Stockwinners Market Radar for December 21, 2021 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

20:43 EST Cathie Wood's ARK Investment bought 206K shares of Niu Technologies on Tuesday -

20:42 EST Cathie Wood's ARK Investment bought 23.4K shares of Coinbase on Tuesday

19:18 EST Allakos' phase 3 lirentelimab studies did not achieve statistical significance - Allakos announced that the "reported data from ENIGMA 2, a 24-week Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of lirentelimab in patients with biopsy confirmed eosinophilic gastritis and/or eosinophilic duodenitis and KRYPTOS, a 24-week Phase 2/3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of lirentelimab in patients with biopsy-confirmed eosinophilic esophagitis. Both ENIGMA 2 and KRYPTOS studies met their histologic co-primary endpoints, but did not achieve statistical significance on the patient reported symptomatic co-primary endpoints. The safety results of the trial were generally consistent with previously reported lirentelimab studies. No new safety signals were observed. Mild to moderate infusion-related reactions occurred in 34% of lirentelimab-treated patients and 14% of placebo-treated patients."

18:36 EST Arizona Corporation Commission clears transition of natgas service to Southwest - The Arizona Corporation Commission approved the transition of natural gas service in Graham County from Graham County Utilities Inc. to Southwest Gas at its open meeting Dec. 15. The transaction is expected to close in early January. The Commission's approval follows the October 2020 approval by GCU members of sale of the GCU gas distribution system to Southwest Gas. GCU determined selling the system to Southwest Gas would allow the system to be modernized, and would increase safety, meet regulatory standards and maintain affordability for GCU customers.

18:03 EST Canadian National says BC productivity nearly back to pre-washout levels - Canadian National announced that the productivity and capacity of its network in BC has nearly returned to pre-washout levels as crews continue to work around the clock. During the three-week period between November 14, 2021 and December 4, 2021, when CN's network was shut down, the company experienced 58 outages over a 150-mile stretch. The railroad mobilized over 400 employees and contractors and over 110 pieces of heavy equipment, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get the rail line back into service. 282,000 cubic yards of rock, earth, and backfill materials were moved to rebuild damaged locations, the equivalent of over 25,000 truckloads. Despite significant setbacks, including a recent stoppage near Jasper and cold weather in the Prairies, operating metrics are pointing towards successful recovery efforts approximately two weeks after the network reopened. The company also worked closely with emergency management officials to provide assistance to British Columbians impacted by the weather. Working with partners, CN helped evacuate hundreds of stranded residents, brought urgent medical care to areas cut off by floods, and delivered much needed medical equipment to locations isolated by the water. CN also donated $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross British Columbia floods and extreme weather appeal. CN was also able to use its exclusive access to the Port of Prince Rupert to move goods. Resources and staffing levels were increased to keep Canadian natural resources moving to markets as well as keeping consumer goods from overseas flowing to communities across North America.

17:31 EST Camden Property CEO Campo sells 34,422 common shares - In a regulatory filing, Camden Property Trust chairman and CEO Richard Campo disclosed the sale of 34,422 common shares of the company on December 17 at a price of $173.93 per share.

17:22 EST Raytheon Technologies awarded $578.31M Navy contract modification - Raytheon was awarded a $578.31M firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract to procure Standard Missile-2, or SM-2, production requirements including all up rounds, instrumentation kits, engineering services and spares; and to definitize the long-lead-material undefinitized contract action in support of the Navy and the governments of Korea, Denmark, Taiwan, Netherlands, Spain, Chile, Japan and Germany. This contract includes an option which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $586,834,591. Work is expected to be complete by December 2026. The Naval Sea Systems Command is the contracting activity.

17:03 EST Takeda Pharmaceutical receives CRL from FDA for TAK-721 - Takeda Pharmaceutical announced that it has received a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. FDA in response to its New Drug Application for TAK-721 for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the esophagus. The CRL indicates the FDA has completed its review of the TAK-721 NDA and determined that it cannot be approved in its present form. In addition, the FDA recommended an additional clinical study in order to help resolve FDA feedback. "We are disappointed by the outcome of the FDA's review of TAK-721, and that EoE patients will still be without a treatment option that the FDA has approved as safe and effective," said Ramona Sequeira, President, U.S. Business Unit and Global Portfolio Commercialization, Takeda. "Takeda is assessing the details of the CRL and evaluating a regulatory path forward."

17:02 EST Novavax initiates PREVENT-19 COVID vaccine Phase 3 trial booster study - Novavax announced that the first booster doses of NVX-CoV2373, the company's recombinant nanoparticle protein-based COVID-19 vaccine with Matrix-M adjuvant, have been administered in an extension of the company's PREVENT-19 pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial. The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a heterologous or homologous third dose of NVX-CoV2373. All PREVENT-19 trial participants are now eligible to receive a third booster dose of NVX-CoV2373. The booster dose is identical to the active vaccine previously administered to the participants in a two-dose regimen and may be administered at least six months after receipt of active vaccine. The primary endpoint is the first occurrence of polymerase chain reaction-confirmed mild, moderate or severe COVID-19 with onset at least seven days after the third vaccine dose. Two additional groups will be evaluated in this portion of the trial. Trial participants who initially received placebo and subsequently received a different COVID-19 vaccine are also eligible for a booster dose of NVX-CoV2373. Participants who were unblinded after initially receiving active vaccine and did not subsequently receive another vaccine will also be eligible to be boosted with NVX-CoV2373.

