Stockwinners Market Radar for May 03, 2021 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

19:12 EDT AWS announces general availability of Amazon FinSpace - Amazon Web Services announced Amazon FinSpace, a purpose-built analytics service that reduces the time it takes FSI organizations to find, prepare, and analyze financial data from months to minutes. "Amazon FinSpace aggregates, catalogs, and tags data across an organization's data silos, making the data easily searchable by the entire organization," the company said. "The service includes a purpose-built managed Apache Spark analytics engine that contains over 100 data transformations commonly used in the capital markets industry to prepare data for analytics at petabyte scale. To make it easier for FSI organizations to meet their compliance requirements, Amazon FinSpace ensures that data access controls are enforced and usage is tracked at all times. Amazon FinSpace provides an easy-to-use web application that gives analysts at hedge funds, asset management firms, insurance companies, investment banks, and other FSI organizations access to the information they need and the ability to run powerful analytics on demand across all of their data. There are no upfront costs or commitments to use Amazon FinSpace, and customers only pay for the data stored, the users enabled, and the compute used to prepare and analyze data."

18:36 EDT TrueBlue CEO sells 16,500 common shares - In a regulatory filing, TrueBlue CEO and president A. Patrick Beharelle disclosed the sale of 16,500 common shares of the company on April 29 at a price of $28.30 per share.

18:13 EDT Under Armour to pay $9M to settle SEC charges - Under Armour announced that it has entered into a settlement with the U.S. SEC resolving a previously announced investigation related to disclosure and the impact of certain "pull forward" sales for the third quarter of 2015 through the fourth quarter of 2016. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company has agreed to pay a civil monetary penalty of $9M, in addition to other non-monetary settlement terms. This settlement relates to the company's disclosures and does not include any allegations from the SEC that sales during these periods did not comply with generally accepted accounting principles. The company neither admitted nor denied the SEC's charges. The settlement resolves all outstanding SEC claims. The SEC Staff has confirmed that it does not intend to recommend that any enforcement action be taken against the company's Executive Chairman, CFO or any other member of management in connection with this investigation. The company previously announced that it had also been responding to requests for documents and information from the U.S. Department of Justice. The company has not received any requests from the DOJ since the second quarter of 2020.

17:53 EDT Oasis Petroleum sees FY21 production 67.5-71 mboe/d - Sees FY21 capital expenditures $230M-$245M.

17:47 EDT Diamondback Energy sees FY21 CapEx $1.6B-$1.75B - Sees Q2 cash CapEx $350M-$400M.

17:32 EDT Montrose Environmental in credit pact to settle term loans - Montrose Environmental Group announced that the Company has entered into a new sustainability-linked credit agreement. Under the terms of the credit agreement The Company used net proceeds from the Term Loan and $42 million in borrowings under the Revolver to repay all of its $175M of outstanding borrowings under its former term loan and former revolver and related fees and expenses. Borrowings under the New Credit Facility bear interest at a rate of, at the option of the Company, a floating rate of either a Base Rate or LIBOR plus a spread of between 1.50% and 2.50%, in the case of LIBOR, or 1.50% to .50%, in the case of the Base Rate, based on the Company's net leverage ratio. The opening spread of LIBOR plus 2.0% reduces the previous term loan interest rate of LIBOR plus 5.5%. Additionally, by entering into the New Credit Facility, Montrose receives up to a 5 basis point pricing adjustment based on its performance against certain sustainability and ESG related objectives pursuant to the agreement. The agreement establishes benchmarks in four key areas, the first of which pertains to diversity and inclusion objectives at the Company. The three other benchmarks are directly related to the Company's environmental focus serving customers, including liters of water treated for PFAS, volume of methane leaks detected, and the amount of low-carbon intensity energy generated from waste. Sustainability and ESG performance will be measured and communicated in the Company's annual Sustainability Report. Allan Dicks, Montrose's Chief Financial Officer, stated, "ESG is a focus of our business and we are delighted to announce the strengthening of our capital structure with our inaugural sustainability-linked credit facility. This new debt structure directly aligns with our commitment to sustainability and innovation, while also helping us secure an attractive cost of financing and significantly expanding our debt capacity. We thank our new and existing lenders for their continued support and confidence in our industry-leading environmental solutions." Bank of the West is the administrative agent for the LoanS, Swing Line Lender, L/C Issuer, and Joint Lead Arranger. Capital One, National Association and BOFA Securities, Inc. acted as joint lead arrangers.

17:22 EDT Ollie's Bargain Outlet appoints Eric van der Valk as COO - Ollie's Bargain Outlet announced the hiring of Eric van der Valk to the position of executive VP and COO, effective May 3. Van der Valk will report to John Swygert, president and CEO and will lead the store operations, supply chain, real estate and asset protection teams. He most recently served as president and COO of Christmas Tree Shops.

17:19 EDT R1 RCM to replace Perspecta in S&P 400 at open on 5/7 - Veritas Capital is acquiring Perspecta in a deal expected to be completed soon pending final conditions.

17:06 EDT CoStar Group director Kaplan sells over 1,000 common shares - In a regulatory filing, CoStar Group director Laura Cox Kaplan disclosed the sale of 1,062 common shares of the company on April 30 at a price of $869.03 per share.

17:01 EDT Baxter raises quarterly dividend 14% to 28c from 24.5c per share - Payable on July 1 to stockholders of record as of June 4.

16:58 EDT Basic Energy Services Announces Completion of Sale-Leaseback transaction - Basic Energy Services announced that it has completed a sale-leaseback transaction related to certain real property in Los Angeles County, California. The purchase price for the property consisted of $10.5M subject to a holdback of approximately $2.6M for certain improvements to be constructed at the property. The Company is entitled to reimbursement of any remaining balance of said holdback funds to the extent not fully expended for the intended purpose. The Company has entered into a simultaneous lease of the property for an initial term of three years.

16:52 EDT iRobot drops 9% to $94.00 after Q1 results, FY21 guidance

16:37 EDT Cooper Companies acquires medical device company obp Medical for $60M - Cooper announced that CooperSurgical has acquired obp Medical Corporation, a U.S. based medical device company that develops and markets differentiated products including single-use vaginal speculums with integrated LED illumination. Commenting on the transaction, Al White, Cooper's President and CEO said, "This acquisition is a great strategic fit that builds upon CooperSurgical's strong family of OB/GYN medical devices. obp Medical's differentiated products will integrate seamlessly into our business and support our mission of advancing women's healthcare." The acquisition price is approximately $60M, and the products being acquired generated approximately $10 million of trailing twelve-month revenue. The acquisition is expected to be neutral to Cooper's non-GAAP earnings per share in fiscal 2021.

16:33 EDT SmileDirectClub falls 5% to $10.63 after disclosing cybersecurity incident

16:33 EDT State Auto Financial CFO Steven English resigns - State Auto Financial announced that Steven E. English, senior vice president and chief financial officer, intends to retire after a 21-year career with the company. An executive search firm has been retained to assist in identifying a successor. English will remain with the company through Dec. 31, 2021, to ensure an orderly transition of duties.

16:31 EDT Smith & Wesson Brands plans to divest Thompson/Center Arms brand - Smith & Wesson Brands announced that it plans to divest its Thompson/Center Arms brand. This decision is part of the company's broader strategic plan that will focus on its core Smith & Wesson brands. Mark Smith, President and CEO of Smith & Wesson Brands, said, "Thompson/Center is a beloved hunting brand with a longstanding heritage, and we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition. Thompson/Center Arms' loyal consumers should rest assured that they will continue to receive the world-class firearms, accessories, and customer service support that the brand has been known for since its founding in 1965. We remain fully committed to the hunting and long-range shooting market, and with this divestiture we will be able to now focus on these categories under our iconic Smith & Wesson brand. Additionally, this will allow us to immediately redirect manufacturing capacity to increase overall production volumes, allowing us to gain additional market share while simultaneously increasing profitability." At this time, a buyer for the Thompson/Center Arms brand has not been identified; however, the divestiture is not expected to have a material financial impact on the company's first quarter fiscal year 2022 results and the company expects the divestiture to be accretive to the company's full year fiscal 2022 through higher overall production levels, increased margins, and lower marketing costs. The company states that this decision will not result in a workforce reduction as its flexible manufacturing model allows it to repurpose capacity immediately to other areas without a headcount reduction.

16:29 EDT Leggett & Platt raises quarterly dividend to 42c per share - To be paid on July 15 to shareholders of record on June 15.

16:22 EDT Urban Edge collected 95% of gross rent for Q1 as of April 29 - Urban Edge said that as of April 29, the company collected 95% of gross rent for Q1. "The Company continues to make progress on 2020 receivables," it added.

16:09 EDT Curo Group announces $50M share repurchase program - Curo Group said its board has authorized a share repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $50M of common stock. The repurchase will continue until completed or terminated.

16:06 EDT B. Riley Financial declares special dividend of $2.50 - The Company's Board of Directors has approved a total quarterly dividend of $3.00 per share which includes the regular 50c dividend and a special dividend of $2.50 per share. The dividend is payable on or about May 28 to common stockholders of record as of May 17.

15:58 EDT Janssen treatment of multiple myeloma granted FDA orphan designation - Janssen's talquetamab was granted FDA orphan designation as a treatment of multiple myeloma, according to a post to the agency's website. Reference Link

15:51 EDT Tilray closes merger with Aphria, expects $81M of synergies in 18 months - Tilray (TLRY) and Aphria (APHA) announced the completion of the previously announced business combination. The combined company will operate as Tilray and had a market cap of approximately $8.2 billion based on the closing stock prices on April 30, 2021. The Company's class 2 common stock will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Exchange under the ticker symbol "TLRY" and will commence trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "TLRY" on May 5, 2021. As previously announced, each Aphria shareholder received 0.8381 of a Tilray Share for each Aphria common share held on April 30, 2021, the effective time of the transaction. Holders of Tilray Shares prior to the completion of the transaction continue to hold their Tilray Shares with no adjustment as a result of the transaction. The company expects to deliver approximately $81 million of annual pre-tax cost synergies within eighteen months and plans to achieve cost synergies in the key areas of cultivation and production, cannabis and product purchasing, sales, and marketing, and corporate expenses.

15:30 EDT Eli Lilly announces additional $5B share repurchase program - The Board has authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $5B of the company's common stock. This repurchase authorization is in addition to the authorization remaining under the share repurchase program authorized by the Board in June 2018. As of March 31, there was $1B remaining under the 2018 share repurchase program.

15:27 EDT Vivendi, Fininvest, Mediaset agree to waive all litigation, claims between them - Vivendi (VIVHY), Fininvest, and Mediaset (MDIUY) announced that they have come to a global agreement to put an end to their disputes by waiving all litigation and claims between them. Vivendi will support Mediaset's international development by voting in favor of the transfer of Mediaset's headquarters to the Netherlands and will also vote in favor of the proposed resolutions on the abolition of the double voting mechanism. Further, Vivendi and Mediaset have entered a good neighborhood agreement in free-to-air television and standstill commitments for a 5-year term. Fininvest will propose at the Annual General Meeting of Mediaset, due to take place on June 23, 2021, the distribution to all shareholders of an extraordinary dividend of EUR0.30 per share for payment on July 21, 2021; Vivendi and Fininvest undertook to vote in favour of such resolution. Vivendi has committed to sell on the stock market, over a five-year period1, the entire 19.19% Mediaset equity stake held through Simon Fiduciaria. Fininvest will have a call option to buy any unsold portion in any 12-month period at the set annual price. Fininvest will buy 5% of the Mediaset share capital, held directly by Vivendi, at an ex-dividend price of EUR2.70 per share. Vivendi will remain a shareholder of Mediaset with its residual 4.61% stake and will be free to retain or sell this stake at any time and any price. Vivendi's subsidiary Dailymotion has agreed to a one-off payment of EUR26.3M to settle its copyright litigation with Mediaset's subsidiaries RTI and Medusa. The closing of the settlement agreement is scheduled on July 22, 2021.

14:15 EDT Parker-Hannifin VP Weeks sells nearly 4,000 common shares - In a regulatory filing, Parker-Hannifin vice president Andrew Weeks disclosed the sale of 3,996 common shares of the company on April 30 at a price of $312.7179 per share.

14:01 EDT Microsoft expands list of FPS boost games on Series X/S to 97 titles - Microsoft (MSFT) announced in a blog post that it has expanded the list of Xbox Series X and Series S compatible games that receive a frames-per-second on its new hardware to 97 total games, up from the previous amount of 23 games. Many of the games that can receive the FPS boost are available on Xbox Game Pass and EA Play (EA), the company noted. Reference Link

13:13 EDT Sony's PlayStation announces new partnership with Discord - Sony Interactive Entertainment (SONY) president and CEO Jim Ryan announced that PlayStation has formed a new partnership with online communication platform Discord, which has more than 140M users each month around the world. "Together, our teams are already hard at work connecting Discord with your social and gaming experience on PlayStation Network," Ryan said. "Our goal is to bring the Discord and PlayStation experiences closer together on console and mobile starting early next year, allowing friends, groups, and communities to hang out, have fun, and communicate more easily while playing games together. To bring these experiences to life for our players, Sony Interactive Entertainment has made a minority investment as part of Discord's Series H round. From our very first conversation with co-founders Jason Citron and Stan Vishnevskiy, I was inspired by their lifelong love for gaming and our teams' shared passion to help bring friends and communities together in new ways. Empowering players to create communities and enjoy shared gaming experiences is at the heart of what we do, so we are beyond excited to start this journey with one of the world's most popular communication services." The Fly notes that Discord last month reportedly ended talks to sell itself to Microsoft (MSFT). Reference Link

13:05 EDT Sallie Mae names Lori Aiken chief diversity officer - Sallie Mae announced Lori Aiken as the company's Chief Diversity Officer. Aiken will lead the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, including the hiring and development of a diverse workforce and reinforcing the company's inclusive culture. "Increasing access and opportunity through higher education is core to who we are at Sallie Mae," said Aiken. "By ensuring an environment where our people thrive, we can continue to advocate for students and families, from all backgrounds, who aspire to forge their future through education. Our diversity, equity, and inclusion focus will reinforce our commitment to our customers by becoming more intentional about our culture. This will, in turn, allow our team members to further support our customers and the communities where we live, work, and serve."

