neighbor Pharmacy and Elevate Provider Network members in the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Strategy for COVID-19 Vaccination. AmerisourceBergen will serve as a network administrator and place orders with the CDC on behalf of Good Neighbor Pharmacy and Elevate Provider Network members. AmerisourceBergen will receive a direct allocation of COVID-19 vaccine for independent retail pharmacy customers once there is adequate supply of COVID-19 vaccine to support broader inoculation efforts and vaccination is recommended for individuals beyond the initial critical populations, the company said in a statement. COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed by the CDC's central distributor.

14:41 EST Haverty Furniture trading resumes

14:21 EST Havertys increases quarterly cash dividend to 22c per common stock share - Havertys announced that its board of directors approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to 22c per share on the common stock and 20c per share on the Class A common stock. Havertys also announced that its board of directors authorized a special cash dividend to be paid on the outstanding shares of the two classes of $1 par value common stock of the company at a rate of $2.00 per share on the common stock and $1.90 per share on the Class A common stock. The special cash dividend and regular quarterly dividend will be paid together on December 9 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 23.

14:19 EST Ligand says partner Sedor receives FDA approval for Sesquient - Ligand Pharmaceuticals announced that its partner Sedor Pharmaceuticals has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Sesquient, a Captisol-enabled fosphenytoin for the treatment of status epilepticus in adult and pediatric patients. Sesquient is the only FDA-approved fosphenytoin that allows point-of-care storage, as well as administration in emergency rooms, intensive care units, first responder vehicles and long-term care facilities, the company said. "We are pleased to see Sedor's progress with Sesquient and today's FDA approval for another Captisol-based medicine," said John Higgins, CEO Ligand Pharmaceuticals. "Our partners at Sedor are a dedicated and determined team that has taken Ligand's promising initial product concept and advanced it to a first regulatory success. Like many other drugs, Captisol plays an important role in the formulation of this drug for IV administration to patients undergoing status epilepticus seizures. This has been an extraordinary year of clinical, regulatory and financial achievements for our Captisol business, and we are proud to see another product advance successfully through the FDA process."

14:15 EST Haverty Furniture trading halted, news pending

13:33 EST Take-Two confirms cash and stock proposal to acquire Codemasters - Take-Two Interactive Software confirmed an announcement made by the board of Codemasters that the company has made a proposal to acquire the entire issued share capital of U.K.-based game publisher and developer, Codemasters, at a price of 485 pence per share, comprising 120 pence per share in cash and 365 pence per share payable in Take-Two stock. The possible offer remains conditional on, among other things, the completion of confirmatory due diligence and the recommendation of the board of Codemasters, Take-Two said in a statement. Take-Two believes that the combination "would bring together two world-class interactive entertainment portfolios, with a highly complementary fit between Take-Two's 2K publishing label and Codemasters in the racing genre. In addition, Take-Two believes that it can bring benefits to Codemasters' performance by leveraging Take-Two's global distribution network and 2K's core operating expertise in publishing, including live operations, analytics, product development, and brand and performance marketing." In accordance with the U.K. takeover laws, Take-Two is required, by not later than 12:00 p.m. ET on December 4, either to announce a firm intention to make an offer for Codemasters or announce that it does not intend to make an offer, "While discussions are ongoing, there can be no certainty that a firm offer will be made for Codemasters by Take-Two," it added.

13:08 EST Baker Hughes reports U.S. rig count up 4 to 300 rigs - Baker Hughes reports that the U.S. rig count is up 4 from last week to 300 with oil rigs up 5 to 226, gas rigs down 1 to 71, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 3. The U.S. Rig Count is down 517 rigs from last year's count of 817, with oil rigs down 458, gas rigs down 59 and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 3. The U.S. Offshore Rig Count is down 1 to 12, down 11 year-over-year. The Canada Rig Count is unchanged from last week at 86, with oil rigs down 3 to 37, gas rigs up 3 to 49. The Canada Rig Count is down 54 rigs from last year's count of 140, with oil rigs down 60, gas rigs up 6.

13:01 EST Schmitt Industries appoints Philip Bosco as CFO - Schmitt Industries announced the appointment of Philip Bosco as CFO of the Company, effective December 1, 2020. Prior to joining Schmitt, Bosco served as CFO of Americas for Intega Group Limited.

12:00 EST Alteryx falls -17.3% - Alteryx is down -17.3%, or -$25.01 to $119.66.

12:00 EST Quotient Technology falls -19.3% - Quotient Technology is down -19.3%, or -$1.83 to $7.67.

12:00 EST Modine Manufacturing rises 44.6% - Modine Manufacturing is up 44.6%, or $3.29 to $10.67.

11:43 EST Homology Medicines announces presentation of data from pheNIX gene therapy trial - Homology Medicines announced the presentation of positive data from the dose-escalation portion of the Phase 1/2 gene therapy pheNIX clinical trial for adults with phenylketonuria. The results showed that product candidate HMI-102 was generally well-tolerated, and resulted in marked reductions in phenylalanine and the Phe-to-tyrosine ratio at two doses. Phe is a registrable endpoint in PKU, and the Phe/Tyr ratio is a clinically relevant diagnostic measurement for PKU. With these positive results, Homology is progressing to the randomized, concurrently controlled expansion phase of the trial, which has the potential to be converted to a registrational trial. The data were presented in an oral presentation by Olaf Bodamer, M.D., Ph.D., FACMG, FAAP, Park Gerald Chair in Genetics & Genomics and Associate Chief of Genetics & Genomics at Boston Children's Hospital, and principal investigator of the pheNIX trial, during the New England Consortium of Metabolic Programs annual meeting, which is focused on new research in metabolic disorders. NECMP includes metabolic clinics, healthcare providers, patient organizations and others dedicated to increasing knowledge of metabolic disorders and improving delivery of healthcare to patients. As of the data cutoff date of October 19, 2020, six patients in the dose-escalation phase of the pheNIX trial had received gene therapy product candidate HMI-102 across three dose cohorts. Cohorts included males and females, with an age range of 21-49 and time in study ranging from 13 weeks to 52 weeks.