16:53 EST Thor Industries announces $250M share buyback authorization - THOR Industries announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $250M of its Common Stock. The repurchase authorization will expire December 21, 2024. "Our strong earnings growth positions us to drive value back to our shareholders. Given our current stock price, this buyback program offers the best vehicle to accomplish that objective. We believe there is a material misalignment between our value and our stock price. Given our favorable outlook on the industry and in our business, there is no better investment opportunity for THOR than its own shares at the current market price. " said Bob Martin, CEO of THOR Industries.

16:37 EST Ternium looks to acquire participation in Mexico unit not owned directly - Ternium Seeks to Streamline its corporate Structure by offering to acquire the minority participation in Ternium Mexico that it does not own directly .Ternium announced a $1.0B offer to acquire from its publicly listed subsidiary Ternium Argentina a 28.73% participation in Ternium Mexico that Ternium does not own directly. Ternium currently owns directly 71.27% and 62.49% of Ternium Mexico and Ternium Argentina, respectively, and fully consolidates the assets, liabilities and results of operations of both companies. Ternium Argentina is listed in the Argentine Stock Exchange and its main non-Ternium shareholder is Argentina's national social security administration, with a 26.43% participation. No other shareholder has a participation in excess of 5% of Ternium Argentina's shares. The proposed transaction would be subject to, among other conditions, its approval by Ternium Argentina's shareholders meeting with the affirmative vote of 95% of the shareholders present and the simultaneous approval by Ternium Argentina of a dividend of $900M. "This transaction is primarily aimed at streamlining our corporate structure," said Ternium CEO Maximo Vedoya. "A simplified corporate structure contributes to a more straightforward management of our operations and an easier analysis by our stakeholders of our performance and results. We will continue looking for opportunities to add value to our shareholders." If approved by Ternium Argentina's shareholders meeting, the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022.

16:32 EST Marcus & Millichap names Mira Wolff chief HR officer - Marcus & Millichap announced that Mira Wolff has joined the firm as senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Wolff has over 25 years of experience in human resources management, advising numerous organizations on recruiting and retention of top talent, employee engagement, strategic planning, and technology-based training. Her experience includes all aspects of sourcing, onboarding, and integration involved in over 80 acquisitions. Hessam Nadji, president and CEO of Marcus & Millichap, stated: "MMI's long-term growth plan relies heavily on innovations related to training, employee and sales force productivity, engagement, and diversity. Mira's experience in these areas within the insurance industry, which has many similarities to real estate services, in addition to her background in the mortgage and technology industries, is invaluable."

16:30 EST MSG Entertainment names David Byrnes CFO - Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. announced that David F. Byrnes, a seasoned executive with nearly 30 years of finance experience, has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective January 24. In this role, Mr. Byrnes will work closely with MSG Entertainment's executive management team to support the long-term direction of the Company. He will provide strategic financial insight on all facets of the business and oversee the Company's financial matters, including the financial planning and analysis, controllership, treasury, investor relations, tax, and procurement functions. MSG Entertainment's current Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mark H. FitzPatrick, will remain with the Company through April 1 to assist with the transition. Mr. Byrnes will report to Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, James L. Dolan. Dolan said: "We are very pleased that David is joining MSG Entertainment at such a pivotal time for the Company. He brings a wealth of financial and operating experience in the media and entertainment industries, which will prove valuable as we continue to advance the Company's key initiatives. We also thank Mark for his contributions, and wish him well in his future endeavors."

16:19 EST KKR announces 'record' total realized investment income in Q4 at $1.15B - KKR "announced a monetization activity update for the period from October 1, 2021 to December 21, 2021. Based on information available to us as of today, with respect to the period through December 21, 2021, KKR has earned total realized performance income, including realized incentive fees, and total realized investment income in excess of $1.15B, a record quarterly figure for KKR as a public company. This activity is driven primarily by strategic and secondary sale transactions that have closed quarter-to-date, dividend and interest income from KKR's balance sheet portfolio as well as incentive fees from KKR's hedge fund partnerships."

16:15 EST Camden National raises quarterly dividend by 11% to 40c per share - The dividend is payable on January 31, 2022 to shareholders of record on January 14, 2022.

16:13 EST Sempra Energy to sell 10% stake in Sempra Infrastructure Partners - Sempra announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell a non-controlling 10% interest in Sempra Infrastructure Partners to a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority for $1.785B in cash, subject to customary closing adjustments. This transaction implies an enterprise value for Sempra Infrastructure of $26.5B, including asset-related debt of approximately $8.6B. The transaction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions and consents from regulators. Under the terms of the agreement, ADIA will have certain customary minority rights with respect to Sempra Infrastructure, commensurate with the size of the investment. Proceeds from the sale will be used to help fund incremental capital expenditures at Sempra's utilities and repurchase $500M of the company's stock, of which $300M was completed in the fourth quarter of this year, while also supporting the company's balance sheet. The transaction is expected to be accretive to earnings as the proceeds are deployed.