12:21 EDT Eastern Insurance Group acquires assets of Barr Insurance Agency - Eastern Insurance Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eastern Bank, announced that it has acquired the operating assets of the Barr Insurance Agency, a full-service, family-operated insurance agency headquartered in Watertown, MA. The transaction is effective May 1, 2021. Barr Insurance has assisted individuals and businesses with personal and business insurance coverages for more than 50 years.

12:02 EDT Virgin Galactic falls -7.6% - Virgin Galactic is down -7.6%, or -$1.67 to $20.48.

12:00 EDT SEACOR Marine Holdings falls -17.1% - SEACOR Marine Holdings is down -17.1%, or -79c to $3.82.

12:00 EDT Valaris rises 15.9% - Valaris is up 15.9%, or $3.50 to $25.49.

12:00 EDT Ashford Hospitality rises 16.6% - Ashford Hospitality is up 16.6%, or 46c to $3.19.

11:44 EDT Epic Games acquires ArtStation, terms not disclosed - "Fortnite" maker Epic Games announced over the weekend that ArtStation is joining Epic Games. "ArtStation provides a platform for creators across games, media and entertainment where they can develop and share their portfolios, post and discover job opportunities and make a living doing what they love," Epic said. "Together we will continue to grow the ArtStation community and integrate new features and tools that expand creators' ability to showcase their talent and artwork. At Epic, ArtStation will continue to operate as an independently branded platform while collaborating closely with the Unreal Engine team. By joining forces, the ArtStation and Unreal Engine teams will be able to empower the creative community with expanded tools, resources, and connections. And starting today, we will be reducing ArtStation Marketplace fees so creators can get even more value from the ArtStation platform. ArtStation Learning will also be free to all users for the remainder of 2021." Investors in Epic Games include Tencent (TCEHY), KKR (KKR), Disney (DIS), and Sony (SONY). Reference Link

11:03 EDT Cushman & Wakefield appoints Holly Tyson as CPO - Cushman & Wakefield (CWK) has appointed Holly Tyson as chief people officer, effective May 10. In this role, Tyson will be responsible for leading Cushman & Wakefield's human resources function and developing and implementing a customer-centric and results-focused people strategy for the firm's 50,000 employees globally. She will be a member of the firm's Global Management Team. She joins Cushman & Wakefield from Zebra Technologies (ZBRA), where she notably led the cultural integration of a major acquisition and managed COVID-19 challenges across the globe as CHRO.

10:26 EDT Perficient announces implementation of OMS, commerce experience at Sally Beauty - Perficient (PRFT) announced the implementation of its advanced order management system and commerce experience for Sally Beauty Holdings (SBH). The company said, "The solution incorporates multiple order fulfillment capabilities, enabling Sally Beauty Holdings to efficiently meet the needs of its customers amid the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. To help improve visibility and flexibility of Sally Beauty Holdings' ordering process, Perficient implemented an IBM Sterling OMS platform to allow for split shipment and automation capabilities while also seamlessly integrating with Sally Beauty Holdings' existing technologies and websites. This implementation resulted in more advanced fulfillment options and shipping processes. In collaboration with Sally Beauty Holdings, Perficient built a digital roadmap and strategy to elevate the omni-channel commerce experience by incorporating a same-day delivery option and new sales channel opportunities with third-party marketplaces for Cosmo Prof, the retailer's professional division."

10:22 EDT Coca-Cola names Saadia Madsbjerg as president of Coca-Cola Foundation - The Coca-Cola Company announced that Saadia Madsbjerg will be named Vice President of Global Community Affairs for The Coca-Cola Company and President of The Coca-Cola Foundation. Madsbjerg is expected to join the company June 1. She will manage operations of the Foundation, which includes grant making, financial requirements and regulatory compliance for domestic and international philanthropy. "I'm thrilled to join The Coca-Cola Foundation, which has a built a remarkable legacy over a period of nearly 40 years through giving more than $1B to meaningful programs impacting communities worldwide," Madsbjerg said. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's partners and grantees in Atlanta and around the world."

10:08 EDT Dominion Energy Virginia announces new group of solar projects approved - The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved Friday a new solar projects for Dominion Energy Virginia. The nine new solar facilities will total nearly 500 megawatts, enough to power 125,000 homes at peak output with renewable energy. Six of the nine new solar projects are PPAs that were selected following a competitive solicitation process. Dominion Energy owns and will operate the other three projects, which support approximately 750 jobs and provide more than $100M in economic benefits in Virginia: Grassfield Solar, 20-megawatt facility in the City of Chesapeake; Norge Solar, 20-megawatt facility in James City County; and Sycamore Solar, 42-megawatt facility in Pittsylvania County. This fall, Dominion Energy will submit its annual filing to the SCC requesting approval to construct or purchase another group of solar, wind and energy storage projects. The company will issue Requests for Proposals from developers to support these filings.

10:03 EDT Raytheon Intelligence & Space to deploy airport screening equipment for TSA - Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a Raytheon Technologies business, will expand the deployment of checked baggage screening equipment to all federally managed airports nationwide under a five-year, $318M contract with the Transportation Security Administration. Through its longstanding partnership with TSA on critical passenger baggage screening and security procedures, Raytheon Intelligence & Space was previously responsible for installing new and upgrading existing checked baggage screening equipment in 155 airports in the Central U.S. region. Under this contract, the scope will expand to all of the approximately 430 federal airports across the country.

10:00 EDT Estee Lauder falls -4.8% - Estee Lauder is down -4.8%, or -$15.08 to $298.72.

10:00 EDT Mohawk Industries rises 8.7% - Mohawk Industries is up 8.7%, or $17.82 to $223.32.

10:00 EDT Ashford Hospitality rises 21.4% - Ashford Hospitality is up 21.4%, or 58c to $3.33.

09:51 EDT BAE Systems signs $200M BvS10 contract with Swedish Army - BAE Systems has signed a contract worth around $200M to produce and deliver 127 BvS10 all-terrain vehicles to the Swedish Army, adding to its existing fleet of BvS10s. The contract signed with the Swedish military procurement agency, FMV, is for both command and control and logistics vehicles. Deliveries of the 127 vehicles are planned to begin in 2022 and complete in 2024.

09:47 EDT Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 3x Shares falls -4.0% - Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 3x Shares is down -4.0%, or -43c to $10.27.

09:47 EDT Puxin Limited falls -4.5% - Puxin Limited is down -4.5%, or -16c to $3.43.

09:47 EDT Ashford Hospitality rises 11.3% - Ashford Hospitality is up 11.3%, or 31c to $3.05.

09:46 EDT Six Flags announces reopening of La Ronde on May 22 - Six Flags Entertainment announced that La Ronde has received provincial clearance to reopen with rides and attractions. The park, located in Montreal, Quebec, will open to the general public on May 22, 2021. The park will operate at reduced attendance levels, in accordance with Quebec public health's reopening guidelines for theme parks, utilizing a reservation system and other extensive safety measures already in use at Six Flags parks throughout the system.

09:33 EDT Inpixon acquires The CXApp, terms not disclosed - Inpixon announced it has acquired the outstanding capital stock of Design Reactor, a SaaS app platform. The CXApp enables corporate enterprise organizations to provide a custom-branded, location-aware employee app focused on enhancing the workplace experience and hosting virtual and hybrid events. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to revenue and earnings. Leon Papkoff, founder of The CXApp, joins Inpixon as executive vice president leading Inpixon's CXApp Division. Inpixon and The CXApp have recently partnered on several enterprise engagements and are seeing strong demand for applications that enable smarter, safer and more secure workplaces. Businesses and employees are experiencing a paradigm shift in what it means to "go to work" and how employees interact with one another and the physical spaces that make up the workplace. The combined offerings and expertise of the companies provides customers with access to an unparalleled suite of complementary products, giving employees the ability to manage different types of workplace scenarios from their personal devices, and to have access to smarter, location-aware experiences. To meet the demand for rapid deployment, more than 75 pre-built integrations with third-party solutions are available, including Active Directory, Exchange, G-Suite, Zoom and Slack. The acquisition consists of a purchase price that includes a combination of cash and equity.

09:29 EDT Kingstone Companies insurance subsidiary estimates Q1 catastrophe losses - Kingstone Companies announced that Kingstone Insurance Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary, estimates net pre-tax catastrophe losses for Q1 of $230,000, or $180,000 after-tax. Catastrophe losses for the quarter comprised three events.

09:22 EDT Community West Bancshares raises quarterly dividend 17% to 7c per share - The Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per common share, payable May 31, 2021 to common shareholders of record on May 10, 2021.

09:22 EDT Ford furthers investment in EV battery producer Solid Power, - Ford (F) announced it is growing its investment in Solid Power, a producer of all-solid-state batteries for EVs. Initially investing in Solid Power in 2019, Ford is making an additional equity investment to help accelerate further development of solid-state vehicle battery technology, contributing to a $130M Series B investment round in which the BMW Group (BMWYY) becomes an equal equity owner with Ford. Under the new agreement, Ford will receive full-scale 100 ampere hour, or Ah cells from Solid Power for testing and integration into its future vehicles starting next year. Solid Power already is producing 20 Ah solid-state batteries on a pilot manufacturing line using lithium-ion production processes and equipment. Ford also has a separate joint development agreement with Solid Power to develop and test its specific battery cell design and help streamline Ford's integration into future vehicles.

09:20 EDT Generex subsidiary Olaregen Therapeutix announces agreement with Nexgen Medical - Generex Biotechnology subsidiary Olaregen Therapeutix announced that the company has executed a Distribution Agreement with Nexgen Medical to be Generex's exclusive distributor to import, market and sell the Excellagen line of wound care products in Malaysia. Nexgen is coordinating the approval of Excellagen with the Malaysian Ministry of Health and expects commercial approval by the end of May 2021. Nexgen has committed to purchasing 1,000 units of Excellagen in year one, with an initial purchase of 500 units 0.8cc syringes of Excellagen.

09:18 EDT 1st Constitution Bancorp increases quarterly dividend 11% to 10c per share - The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock, representing an increase of 11%, compared to the dividend of $0.09 per share of common stock paid on February 26, 2021. The dividend will be paid on May 28, 2021 to shareholders of record on May 14, 2021.

09:16 EDT Verra Mobility cleared to proceed with order for 720 school zone speed cameras - Verra Mobility announces that it has received authorization to proceed with an order for 720 additional school zone speed cameras for the New York City Department of Transportation. This authorization is related to Mayor DeBlasio's May 24, 2019 announcement regarding NYCDOT's intention to rapidly and substantially scale up its school zone speed-camera program. Under this expanded program, Verra Mobility has already installed 1,020 speed safety cameras through 2020 and expects to install the additional 720 cameras in 2021.

09:15 EDT InterCure opens first "LEMONNADE" branded pharmacy in Jerusalem - InterCure announced the opening of the first "LEMONNADE" branch in Jerusalem as part of the "Givol" pharmacy chain. The Pharmacy has officially begun operating after received its cannabis dispensing license from the Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency on April 27, 2021. This is the first branch under the "LEMONNADE" brand outside of North America to begin operations. The branch will operate and provide services to the community of medical cannabis patients in Jerusalem, which has one of the highest numbers of licensed cannabis patients in Israel.

09:14 EDT CytoDyn preparing request for pre-BTD meeting for leronlimab - CytoDyn announced is preparing a request for a pre-Breakthrough Therapy designation meeting ahead of preparing a Phase 3 clinical trial protocol for 22 solid tumor cancer indications. The company said, "The Company is extremely encouraged about the prospects of a Phase 3 trial and BTD based on preliminary indications of patients in the Company's current Phase 2 basket trial, compassionate use study and a patient treated under an eIND, which may support a smaller trial."

09:13 EDT Applied Genetic to present data from XLRP, Achromatopsia phase 1/2 trials - Applied Genetic Technologies announced an encore presentation of previously reported data from the company's ongoing clinical trials in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa and achromatopsia at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting. Paul Yang, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor at Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, will review the six-month data from the Phase 1/2 XLRP trial, on which he is a clinical investigator today; Mark Pennesi, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor at Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, will provide an overview of the Phase 1/2 ACHM clinical trials including examples of patients who the Company previously defined as responders on Thursday, May 6. With respect to anticipated upcoming XLRP milestones, AGTC remains on track to report 12-month data for Groups 5 and 6 from the XLRP Phase 1/2 trial in Q2 of 2021; 3-month masked interim Skyline data in Q4 of 2021; and 12-month Skyline and 6-month masked interim Vista data in the Q3 of 2022. The company also remains on track to report additional 12-month data from both ACHM trials in Q2 of 2021, and preliminary 3-month data from the pediatric cohorts of both ACHM trials in Q4 of 2021. Phase 1/2 XLRP Data Presented at ARVO. The data from all 28 patients in the XLRP trial across six dose groups, which Dr. Yang will present today and which were previously reported in November 2020, demonstrate a favorable safety profile with no dose-limiting inflammatory responses observed. At six months, the data showed increased mean sensitivity relative to baseline as assessed by microperimetry, and these results were durable through month 12. Further a combined analysis of visual sensitivity data from all 19 evaluable centrally dosed patients showed that 10 of 15 evaluable patients in groups 2, 4, 5 and 6 that meet inclusion criteria for the planned Vista Phase 2/3 trial show robust and durable signs of improvements in visual sensitivity through month six for Groups 5 and 6 and month twelve for groups 2 and 4. The company based improvement of visual sensitivity on multiple measures including on a change from baseline in visual sensitivity of at least 7 decibels in at least 5 loci or a statistically meaningful improvement in sensitivity improvement profile between the treated and untreated eyes. Phase 1/2 ACHM Data Presented at ARVO. AGTC previously reported interim data from its ongoing Phase 1/2 trials in patients with mutations in the ACHMB3 or ACHMA3 gene in January 2021. On May 6, 2021, Dr. Pennesi will review case studies from two patients in the ACHMB3 trial and one patient in the ACHMA3 trial. Data from these case studies and the previously presented data from these trials demonstrate that subretinal injection of AGTC's ACHM candidates has been safe and well tolerated out to 12 months. Results also demonstrate potential improvements in visual sensitivity and photosensitivity in these patients that were identified to have positive results.