11:26 EST Codemasters confirms talks with Take-Two about 485p per share possible bid - Codemasters issued the following statement regarding recent media speculation: "Further to the recent media speculation, the Board of Codemasters confirms that it is in discussions with Take-Two Interactive Software regarding a possible offer for the company. The Board of Codemasters has received a non-binding proposal from Take-Two Interactive Software to acquire the entire issued share capital of Codemasters at a price of 485 pence per share, comprising 120 pence per share in cash and 365 pence per share payable in Take-Two Interactive shares. The possible offer remains conditional on, amongst other things, the completion of confirmatory due diligence by Take-Two Interactive and the recommendation of the Board of Codemasters. Take-Two Interactive reserves the right to waive any of these requirements. Having considered the possible offer carefully together with its advisers, the Board of Codemasters confirms that should Take-Two Interactive or an entity controlled by Take-Two Interactive announce a firm intention to make an offer pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers on these terms, it is the current intention of the Board of Codemasters to recommend unanimously that Codemasters' shareholders accept the possible offer. A further announcement will be made as and when appropriate. Codemasters will be announcing its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2020 on 23 November 2020. This announcement has been made with the prior consent of Take-Two Interactive. Whilst discussions are ongoing, there can be no certainty that a firm offer will be made for Codemasters by Take-Two Interactive."

11:18 EST Walmart to sell Argentina business to Grupo de Narvaez, terms not disclosed - Walmart has agreed to sell its business in Argentina to Grupo de Narvaez, a Latin American group. The new ownership, which has retail operations in Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay, brings strong local expertise that will position the business to thrive, the company said. Judith McKenna, President and Chief Executive Officer of Walmart International, said, "We are very proud of our Argentina business and associates as they've led and shown resilience throughout this year serving customers when they needed them most. We are excited by the local retail expertise the new owners bring to this already strong business, and we believe this deal creates the right structure to help it truly flourish for many years." Walmart will continue to support the business through transition services and sourcing agreements under the new ownership, however, it will not retain an equity stake. Reference Link

10:48 EST Anavex reports additional details on Phase 2 Parkinson's disease dementia trial - Anavex Life Sciences announced additional details on and presented the results from the proof of concept Phase 2 controlled trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of ANAVEX 2-73 in patients with Parkinson's disease dementia, or PDD, at the 13th international conference on Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease, an annual conference focused on Alzheimer's research and development and that takes place this year as a virtual event on November 4-7. The study found that ANAVEX 2-73 was well tolerated in oral doses up to 50 mg once daily. "The results showed clinically meaningful, dose-dependent, and statistically significant improvements in the Cognitive Drug Research computerized assessment system analysis. The study validated the precision medicine approach of targeting SIGMAR1 as a genetic biomarker of response to ANAVEX 2-73, confirming that ANAVEX 2-73 acts through SIGMAR1 activation. These results support continued development in PDD / PD as well as the currently ongoing Phase 2 and Phase 2/3 clinical studies with ANAVEX 2-73 in Rett syndrome and Alzheimer's disease," the company said.

10:27 EST Turkcell trading halted, news pending

10:17 EST Groupon taking a global approach to marketing campaigns for holidays - Comments taken from Q3 earnings conference call.

10:00 EST Maxar Technologies falls -14.8% - Maxar Technologies is down -14.8%, or -$4.22 to $24.35.

10:00 EST Cooper-Standard rises 20.8% - Cooper-Standard is up 20.8%, or $4.17 to $24.20.

10:00 EST Aurora Cannabis rises 45.3% - Aurora Cannabis is up 45.3%, or $2.84 to $9.11.

09:47 EST Elanco falls -15.3% - Elanco is down -15.3%, or -$4.97 to $27.61.

09:47 EST Coty rises 18.0% - Coty is up 18.0%, or 60c to $3.94.

09:47 EST Aurora Cannabis rises 37.0% - Aurora Cannabis is up 37.0%, or $2.32 to $8.59.

09:18 EST T-Mobile offers Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, mini - T-Mobile (TMUS) and Metro by T-Mobile will offer Apple's (AAPL) iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini starting immediately. Both models support 5G experience tapping into all three layers of T-Mobile's 5G network. The iPhone 12 Pro Max provides a reimagined pro camera and the largest display with the highest resolution ever on an iPhone, as well as the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini, which packs the advanced technology of iPhone 12 into a compact size, while delivering an edge-to-edge display. The iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini will be available for pre-order at T-Mobile starting now, with availability at T-Mobile and Metro on November 13.

09:17 EST CVS Health says 'Medicaid is an important business for us' - Says looking to grow Medicaid business. Expects to end 2020 with about 600 health hubs. Expects to have "at least" 1,300 health hubs by end of 2021.