16:08 EST Eiger BioPharmaceuticals says first patient enrolled in LIMT-2 - Eiger BioPharmaceuticals announced that the first patient has been enrolled in LIMT-2, a Phase 3 study of 48-week treatment with Peginterferon Lambda in patients with chronic hepatitis delta virus infection. LIMT-2 will include 50 sites across 13 countries and a target enrollment of 150 patients.

16:07 EST BK Technologies expects to close FY21 with record bookings of over $54M - BK Technologies announced that the company expects to close out FY21 with record bookings of over $54M. The company expects to ship and realize revenue from these bookings in 2021 and the first half of 2022. John Suzuki, CEO of BK Technologies, commented, "We continue to see tremendous demand and order activity for our portable communications technology, particularly for the BKR 5000, culminating in the highest level of bookings in the company's history. I couldn't be more proud of the team. This is a testament to the strength of our product line, customer service and sales team as the marketplace embraces our new products to enhance their communications solutions."

16:07 EST Kidpik reports Q3 active subscriptions up 55.7% to $11.5M - Q3 New Subscriptions increased 14.9% to $2.7M and Total Subscriptions: increased 45.8% to $14.2M or 85.5% of total revenue.

16:06 EST AAR Corp. announces $150M stock repurchase plan - AAR Corp. announced that its board of directors authorized a renewal of its stock repurchase program. The authorization permits the repurchase of up to $150M of the company's common shares.

16:05 EST Koru Medical gets FDA 510(k) clearance for use of REEDOM60 - Repro Med Systems, dba KORU Medical Systems, announced FDA 510(k) clearance that expands on-label use of the FREEDOM60 Infusion System to two additional subcutaneous Ig medications, Cutaquig, manufactured by Octapharma, and Xembify, manufactured by Grifols. CEO Linda Tharby states: "We are excited to announce another milestone for KORU Medical as we seek to further improve patients' quality of life through the development and delivery of high-quality therapeutic drug delivery in the home. Having the FREEDOM60 Infusion System cleared for use with Xembify and Cutaquig allows patients and providers additional options for life enhancing subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy treatment in the home with a system that has broad patient and healthcare worker adoption. KORU Medical's Freedom Infusion System is specifically cleared for use with more SCIg drugs than any other system. Adding Xembify and Cutaquig to our label, in addition to our recent FDA 510(k) clearance for use of Hizentra(R) prefilled syringes with the FreedomEdge(R), extends KORU Medical's leadership position in the growing SCIg market."

16:01 EST Nexstar launches NEXTGEN TV at WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, PA - Nexstar Media Group announced that WHTM-TV, the Nexstar television station serving Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has begun broadcasting with NEXTGEN TV, a revolutionary new digital broadcast technology, powered by ATSC 3.0. Harrisburg is Nexstar's 17th market to begin broadcasting with ATSC 3.0 in 2021. Over the course of the year, Nexstar deployed ATSC 3.0 at 25 of its local television stations; close to 30% of all U.S. television households now receive a NEXTGEN TV signal from a Nexstar-owned or -operated station. NEXTGEN TV brings a whole new dimension to the television viewing experience, with brilliant video and enhanced audio. Based on the same fundamental technology as the Internet, digital applications, and other web services, NEXTGEN TV can support a wide range of features such as immersive audio and video datacasting, broadcasting to mobile devices, personalized viewing tools, and advanced emergency alerts. Nexstar is a participant in BitPath, a broadcaster-supported consortium creating a network for datacasting, with services launching in 2022. Nexstar's ATSC 3.0 television stations plan to participate in the BitPath broadcast data network.

15:18 EST Bakkt announces Manasquan Bank participating in early adopter program - Bakkt Holdings announced earlier that Manasquan Bank, a NJ-based mutual community bank with total consolidated assets of $2.7 billion, will be participating in its early adopter program, which, when effective, will allow the bank's retail clients to buy, sell and hold cryptocurrency through the bank's mobile banking app. "Manasquan Bank will be making cryptocurrency access simple and approachable within the digital banking environment their clients know and trust, while ensuring the bank is participating in this expanding space with the opportunity to break into new audience segments. Bakkt's modern digital asset platform allows banks to plug and play a crypto buy/sell/hold module which provides end clients with a seamless set up and quick access to multiple cryptocurrencies. Bakkt leverages a regulatory-first approach to safely and securely custody these assets... Bakkt's early adopter program is anticipated to launch in Q2 2022 and the bank's participation is contingent upon the adoption by the bank's core financial service provider," Bakkt stated.

14:38 EST Agilent CEO McMullen sells 123,459 common shares - In a regulatory filing, Agilent CEO and president Michael McMullen disclosed the sale of 123,459 common shares of the company on December 20 at a price of $148.82 per share.