09:12 EDT Warner Music announces partnership, investment in Wave - Warner Music Group announced a partnership with and investment in Wave. Through this collaboration, Wave will develop virtual performances, experiences, and monetization opportunities for WMG's global roster of emerging and established artists. This includes new forms of ticketing, sponsorship, and in-show interactions for fans. The agreement strengthens the relationship between Wave and the music company as WMG continues to amplify virtual experiences for artists worldwide across its family of labels, including Atlantic, Elektra, Parlophone, Warner Records, and others. WMG's entrepreneurial approach has borne partnerships with companies shaping the future of music - from popular interactive platform Roblox, to experimental virtual avatar company Spirit Bomb - enabling artists to power their creative visions and engage fans in new ways. WMG and Wave will collaborate to bring Wave's technology to transform participating artists into digital avatars, performing live and taking fans into an immersive virtual experience. Wave offers fans unique and interactive offerings including live chats, virtual gifting and voting, as well as real-time audience appearances during artist performances. Through Wave, WMG will be able to forge more powerful artist activations, incorporating new and fan-favorite features into their shows to fuel audience engagement.

09:10 EDT Hyundai Motor America reports total April sales of 77,523 units, up 128% y/y - Hyundai Motor America reported total April sales of 77,523 units, a 128% increase compared with April 2020. Hyundai again set an all-time monthly sales record, beating the previous best ever mark set just last month. Hyundai fleet sales were down 27%, representing 3% of total volume. April was also the best retail month ever, with 74,978 retail sales, up 146%. Retail sales rose for the entire lineup with SUVs (+137%), cars (+163%) and eco-friendly vehicles (+640%), all up triple digits.

09:08 EDT Ford, BMW, Volta Energy invest in Solid Power - Solid Power, a producer of all solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, announced a $130M Series B investment round led by the BMW Group (BMWYY), Ford Motor Company (F) and Volta Energy Technologies. Ford and the BMW Group have also expanded existing joint development agreements with Solid Power to secure all solid-state batteries for future electric vehicles. The investment positions Solid Power to produce full-scale automotive batteries, increase associated material output and expand in-house production capabilities for future vehicle integration. The BMW Group and Ford aim to utilize Solid Power's low-cost, high-energy all solid-state battery technology in forthcoming electric vehicles. Both Ford and the BMW Group will receive full-scale 100 Ah cells for automotive qualification testing and vehicle integration beginning in 2022

09:07 EDT Virtus Investment appoints Rick Smirl as COO - Virtus Investment Partners announced that Rick Smirl has joined the company as executive vice president, COO, and member of the senior leadership team. Smirl, who has more than 20 years of experience in the asset management industry, will lead the company's product management, oversight, and development activities and have responsibility for the investment operations and information technology functions. He will also work with affiliated managers and subadvisers as the company focuses on continuing to grow by developing and introducing compelling new products and further optimizing business support services. He assumes responsibilities previously managed by Frank Waltman, executive vice president, who retired in March after 30 years of service. Smirl joins Virtus from Russell Investments, where he was COO and oversaw all facets of the company's global operations, including information technology, operations, fund services, legal, compliance, risk management, internal audit, project management, reporting and analytics, corporate services, sourcing and procurement, and government and community relations.

09:05 EDT Gray Television to acquire Meredith's local media group in $2.7B transaction - Gray Television (GTN) has agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of Meredith Corporation (MDP) for approximately $14.50 per share in cash, or $2.7 billion in total enterprise value after the spin off of Meredith's National Media Group to the current Meredith shareholders. The parties expect to close the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2021. Immediately prior to closing this acquisition, Meredith will spin off to its existing shareholders its National Media Group operating division, which owns the nation's largest portfolio of magazines as well as digital and marketing assets. At the closing, Gray will acquire Meredith's other operating division, known as the Local Media Group, which owns the following 17 television stations in 12 local markets: WGCL / WPCH, Atlanta, Georgia; KPHO / KTVK, Phoenix, Arizona; KPTV / KPDX, Portland, Oregon; KMOV, St. Louis, Missouri; WSMV, Nashville, Tennessee; WFSB, Hartford-New Haven, Connecticut; KCTV / KSMO, Kansas City, Missouri, WHNS, Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina; KVVU, Las Vegas, Nevada; WALA, Mobile, Alabama; WNEM (CBS), Flint-Saginaw, Michigan; WGGB / WSHM-LD, Springfield, Massachusetts. Gray currently operates in only one of these television markets, the Flint-Saginaw DMA. To facilitate regulatory approvals for this transaction, Gray will divest its ABC affiliate in the market, WJRT-TV, to an independent third-party no later than the closing of the Meredith acquisition. With a combined net revenue exceeding $3.1 billion on a blended 2019/2020 basis, Gray's acquisition of Meredith's television stations will transform Gray into the nation's second largest television broadcaster. Gray's portfolio of television stations, including all announced transactions and less divestitures, will serve 113 local markets reaching approximately 36 percent of US television households. The transaction augments Gray's position as the largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States, with a pro forma portfolio including 79 markets with the top-rated television station and 101 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station according to Comscore's audience measurement data. Gray expects that the Meredith transaction will be significantly accretive to free cash flow per share. To date, Gray has identified an estimated $55 million in synergies annualized for the first full calendar year following the closing. Including these anticipated $55 million of synergies, the purchase price for Gray's acquisition of Meredith represents a multiple of approximately 7.9 times a blended average of the Meredith television stations' 2019/2020 operating cash flow. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, including certain consents necessary to effectuate the spin-off of Meredith's National Media Group immediately prior to the closing of Gray's acquisition of Meredith. Importantly, the proposed transaction will not create any new duopolies of local television stations. Moreover, giving effect to the FCC's UHF Discount, the pro forma portfolio of television stations will reach approximately 25 percent of US television households, which is well below the FCC's national audience cap of 39 percent. As a result, subject to the anticipated divestiture of WJRT-TV, Gray's acquisition of Meredith complies with all FCC ownership rules without the need for any rule waivers. Wells Fargo has underwritten the debt financing portion of the transaction. Expected strong free cash flow generation through the closing of all pending transactions and throughout 2021 and 2022 is anticipated to allow Gray to deleverage its capital structure following the closing. Assuming a year-end 2021 closing, Gray anticipates that its total leverage ratio, net of all cash, would approximate 5.3 times on a trailing eight-quarter operating cash flow, including estimated annualized synergies from all announced transactions. The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both Gray and Meredith. No Gray shareholder vote will be required to consummate the transactions described herein. Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by Meredith's shareholders. Meredith's significant shareholders have entered into agreements with Gray to support the transaction.

09:02 EDT American Electric subsidiary and Global Energy sign agreement - AEP Energy, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, and Global Energy Generation announced that they have signed a long-term renewable energy purchase agreement for the Mammoth Solar project in Indiana. Mammoth Solar 1, a 480 megawatt direct current, or MWdc, solar energy project, is the first phase of the 1.65 gigawatt direct current, or GWdc, Mammoth project being developed by Doral. The Mammoth solar project covers more than 12,000 acres in Starke and Pulaski counties in northern Indiana. Mammoth Solar 1 is expected to begin construction during the Q4 and reach commercial operation by the Q2 of FY23.

09:02 EDT Gray Television to acquire Meredith's local media group in $2.7B transaction

09:01 EDT CPI Aerostructures receives follow-on order from Spirit AeroSystems - CPI Aerostructures (CVU) today announced that it was awarded a follow-on order for nearly $1M from Spirit AeroSystems (SPR) to manufacture cabin rack assemblies for new production CH-53K King Stallion Helicopters, built by Sikorsky Aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled for 2022. Including this new order, total orders from Spirit AeroSystems for CH-53K assemblies now total approximately $3.6M.

08:59 EDT DSP Group sees Q2 GAAP gross margin 52%-53%

08:59 EDT Assure Holdings completes acquisition of Sentry Neuromonitoring - Assure Holdings is pleased to announce that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of all of the assets of Sentry Neuromonitoring,, one of the largest IONM service providers in Texas. As a result of the closing of the Acquisition, the Company raised its guidance for full-year 2021 total procedures from 14,000 to 17,000. This number represents an anticipated increase in cases of more than 70% compared with 2020 and an increase of 165% since 2019. Assure acquired Sentry, a Joint Commission certified IONM company primarily serving the Greater Houston region. Sentry's operational footprint also extends within Texas to Dallas-Ft. Worth and Austin and includes business relationships in Kansas and Missouri. In 2020, Sentry performed more than 5,500 IONM procedures and approximately 50% of these procedures were with commercial insurance payors. The company employs 33 full-time staff, including 21 technologists supporting more than 50 surgeons at approximately 50 facilities. Pursuant to the Acquisition, and as consideration for the Acquired Assets, Assure will pay $3,500,000 to Sentry. The Purchase Price shall be satisfied by: a cash payment of $1,225,000, which shall be paid over a three-year period, and the issuance of 1,660,583 common shares in the capital of the Company at a deemed price of $1.37 per share. The Common Shares will be subject to the statutory hold periods required under applicable securities legislation and the issuance of the Common Shares to Sentry remain subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

08:57 EDT Novan announces final Week-12 visit for last patient in B-SIMPLE4 Phase 3 study - Novan announced the final patient has completed their last Week-12 visit in the B-SIMPLE4 pivotal Phase 3 clinical study of SB206, a topical antiviral gel, for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum. Topline efficacy and safety results from the B-SIMPLE4 study are targeted to be reported before the end of the second quarter of 2021. Molluscum contagiosum is a common, contagious skin infection caused by the molluscipoxvirus, affecting up to six million people in the U.S. annually, with the greatest incidence in children aged one to 14 years. Infected children typically present with 10-30 painless, yet unsightly lesions, and, in severe cases, patients present with around 100 lesions. B-SIMPLE4 is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study. The Company exceeded its enrollment target by randomizing 891 patients in the study, across 55 clinical sites, due to the number of patients in screening at the time of achieving the planned enrollment goal. Patients have been treated for up to 12 weeks with a follow-up visit at Week 24. The primary endpoint for the study is the proportion of patients with complete clearance of all treatable molluscum lesions at Week 12. There are currently no U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved therapies for the treatment of molluscum. The Company believes that SB206 as a topical, at-home, self or caregiver-applied therapy with a rapid treatment benefit, if approved, would satisfy an important patient-care need for the treatment of molluscum.

08:55 EDT MTBC promotes leaders within operations team - CareCloud announced the promotion of two leaders within its management team: Loraine Goetsch to Division President and SVP of Integrations, and Steve Link to Senior Vice President of Client Operations. Goetsch and Link are working to support CareCloud's ongoing scalability by enhancing and optimizing critical aspects such as operational integration and functional service delivery.

08:53 EDT Align Technology announces $100M accelerated stock repurhase program - Align Technology announced that it has entered into an accelerated stock repurchase agreement with Goldman Sachs & Co LLC, to repurchase $100 million of Align's common stock to complete its $600 million stock repurchase program announced on May 23, 2018. Under the terms of the ASR, Align will receive an initial delivery of approximately 134,300 shares. The final number of shares to be repurchased will be based on Align's volume-weighted average stock price during the term of the ASR, less an agreed upon discount. The ASR transaction is expected to be completed by August 2021 and will be funded with Align's cash on hand. As of March 31, 2021, Align had approximately 79.1 million shares outstanding and $1.1 billion in cash and cash equivalents.

08:52 EDT Aeterna Zentaris appoints Teifel as senior VP, non-clinical development, CSO - Aeterna Zentaris announced the appointment of Michael Teifel, Ph.D. as Senior Vice President, Non-Clinical Development and Chief Scientific Officer., or CSO Dr. Teifel is a leading industry executive with a career spanning over 20 years in various therapeutic areas, including endocrinology and oncology. "We are very pleased to welcome back Dr. Teifel to Aeterna Zentaris," commented Dr. Klaus Paulini, CEO of Aeterna. "He has vast knowledge and expertise, including having played an integral role for the company previously in the development and registration of macimorelin, which is now the first and only U.S. FDA and European Commission approved oral test indicated for the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency. We believe he is a valuable asset to the team as we look to advance our diversified pipeline of pharmaceutical and diagnostic products."

08:50 EDT GCM Grosvenor responds to SEC guidance relating to warrants - GCM Grosvenor announced in a Current Report on Form 8-K that in response to recent guidance issued by the staff of the SEC on April 12, related to accounting for warrants issued by special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, the Company will restate its previously issued consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 by filing an amended annual report on Form 10-K with the SEC. The restatement will relate to the treatment of the Company's warrants, and it will have no impact on the Company's previously communicated non-GAAP earnings metrics for 2020 or guidance for 2021, including fee related earnings, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income. Consistent with market practice, the Company was accounting for the warrants as equity on its balance sheet. After reviewing the SEC Statement and consulting with its advisors, the Company intends to restate its 2020 consolidated financial statements such that the warrants are accounted for as liabilities and marked-to-market each reporting period. As a result of the restatement and the increase in its stock price from November 17, 2020 through December 31, 2020, the Company expects to recognize incremental non-operating expense between $10M-$15M for FY20. The Company anticipates based on the change in its warrant value that the Q1 non-operating income will be between $10M-$15M.