09:07 EST Sun Communities says Jellystone Park Q3 sales up 21.8% - Same-park sales at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts soared 21.8% during the third quarter as locked-down families ventured outdoors. Even with most campground openings delayed by the COVID pandemic, year-to-date same-park sales were up 3.7% over 2019. The brand's third quarter performance, which includes a nearly 50% increase in cabin rentals and a nearly 30% jump in merchandise sales over last year, is continuing to attract real estate investors. Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI) recently acquired the Jellystone Park location in Waller, Texas, northwest of Houston. It is now part of a joint venture with Northgate Resorts, which is operating it. Sun and Northgate now have 10 Jellystone Park campgrounds in their portfolio. The companies each separately own several other Jellystone Park properties. Galveston, Texas developer Jerry LeBlanc is also among those contributing to the Jellystone Park system's expansion. He recently signed a development agreement to build a new Jellystone Park location in Bronson, Texas, located midway between Houston and Shreveport, Louisiana. Plans for the park are being developed now. It is expected to open in 2022. This year Northgate Resorts added two New Hampshire Jellystone Park locations to its portfolio while real estate investment firm RER Ventures joined the Jellystone Park system with its acquisition and conversion of an independent campground in North Port Huron, Michigan. Jellystone Park has development agreements in place for seven new parks. To assist franchisees with conversions and new projects, Leisure Systems established a partnership with Environmental Design Group, which specializes in campground design and construction.

09:05 EST CF Finance Acquisition Corp., GCM Grosvenor approved for combination - CF Finance Acquisition Corp. and GCM Grosvenor announced that they have received all required approvals for their previously announced business combination. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of CFAC and was approved at a special meeting of CFAC shareholders on November 3. The closing of the transaction is anticipated to occur on Tuesday, November 17, subject to customary closing conditions. GCM Grosvenor's Class A common stock is expected to be listed on the NASDAQ exchange following the closing of the transaction under the ticker "GCMG." Upon the completion of the transaction, GCM Grosvenor management will own in excess of 78% of the equity interests of the post-transaction company. The cash held in CFAC's trust account, together with the $195M in PIPE proceeds and $30M investment from Cantor Fitzgerald, will be used to pay cash consideration to GCM Grosvenor's current investors, including Hellman and Friedman, pay transaction expenses, reduce GCM Grosvenor's existing indebtedness, and fund GCM Grosvenor's future growth.

08:49 EST Curaleaf announces asset divestitures in Maryland to TerrAscend for $31.5M - Curaleaf Holdings (CURLF) announced a pair of planned asset divestitures in Maryland for a combined $31.5M in total proceeds: Curaleaf signed a definitive agreement to sell its rights to the HMS Health and HMS Processing assets in Maryland to TerrAscend (TRSSF) for a total consideration of $27.5M. The HMS asset sale includes the divestiture of operations in a 22,000 square foot co-located cultivation and processing facility in Frederick, MD. The total consideration due to Curaleaf of $27.5M includes $25M in cash due at closing as well as a $2.5M interest bearing Note due and payable to Curaleaf on April 30, 2022. The transaction is expected to close pending customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval by the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. The completion of the HMS transaction will allow Curaleaf to move forward, subject to regulatory approval, with its proposed acquisition of Maryland Compassionate Care and Wellness, which operates a 55,000 square foot co-located cultivation and processing facility in Taneytown, MD and a dispensary in Gaithersburg, MD under the Herbology brand. Curaleaf closed its sale of Curaleaf Maryland, which holds a processing license in Cumberland, MD, for a total consideration of $4.0M. This divestiture closed on November 1.

08:47 EST Marriott: Many rooms that don't open in 2020 will open in 2021 - The company said that many of the rooms that don't open in 2020 due to COVID are expected to open in 2021. Marriott added that given the current fluid environment, there is more uncertainty than usual on the opening dates for many hotels nearing completion.

08:41 EST Marriott: Demand plateauing seen at end of Q3 continuing in first weeks of Q4

08:40 EST Aeterna Zentaris expects cash to be sufficient through 2023 - As of September 30, 2020 the Company had approximately $21.7 million cash and cash equivalents. Based on current expectations, management believes it has sufficient capital to fund its current operations through 2023.

08:37 EST Equillium announces interim data of itolizumab in aGVHD - Equillium announced positive interim data from the third cohort of the Phase 1b open label, dose escalation study of itolizumab in the first-line treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease. The EQUATE trial is evaluating itolizumab in severe aGVHD patients concomitant with standard of care, which is typically comprised of high dose corticosteroids, as no other therapeutics are currently approved for this indication. Equillium anticipates reporting topline data across all cohorts from the Phase 1b portion of the EQUATE trial during the first half of 2021 and is accelerating plans for further development of itolizumab in graft-versus-host disease. In the EQUATE trial, the overall response rate across the first three dose cohorts was 80%, and seven of eight patients responding achieved a complete response and one patient achieved a very good partial response by Day 29. Responses observed have been rapid, with most patients achieving a CR within the first 15 days, and durable as patients in the first two cohorts have maintained responses through Day 57. To date, adverse events reported with the EQUATE trial have been consistent with the safety profile previously reported for itolizumab and those common in the aGVHD patient population. In review of the totality of safety, efficacy and pharmacodynamic data, the independent data monitoring committee has recommended to expand cohort 3 and proceed forward with enrollment. Equillium has received fast track designation from the FDA for the treatment of itolizumab in patients with aGVHD and orphan drug designations from the FDA for both the prevention and treatment of aGVHD. Equillium plans to provide additional updates on the program at its upcoming analyst day on December 4, 2020.