13:19 EST Valneva announces result of vaccine candidate trial met primary endpoint - Valneva announced positive topline results from the lot-to-lot Phase 3 trial of its single-shot chikungunya vaccine candidate, VLA1553. The VLA1553-302 trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that three consecutively manufactured vaccine lots elicited equivalent immune responses measured by neutralizing antibody titer GMT ratios on Day 29 after vaccination. Lot-to-lot trials demonstrate manufacturing consistency, one of the standard requirements for vaccine licensure. The trial, which included 408 participants aged 18 to 45 years, confirmed the excellent immunogenicity profile demonstrated in the pivotal Phase 3 trial, VLA1553-301. All three lots were equally well tolerated and the safety profile was consistent with results in the pivotal Phase 3 trial. Study VLA1553-302 therefore confirmed clinical equivalence as well as manufacturing consistency of the three lots. Juan Carlos Jaramillo, Chief Medical Officer of Valneva commented, "We are extremely pleased with these lot-to-lot Phase 3 data, which come in addition to the compelling pivotal Phase 3 results we reported in August. The lot-to-lot data will be part of our submission with the US Food and Drug Administration , which we plan to start in 2022. Chikungunya is a major, growing and unmet public health threat, yet no vaccine or specific treatment is currently available to prevent this debilitating disease. We will continue to work assiduously to bring VLA1553 to market as soon as possible." The lot-to-lot trial will continue towards final six-month analysis with final trial results expected in the second quarter of 2022. Valneva's chikugunya program was awarded Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the US FDA in July 2021. This new milestone followed the US FDA's Fast Track designation and the European Medicines Agency's PRIME designation which the Company received in December 2018 and in October 2020, respectively. The sponsor of the first chikungunya vaccine Biologics License Application to be approved in the U.S. will be eligible to receive a Priority Review Voucher .

12:59 EST Apple upgraded to Aaa from Aa1 by Moody's; outlook stable - Moody's Investors Service upgraded Apple Inc.'s senior unsecured rating to Aaa, from Aa1, and affirmed its Prime-1 rating for commercial paper. The ratings outlook is stable. Moody's analyst Raj Joshi said, "The upgrade of Apple's rating to Aaa reflects the company's exceptional liquidity, robust earnings that we expect will continue to grow over the next 2 to 3 years, and its very strong business profile. Apple's ecosystem of products and services provides enhanced revenue visibility over time despite some level of volatility that is inherent in its business from product introduction cycles."

12:04 EST FDA approves two new indications for J&J's Xarelto - Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceutical announced today that the Food and Drug Administration has approved two pediatric indications for Xarelto: the treatment of venous thromboembolism and reduction in the risk of recurrent blood clots in patients from birth to less than 18 years after at least five days of initial parenteral anticoagulant treatment; and thromboprophylaxis in children aged two years and older with congenital heart disease who have undergone the Fontan procedure. Xarelto is the only direct oral anticoagulant FDA-approved for primary prevention of clots in pediatric patients following the Fontan procedure and the only DOAC in the U.S. to offer an oral suspension formulation for flexible, body weight-adjusted dosing options for pediatric patients, the company added. Reference Link

12:00 EST Innovid falls -13.9% - Innovid is down -13.9%, or -$1.13 to $7.02.

12:00 EST TimkenSteel rises 13.0% - TimkenSteel is up 13.0%, or $1.81 to $15.70.

12:00 EST Embraer rises 16.7% - Embraer is up 16.7%, or $2.32 to $16.22.

11:38 EST Citizens appoints Gerald Shields as CEO - Citizens announced that Gerald Shields has been appointed CEO effective on January 1, 2022. Mr. Shields has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer since August of 2020 and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2017. Mr. Shields will remain on the Board and continue to serve as Vice-Chairman, a position he assumed in February of 2020

11:17 EST Kellogg says new five-year agreement reached for U.S. RTEC employees - Kellogg Company announced that employees have ratified the tentative agreement for a master contract at our four U.S. cereal plants in Battle Creek, Mich., Omaha, Neb., Lancaster, Pa. and Memphis, Tenn. Kellogg said in a statement that "The contract covers approximately 1,400 union-represented employees, all of whom are welcome back to work." "We are pleased that we have reached an agreement that brings our cereal employees back to work," said Steve Cahillane, Chairman and CEO. Employees will return to work the week of December 27, Kellogg said.

10:57 EST Society Pass Inc trading resumes

10:35 EST Kellogg worker union approves new contract agreement - The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union confirmed that a tentative agreement has been accepted by its union body regarding Kellogg's contract.