08:49 EDT Pretium Resources undergrounding drilling at Brucejack intercepted gold - Pretium Resources announces that underground exploration drilling conducted in 2020 from the 1080 Level, one of the lowest mining levels at the Brucejack Mine, intercepted high-grade gold mineralization at depth and to the east of the Valley of the Kings deposit. The 1080 Level resource expansion drill program is separate from the previously disclosed North Block expansion drill program, which intercepted high-grade gold mineralization to the north of current underground infrastructure. Both programs formed part of the underground resource expansion drill program. Drilling on the 1080 Level East and 1080 Level West intercepted high-grade gold mineralization up to 200 meters below and 200 meters east of the current Mineral Resource shell. Four intersections assayed above 1,000 grams per tonne gold. Results include 245.9 grams per tonne gold over 7.5 meters, including 1,635 grams per tonne gold and 1,465 grams per tonne silver over 1.0 meter in VU-2421 and 1,400 grams per tonne gold and 1,310 grams per tonne silver over 1.0 meter in VU-2397. The 1080 Level resource expansion drill program was comprised of 14,009 meters in 59 drill holes, with 4 drill fans completed in the 1080 Level East and 2 drill fans completed in the 1080 Level West. Drilling tested an area to the east and west of where Pretivm is currently mining on the level.

08:48 EDT MarineMax buys Cruisers Yachts for $63M in accretive deal - MarineMax announced the acquisition of KCS International, Inc., better known as Cruisers Yachts, headquartered in Oconto, Wisconsin. Cruisers Yachts. The Company expects the acquisition to be accretive in its first full twelve-month period. With over 100 years of heritage, Cruisers has successfully navigated through various industry cycles and grown through innovation and product leadership. After launching the distinguished design and innovation of the Cantius yacht series in 2011, Cruisers' growth and market share accelerated. The Company successfully navigated through the 2020 pandemic, producing revenue of over $75M. Cruisers has an accomplished dealer network, including SkipperBud's and Silver Seas Yachts, which were acquired by MarineMax in October 2020, plus five recently added MarineMax locations. Combined, MarineMax accounts for nearly half of Cruisers' revenue on an annual basis. Mark Pedersen, President of Cruisers Yachts stated, "We are very excited about becoming part of the MarineMax family and the great opportunities that lie ahead. Over the years we have recognized that certain customers prefer to only buy an American built yacht, and our brand compliments MarineMax's other offerings. The MarineMax team has a proven track record of great success in our industry. With our loyal Cruisers owners and a strong dealer network, we will all greatly benefit from being a part of MarineMax." Prior to the acquisition, MarineMax's financial capacity, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, along with available borrowings under its credit facilities, exceeded $400 million. The Company paid $63 million for Cruisers, including the recently acquired Pulaski, WI facility. The Company will provide additional details on the acquisition when it reports its June 2021 results.

08:45 EDT Canadian Pacific: CN-KCS combination facing mounting opposition - Canadian Pacific (CP) announced that more than 110 customers and other stakeholders have filed letters with the Surface Transportation Board to express concerns about and/or opposition to Canadian National's (CNI) unsolicited proposal for Kansas City Southern (KSU). The letters from customers and other stakeholders highlight growing concerns that the CN-KCS combination would reduce competition in the Canada-U.S.-Mexico corridor. The letters were filed with the STB by stakeholders large and small across the North American transportation supply chain, and include North Dakota Grain Dealers Association, US Development Group, Farmers Cooperative of Hanska and the Premier of New Brunswick. To date, CP has received almost 500 letters that have expressed support for the CP-KCS transaction, many of which request the STB to review the transaction as swiftly as possible so the end-to-end network could be integrated for the benefits of all stakeholders and North American economic growth. In its April 23 decision to review the CP-KCS transaction under the pre-2001 merger rules, the STB noted that a CP-KCS combination would "result in the fewest overlapping routes when compared to a merger between KCS and any other Class I carrier" and "if approved, the combination of CP and KCS, the sixth largest and seventh largest Class I railroads, respectively, would still result in the smallest Class I railroad, based on U.S. operating revenues. (...) In sum, the Transaction appears to fall neatly into the Board's rationale for adopting the waiver in the first instance." CP strongly believes that the CP-KCS combination is the only one in the public interest and that the STB will evaluate the negative public interest consequences of a CN-KCS transaction. The STB's decision is an important step for the regulatory approval of the CP-KCS combination, which was announced on March 21, 2021, and remains subject to the STB review as well as the approvals of CP and KCS shareholders and other customary closing conditions. The STB review is expected to be completed by the middle of 2022.

08:45 EDT Cocrystal Pharma updates on COVID-19 antiviral discovery, development programs - Cocrystal Pharma announces progress in developing broad-spectrum antiviral drug candidates that target coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Cocrystal initiated its COVID-19 program in March 2020 and has since expanded the program with additional development and licensing. "We are aggressively developing novel coronavirus protease inhibitors for COVID-19 prophylactic and therapeutic use," said Sam Lee, Ph.D., President of Cocrystal. "These drug candidates bind to a highly conserved region of the active site of SARS-CoV-2 protease that is required for SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. Our high-resolution x-ray cocrystal structures further confirmed the specific covalent interaction with this conserved region of the proteases of the coronaviruses SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV viruses." In December 2020 Cocrystal announced the selection of CDI-45205 as its lead coronavirus development candidate among a group of protease inhibitors obtained under an exclusive license agreement with Kansas State University Research Foundation announced in 2020. CDI-45205 showed good bioavailability in mouse and rat pharmacokinetic studies via intraperitoneal injection, and also no cytotoxicity against a variety of human cell lines. The company recently demonstrated a strong synergistic effect with the FDA-approved COVID-19 medicine remdesivir. Additionally, a proof-of-concept animal study demonstrated that daily injection of CDI-45205 exhibited favorable in vivo efficacy in MERS-CoV-2 infected mice. Cocrystal has obtained promising preliminary pharmacokinetic results and is continuing to further evaluate CDI-45205. Cocrystal has leveraged its antiviral development expertise by using its proprietary technology and drug discovery platform to launch a second COVID-19 program with additional antiviral compounds developed.

08:42 EDT AMMO closes acquisition of GunBroker.com - AMMO is pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced acquisition of the GunBroker.com business, the world's largest on-line auction marketplace dedicated to firearms, hunting, shooting and related products. The Transaction involved an approximate $240 million merger of reorganized entities resulting in GunBroker.com and certain affiliates becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of AMMO. The Company anticipates issuing post-Transaction updated guidance on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.

08:40 EDT Valaris successfully completes restructuring, emerges from Chapter 11 - Valaris announced that, on April 30, the Valaris Group has successfully completed its financial restructuring and emerged from chapter 11. The Valaris Group's Plan of Reorganization was approved and confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas on March 3. Valaris now moves forward with a strengthened capital structure, eliminating $7.1B of debt and securing a $520M capital injection by issuing $550M of new secured notes maturing in 2028. As of April 30, Valaris had $615M of available cash, $40M of restricted cash and $550M of debt. The Valaris Group emerges with the largest fleet of modern, high-specification assets in the industry. The company's 11 drillships, five semisubmersibles and 44 jackups are capable of meeting a broad spectrum of customers' requirements across all geographies. The common stock and warrants of the new parent company of the Valaris Group will commence trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols "VAL" and "VAL WS," respectively, at market open, Monday, May. Shares of Valaris plc ceased trading on the OTC Pink Marketplace as of April 28.

08:39 EDT XBiotech, French National Cancer Institute partner to conduct Phase II/III study - XBiotech announced that it had reached an agreement to supply its new cancer drug XB20-01 to INSERM, and its Federation of Digestive Oncology group, a French organization which supports world-leading innovation for treating colorectal cancer. Colorectal is one of the most common forms of cancer in Europe and the United States, with nearly 150,000 new cases and 53,000 deaths expected in the US alone in 2021. The current chemotherapy regimen uses a Trifluridine/Tipiracil combination, drugs that interfere with the genetic material of cells in an effort to kill tumors. However, inflammation and toxicity from the chemotherapy is offset only by modest response rates and less than ideal outcomes. Thus, there is significant unmet medical need for this group of colorectal cancer patients. XBiotech's new drug candidate XB20-01 targets an inflammatory process potentially involved in the growth and spread of colorectal cancer; and the new drug may also block inflammation caused by chemotherapy, potentially reducing side effects and improving the treatment effect of chemotherapy. The chair and lead investigator of the multicenter clinical study is Dr. Francois Ghiringhelli M.D. Ph.D, Director of INSERM, and Professor of Oncology at the University of Burgundy, Genetic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute. Cytotoxic chemotherapy agents result in systemic toxicity-considered to be a trade-off for potential anti-tumor activity. Toxicity is of acute importance clinically, but consequences of inflammatory responses induced by cytotoxic agents may also have a more profound impact, promoting tumor growth, and compromising the efficacy and durability of the therapy itself. Cytotoxic agents upregulate inflammatory pathways, including activation of leukocytes, vascular endothelium, and stromal cells of the tumor microenvironment. IL-1a is believed to play a key role in pro-tumor and treatment related inflammatory pathways. XBiotech's new drug XB20-01 is a naturally occurring antibody that potently neutralizes IL-1a and is thus a safe and promising approach to block inflammation that occurs with advanced malignancies and chemotherapy. Unchecked, IL-1a can stimulate angiogenesis, enhancing blood and nutrient supply to the tumor; IL-1a may also act to recruit unwanted leukocytes into the tumor, that can suppress the ability of the body's immune system to fight off the tumor; and systemically, IL-1a can mediate metabolic dysfunction, and cause fatigue, anorexia, and anxiety in cancer patients. IL-1a is thus a unique target for addressing paraneoplastic inflammation-with XBiotech's new drug therapy holding promise for treating a wide array of cancers.

08:38 EDT Ballard Power and Linamar form strategic alliance - Ballard Power Systems and Linamar announced the formation of a strategic alliance for the co-development and sale of fuel cell powertrains and components for class 1 and 2 vehicles, weighing up to 5-tons, initially in North America and Europe. In the initial phase of work under a Framework Agreement, a fuel cell powertrain solution will be developed, with Ballard providing the fuel cell subsystem and Linamar providing the rolling chassis, tanks, enclosures, cradles and other balance of plant needs as well as final assembly. Following successful testing of the demonstration platform, Ballard and Linamar contemplate the formation of a joint venture to sell and support powertrains with fuel cell systems and an interchangeable rolling chassis for use in a range of light-duty class 1 and 2 vehicles, including passenger cars, SUV's, light trucks and commercial vans.

08:37 EDT Galmed announces NMPA approved IND for Phase 3 ARMOR registrational study - Galmed Pharmaceuticals announced that the National Medical Products Administration, or NMPA, has granted approval for the Investigational New Drug, or IND, application for Galmed's Phase 3 ARMOR registrational study of Aramchol for the treatment of NASH & Fibrosis. The ARMOR study is evaluating the efficacy and safety of Aramchol in subjects with NASH and fibrosis stages 2-3 who are overweight or obese and have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. The study consists of two parts.

08:36 EDT Cornerstone Building brands expands leadership in cinyl windows with acquisition - Cornerstone Building Brands has acquired Prime Window Systems.Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Prime Window serves residential new construction and repair and remodel markets with energy efficient vinyl window and door products. The Company has approximately 300 employees at manufacturing locations in Colorado and Washington. "The acquisition of Prime Window advances our strategy towards profitable growth and operational excellence," said James S. Metcalf, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are joining forces with a well-recognized business and an established customer base that will strengthen our multi-channel offering. Additionally, this acquisition expands our leadership position in highly-attractive residential markets, increases our manufacturing scale, and creates new opportunities in the West, making it an ideal fit." Cornerstone Building Brands expects the transaction to be accretive through purchasing and manufacturing optimization synergies, margin expansion and revenue growth opportunities. Prime Window generated approximately $60 million in sales during 2020.

08:36 EDT Yellow Corp looking to hire thousands of employees nationwide - Yellow is recruiting employees for new positions in Maybrook, New York. On May 5, Yellow will host a hiring event as the trucking company looks to fill jobs including dock workers, local drivers, and linehaul drivers. Yellow intends to hire qualified individuals immediately for 53 jobs in Maybrook with more positions open nationwide. Yellow is the second largest less-than-truckload carrier and the fifth largest transportation company in North America. Yellow's 30,000 employees are based in all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico. Yellow's Maybrook hiring event is among more than two dozen similar recruiting events taking place across America between now and July. By the end of 2021, Yellow aims to hire thousands of new employees nationwide with at least 1,500 of those positions earmarked for commercial drivers.

08:34 EDT Lantheus subsidiary receives CE Mark for aPROMISE in Europe - EXINI Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Lantheus, announced that it has received CE Mark clearance for aPROMISE in Europe.

08:33 EDT Beyond Air appoints Peter Senior as director of business development - Beyond Air (XAIR) announced the appointment of Peter Senior to Director of Business Development. Peter Senior joins Beyond Air after spending 26 years at Linde (LIN) where he most recently served as the Director of Healthcare Partnerships and External Relations. As Director of Business Development at Beyond Air, Peter will lead the global business development strategy and efforts for the LungFit family.

08:32 EDT Switch to acquire Data Foundry for $420M - Switch announced that it has launched its Fifth Prime location in Texas. To launch this initiative, Switch has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Data Foundry, a carrier-neutral colocation provider, for $420M in an all cash transaction. The acquisition is expected to close by mid-2021. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, and with data centers in Austin and Houston, Data Foundry is strategically located in a rapidly growing technology hub which offers a highly favorable business environment for both mature enterprises and early-stage growth companies. The purchase price of $420M represents approximately 19x estimated 2021 Adjusted EBITDA, including $2M of projected run-rate cost synergies. Switch management expects the transaction to be accretive to AFFO1 per share within its first full calendar year after closing. The transaction will be funded through a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under Switch's fully undrawn $500 million revolving credit facility, or new debt securities. Switch was advised by Wells Fargo Securities, and Latham & Watkins on the transaction. Data Foundry was advised by DH Capital and Vinson & Elkins.

08:29 EDT Interpace Biosciences announces improved coverage for ThyGeNEXT, ThyraMIR - Interpace Biosciences announced that eviCore Healthcare, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cigna, has updated their laboratory management guidelines to include positive coverage for ThyGeNEXT and ThyraMIR. This update, which impacts approximately 27 health plans nationwide covering 100 million lives, is effective on July 1, 2021. This means that after the effective date, claims for ThyGeNEXT and ThyraMIR which meet eviCore's criteria for coverage will be considered medically necessary and processed as a covered service.