08:34 EST Marriott: 94% of hotels now open worldwide

08:34 EST Marriott: COVID-19 still significantly impacting business - Comments taken from Q3 earnings conference call.

08:31 EST BOQI International Medical forms subsidiary BOYI Technology - BOQI International Medical provided an update on the development of an eProcurement platform, supply-chain-management software and telemedicine software for the healthcare industry by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dalian BOYI Technology Co. As initially disclosed on February 21, 2020, BOYI Technology was established to develop and market software for the healthcare industry including, an eProcurement platform, supply-chain-management software, telemedicine software and chronic care management systems. To align with BIMI's plans for the future including its proposed online to offline business model, BOYI Technology has revised its strategy. Going forward, BOYI Technology intends to merge a chronic care management module into telemedicine software. In addition, BOYI Technology plans to develop solutions for hospitals and other healthcare institutions that will integrate and utilize both online and offline resources.

08:14 EST Harsco finalizes contract to renew engagement with Gerdau - Harsco Corporation announced that its Environmental division has successfully renewed a multi-year services contract with Gerdau. The renewal marks the third consecutive contract extension since 1998, when Harsco began working at Gerdau's Midlothian site. Under this seven-year contract, Harsco will continue to provide Gerdau's Midlothian site with slag management and scrap processing services, which includes transforming slag into innovative second-use products, overseeing all aspects of optimizing service cost and reducing the environmental impact of leftover material, and more. The formal renewal began Oct. 1, 2020.

08:10 EST Atea Pharmaceuticals appoints Barbara Duncan to board of directors - Atea Pharmaceuticals (AVIR) announced the appointment of Barbara Duncan to its Board of Directors, where she will also serve as Chair of the Audit Committee. Duncan previously served as CFO and Treasurer at Intercept Pharmaceuticals (ICPT).

08:06 EST Lipocine provides regulatory update on NDA for Tlando - Lipocine has been informed by the FDA that it is working towards taking action on the Tlando New Drug Application on or about the week of November 30. However, the company cannot assure that the FDA will act in that time frame. Tlando is the company's oral testosterone product candidate for testosterone replacement therapy in adult males for conditions associated with a deficiency of endogenous testosterone, also known as hypogonadism.

08:02 EST Novo Nordisk to acquire Emisphere Technologies for $1.35B - Emisphere Technologies (EMIS) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Novo Nordisk (NVO), whereby Novo Nordisk will acquire Emisphere, on a cash-free, debt-free basis, for $1.35B in cash. The consideration to be paid per share will depend on the amount of cash and debt at closing, but the Company currently estimates it to be approximately $7.82 per share based on approximately 170.9 million fully diluted shares outstanding. This price represents a premium of approximately 17% over the volume-weighted average Emisphere share price for the five trading days ending on November 5, 2020. Novo Nordisk and Emisphere have collaborated since 2007, on Emisphere's proprietary drug delivery technology Eligen, which facilitates the enhanced oral absorption of molecules without altering their chemical form, biological integrity or pharmacological properties. Novo Nordisk is currently utilizing Emisphere's carrier technology under an existing license agreement in its oral formulation of a GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide, which is marketed and sold under the brand name Rybelsus. Contemporaneously with this agreement, Novo Nordisk entered into an agreement to acquire the related royalty stream obligations owed to affiliates of MHR Fund Management for $450M. The acquisition of this royalty stream and the merger with Emisphere will occur simultaneously. The Board of Directors of Emisphere approved the merger, upon the unanimous recommendation of a Special Committee consisting entirely of independent and disinterested Emisphere directors. MHR and the directors of Emisphere have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the transaction. The merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Emisphere stockholders and the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

07:47 EST Viela Bio announces final data from VIB7734 trial at ACR20 - Viela Bio announced the final data from its Phase 1b trial of VIB7734 in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). VIB7734 is a monoclonal antibody that targets plasmacytoid dendritic cells, or pDC, a cell type thought to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of lupus and other autoimmune diseases. In this trial, treatment with VIB7734 was shown to potently deplete pDC, both in blood and in CLE skin lesions. Most patients experienced a clinically significant reduction in the extent and severity of skin lesions following treatment with VIB7734. Rates of adverse events were similar between VIB7734 and placebo groups. This trial was selected for an oral presentation during the American College of Rheumatology Convergence, or ACR20, from November 5-9. This Phase 1b clinical study enrolled three cohorts and was designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of VIB7734 when given by three monthly subcutaneous doses at escalating dose levels. Cohort 1 enrolled patients with several autoimmune diseases thought to be driven by pDCs. Cohorts 2 and 3 enrolled active CLE patients with a CLASI-A greater than or equal to 8. In cohorts 2 and 3, skin biopsies were taken before treatment and at Month 3 to enumerate pDCs and measure interferon mediated gene expression. A clinical disease activity score, or CLASI-A, was also periodically measured in cohorts 2 and 3. The study enrolled a total of 31 patients. Reductions in circulating pDCs were evident at week 1 and persisted throughout the 3-month treatment period; The median percent change in the peripheral blood IFN signature score at month 3 was -54% in the VIB7734 50 mg group, -83% in the VIB7734 150 mg group, and +8% in the placebo group; In post-treatment skin punch biopsies obtained after 3 months, the median percent change in pDC density was -87% for the 50 mg group, -99% for the 150 mg group, and -14% for the placebo group; At month 3, a greater than or equal to50% improvement in CLASI-A was observed in 75% of patients in the 150 mg group compared to 29% in the placebo group. Overall, 75% of subjects treated with the 150 mg dose of VIB7734 also achieved a 7-point or greater reduction in CLASI-A score at Month 3, compared to 14.3% of subjects in the placebo group. No serious adverse events occurred in VIB7734-treated subjects. The proportion of subjects with adverse event was similar in the combined VIB7734 and placebo groups.