10:30 EST AERC Stock trading halted, volatility trading pause

10:03 EST MasterCard to acquire McDonald's personalization platform Dynamic Yield - Mastercard (MA) and McDonald's (MCD) announced earlier an agreement for Mastercard to acquire McDonald's "state-of-the-art personalization platform and decision engine company," Dynamic Yield. Dynamic Yield's technology is "a natural addition to Mastercard's existing suite of services that help brands deliver more effective and trusted customer experiences across channels," the company stated. McDonald's purchased Dynamic Yield in 2019 and under McDonald's ownership, Dynamic Yield doubled its revenue and expanded its customer base across verticals, the companies said. To date, Dynamic Yield's technology has been deployed to McDonald's drive-thrus and ordering kiosks in several markets around the world. The transaction is anticipated to close in the first half of 2022, "with the strength and talent of the extended Dynamic Yield team ensuring consistency for its customers throughout the process," Mastercard said. Upon close, current chief technology officer Ori Bauer will take the helm as CEO. Liad Agmon, current CEO, will stay on in an advisory capacity. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

10:00 EST Enerpac Tool falls -4.8% - Enerpac Tool is down -4.8%, or -$1.05 to $20.82.

10:00 EST Natuzzi falls -8.4% - Natuzzi is down -8.4%, or -$1.19 to $13.01.

10:00 EST Embraer rises 13.7% - Embraer is up 13.7%, or $1.90 to $15.80.

10:00 EST Cassava Sciences trading resumes

09:47 EST Independence Realty Trust falls -4.1% - Independence Realty Trust is down -4.1%, or -99c to $22.87.

09:47 EST Mechel rises 9.8% - Mechel is up 9.8%, or 29c to $3.25.

09:47 EST iHuman rises 11.4% - iHuman is up 11.4%, or 31c to $3.03.

09:46 EST MiroMatrix Medical Inc trading resumes

09:41 EST MiroMatrix Medical Inc trading halted, volatility trading pause

09:36 EST Naked Brand Group shareholders approve acquisition of Cenntro - Naked Brand Group announced that at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held at 10:00am (AEDT), Tuesday, December 21, 2021 / 6:00pm, Monday, December 20, 2021, its shareholders overwhelmingly approved the acquisition of Cenntro Automotive Group Limited, Cenntro Automotive Corporation, and Centro Electric Group, a commercial EV technology company. A total of 210,228,094 ordinary shares of the Company were voted, representing approximately 20.6% of the shares of the Company's ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of the close of business on December 20, 2021. The Proposed Transaction remains subject to, among other closing conditions, Nasdaq having approved the initial listing application in connection with the Proposed Transaction. The Company currently anticipates the Proposed Transaction to close by year end of 2021.

09:35 EST Aker BP, Lundin Energy to combine oil and gas businesses - Aker BP and Lundin Energy AB (LNDNF) jointly announced that Aker BP ASA and Lundin Energy AB have entered into a transaction agreement pursuant to which Aker BP shall combine its business with Kommstart 157 AB, a newly established Swedish public limited liability company currently wholly-owned by Lundin Energy, which at the time of completion of the merger shall consist of inter alia all of Lundin Energy's oil and gas related assets. The combination shall be made through a statutory merger, whereby the merged company will become the second largest oil and gas producer on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, the companies stated. The merger will be implemented by Aker BP absorbing Kommstart 157, the companies said. Reference Link

09:33 EST Cassava Sciences says Neuroscience found no evidence of data manipulation - Cassava Sciences has been informed by Neuroscience journal there is no evidence to support claims of data manipulation in a 2005 paper authored by the Company and its scientific collaborators. Neuroscience is a prestigious academic journal whose mission is to report "significant, new and carefully confirmed findings with full experimental details." In August 2021, a law firm representing admitted short sellers submitted a Citizen Petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that alleges, among other things, data manipulation in scientific articles authored by Cassava scientists, including the 2005 Neuroscience article. In response to this and similar online allegations, Neuroscience requested raw data for the 2005 article, including images of original, uncropped Western blots. Having completed a careful examination of the data, on December 20, 2021, Neuroscience published on-line the following Editorial Note: "In response to allegations of data manipulation in an article published in Neuroscience Vol 135, Issue 1, 2005, Pages 247-261, and following COPE guidelines, the journal asked the authors for images of the original, uncropped Western blots from this study. After careful examination of these original material, Neuroscience found no evidence of manipulation of the Western blot data or other figures of this publication." In November 2021, Cassava Sciences reported that a different science journal also found no evidence to support allegations of data manipulation in an article it published in 2012. On December 17, 2021, the Journal of Neuroscience issued a subsequent Expression of Concern while maintaining its earlier clearance, pending the outcome of a different investigation by an academic party into allegations. Additionally, in October 2021, a respected academic researcher, PhD in Molecular Biology, published on a website4 his detailed examination of allegations made in a supplement to the Citizen Petition. The researcher, whose laboratory routinely runs a thousand or more Western blots per year, concluded that claims of scientific misconduct levied against Cassava Sciences and its collaborator were "borderline ridiculous", noting that "several of the examples shown as evidence of data manipulation [in the Citizen Petition] support the opposite [conclusion]." Cassava Sciences has not provided any form of compensation to the academic researcher and has no control over the contents of this website or its author. assava Sciences is grateful for journal editors and independent reviewers who have taken time from busy research schedules to address the allegations.

09:29 EST Bioventus appoints Michelle McMurry-Heath to board of directors - Bioventus announced the appointment of Michelle McMurry-Heath, MD, PhD, to the Company's Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2022. Currently, McMurry-Heath is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, a membership and advocacy organization focused on strengthening opportunities for biotech research and applying biotech innovations to the biggest challenges of our age.