08:28 EDT Cypress Development appoints Braam Jonker as CFO - Cypress Development Corp. (CYDVF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Abraham Jonker as CFO of the Company. Acting CFO James Pettit will continue to serve on the Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director. Jonker recently served as CFO of Nevada Copper Corp (NEVDF), where he led the corporate finance functions as the company transitioned to project developer and into initial start-up of production.

08:26 EDT Gritstone Oncology changes name to Gristone bio - Gritstone Oncology announced it is changing its name to Gritstone bio, Inc. effective immediately. "Gritstone began its life with the goal of building a vaccine platform that would drive strong CD8+ cytotoxic T cell responses to cancer antigens in humans, a challenge that the cancer immunotherapy field had struggled to meet," said Andrew Allen, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Gritstone. "Having successfully achieved that goal, and with Phase 2 cancer clinical trials underway, we broadened our scope to address infectious diseases where vaccine induction of potent CD8+ T cell responses could complement the typically elicited neutralizing antibodies, offering the prospect of robust and durable clinical protection. This strategic extension was driven by immediate needs to address the global pandemic, future needs given the recurring emergence of novel viruses, and interest by industry and government agencies to gain access to our cutting-edge technologies." From inception in 2015 until 2020, the company's activities were focused on the development of novel neoantigen-based immunotherapies for the treatment of patients with cancer. The company's Phase 2 oncology programs are GRANITE, an individualized immunotherapy, and SLATE, an "off the shelf" but personalized immunotherapy. In 2021, Gritstone launched a COVID-19 program supported by collaborations with The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the La Jolla Institute for Immunology, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. The Phase 1 CORAL clinical trial, which is funded by NIAID and conducted through the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium, is underway. In February 2021, the company also announced a collaboration agreement with Gilead Sciences for the development of an HIV-specific therapeutic vaccine using Gritstone's vaccine platforms.

08:24 EDT Zealand Pharma announces publication of Phase 3 trial of dasiglucagon - Zealand Pharma announced that Diabetes Care has published results from its Phase 3 trial evaluating dasiglucagon for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in adults with diabetes. The article is available online, and will appear in Diabetes Care. The study found that dasiglucagon administration resulted in a reversal of hypoglycemia with 99% of trial participants reaching recovery within 15 minutes. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter Phase 3 study enrolled 170 adults with type 1 diabetes, each randomized to receive a single subcutaneous dose of dasiglucagon 0.6 mg, placebo, or reconstituted glucagon 1 mg during controlled insulin-induced hypoglycemia. The primary efficacy endpoint was time to plasma glucose recovery, defined as an increase of more than 20 mg/dL from baseline without the need for rescue with intravenous glucose, in adult patients treated with dasiglucagon versus placebo, with reconstituted glucagon included as a reference. In this study, the median time to recovery was 10 minutes for dasiglucagon, compared to 40 minutes for placebo; and 12 minutes for reconstituted glucagon. In the dasiglucagon group, plasma glucose recovery was achieved within 15 minutes in all but one participant, superior to placebo and similar to glucagon. All patients achieved recovery within the study period after receiving one dose. The most common adverse events reported were nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and injection site pain in adults.

08:22 EDT Krystal Biotech appoints Andy Orth as CCO - Krystal Biotech (KRYS) announced the appointment of Andy Orth as Chief Commercial Officer. Mr. Orth was most recently Senior Vice President, Head of US Business at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY).

08:20 EDT Bionano Genomics announces GEM at Augusta Universiry offers Saphyr services - Bionano Genomics announced that the Georgia Esoteric and Molecular Laboratory at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University is now offering diagnostic services for constitutional genetic disorders through a laboratory-developed test based on optical genome mapping with the Saphyr System. The LDT developed by Dr. Ravindra Kolhe and his team is designed for pediatric patients suspected to have a neurodevelopmental genetic disorder. Dr. Kolhe is developing additional OGM-based LDTs for prenatal genetic disorders and other indications.

08:17 EDT Guardant Health appoints Craig Eagle, MD as Chief Medical Officer - Guardant Health announces the appointment of Craig Eagle, MD as the company's new Chief Medical Officer, CMO. Dr. Craig Eagle, MD. As CMO, Dr. Eagle will play a vital role in furthering Guardant Health's mission of transforming cancer care by unlocking data that will accelerate precision oncology for patients at all stages of the disease. "I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Craig Eagle, a respected leader in oncology, as our Chief Medical Officer," said AmirAli Talasaz, Guardant Health President. "Craig has a wealth of experience driving medical affairs, clinical development, and clinical trial operations at leading pharmaceutical companies, and he will undoubtedly make a great impact as we continue to develop and commercialize first-in-class products and scale the company for the future.""I look forward to contributing to the ground-breaking work Guardant Health is doing to serve unmet medical needs by applying precision oncology across the continuum of cancer care," said Craig Eagle, MD. "Guardant Health is uniquely positioned to serve cancer patients at all stages of the disease, from advanced to early-stage cancers. I look forward to joining the team as the company continues to increase patient access to potentially life-changing diagnostics and testing." Prior to joining Guardant Health, Dr. Eagle has most recently served as Vice President of Medical Affairs Oncology for Genentech where he oversaw the medical programs across the oncology portfolio, and developed innovative cancer trials and strategies in personalized health care. Prior to Genentech, Dr. Eagle has held several positions in the U.S. and internationally over his 19-year career at Pfizer including global head of the Oncology Medical and Outcomes Group. In this role, he oversaw the worldwide medical programs and development of numerous commercially successful drugs. Dr. Eagle currently serves on the Board of Directors for Generex Biotechnology and NuGenerex Immuno-Oncology.

08:16 EDT Worlds Inc. says 'disappointed' in court's decision on Activision suit - On Friday, April 30, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts allowed Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment, finding the asserted claims of Worlds Inc. (WDDD) against Activision/Blizzard (ATVI) et al regarding asserted patents invalid under 35 U.S.C. Section 101 as directed to ineligible subject matter. Worlds CEO Thom Kidrin stated, "We are obviously disappointed in the court's decision, but we believe the ruling is contrary to the established law of section 101 as announced by the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit." Mr. Kidrin further noted, "The court's decision focused much of its analysis on claim 4 of the '690 patent, which was fully considered and found valid and patentable by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in the challenges raised by Bungie in 2015. Worlds has faced many obstacles while enforcing its intellectual property rights against parties such as Activision, Linden Lab, and Microsoft. Some thought Bungie's 2015 challenges would put an end to Worlds' patents, but Worlds persevered and each of the challenged patents emerged successfully with claims intact. Friday's ruling is just another obstacle, and Worlds intends to continue fighting to overturn that ruling."

08:13 EDT CCL Industries expands into Singapore - CCL Industries announced it has acquired privately held Lux Global Label Asia based in Singapore. LUX produces decorative labels for global consumer customers in the ASEAN region. For the trailing twelve months ending March 31, 2021, sales were $9.2 million, with adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1.0 million. The estimated $9.4 million purchase price is expected to equate approximately to the fair market value of the tangible fixed assets and working capital acquired. LUX will immediately move to trade as CCL Label Singapore.

08:11 EDT Ocular fulfills post-marketing approval requirements for ReSure Sealant - Ocular Therapeutix has received notification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirming it has fulfilled all post-approval study requirements for ReSure Sealant, with a requirement to update the ReSure label reflecting the study results. As a condition for ReSure's pre-market approval application (PMA) in 2014, the FDA required two post-approval studies to be completed. The first, referred to as the Clinical Post-Approval Study, was completed in 2016. This notification marks the completion of the second, the Device Exposure Registry Study, a retrospective analysis comparing endophthalmitis rates from sites that purchased ReSure Sealant versus sites that did not. "We are happy to have completed the FDA's post-approval requirements for our ReSure Sealant product" said Antony Mattessich, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ocular Therapeutics. "ReSure is well-regarded by anterior segment surgeons and this study only adds to the body of knowledge supporting its use." This retrospective study evaluated endophthalmitis rates at sites with access to ReSure compared with the rate at sites without access to ReSure using the American Academy of Ophthalmology's IRIS Registry ntelligent Research in Sight database. In total, 6.7 million eyes that underwent cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular len016 and December 2019 were evaluated in the study. The endophthalmitis rates for sites with access to ReSure was 0.609 per 1,000 surgeries, compared with 0.660 per 1,000 surgeries for sites without access to ReSure . Overall, the results of the study demonstrated there was no clinically or statistically significant difference in the incidence of endophthalmitis within 30 days of any cataract surgery between cohorts with and without access to ReSure Sealant. Ocular plans to submit a PMA supplement to modify the existing ReSure label to reflect the findings from the recently completed study

08:11 EDT Novartis reports Phase 3 KESTREL and KITE studies met primary endpoints - Novartis announced positive one-year results of the Phase 3 KESTREL and KITE studies, evaluating the efficacy and safety of Beovu 6 mg in diabetic macular edema, or DME. Both studies met their primary endpoints of non-inferiority in change in best corrected visual acuity from baseline for Beovu 6 mg versus aflibercept 2 mg at year one. In KESTREL, patients on Beovu 6 mg gained a mean of 9.2 letters versus 10.5 letters for patients on aflibercept 2 mg. In KITE, patients on Beovu 6 mg gained a mean of 10.6 letters versus 9.4 letters for patients on aflibercept 2 mg. These results will be presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2021 Annual Meeting. In pre-specified secondary endpoints, fewer eyes treated with Beovu had intraretinal and/or subretinal fluid at week 32 and week 52 versus eyes treated with aflibercept. More eyes treated with Beovu 6 mg than eyes treated with aflibercept achieved central subfield thickness levels below 280 mum at weeks 32 and 52, the company reported. "We are pleased to share these data, which underscore Beovu's potential to address an unmet need in the DME landscape. With these data demonstrating vision gains, fluid resolution and the potential for less frequent injections for eligible patients, we are one step closer to providing DME patients with a potential new treatment option," said Jill Hopkins, Global Development Unit Head, Ophthalmology, Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

08:10 EDT Rhythm Pharmaceuticals expects cash to fund operations into at least 2H23 - Based on its current operating plans, Rhythm expects that its existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of March 31, 2021, will be sufficient to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into at least the second half of 2023.

08:09 EDT Rhythm Pharmaceuticals announces 2021 anticipated milestones - Rhythm expects to achieve the following milestones in 2021: Regulatory Milestones: Complete regulatory review by the European Commission and, pending approval, make IMCIVREE commercially available in Europe in obesity due to POMC, PCSK1 and LEPR deficiency in the second half of 2021. Complete regulatory submissions to both the FDA and the EMA seeking marketing authorization for setmelanotide for the treatment of obesity in patients with BBS in the second half of 2021; the Company expects to determine next steps for Alstrom syndrome upon completing a full analysis of the final data from the Phase 3 trial. Clinical Milestones: Initiate a Phase 2, multi-center, open-label, proof-of-concept study designed to explore the potential of setmelanotide in people living with hypothalamic obesity, which is most often caused by trauma to the hypothalamus during surgical resection of a tumor, in the first half of 2021. The Company believes a subset of patients with hypothalamic obesity may have the potential for weight loss with setmelanotide if their MC4 receptor is sufficiently intact. Announce new topline data from the ongoing exploratory Phase 2 Basket Study evaluating setmelanotide in MC4R-rescuable patients in the second half of 2021. Announce full data from the pivotal Phase 3 trial evaluating setmelanotide in BBS and Alstrom syndrome at a medical meeting in the second half of 2021, following topline data presentations in March and April. Initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial of setmelanotide in pediatric patients aged two to six years old in the second half of 2021. Pending FDA feedback, initiate a pivotal Phase 3 MC4R pathway trial of setmelanotide in patients with HET obesity, as well as SRC1 and SH2B1 deficiency obesities, in the second half of 2021. Initiate a new exploratory Phase 2 Basket Study of setmelanotide in patients with variants in one of 31 additional genes with strong or very strong MC4R pathway relevance in the second half of 2021. Initiate a Phase 3 potentially registration-enabling trial for the weekly formulation of setmelanotide in the second half of 2021.

08:06 EDT Lineage Cell Therapeutics updated interim results from OpRegen study - Lineage Cell Therapeutics updated interim results from its ongoing, 24-patient Phase 1/2a clinical study of its lead product candidate, OpRegen, were reported at the 2021 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. OpRegen is an investigational cell therapy consisting of allogeneic retinal pigment epithelium or RPE, cells administered to the subretinal space for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration with geographic atrophy, GA. At ARVO 2021, additional data were presented on 24 patients enrolled in the study, including all 12 patients treated in Cohort 4, which have better baseline vision and smaller areas of GA than earlier cohorts. "I continue to be very excited about this work and the clinical data generated to date with OpRegen, especially in the better vision Cohort 4 patients," stated Principal Investigator Christopher D. Riemann, M.D., Vitreoretinal Surgeon and Fellowship Director, Cincinnati Eye Institute and University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. "There seems to be a significant visual acuity signal in Cohort 4 patients, with most treated eyes having stable or improved vision over time when compared to the contralateral eyes having stable or worsening vision over time. When looking at reading speed progression, treated eyes also seemed to improve while untreated eyes declined. Notably, some individual responders had impressive visual acuity improvements and reductions in GA progression compared to their contralateral eyes. Most importantly, we believe that earlier intervention in less severely affected patients along with a more central placement of transplanted OpRegen cells may increase the likelihood of a clinically beneficial effect. Overall, these results are encouraging and are of a magnitude that could be clinically very important if confirmed in further clinical studies."

08:05 EDT SuperCom subsidiary awarded $4M new project in California - SuperCom that through its fully-owned subsidiary, Leaders in Community Alternatives, or LCA, SuperCom has won a new project in California to provide Juvenile Programing and Rehabilitative Services, valued at up to $4M. These type of projects are aimed at supporting those reentering the community from periods of incarceration by providing evidence-based and individualized services that contribute to a reduction in recidivism. This new project is valued at up to $4M over a 5-year period, consisting of a 2-year initial term with three optional one-year extensions and is expected to generate annual recurring revenues of approximately $800,000. The award will go through the customary county approval process and negotiations before contract execution and project launch. The project is expected to launch in the summer of 2021.