07:42 EST Inventiva CMO Marie-Paule Richard to retire, Michael Cooreman to succeed - Inventiva announced the appointment of Michael Cooreman as CMO. He joins Inventiva's executive committee and succeeds Marie-Paule Richard, who has decided to take her retirement as of December 17. Michael Cooreman will oversee the company's medical and clinical activities and lead its medical development team, in particular with a view to the planned pivotal Phase III clinical trial evaluating Inventiva's lead drug candidate lanifibranor for the treatment of NASH. Cooreman joins Inventiva from Ferring Pharmaceuticals where he has been VP, science and medicine, in charge of global research and development, gastroenterology and hepatology, since 2017.

07:39 EST Aleafia Health reports Port Perry Facility's outdoor cannabis harvest results - Aleafia Health reports its Port Perry Facility's preliminary outdoor cannabis harvest results, where 50,000 plants have yielded approximately 31,200 kgs of dried cannabis flower at a cash cost per gram to harvest of $0.10. Expansion of Adult-use Dried Flower Portfolio: 7,200 kgs of THC-dominant dried flower was harvested, of which a significant portion is now allocated for sale into the adult-use market. The Company will release an enhanced dried flower portfolio, including a pre-roll line with SKUs featuring different potencies, sizes and price points, tailored to key consumer segments. In contrast, the 2019 outdoor crop did not include any THC-dominant cultivars. Input Material for New CBD Wellness Line: Additionally, 24,000 kgs of CBD-dominant dried flower was harvested, which will be used as inputs in the Company's 2021 CBD wellness line of new formats, and in wholesale transactions. $0.10 Cash Cost per Gram: The Company's low cost cultivation advantage is solidified with a $0.10 cost per gram to harvest, which comprises all operating expenses including labour, consumables, services and staff overhead. Testing Results: Preliminary test results indicate that cannabinoid content is again comparable to the results of identical cultivars grown indoor. While these results are extremely encouraging, the Company cautions that, as with last year, potency and quality control tests for the entire crop will not be completed for another two to three weeks. All figures are approximations as drying and weighing for the final 15 per cent of the harvested crop will be completed throughout November. Preparation for the 2021 outdoor cultivation season is already underway, with a number of optimizations enacted to further improve results: Infrastructure Entirely Complete: In 2020, an additional 30,000 sq. ft. of Health Canada-licensed support buildings were completed. Used for drying, storage and propagation, they bring the licensed support infrastructure to 35,000 sq. ft. Underground irrigation was installed throughout the entire 86 acre cultivation area, including a centralized Irrigation Facility, which delivers custom feeds to various zones dependent on cultivar type. Automation was also introduced to add efficiencies to the planting and harvesting processes. No further significant capital improvement will be required in 2021, and the infrastructure in place is built to propagate, irrigate, harvest and dry 86,000 cannabis plants and up to 100,000 kgs. The earlier start should result in a significant improvement in yield per plant, compared to 2020. Covid-19 related delays in municipal building permit authorizations led to the installation of in-ground irrigation and nutrient lines for the newly licensed Phase II expansion not being completed until July. Concurrently, a heat wave prevented planting until all irrigation was in place. Clone Propagation on-site: This year, the Niagara Greenhouse Facility was used as a staging ground to prepare the outdoor crop. Next year, all propagation activities will be conducted in the 35,000 sq. ft. support buildings on-site at Port Perry. This will allow for pre-vegetation to occur during the winter months, leading to the plants entering the ground significantly earlier and at a more mature stage. Additionally, this allows the Niagara greenhouse facility's perpetual harvest production schedule to continue uninterrupted. R&D Genetics Program: Approximately 40 new genetics were planted at Port Perry this year in a separate research and development zone. Testing to determine which genetics are best suited for outdoor cultivation is underway with several promising candidates expected to be included in the 2021 crop.

07:37 EST Medigus says Eventer announces soft launch of event platform in U.S. - Medigus announced that it was informed by Eventer Technologies Ltd., Medigus' subsidiary, that it soft launched its event platform in the U.S. The event was a virtual event celebrating the book launch of The Influencer Code by Amanda Russell. The event was hosted by The Andy Roddick Foundation, which was established by the legendary American tennis player. Eventer oversaw registration and production of the unique private event. Eventer develops unique tools for automatic creation, managing, promoting and billing of events and ticketing sales. With the growing demand for online enterprise and private communication over the last year, Eventer's systems offer and enable advanced user-friendly solutions for online events, rather than solely offline venues, such as online concerts, enterprise events and online conferences. In addition, Eventer's platform provides individuals with the ability to create and sell tickets to custom small-scale private or public events.