09:26 EST Huron to acquire Perception Health, terms undisclosed - Huron announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Perception Health. Perception Health will be included in Huron's Healthcare operating segment. Terms of the acquisition, which is expected to close in December, were not disclosed.

09:23 EST Prescience Point calls Groupon shares 'undervalued,' sets $63.18 price target - Prescience Point Capital Management announced that it has published a detailed analysis of Groupon, calling shares significantly undervalued with a price target range of $63 to $98, or 2.7x to 4.3x the current share price. The firm said: "Prescience Point believes Groupon is a misunderstood Company that has been wrongly left for dead due to an antiquated bear thesis and apathetic sell-side. Market participants have completely overlooked the sizable value of Groupon's investment in SumUp, a fast-growing fintech with a 50%+ revenue CAGR, which we believe is worth at least $268m [and growing] or close to 40% of Groupon's current enterprise value. The market is also significantly undervaluing Groupon's core business, whose recent turnaround has been overshadowed by pandemic related shutdowns and a recent change in revenue recognition accounting that makes it look like revenue got cut in half. We believe shares are worth 2.7x to 4.3x the current share price."

09:17 EST General Electric to acquire Opus One Solutions Energy, terms undisclosed - GE Digital has entered into an agreement to acquire Opus One Solutions Energy, a software company that helps electric utilities optimize energy planning, operations, and market management. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close within 30 days.

09:16 EST Genius Brands' Kartoon Channel! launches on JetBlue - Genius Brands International announced it has been selected by JetBlue to feature Kartoon Channel! content as part of its inflight entertainment experience. The partnership is expected to launch in January 2022 and includes a sampling of Genius Brands' hit content.

09:13 EST Curaleaf to open four new Florida dispensaries by end of year - Curaleaf announced plans to open four new dispensaries in Florida by the end of this year. The expansion will increase the company's retail footprint to 42 dispensaries statewide and 117 across the country. Grand opening ceremonies for each of these locations will be held on January 8, 2022 and will include product promotions, branded swag and entertainment.

09:10 EST Canadian National, Watco announce STB approval of sale of rail lines - CN and Watco announce that the United States Surface Transportation Board, STB, has approved the sale of non-core lines and assets on approximately 650 miles of branch lines of Wisconsin Central in Wisconsin and Michigan. This marks a step toward the successful conclusion of the sale process that CN announced and launched in July of 2020, which also includes the sale of the Soo subdivision that runs from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to Oba, Ontario. After closing, CN will continue to play a role in Wisconsin and Michigan, as the transferred segments will remain connected to CN's tri-coastal network.

09:08 EST Sage Group to acquire Brightpearl for $299M - The Sage Group announces that it has agreed to acquire Brightpearl, a cloud native multichannel retail management system for retailers and wholesalers. The acquisition of Brightpearl, in which Sage already has a 17% minority stake, accelerates Sage's strategy for growth, including scaling Sage Intacct, broadening the value proposition for mid-sized businesses and expanding Sage's digital network. With operations in the US and the UK, Brightpearl provides a SaaS-based retail operating system, enabling real-time business insights and helping customers automate workflows to save time and money. The combination of Sage Intacct and Brightpearl will create a powerful solution for retailers and wholesalers which integrates financial management, inventory planning, sales order management, purchasing and supplier management, CRM, fulfilment, warehousing and logistics management. The consideration for the 83% of Brightpearl that Sage does not already own is $299m, which will be funded from Sage's existing cash and available liquidity. For the year ending December 2021, Brightpearl is expected to generate revenues of $27m, representing growth of around 50% compared to the prior year, and to achieve operating profit around the breakeven level. The transaction is subject to regulatory clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act in the US, and is expected to close in January 2022.

09:06 EST Rite Aid sees FY23 adjusted EBITDA 'significantly' above $430M consensus - Comments taken from Q3 earnings conference call.

09:05 EST NewLake Capital Partners acquires Missouri property for $21.1M investment - NewLake Capital Partners closed on its purchase of a 70,000-square-foot industrial property in Chaffee, Missouri and entered into a long-term, triple-net lease with Organic Remedies of Missouri. NewLake's total investment in the property will be $21.1 million, which includes $16 million at closing and a commitment to fund $5.1 million of tenant improvement allowances to complete renovations of the building. Organic Remedies operates the property as a cultivation and processing facility.

09:04 EST BioSig Technologies selects Access Strategy Partners to advise on sales - BioSig Technologies announced that it appointed Access Strategy Partners to advise on the next phase of the commercial roll-out. Access Strategy Partners brings to BioSig deep expertise in commercialization, contract management, execution, and value proposition optimization. The company's Co-Founder and President, Jim Walker, is a healthcare executive with more than 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, sales operations, and national accounts management. Under the terms of the new collaboration, Access Strategy Partners will advise BioSig on all aspects of commercial strategy, including economic value modeling, hospital administration engagement, and contracting. "Jim and his highly accomplished team at Access Strategy Partners brings us proven success strategies in accelerating commercialization. Look closely at ASPI's track record in helping emerging medical device companies, and you will see what we saw - strong revenue growth rates with sustainability. We look forward to learning from some of the brightest minds in medical device sales as we leverage the key insights from our initial commercial efforts to bring our disruptive technology to the next level of hospitals nationwide," commented Kenneth L. Londoner, Chairman, and CEO of BioSig Technologies, Inc.