08:04 EDT Verizon Media to be acquired by Apollo funds to $5B

08:04 EDT CME Group launches Micro Bitcoin futures - CME Group launched Micro Bitcoin futures, expanding its suite of crypto derivatives offerings. "We are pleased to introduce this new contract at a time when we continue to see consistent growth of liquidity and participation in our crypto futures and options," said Tim McCourt, CME Group Global Head of Equity Index and Alternative Investment Products. "At one-tenth the size of one bitcoin, Micro Bitcoin futures will provide an efficient, cost-effective way for a broad array of market participants - from institutions to sophisticated, active traders - to fine-tune their bitcoin exposure and enhance their trading strategies, all while retaining the benefits of CME Group's standard Bitcoin futures."

08:03 EDT Medtronic announces CE Mark of Evolut PRO+ TAVI System - Medtronic announced CE Mark of the Evolut PRO+ TAVI System, the newest-generation Medtronic TAVI system that builds off the proven self-expanding, supra-annular Evolut TAVI platform. The Evolut PRO+ TAVI System includes four valve sizes with an external pericardial tissue wrap that provides advanced sealing for the largest annular range on the market. The approval follows a recent indication expansion for the Evolut platform in Europe for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at a low risk of surgical mortality and patients with bicuspid aortic valves who are at intermediate, high and extreme risk of surgical mortality.

07:53 EDT Commercial Vehicle Group announces refinancing of senior notes - CVG announced that on April 30, 2021 it had closed on $275 million in senior secured credit facilities, consisting of a $150 million Term Loan A and a $125 million Revolving Credit Facility. The Company used a portion of the proceeds of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities to pay off its existing Term Loan B and Asset Backed Loan Facility which at April 30, 2021 had outstanding principal of $151.6 million and $11.3 million respectively. CVG expects to reduce its interest expense by approximately $3.1 million on a full quarter basis as a result of this transaction. The five-year Term Loan A will have tiered interest costs based on the total consolidated leverage ratio ranging from Eurodollar +225 bps with a leverage ratio less than1.5x to Eurodollar +300 bps with a leverage ratio greater than3.0x. The Eurodollar floor is 25 bps. The five-year term Revolver will have tiered interest costs based on the total consolidated leverage ratio ranging from Prime +125 bps with a leverage ratio less than1.5x to Prime +200 bps with a leverage ratio greater than3.0x. The Senior Secured Credit Facilities also have an unused line fee depending on the total consolidated leverage ratio ranging from 20 bps to 30 bps. The Senior Secured Credit Facilities will be subject to a starting maximum leverage ratio of 3.75x with step downs to 3.50x at September 30, 2021, 3.25x at March 31, 2022 and 3.00x at September 30, 2022 and thereafter. Further, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities will be subject to a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.20x.

07:51 EDT Diversified Royalty announces increase to Mr. Lube royalty rate - Diversified Royalty Corp. and Mr. Lube Canada Limited Partnership announced that effective May 1, 2021, the royalty rate paid by Mr. Lube to the Corporation on non-tire sales at flagship locations has been increased by 0.5% from 7.45% to 7.95%. In addition, the Mr. Lube royalty pool has been adjusted to include the royalties from 13 new Mr. Lube locations. With the adjustment for these 13 openings, the Mr. Lube Royalty Pool now includes 135 flagship locations. As previously announced, on November 9, 2020, DIV and Mr. Lube entered into an amendment to the amended and restated limited partnership agreement of DIV's direct subsidiary ML Royalties Limited Partnership to confirm the terms on which the aforementioned transactions would be completed. Mr. Lube has the option, subject to meeting certain performance criteria to increase the Mr. Lube Royalty Rate in four, 0.5% increments during the life of the royalty. The increase of the Mr. Lube Royalty Rate from 7.45% to 7.95% on non-tire sales on May 1, 2021 represents the second such royalty rate increase. The royalty rate on tire sales remains unchanged at 2.50%. The Mr. Lube Royalty Rate increase is expected to generate additional royalty revenue for the Corporation of approximately $1.16 million per annum. The total consideration paid to Mr. Lube for the increase of the Mr. Lube Royalty Rate was $8.3 million, which was paid to Mr. Lube on May 1, 2021 in cash. The consideration paid to Mr. Lube for the increase to the Mr. Lube Royalty Rate was partially financed by an increase in the term loan facility of ML LP as described below. Subject to certain performance criteria being met, the Mr. Lube Royalty Pool is adjusted annually on May 1 to include new Mr. Lube locations that have been open since July 1 of the previous reporting period and to remove Mr. Lube locations that have been permanently closed during the previous year. Pursuant to the LP Amendment, such performance criteria were agreed to be satisfied with respect to 13 Mr. Lube locations added to the Mr. Lube Royalty Pool on May 1, 2021. The initial consideration paid to Mr. Lube for the estimated net additional royalty revenue is $7.7 million, representing 80% of the total estimated consideration of $9.6 million, which was paid in cash. The consideration paid to Mr. Lube was partially financed by an increase in the term loan facility of ML LP as described below. The remaining consideration payable for the net additional royalty revenue related to 7 of the 13 locations will be paid to Mr. Lube on May 1, 2022 and will be adjusted to reflect the actual system sales of these locations for the year ending December 31, 2021. The remaining consideration payable for the net additional royalty revenue related to 6 of the 13 locations will be paid to Mr. Lube on May 1, 2023 and will be adjusted to reflect the actual system sales of these locations for the year ending December 31, 2022. On May 1, 2019, the Mr. Lube Royalty Pool was adjusted to include royalties from four new flagship Mr. Lube locations. The initial consideration previously paid by DIV was $2.7 million, which represented 80% of the total estimated consideration for those four locations, which estimate was based on the forecast system sales of these four locations for the 2019 fiscal year. The remaining consideration for the additional royalty revenue of the four new flagship Mr. Lube locations added to the Mr. Lube Royalty Pool on May 1, 2019 was originally scheduled to be paid to Mr. Lube on May 1, 2020, based on their actual system sales for the year ended December 31, 2019. The impact of COVID-19 on Mr. Lube and DIV would have created an anomalous result in the determination of the remaining consideration payable by DIV to Mr. Lube for the four new flagship locations added to the Royalty Pool on May 1, 2019. Accordingly, as previously disclosed, at Mr. Lube's request, DIV agreed to defer the payment of the remaining consideration owing to Mr. Lube to May 1, 2021. After taking into account the $2.7 million previously paid by DIV to Mr. Lube on May 1, 2019, DIV paid Mr. Lube the remaining $0.9 million of cash consideration for the additional royalty revenue of these four locations on May 1, 2021. On May 1, 2021, ML LP, the wholly owned subsidiary of DIV that owns the ML Rights, amended its credit agreement with a Canadian chartered bank to increase its non-amortizing term loan facility from $41.6 million to $53.0 million. The increase in the term loan facility was used to partially finance the consideration paid to Mr. Lube for the increase in the Mr. Lube Royalty Rate and the additions to the Mr. Lube Royalty Pool. Under the amended ML LP credit agreement, the term loan facility bears interest at the banker's acceptance rate plus 2.5% per annum and matures on May 1, 2025. ML LP is required to have in place, and expects to complete, an interest rate swap arrangement for 75% of the $53.0 million term loan facility within 60 days following May 1, 2021.

07:49 EDT Vitalhub announces regional sale of Transforming Systems' SHREWD solution - VitalHub is pleased to announce the sale of recently acquired Transforming Systems' proprietary SHREWD Region Platform to the National Health Service East of England Regional Team. The NHS East of England regional provides care for a population group of over 6 million people and includes six Integrated Care Systems, covering Cambridge & Peterborough, Norfolk & Waveney, Bedfordshire, Luton & Milton Keynes, Mid & South Essex, and Suffolk & North East Essex localities in addition the original Herts & West Essex pilot area. The initial use of the product, with an opportunity to expand to include additional modules, involves the creation of an intelligent conveyancing system, intended to support the East of England Ambulance Service. The solution will enable data to be gathered across the region's emergency departments to enable improved tactical decision-making is respect to patient transport, toward optimizing resource allocation and care delivery.

07:47 EDT Auxly's Dosecann launches Dosecann Daily Relief CBD Cream - Dosecann, an in-house brand owned by Auxly Cannabis Group, announces the launch of Dosecann Daily Relief CBD Cream, a new, high-strength, differentiated cannabis topical cream for Canadian wellness consumers. With 1,200mg of cannabidiol per 60 ml unit, Dosecann Daily Relief CBD Cream has double the potency of any CBD topical currently available in the Canadian marketplace and is competitively priced to deliver the best value for a CBD topicali. Dosecann Daily Relief CBD Cream is available to order now for wholesalers across Canada, is available to consumers now in British Columbia and Saskatchewan and will also be available in Alberta in coming weeks.

07:45 EDT Acreage Holdings, Medterra announce joint venture - Acreage Holdings announced its subsidiary, Universal Hemp reached an agreement with Medterra CBD. This partnership will allow Acreage Holdings to tap into Medterra's innovation pipeline, high-quality CBD, and significant e-commerce platform for immediate nationwide distribution. Five Farms CBD, a subsidiary of Medterra, will develop a full spectrum CBD collection under The Botanist, an Acreage Holdings brand. This partnership makes this a first in the cannabis industry for a CBD and a publicly traded cannabis brand to collaborate. Acreage will license The Botanist brand to Five Farms, which will manufacture, market, and sell The Botanist branded CBD products through Medterra's e-commerce platform. The Botanist branded CBD is expected to be available the second half of 2021.

07:40 EDT ContraFect announces issuance of composition of matter patent for CF-370 - ContraFect announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 10,988,520, on April 27, 2021 for CF-370, the company's second potential therapeutic product candidate. The patent, which is owned by ContraFect, expires in March of 2039, and is the latest U.S. patent to issue from the company's DLA patent portfolio. The patent, entitled "Lysin-Antimicrobial Peptide Polypeptide Constructs, Lysins, Isolated Polynucleotides Encoding Same and Uses Thereof" contains composition of matter claims covering the CF-370 construct, and claims for methods of treating Gram-negative bacterial infections, including those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli. "This patent demonstrates the company's commitment to developing an investigational product targeting P. aeruginosa, a Gram-negative pathogen that causes severe infections, including hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonias and pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis infections," the company said.

07:38 EDT Intra-Cellular announces FDA acceptance of CAPLYTA sNDAs for treating Bipolar - Intra-Cellular Therapies announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for review its supplemental New Drug Applications for lumateperone, an investigational agent for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or II disorder as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate. The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act target action date of December 17, 2021 for the applications. If approved, CAPLYTA has the potential to be an important medicine for a broad group of patients suffering from these highly prevalent, chronic complex conditions. Two Phase 3 global placebo-controlled bipolar depression studies, Study 402 and Study 404, form the basis of the CAPLYTA sNDAs for the treatment of bipolar depression. In these clinical trials, lumateperone 42 mg demonstrated tolerability and safety profile consistent with findings in all of our previous studies in schizophrenia. The most commonly reported adverse events were somnolence, dizziness and nausea. Importantly, the rates of akathisia, restlessness and extrapyramidal symptoms were low and similar to placebo.

07:36 EDT Xoma earns milestone for first patient dosed in Phase 3 development program - XOMA (XOMA) announced it has earned a $0.5M milestone from Janssen Biotech (JNJ), as a result of the first patient dosed in a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating one of Janssen's biologic assets. Under the terms of the agreement with Janssen, XOMA has the potential to receive additional regulatory milestone payments should Janssen achieve marketing approval, and upon commercialization, the company will receive a royalty on future commercial sales. Should Janssen expand its late-stage development activities beyond the targeted indication, XOMA could receive additional milestone economics.

07:30 EDT BurgerFi names Henry Gonzalez as Chief Marketing Officer - BurgerFi International has hired Henry Gonzalez as Chief Marketing Officer. Gonzalez holds over 25 years of experience with leading brands in marketing, account management, product development, category management, merchandising and promotions both domestically and internationally with B2C and B2B businesses. Gonzalez joins BurgerFi after serving as Founder of Bigger Slice Consulting.

07:30 EDT Aleafia Health secures Health Canada research license for trials - Aleafia Health has secured a Health Canada Research Licence for its cannabis product manufacturing and innovation centre in Paris, Ont. The licence allows the Company to conduct human sensory analysis and palatability trials, evaluating the taste, touch, smell and sight of its growing portfolio of differentiated medical and consumer cannabis products. Aleafia Health is currently developing a number of new product formats and line extensions to complement its existing cannabis portfolio of dried flower, edibles, sublingual strips, soft gels, extracts, and vape cartridges. The Company intends to conduct sensory assessment studies consistently during product development, allowing human panels to evaluate objective product characteristics, and evaluate preference between comparable products.

07:28 EDT Fission Uranium announces $30M bought deal public offering - FISSION URANIUM CORP. is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Eight Capital and Sprott Capital Partners LP, as co-lead underwriters on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters, pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to buy, on a bought deal basis, 50,000,000 units of the Company, at a price of $0.60 per Unit for gross proceeds of $30 million. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company, and one half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Share at an exercise price of $0.85 at any time on or before that date which is 36 months after the Closing Date. The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable at the Offering Price for a period of 30 days following the closing of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Units to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund the further development of the Triple R deposit in Saskatchewan, to repay certain amounts owing under the credit facility among the Company, Sprott Resources Lending Corp. and Sprott Private Resource Lending II (C LP, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

07:26 EDT Xebec Adsorption acquires Nortekbelair Corporation for C$8.5M - Xebec Adsorption is pleased to announce on April 30, 2021, it has closed the acquisition of all the outstanding shares of Tennessee based Nortekbelair Corporation. Nortec's principal, Mike Zarif, Ph.D, will remain with Nortec after the acquisition and continue his focus on R&D and product development within the company. With this acquisition, Xebec's manufacturing footprint will expand with an 18,500 sq. foot facility in Maryville, Tennessee, and will provide the company with key personnel to establish a "Center of Excellence" for its dehydration products comprised of compressed air dryers, renewable natural gas dryers, hydrogen dryers and support its Cleantech Service Network. Total consideration payable by Xebec is approximately C$8.5M through a combination of cash on hand, of which C$2.6M was paid in cash on closing, and 735,838 common shares of Xebec at a price of $4.385 per common share were issued to the seller. The total consideration is subject to certain holdbacks, adjustments and time-based payments. Nortec had revenues of C$4.5M for FY2020 and as with previous acquisitions, Xebec expects that Nortec's growth and profitability could be improved with product, sourcing and back-office synergies.