07:30 EST Seres Therapeutics doses first patient in SER-301 trial - Seres Therapeutics announced that it has dosed the first patient in its Phase 1b trial evaluating SER-301 for the treatment of active mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis, or UC. SER-301 is an oral, rationally-designed microbiome therapeutic designed to dampen the aberrant gastrointestinal inflammation central to ulcerative colitis and induce clinical remission in patients suffering from active UC. SER-301 is designed to modify the gastrointestinal microbiome and microbe-associated metabolites to modulate multiple pathways associated with ulcerative colitis. SER-301 is a consortium of bacteria designed using Seres' reverse translational discovery platform that incorporates analysis of microbiome biomarkers from human clinical data and preclinical assessments using human cell-based assays and in vitro and in vivo disease models. SER-301 is designed to reduce induction of pro-inflammatory activity, improve epithelial barrier integrity and TNF driven inflammation in intestinal epithelial cells, and modulate UC-relevant anti-inflammatory, innate and adaptive immune pathways. The design of SER-301 incorporated learnings obtained through the Company's prior SER-287 Phase 1b clinical study conducted in patients with ulcerative colitis. SER-287 Phase 1b study results demonstrated favorable pharmacodynamic changes, signals of clinical activity, and a favorable safety profile. SER-301 was developed with innovative and novel manufacturing methods that do not require human donor material. It includes strains delivered in spore form and strains fermented in non-spore form. The product candidate is delivered using enterically-protected technology designed to release in the colon. GMP manufacturing technologies developed through the SER-301 program broaden the breadth of biology that can be incorporated into Seres' microbiome therapeutics.

07:28 EST Sanuwave Health announces patent grants for shockwave technology - SANUWAVE Health announced that the Company has significantly strengthened its intellectual patent portfolio with the grants of a number of patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the dermaPACE System that further protect its unique and innovative shockwave technology in wound care. In addition, the Company was also granted a patent related to the dermaPACE System from IP Australia. The following new patents related to the dermaPACE System have recently been granted to SANUWAVE Health: U.S. Patent 10,769,249, which is titled, "Distributor Product Programming System." This U.S. patent covers a system for controlling and monitoring service activities by authorized SANUWAVE distributors from around the world at their facilities. This is a license-based and remotely operated process that is already used in South Korea, Italy, and will be used in Brazil, for their local applicator refurbishment business. The patent has 20 claims and will expire on February 24, 2038. U.S. Patent 10,569,106, which is titled, "Tissue Disinfection with Acoustic Pressure Shock Waves." This U.S. patent covers the medical systems that can be used for infection treatments for a protruding appendage of a human or animal body affected by harmful pathogens as bacteria, viruses, funguses and other micro-organisms. This patent is specifically related to treat an infected toe, finger, tail, nose, or a bovine, ovine and caprine teat or udder, to eliminate infection and its deleterious effects. The patent has 19 claims and will expire September 28, 2038. Australian Patent 2016250668, which is titled, "Tissue Disinfection with Acoustic Pressure Shock Waves." This Australian patent covers the medical systems used to perform infection treatments for a protruding appendage of a human or animal body affected by harmful pathogens as bacteria, viruses, funguses and other micro-organisms. The medical systems covered by this patent could treat an infected toe, finger, tail, or nose. Furthermore, the treatments can be applied specifically for bovine, ovine and caprine teat or udder infections related to mastitis. The patent has 20 claims and will expire April 22, 2036. The following new patents related to other applications for the Company's shockwave technology have recently been also granted to SANUWAVE Health: U.S. Patent 10,639,051, which is titled, "Occlusion and Clot Treatment with Intracorporeal Pressure Shock Waves." This U.S. patent covers the devices that can be used for the treatment with our technology of possible occlusions and blood clots for blood vessels. This is an intracorporeal approach using a catheter-based system, which has at its distal end shockwave elements able to direct their energy towards vessel occlusions or blood clots. The patent has 20 claims and will expire September 29, 2031. U.S. Patent 10,562,793, which is titled, "Systems and Methods for Separating Heavy Water from Normal Water Using Acoustic Pressure Shock Waves." This U.S. patent covers the systems and methods used to separate heavy water from normal water for nuclear power plants, which is necessary for normal nuclear plants processing or for decontamination after nuclear accidents, as the one from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant from Japan. The patent has 20 claims and will expire August 8, 2036.

07:26 EST Renalytix AI appoints Investec Bank as joint corporate broker - Renalytix AI announces the appointment of Investec Bank plc as joint corporate broker, with immediate effect to work alongside its existing nominated adviser and joint broker, Stifel.

07:21 EST JinkoSolar signs long-term silicon purchase agreement with Tongwei - JinkoSolar and its subsidiary Sichuan Jinko have signed a long-term purchase agreement with second tier subsidiaries of Tongwei, namely Sichuan Yongxiang Polysilicon, Sichuan Yongxiang New Energy, Inner Mongolia Tongwei High-purity Crystalline Silicon and Yunnan Tongwei High-purity Crystalline Silicon. The raw materials procurement will ensure a stable supply of polycrystalline silicon in line with JinkoSolar's strategic and operational plans. Under the agreement, JinkoSolar has locked in nearly 100,000 metric tons of polycrystalline silicon and both parties can negotiate additional purchases. The price for any additional order will be negotiated and determined based on market conditions at that time.

07:14 EST Costa Deliziosa cruises to Greece suspended until December 26 - As a result of the measures enacted by the Greek government in response to the number of coronavirus cases that impose restrictions on travel, Costa Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation, announced the temporary suspension of Costa Deliziosa cruises to Greece. Costa Deliziosa - which is offering one-week cruises calling at Trieste, Katakolon, Athens, Iraklion, Bari - will end her cruise currently underway on Nov. 7, in Trieste. The ship will then pause operations for seven weeks, canceling Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28, and Dec. 5, 12 and 19 cruises. The resumption of Costa Deliziosa operations is scheduled for Dec. 26 with an Italian itinerary to discover some of the most beautiful destinations of the Adriatic Sea and the eastern Mediterranean including Trieste, Bari, Brindisi and Catania. More destinations will be added in the coming weeks.