09:03 EST STMicroelectronics contributes STM32 microcontrollers to 'Switchback' battlebot - STMicroelectronics announced it is contributing multiple STM32 microcontrollers (MCUs) to the "Switchback" battlebot. The 250-pound battlebot, which uses a dual-motor drum spinner mounted on a fully-ambidextrous arm, is designed for durability and serviceability - as well as to win robot battles by hitting opponent robots really, really hard, and breaking them apart with the drum spinner.

09:02 EST Verizon announces record year for Verizon Frontline technology deployments - As first responders continue emergency response efforts in communities across multiple states following last week's devastating tornadoes, the Verizon Response Team remains deployed in support of local public safety agencies to ensure they have the mission-critical communications capabilities they need. This support, provided at no cost to the responding agencies and lasting as long as there is a need, is the latest in a series of 2021 deployments during which the Verizon Response Team delivered Verizon Frontline technology to first responders as they dealt with crises ranging from extreme weather events and wildfires to the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A year of unique challenges, 2021 saw the Verizon Response Team deploy more than 1,000 times to just over 700 communities across the country. During these deployments, the team provided public safety agencies with nearly 9,000 Verizon Frontline devices and solutions ranging from repeaters, mobile hotspots, routers, smart devices and drones to dozens of deployable satellite solutions such as Satellite Picocells on Trailers. The number of solutions provided this year surpasses last year's mark by more than 3,000 and represents a new high for the Verizon Response Team. Beginning with a deployment to help provide communication capabilities for public safety agencies supporting the 2021 presidential inauguration - the Verizon Response Team's first major deployment of the year - and lasting through today and current emergency response efforts, the 15 Verizon Response managers on this team continue to demonstrate Verizon Frontline's lasting commitment to the first responder community. Other major response efforts this year included:

08:55 EST Deciphera says UK MHRA grants MA for Qinlock or ripretinib to treat GIST - Deciphera Pharmaceuticals announced that the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, MHRA, has granted marketing authorization for QINLOCK, ripretinib, in the UK for the treatment of adult patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor GIST who have received prior treatment with three or more kinase inhibitors, including imatinib. "The approval of QINLOCK in the UK is an important milestone for patients with advanced GIST who have been waiting for a new treatment option," said Steve Hoerter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Deciphera. "The results from the INVICTUS study underscore the potential for QINLOCK to transform the treatment of advanced GIST and establish a new standard of care in the UK for fourth-line GIST." The QINLOCK approval was supported by efficacy results from the primary analysis of the pivotal Phase 3 INVICTUS study in patients with advanced GIST as well as combined safety results from INVICTUS and the Phase 1 study of QINL OCK. In INVICTUS, QINLOCK demonstrated a median progression-free survival of 6.3 months compared to 1.0 month in the placebo arm and significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 85%. Secondary endpoints include Objective Response Rate as determined by independent radiologic review using modified RECIST and Overall Survival . QINLOCK demonstrated an ORR of 9.4% compared with 0% for placebo In addition, QINLOCK demonstrated a median overall survival of 15.1 months compared to 6.6 months in the placebo arm and reduced the risk of death by 64% .

08:47 EST DarioHealth announces partnership with employer benefits brokerage - DarioHealth announced a new strategic partnership with a leading employer benefits brokerage to sell its digital therapeutic solutions for diabetes, hypertension and musculoskeletal health as part of a new premier employee health benefits product for small businesses. The product will be made available to the Partner's more than 2,300 clients beginning in early 2022. The Partner selected Dario as the sole polychronic condition management solution within the preferred bundle to complement medical and pharmaceutical coverage, clinical navigation services, telehealth and centers of clinical excellence.

08:45 EST Kinsale Capital Group announces transfer to New York Stock Exchange - Kinsale Capital Group announced that it will transfer the listing of its common stock from the Nasdaq Global Select Market to the New York Stock Exchange. Kinsale expects to commence trading as a NYSE-listed company at market open on January 3, 2022 under its current ticker symbol "KNSL." Kinsale's common stock will continue to trade on the Nasdaq until the transfer is completed.