07:24 EDT mdf Commerce launches Grants-for-Start-ups programme - mdf commerce is proud to announce the launch of a call for applications for the mdf commerce Grants-for-Start-ups programme, the objective of which is to recognize the contribution to the economic recovery of 10 young companies in the techno-digital sector in Quebec. mdf commerce and the AQT are happy to join forces to offer 10 grants as well as two years of AQT membership and personalized support offered by the network. mdf commerce will also offer three one-hour sessions with its experts to each of the winners so that they can discuss best practices in areas such as communications, human resources, sales, marketing or any other business development related topic.

07:22 EDT Green Thumb Industries to acquire Dharma Pharmaceuticals, terms not disclosed - Green Thumb Industries announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Dharma Pharmaceuticals, expanding its cannabis distribution network into the Virginia cannabis market. Dharma was the first operator to provide medical products to Virginia's patients in 2020 and is strategically positioned to scale in the emerging adult-use market. Virginia became the first Southeastern state in the United States to legalize adult-use cannabis after the Virginia General Assembly approved legislation on April 7, 2021. This follows several post-election legalization initiatives at the state level, including New York in March and New Mexico in April, bringing the total to 17 states and 3 U.S. territories with legal and regulated cannabis programs for adult use, or over 40% of the U.S. population. While Virginia currently allows cannabis access only to qualified medical patients, adult-use sales are expected to commence in January 2024. With a population of nearly 8.5 million, Virginia is expected to generate over $1.5 billion in legal cannabis sales, create significant tax revenue for the Commonwealth and employ thousands of Virginians. Upon completion of the Acquisition, Green Thumb will have a presence in 13 markets: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. As one of only five licenses in the Virginia medical cannabis market, Dharma is licensed to grow, process and retail cannabis directly to consumers. The Acquisition includes an existing production facility and retail dispensary located in Abingdon, VA. Green Thumb will also maintain the opportunity to open up to five additional retail locations in the Commonwealth. Completion of the Acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of 2021.

07:19 EDT Brown & Brown appoints Anurag Batta as Bridge Specialty Group COO - Bridge Specialty Wholesale, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brown & Brown, announced that Anurag Batta has been named COO for Bridge Specialty Group. In this newly created role, Mr. Batta will be responsible for driving operational transformation and profitable growth. He will work closely with the President and other senior leaders across the company in this capacity. Prior to joining Bridge Specialty Group, Mr. Batta served as the COO of Zurich North America, where he was responsible for leading strategy, business transformation, innovation, customer experience, data and analytics, corporate communications, and marketing.

07:18 EDT Clearside Biomedical announces resubmission of NDA for XIPERE - Clearside Biomedical announced the resubmission of its New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for XIPERE for the treatment of macular edema associated with uveitis. Clearside's resubmission is a full and complete response to all of the items identified in the Complete Response Letter received from the FDA on October 18, 2019. Clearside believes this application will be considered a Class 2 resubmission, with a targeted six-month review timeline under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act.

07:17 EDT CN issues open letter to Kansas City Southern community on proposal - CN (CN) issued an open letter to the Kansas City Southern (KSU) community regarding CN's proposal to combine with KCS. The letter read, in part, "At CN, we believe how you get there is just as important as reaching your destination. On the railroad, that means getting our customers' freight from origin to destination safely, cost-effectively and reliably, with respect for the environment and the communities we serve. In business, it means dealing fairly and honestly, with respect for people and processes. We are in a spirited contest with Canadian Pacific (CP) to acquire Kansas City Southern. We believe we have a better bid than CP, that we can be a better partner to KCS and all of its stakeholders, and that a combined CN-KCS represents the best solution for shippers and the North American economy. We also believe that the people who pay to move freight on our rails should have a say in what happens here. That is why we asked our industry regulator - the Surface Transportation Board - to apply a higher "enhanced competition" standard of regulatory review to our proposed transaction instead of the lower pre-2001 standard CP asked for. We want to know what customers think, and we are confident they will like what they hear. Since launching our bid, more than 600 customers, suppliers, port operators, elected officials and other key stakeholders have written letters to the STB in support of a CN-KCS combination. Finally, we believe facts matter, and that good processes lead to proper outcomes. And that is why we feel compelled to set the record straight on some of the so-called "truths" that CP has been promoting in an effort to muddy the water on our clearly superior bid. So here are some facts: With more choices comes more competition, lower costs and better service. A CN-KCS combination will offer customers more connections and more choices, with new access points and gateway options. This includes an additional 22 Class 1 gateways, 5 ports and 10 barge terminals for the supply chain of KCS customers. A combined CP-KCS offers none of this. CN will preserve all existing route choices. We are committed to preserving routing options by keeping current gateways open and providing bottleneck protections. This empowers customers to choose the best route and carrier options for their needs. CN is creating new shipping options. CP wants you to believe that a combined CN-KCS would impair competition in north-south shipping. This plainly isn't true. A combined CN-KCS would compete with multiple Class 1 railroads operating no less than six other north-south routes, not to mention Mississippi River barge traffic and the biggest freight carriers of all - truck traffic along Interstates 35 and 55. CN is committed to Kansas City Southern - and to Kansas City. We have great respect for KCS's people, culture and history. We are committed to maintaining CN's U.S. headquarters in Kansas City, investing in the communities we serve and working with KCS's talented management team to create good new jobs up and down the line. CN has committed to implementing appropriate arrangements with its customers and the STB to address any competitive concerns, including those that might arise from the fact that 1% of a combined CN-KCS's tracks would overlap. At CN, we focus on solutions. CN has put forward an identical voting trust structure to CP to ensure KCS remains independent until regulators have approved whichever transaction KCS ultimately chooses to pursue. We are confident the STB will approve both voting trusts and put them on level ground so that KCS shareholders can realize the best value for their shares."

07:16 EDT Syneos Health launches 'lab to life' enterprise partnership with Komodo Health - Syneos Health announced it has expanded its relationship with Komodo Health. "The partnership will allow Syneos Health to better analyze clinical, real-world, and commercial data, offering customers a seamless integration to their operational trial designs and commercialization deployment strategies to transform biopharmaceutical product development," the company said. Powered by Komodo's Healthcare Map, the new solution "integrates Komodo Health's Prism and Sentinel applications to better enable Syneos Health to perform sophisticated studies, analyzing comprehensive and de-identified, aggregated patient data. The resulting insights inform clinical trial design and delivery and generate real-world evidence on product effectiveness, safety and utilization in the healthcare system," the company added. Komodo Health's Platform and suite of applications will be an important part of the Syneos Health Dynamic Assembly network, an open ecosystem of data and technology collaborators.

07:14 EDT Myriad Genetics expects to be profitable by 4Q21 - At its 2021 Investor Day, Myriad Genetics will provide a strategic business update, including an overview of initiatives to expand its reach and solidify its position as a leading partner in genetic testing and precision medicine. The webcast, from 11 am-1:30 pm EDT, will include commentary on the company's long-term financial outlook and a progress report on the execution of its transformation plan, and growth initiatives and planned divestitures. Paul J. Diaz, president and CEO of Myriad Genetics, and the executive leadership team will share announcements that span Myriad's core businesses in Women's Health, Oncology and Mental Health, supported by new tech-enabled enterprise and commercial capabilities to better serve patients and healthcare providers. "Over the last nine months, we conducted an extensive strategic review of our businesses and support functions. We developed and began to executed a transformative agenda to advance our leadership and fulfill our mission of improving health and well-being for all. We are committed to illuminating the path to better health by providing patients with vital genetic insights and enabling healthcare providers to better detect, treat and prevent disease. We have substantially completed the reset of the base of our organization and operations allowing us to increase our focus, reduce complexity and cost as we work to create a more customer-centric culture dedicated to operational excellence, accountability, and teammate engagement," he added. "We are now implementing enterprise capabilities including a new commercial model designed to improve the end-to-end customer experience together with focused research and technology initiatives, enhanced reimbursement, and revenue cycle management. This will provide a foundation for consistent, long-term growth and profitability. Looking to the future, we will deploy capital and expand strategic partnerships with other healthcareleaders to deliver value for patients, providers, payors and shareholders." Beginning this quarter, Myriad Genetics began to implement the second phase of its transformation plan. This will be discussed in greater detail at its Investor Day. Key themes will include: Best-in-class quality, service, and accessibility: Myriad Genetics has leading products with differentiating scientific advantages across its portfolio of products and services in hereditary cancer, precision oncology and companion diagnostics, prenatal screening, and mental health. Myriad has invested significantly in improving its customer experience and pricing models to elevate its products to full potential and make them more accessible. Tech-enabled enterprise capabilities to support growth: Myriad Genetics recently launched a new commercial organization supported by customerfacing technology solutions. The company also has begun to invest in a"Lab of the Future" with highly automated tools and testing processes that improve accuracy, increase productivity, reduce turnaround time, and lower cost of goods sold. Leveraging data and genetic insights to broaden product offerings: Myriad Genetics curates approximately one million samples per year from patients facing some of the most burdensome disease states in healthcare such as mental illness and cancer. The company will further leverage these assets to enhance product offerings, develop new products and supportive technologies, and create potential for new partnerships. Execution to drive long-term growth and profitability: Myriad Genetics is focused on returning to long-term organic growth and profitability, and expects to be profitable by Q421. As part of its Investor Day, the company will discuss operational efficiencies and growth enablers coupled with long-term organic growth targets.

07:12 EDT Gogo launches Biz 4G Limitless unlimited streaming and data plan - Gogo announced the first unlimited streaming and data plan in business aviation - Gogo Biz 4G Limitless. The Gogo Biz 4G Limitless plan is priced at $9,995 per month, and doesn't require a separate data plan - all data on the aircraft is included under one unlimited plan. In addition to the unlimited streaming and data plan, Gogo is also offering two new high data plans: Gogo Biz 4G 20000 with 20GB of data, and Gogo Biz 4G 25000 with 25GB of data. All three plans are available to Gogo AVANCE L5 customers.

07:12 EDT Cogent Biosciences names Evan Kearns as Chief Legal Officer - Cogent Biosciences announced the appointment of Evan Kearns as Chief Legal Officer. In his new role, Kearns will oversee all corporate legal operations for Cogent Biosciences. Kearns joins Cogent with nearly 15 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Cogent, Kearns served as Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer at Agenus.

07:11 EDT Alnylam announces early results from ILLUMINATE-A trial - Alnylam announced early results on clinical outcome measures from the 12-month analysis of ILLUMINATE-A Phase 3 study of Oxlumo, an RNAi therapeutic targeting hydroxyacid oxidase 1, or HAO1, - the gene encoding glycolate oxidase, or GO - for the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1, or PH1. These data were presented at the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology/Pediatric Academic Societies virtual meeting. As previously reported, treatment with Oxlumo significantly reduced urinary oxalate levels in infants, children and adults with PH1 in the ILLUMINATE-A and ILLUMINATE-B studies. Oxlumo also demonstrated an acceptable safety profile across age groups, with injection site reactions as the most common drug-related adverse reaction. New results from ILLUMINATE-A showed that treatment with Oxlumo for 12 months was associated with evidence of improvements in nephrocalcinosis in one or both kidneys, relative to baseline. Among 24 patients in ILLUMINATE-A who had been treated with lumasiran for 12 months and had valid renal ultrasounds at baseline, 46% of patients experienced improvement in nephrocalcinosis grade relative to baseline, 17% remained stable, and 13% experienced worsening; 25% did not have ultrasounds available at 12 months. Of 14 patients with baseline nephrocalcinosis and available ultrasounds, 79% showed improvement relative to baseline, and of those who improved, 73% improved in both kidneys. Additional data were presented regarding effects on estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR, and kidney stone events.

07:11 EDT Montes Archimedes Acquisition to bring Roivant Sciences public via merger - Roivant Sciences, a biopharmaceutical and healthcare technology company, and Montes Archimedes Acquisition Corp. (MAAC), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by Patient Square Capital, announced that they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement. Upon closing of the transaction, outstanding shares and warrants of MAAC will be exchanged for newly issued shares and warrants of Roivant Sciences, which is expected to be listed on Nasdaq under the new ticker symbol "ROIV." "Since its founding in 2014, Roivant has put over 40 medicines into development across a wide range of disease areas. Companies built by Roivant have conducted eight consecutive positive Phase 3 studies with two FDA approvals to date. Roivant is also a leader in computational drug discovery through its combination of computational physics and machine learning-based platforms for the in silico design of small molecules," the companies said. The transaction is expected to deliver up to $611M of gross proceeds to fund discovery and development programs. This includes up to $411M currently held in MAAC's trust account, as well as a concurrent $200M common stock private investment in public equity, or "PIPE," priced at $10.00 per share. New institutional and strategic investors and existing Roivant shareholders have committed to participate in the PIPE, including Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, Eventide Asset Management, Suvretta Capital, Palantir Technologies, RTW Investments, LP, Viking Global Investors, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, and SB Management, a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp. Proceeds are expected to extend the company's operating runway through mid-2024. Patient Square Capital and key Roivant equity holders and management have agreed to long-term lockups, with at least 50% of their holdings locked up for three years. In addition, Patient Square Capital has agreed to convert an additional 30% of its shares of MAAC to earn-out shares subject to performance vesting thresholds: 20% of its shares will vest at $15.00 per share and 10% will vest at $20.00 per share for 20 of 30 trading days within five years of closing. The boards of directors of both Roivant and MAAC have unanimously approved the proposed transaction. Completion of the transaction, which is expected in the third quarter of 2021, is subject to approval of MAAC shareholders and the satisfaction or waiver of certain other customary closing conditions.