07:13 EST Matinas BioPharma expects topline data from ENHANCE-IT study in 1Q21 - The Company completed enrollment in ENHANCE-IT, a second head-to-head comparative study of MAT9001 vs. Vascepa. The study is assessing MAT9001's effectiveness in reducing triglyceride levels and other important lipid markers, as well as characterizing bioavailability and blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid and other omega-3 fatty acids. The Company continues to expect to have topline data available in the first quarter of 2021.

07:12 EST Ventas, GIC form research & innovation development joint venture - Ventas announced it has formed a joint venture with GIC. The JV will initially own four in-progress university-based Research & Innovation development projects with total project costs estimated at $930M. The JV may be expanded to include other pre-identified future R&I development projects.

07:08 EST Elanco drops 9% to $29.51 after Q4 revenue guidance trails estimates

07:05 EST Jounce Therapeutics on track for JTX-1811 IND filing in 1H21 - In September 2020, Jounce announced an exclusive license agreement providing Gilead with the worldwide rights to JTX-1811, Jounce's highly selective, potential first-in-class antibody designed to selectively deplete immunosuppressive tumor-infiltrating T regulatory cells. The transaction closed in October 2020 and Jounce received $120 million in cash, including a $35 million equity investment. Under the terms of the agreement, Jounce continues to progress JTX-1811 to IND clearance and is on track for an IND filing in the first half 2021.

07:05 EST Mylan: Details on Viatris' strategy to be provided at upcoming Investor Day

07:04 EST Jounce Therapeutics on track to initiate Phase 1 trial of JTX-8064 by year-end - Enrollment in the Phase 1 dose escalation trial of JTX-8064, a highly-selective, potential first in class antibody that targets the Leukocyte Immunoglobulin Like Receptor B2 on macrophages, is expected to begin by year-end 2020.

07:03 EST Marriott added more than 19,000 rooms globally during Q3 - The company added more than 19,000 rooms globally during the third quarter, including roughly 1,400 rooms converted from competitor brands and approximately 7,600 rooms in international markets. Net rooms grew 3.8% from the year-ago quarter. At quarter-end, Marriott's worldwide development pipeline totaled nearly 2,900 hotels and more than 496,000 rooms, including roughly 25,000 rooms approved, but not yet subject to signed contracts. Approximately 228,000 rooms in the pipeline were under construction as of the end of the third quarter.

07:03 EST Bristol-Myers' opdivo combination for NSLC approved in Europe - Bristol Myers announced that the European Commission has approved Opdivo - nivolumab - plus Yervoy - ipilimumab - with two cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC, whose tumors have no sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor mutation or anaplastic lymphoma kinase translocation. The combination of Opdivo plus Yervoy with two cycles of chemotherapy is the first dual immunotherapy-based treatment option approved for patients in the European Union with this disease. The EC's decision is based on results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -9LA trial, which met its primary endpoint of superior overall survival, as well as secondary endpoints of progression-free survival and overall response rate, for the combination of Opdivo plus Yervoy, given concomitantly with two cycles of chemotherapy, versus chemotherapy alone. The safety profile of Opdivo plus Yervoy and two cycles of chemotherapy was reflective of the known safety profiles of the immunotherapy and chemotherapy components in first-line NSCLC.

07:02 EST Marriott reports Q3 comparable systemwide constant dollar RevPAR down 65.9% - Reports Q3 omparable systemwide constant dollar RevPAR declined 65.9% worldwide, 65.4% in North America and 67.4% outside North America, compared to the 2019 third quarter.

06:55 EST Biogen trading halted, news pending

06:49 EST Novo Nordisk to acquire Emisphere Technologies, related assets for $1.8B - Novo Nordisk A/S announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Emisphere Technologies, a drug delivery company with proprietary technologies, such as the Eligen SNAC technology, that enable oral formulations of therapeutics. Novo Nordisk and Emisphere have collaborated since 2007 and Emisphere's proprietary drug delivery technology Eligen SNAC is used by Novo Nordisk under an existing licence agreement in the oral formulation of Novo Nordisk's GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide, which is marketed and sold under the brand name Rybelsus. Under the terms of the agreement, Novo Nordisk will acquire all outstanding shares of Emisphere for $1.35B. As part of the transaction, Novo Nordisk will also acquire related Eligen SNAC royalty stream obligations owed to MHR Fund Management LLC, the largest shareholder of Emisphere, for $450M. Consequently, the total acquisition price is $1.8B. With these acquisitions, Novo Nordisk eliminates its future royalty obligations to Emisphere and MHR and obtains full access to the Eligen SNAC technology platform thereby enabling Novo Nordisk to expand the portfolio of oral biologic pipeline assets across therapy areas. The transaction will be debt financed and will not impact Novo Nordisk's previously communicated operating profit outlook for 2020 or the ongoing share buyback program. The acquisition is expected to have a net negative impact on operating profit of less than one percent in 2021 and broadly neutral to positive impact in the following years. The acquisition of Emisphere provides Novo Nordisk full ownership of the Eligen SNAC technology, which has been successfully used under a license agreement to develop the first oral biologic, Rybelsus" said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Novo Nordisk. "We intend to apply and further develop the technology and use it on current and future pipeline assets with the aim of making more biologic medicines orally available for patients." The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Emisphere shareholders and the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. MHR and certain other shareholders of Emisphere, collectively owning a majority of the Emisphere shares, have agreed to vote their shares in favour of the transaction.