07:11 EDT Innoviz Technologies to cooperate with South Korean provider Vueron Technology - Innoviz Technologies and Vueron Technology, a leading South Korean provider of LiDAR perception software and autonomous driving technology, will cooperate in building an autonomous driving platform for LiDAR-only self-driving vehicles. Vueron received one of the few self-driving permits issued by the South Korean government in January of this year.

07:08 EDT Myriad Genetics to sell Myriad Autoimmune's Vectra testing business for $150M - Myriad Genetics (MYGN) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell select operating assets and intellectual property, including the Vectra test, from Myriad Autoimmune's business unit to Labcorp (LH) for $150M in cash. The Vectra test has been used by over one million patients to help better understand their rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and has been ordered by the majority of rheumatologists in the country. The deal is subject to regulatory clearance and customary closing conditions, and Myriad expects the transaction to close by the end of the third quarter. Guggenheim Securities, LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is acting as legal advisor to Myriad Genetics.

07:06 EDT Amicus completes pre-BLA meeting with FDA for AT-GAA - Amicus Therapeutics announced the completion of a successful Type B Pre-Biologics License Application meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for AT-GAA, its investigational two-component therapy for the treatment of Pompe disease. Based on this formal pre-BLA meeting and the final written communication received from the FDA, Amicus intends to complete the rolling BLA submission for cipaglucosidase alfa and submit a New Drug Application for miglustat. Amicus intends to base its filings on the evaluation of the effects of AT-GAA in late-onset Pompe patients and its safety profile, which will include data from both the Phase 1/2 and Phase 3 PROPEL studies as well as data from the open label extension study. As part of the rolling BLA, Amicus previously submitted the nonclinical component of the cipaglucosidase alfa BLA and is on-track to submit all of the remaining modules of the BLA by the end of the second quarter, including the chemistry, manufacturing and controls and clinical sections. The U.S. represents the single largest geography for Amicus to positively impact the lives of people with Pompe disease. AT-GAA is an investigational two-component therapy that consists of cipaglucosidase alfa, a unique enzyme replacement therapy with optimized carbohydrate structures, administered in conjunction with miglustat, an orally administered stabilizer of cipaglucosidase alfa. Previously, the U.S. FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to AT-GAA for the treatment of late-onset Pompe disease based on clinical efficacy results from the Phase 1/2 clinical study. A rolling BLA for AT-GAA was initiated with the U.S. FDA in the fourth quarter of 2020. Marketing Authorization Applications for AT-GAA are expected to be submitted with the European Medicines Agency in the second half of 2021.

07:02 EDT Karyopharm appoints Richard Paulson as President and CEO - Karyopharm Therapeutics announced the appointment of Richard Paulson as Karyopharm's President and CEO, effective May 3. Paulson will also remain a member of the Board of Directors. He will succeed Michael G. Kauffman, as CEO and Sharon Shacham, as President. Kauffman will continue in his role as a member of the Board of Directors and assume a new role with the Company as Senior Clinical Advisor. Shacham will continue in her roles as Chief Scientific Officer overseeing research, development and regulatory affairs and as Chair of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board. Paulson, who most recently served as Executive Vice President of Ipsen Pharmaceuticals, and CEO of Ipsen North America, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on innovation and specialty care, has been a member of Karyopharm's Board of Directors since February 2020 and brings over 25 years of global biopharmaceutical industry experience, including various international leadership roles transforming organizations and developing highly successful teams across three continents, where he has launched best-in-class products across multiple therapeutic areas including oncology medicines. "It has been the privilege of a lifetime to help found and lead Karyopharm, along with Dr. Sharon Shacham, over the past twelve years," said Dr. Kauffman. "With three FDA approvals as well

06:56 EDT GameStop to lease 700,000 square foot center in York, Pennsylvania - GameStop announced the expansion of its North American fulfillment network through its entry into a lease of a 700,000 square foot fulfillment center in York, Pennsylvania. This facility is expected to be operational by the Q4 and will support ecommerce and fulfillment needs. The Company expects its fulfillment center in York, Pennsylvania will position it to grow product offerings and expedite shipping across the east coast.

06:54 EDT Ring Energy sees FY21 net sales 9,000Boepd-9,500Boepd - Reports Q1 net sales averaged 7,960 barrels of oil equivalent per day, or Boepd, which was significantly impacted by the severe winter storm in February; Q1 net sales were also impacted by downtime associated with the temporary production shut-in of offset wells during the completion operations of the four NWS Phase I wells and the conversion of electrical submersible pumps to rod pumps, or CTRs, on nine wells; average net sales of 9,094 Boepd during March were down by approximately 200 Boepd due to storm-related third-party gas processing capacity still to be restored; and reaffirmed FY21 net sales guidance of 9,000 to 9,500 Boepd.

06:50 EDT NuZee appoints Tomoko Toyota as chief marketing officer - NuZee (NUZE) announced that Tomoko Toyota has joined NuZee as its new chief marketing officer. Toyota brings to NuZee over two decades of marketing experience developing brand and business strategies, with more than 10 years in the coffee industry. During her 13-year tenure at the Starbucks (SBUX) between 2005 and 2018.

06:32 EDT Palantir appoints William Kassler as USG Chief Medical Officer - Palantir Technologies (PLTR) announced the hiring of William J. Kassler, as its first US Government, or USG, Chief Medical Officer, bringing years of clinical and public health expertise to Palantir as it continues its expansion in the private and public health sectors. Kassler is joining Palantir from IBM (IBM) Watson Health and worked throughout his career at the intersection of clinical care and population health. He will lead the Public Health and Life Sciences teams across Palantir's USG and international business. Kassler was IBM Watson Health's Deputy Chief Health Officer and Chief Medical Officer for Government Health & Human Services and led their population health efforts. Before joining the private sector, he was Chief Medical Officer for the New England Region of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, and the State Health Officer for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Kassler started his career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

06:20 EDT Galiano Gold acquires ABG Mali Exploration from Barrick Gold for $1.5M - Galiano Gold (GAU) announced that it has acquired 100% of ABG Mali Exploration from a subsidiary of Barrick Gold (GOLD) for consideration paid of $1.5M. The ABG Mali property covers over 167 square kilometers and includes four exploration licenses. The ABG Mali property is located on the Senegal Mali Shear Zone, host to gold deposits, including Loulo-Gounkoto and Fekola to the south and Sadiola and Yatela to the north. A review of historical work including previous drilling and six multi-km gold-in-soil trends is underway. A soil sampling campaign is planned for this year, together with UAV borne geophysical surveys planned for later in 2021, to assist in drill targeting scheduled for 2022.

06:16 EDT Kroger, Drone Express partner on pilot to provide grocery delivery by Drone - Kroger and Drone Express, a division of TELEGRID Technologies, announced a pilot to offer grocery delivery via autonomous drones. Drone Express technology allows package delivery to the location of a customer's smartphone not only to a street address. Kroger is designing bundled product offerings ideal for meeting customer needs within the current weight limits for drone delivery, which is about five pounds. As an illustration, Kroger will offer a baby care bundle with wipes and formula, a child wellness bundle with over-the-counter medications and fluids, and a S'mores bundle with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. Using Kroger.com/DroneDelivery, customers can place orders and have eligible orders delivered within as little as 15 minutes. Drone Express will commence test flights this week near the Kroger Marketplace in Centerville, Ohio. The flights will be managed by licensed Drone Express pilots from an on-site trailer with additional off-site monitoring. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin later this spring, and a second pilot is scheduled to launch this summer at a Ralphs store in California.

06:10 EDT Westwood Holdings Group adopts limited-duration Shareholder Rights Agreement - Westwood Holdings Group announced that on May 2, its Board of Directors adopted a limited-duration Shareholder Rights Agreement and declared a distribution of one right for each outstanding share of common stock. The Rights Agreement is effective immediately and will expire on May 1, 2022 or earlier, as provided in the Rights Agreement. The adoption of the Rights Agreement is intended to enable all Westwood shareholders to realize the full potential value of their investment in the company and to protect the interests of the company and its shareholders by reducing the likelihood that any person or group gains control of Westwood through open market accumulation or other tactics without paying an appropriate control premium. In addition, the Rights Agreement provides the Board with time to make informed decisions that are in the best long-term interests of Westwood and its shareholders. It does not deter the Board from considering any offer that is fair and otherwise in the best interest of Westwood shareholders. Any shareholders with beneficial ownership of 10% or more of Westwood's outstanding common stock, or 20% for passive institutional investors, prior to this announcement are generally grandfathered at their current ownership levels but are not permitted to increase their ownership without triggering the Rights Agreement.

06:08 EDT Welbilt partners with Nuovair to supply blast chillers in North America - Welbilt is proud to be the exclusive distributor in the United States and Canada of roll-in blast chillers from Nuovair, the Italy-based specialists in high-quality blast chillers.

06:07 EDT Amphastar receives FDA approval for Morphine Sulfate injection - Amphastar Pharmaceuticals announced that the U.S. FDA approved the company's Abbreviated New Drug Application for Morphine Sulfate injection 1mg/mL in the 30mL Pump-Jet Prefilled Syringe System. It is indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require use of an opioid analgesic by Patient-Controlled Analgesia, only for use with a compatible Alaris infusion device, and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. For the past 30 years, the company has sold and marketed the product under the "grandfather" exception to the FDA's "Prescription Drug Wrap-Up" program. Net revenues for the company's Morphine injection for the year ended December 31, 2020, were $2.3M.

06:03 EDT Moderna announces supply pact with Gavi for 500M doses of COVID vaccine - Moderna announced an agreement with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to supply up to 500M doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna, including an initial 34M doses to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2021. Through this agreement, on behalf of the COVAX Facility, Gavi also retains the option to procure 466M additional doses in 2022. All doses are offered at Moderna's lowest tiered price, in line with the company's global access commitments. This agreement covers the 92 Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment low- and middle-income countries. The company is in discussions to allocate and supply to self-financing participants in the future. COVAX is a global initiative co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the World Health Organization, to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries, regardless of income levels.

05:10 EDT Masimo announces findings from Masimo PVi study published - Masimo announced the findings of a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology in which Marina Garcia-de-Acilu and colleagues at the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona evaluated the utility of Masimo PVi as a noninvasive method of predicting preload responsiveness in patients treated with nasal high-flow, or NHF, therapy. They found that PVi may identify preload responders and noted that PVi may therefore be used in the "day-to-day clinical decision-making process in critically ill patients treated with NHF, helping to provide adequate resuscitation volume." More than 100 independent studies have demonstrated the utility of PVi as an indicator of fluid responsiveness. This is the first time PVi has been evaluated in patients treated with NHF therapy. Noting the potential convenience of a noninvasive method of predicting fluid responsiveness in NHF patients, the researchers sought to evaluate whether PVi, which is noninvasive and easy to use, could play such a role. To do so, they compared PVi to reference measurements-stroke volume, or SV, and cardiac output, or CO-in 20 adult ICU patients with acute respiratory failure, or ARF, supported by NHF. SV and CO were measured using transthoracic echocardiography, or TTE, using a portable echocardiogram. PVi was measured using a Masimo Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter with a pulse oximetry sensor attached to the finger. Within the first 24 hours of NHF support, the patients' SV/CO and PVi were assessed. Passive leg raising, or PLR, was performed and SV/CO and PVi were then reassessed. Preload responsiveness was defined as a 10% increase in SV after PLR. A fluid challenge was then conducted by administering a 250-mL saline solution to patients who were found to be preload responders. SV/CO and PVi were measured again after the fluid challenge in these patients. The researchers found that preload responders showed higher baseline PVi values and PVi after PLR. PVi and PVi after PLR showed "excellent diagnostic accuracy for predicting preload responsiveness." At a baseline cut-off value of 16%, PVi had sensitivity of 91.7% and specificity of 87.8% for discriminating between preload responders and non-responders; a change of 2% or more in PVi allowed for discrimination between the two groups with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, the researchers found that PVi after PLR and after fluid challenge were strongly correlated. The researchers concluded, "This physiological study suggests that PVi might predict preload responsiveness in hypoxemic ARF patients treated with NHF. Further research should focus on validating these results and analyze whether PVi-guided fluid administration can improve outcomes in NHF patients." The researchers also noted that PVi may not be sufficient to identify preload responders in all patients using NHF, hypothesizing that the intrathoracic pressures delivered by NHF are lower than those generated during invasive mechanical ventilation and that therefore a certain degree of hypoperfusion might potentially be required to effect changes in baseline PVi. The accuracy of PVi in predicting fluid responsiveness is variable and influenced by numerous patient, procedure, and device-related factors. PVi measures the variation in the plethysmography amplitude but does not provide measurements of stroke volume or cardiac output. Fluid management decisions should be based on a complete assessment of the patient's condition and should not be based solely on PVi.

04:48 EDT Progenity announces data from Preecludia preeclampsia rule-out test - Progenity on Friday announced new data from its Preecludia preeclampsia rule-out test verification study, with the test demonstrating sensitivity of 87.8% and a negative predictive value of 97.0%. The company recently announced it is in the clinical validation testing phase of Preecludia, with a targeted launch expected in the second half of 2021. Preeclampsia is the second most common cause of maternal mortality, with more than 700,000 women presenting each year with signs and symptoms of possible preeclampsia, the company said. In the verification study, blinded, naive samples from twenty-four U.S. sites were tested to determine the performance of Preecludia to assess the risk of preeclampsia within fourteen days of sample collection. The samples were representative of a diverse U.S. population, the company added. Preecludia test performance, based on 303 subjects, showed 87.8% sensitivity and 97.0% NPV. "These data point to the value of the test in assisting physicians to rule out patients at risk for preterm preeclampsia. By so doing, the test may provide reassurance to physicians and patients, and assist physicians in making better informed management and treatment decisions, potentially reducing overuse of interventions and resultant complications," according to Progenity.