06:46 EST Pfizer: Phase 3 study of tofacitinib met endpoints - Pfizer announced positive results from a Phase 3 investigational study evaluating the safety and efficacy of tofacitinib in adults with active ankylosing spondylitis. Tofacitinib is not currently approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of AS. The study met its primary and key secondary endpoint of Assessment in SpondyloArthritis International Society 20 and 40 response, respectively, compared to placebo at week 16.1a The data will be presented for the first time during a late-breaking virtual oral presentation on Monday, November 9 at 12:45 p.m. ET during ACR Convergence, the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Professionals Annual Meeting.

06:46 EST CVS Health CEO Larry Merlo to retire in 2021, Karen Lynch to succeed - CVS Health announced that its board appointed Karen Lynch, currently executive VP, CVS Health and president, Aetna, as the company's next president and CEO, effective February 1, 2021. Lynch will also join the company's board upon assuming her new role. Larry Merlo will transition from the president and CEO role on February 1, 2021, after beginning his career with the company as a community pharmacist more than 40 years ago, and serving as president and CEO for a decade. Merlo will continue to serve on CVS Health's board until the company's next annual meeting of stockholders in May 2021, and as strategic advisor to assist with the transition until his retirement on May 31, 2021. In her current role as executive VP, CVS Health and president, Aetna, and with eight years in total at Aetna, Lynch is responsible for leading the company's strategy to deliver health care to the millions of people Aetna serves. She is also responsible for developing diversified enterprise health care solutions that leverage all of CVS Health's assets. Prior to joining Aetna in 2012, she was president of Magellan Health Services and held various senior executive positions at Cigna.

06:43 EST Telus to acquire Lionbridge AI for approximately $935M - Telus Corporation announced that Telus International has entered into an agreement to acquire Lionbridge AI, a global provider of crowd-based training data and annotation platform solutions used in the development of AI algorithms to power machine learning. The acquisition will be at a purchase price of approximately $935M consisting of debt and equity, subject to customary closing adjustments. Closing is expected to occur on December 31, 2020.

06:37 EST TripAdvisor expects travel industry's recovery to remain uneven - TripAdvisor said: "We are encouraged by the signs of pent up travel demand and remain confident that leisure travel will eventually fully return. We also believe our streamlined cost structure can enable us to regain prior profitability ahead of regaining prior revenue levels."

06:36 EST TripAdvisor sees Q4 revenue, adjusted EBITDA lower than Q3

06:33 EST Epizyme sees funds sufficient into at least 2023 - Epizyme and Pharmakon Advisors, an affiliate of Royalty Pharma, have expanded their original loan agreement established in November 2019, enabling Epizyme to draw down an additional $150M from the loan facility, subject to customary closing conditions. Epizyme believes that its existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities combined with the proceeds from the loan facility will fund the company's operations into at least 2023. Epizyme now sees full year non-GAAP adjusted cash operating expenses to $215M-$235M, from the previous $235M-$255M.

06:15 EST Honda raises FY21 operating profit view to Y420B - Concerning the current fiscal year forecast, although the future outlook remains uncertain due to the impact of COVID-19, the forecast for consolidated operating profit was revised upward to 420 billion yen reflecting the business constitution built during the fiscal first half. Sees FY21 net income Y390B.

06:07 EST Amneal Pharmaceuticals raises FY20 operating cash flow view to $170M-$220M - Prior view was $150M-$200M. Raises FY20 adj. EBITDA view to $430M-$460M from $400M-$450M.

05:53 EST Avita Medical announces CFO David McIntyre to resign - Avita announced that David McIntyre notified the company of his intention to resign as the company's CFO in order to pursue life sciences opportunities in his home state of New Jersey. The effective date of his resignation is November 23. McIntyre has also agreed to provide consultancy services to the company through December 31. McIntyre's responsibilities as the company's principal financial officer and principal accounting officer will transition to Sean Ekins, the company's VP of finance, with effect from November 9. The company will immediately commence an external search for its next CFO who will be based at Avita's headquarters in Valencia, California.

05:45 EST ING Groep to appoint Ljiljana Cortan as chief risk officer - ING announced that Ljiljana Cortan will be appointed chief risk officer of ING. Ljiljana Cortan until recently served as chief risk officer of HypoVereinsbank - UniCredit Bank in Germany. She will succeed Steven van Rijswijk, who was appointed CEO of ING effective July 1. Ljiljana Cortan will be appointed as chief risk officer and member of the management board banking effective January 1, 2021. The supervisory board will propose to shareholders to appoint her as member of the executive board and chief risk officer of ING Group at the annual general meeting in April 2021. The appointment of Ljiljana Cortan has been approved by the European Central Bank. In order to ensure a smooth transition, Karst Jan Wolters, who has performed the day-to-day risk management activities from July 1, will support Ljiljana during the first phase of her onboarding in 2021.

05:15 EST Magna announces up to 29.6M share normal course issuer bid - Subject to the approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange, the company's board approved a new normal course issuer bid, or NCIB, to purchase up to 29.6M of common shares, representing approximately 10% of our public float of common shares. This NCIB is expected to commence on or about November 15 and will terminate one year later.