08:39 EST Stryve Foods lands 8,000 convenience store order with 7-Eleven - Stryve Foods announced a new distribution agreement with 7-Eleven that will bring three flavors of its popular Vacadillos carne seca air-dried meat snacks for the first time to nearly 8,000 7-Eleven domestic convenience stores. The nationwide order from 7-Eleven comes with a commitment for a standing floor display that will showcase prominently three Vacadillos flavors - Chile Lime, Habanero and Scorpion. The meat snacks will be shipped in January 2022 and will be available in stores by February. Stryve is also expanding its existing business with 7-Eleven. Stryve's 2.25 oz Stryve Original Biltong and 2.25 oz Stryve Spicy Peri Peri Biltong are gaining distribution at the more than 2,800 Speedway convenience stores recently acquired by 7-Eleven in the United States. "Stryve's new record high Vacadillos sales order in approximately 90% of 7-Eleven's U.S. convenience stores and Stryve Biltong product expansion into 7-Eleven's recently acquired Speedway convenience stores represents the latest terrific opportunities and proving grounds for Stryve products," said Joe Oblas, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Stryve. "Vacadillos standing floor display placements typically correlate strongly with future permanent distribution in most retail locations we have placed them to-date, driving sales velocity, trial, branding awareness and consumer engagement."

08:38 EST Devon Energy extends exchange offers with respect to senior notes - Devon Energy Corporation announced that it has extended until December 29, 2021 at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, the expiration date of its offers to exchange: an aggregate principal amount of up to $224,079,000 of its 8.250% Senior Notes due 2023, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for an equal principal amount of the Company's outstanding 8.250% Senior Notes due 2023; an aggregate principal amount of up to $465,268,000 of its 5.250% Senior Notes due 2024, which have been registered under the Securities Act, for an equal principal amount of the Company's outstanding 5.250% Senior Notes due 2024; an aggregate principal amount of up to $377,557,000 of its 5.250% Senior Notes due 2027, which have been registered under the Securities Act, for an equal principal amount of the Company's outstanding 5.250% Senior Notes due 2027; an aggregate principal amount of up to $322,488,000 of its 5.875% Senior Notes due 2028, which have been registered under the Securities Act, for an equal principal amount of the Company's outstanding 5.875% Senior Notes due 2028; and an aggregate principal amount of up to $573,827,000 of its 4.500% Senior Notes due 2030, which have been registered under the Securities Act, for an equal principal amount of the Company's outstanding 4.500% Senior Notes due 2030. The exchange offers had been scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on December 20, 2021. The extension of the exchange offers has been made to allow holders of outstanding Old Notes who have not yet tendered their Old Notes for exchange additional time to do so. All other terms, provisions and conditions of the exchange offers will remain in full force and effect. As of 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on December 20, 2021, approximately $223,979,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Old 2023 Notes had been tendered and not withdrawn, $462,268,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Old 2024 Notes had been tendered and not withdrawn, $377,557,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Old 2027 Notes had been tendered and not withdrawn, $322,453,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Old 2028 Notes had been tendered and not withdrawn and $568,606,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Old 2030 Notes had been tendered and not withdrawn. Devon Energy Corporation will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offers.

08:35 EST Cantaloupe appoints Jeff Dumbrell Chief Revenue Officer - Cantaloupe announced that Jeff Dumbrell has been appointed Chief Revenue Officer effective January 1.

08:35 EST ZW Data announces cooperation for NFT, Metaverse market with Digital Gold - ZW Data Action Technologies announced a cooperation with Guangzhou Digital Gold Information Technology to jointly develop "IP + NFT" products. By leveraging Digital Gold Information's Intellectual Property, IP, resources and IP operations, the Company, based on its BIF platform, will provide Non-Fungible Token, NFT, technology and related operations, list IP resources and contents to domestic and international NFT market, and explore the development of the combination of offline physical products + NFT + Metaverse. Metaverse is a combination of multiple elements of technology, including virtual reality, VR, and augmented reality, AR. The two parties will develop the IP + NFT + Metaverse business model, providing the peripheral products and digital merchandise services for authorized IPs during this cooperation. Through the Company's BIF blockchain platform, the IP co-branded contents and products can be distributed, traded and transferred on global NFT platforms such as Antchain and Tencent Huanhe. In addition, the Company and Digital Gold Information will jointly establish an IP alliance to develop domestic and international cooperative IPs.

08:34 EST Rigel Pharma: Kissei reports 'positive' results from Phase 3 fostamatinib trial - Rigel Pharmaceuticals announced that its collaboration partner, Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., has released positive topline results from its Phase 3 clinical trial in Japan evaluating fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate for the treatment of adult chronic immune thrombocytopenia. The Phase 3 clinical study showed that patients receiving fostamatinib achieved a stable platelet response significantly higher than patients receiving a placebo control. A stable platelet response was defined as achieving greater than or equal to 50,000 platelets per muL of blood on at least four of the last six scheduled visits between weeks 14 and 24 of treatment. The safety profile of fostamatinib was consistent with other clinical trials, with no new or unusual safety issues observed. Fostamatinib has Orphan Drug Designation in Japan.

08:32 EST Five Below raises over $8M for charitable partners in 2021 - Five Below is thrilled to announce that the Company has raised more than $8M for its charitable partners throughout 2021. On a national level, Five Below charitable efforts benefited Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Kids In Need Foundation, and most recently Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps organization with a mission of collecting and distributing new, unwrapped toys to less fortunate children throughout the holiday season. In addition, Five Below raised funds for two regional partners in the Company's hometown city of Philadelphia - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Eagles Autism Foundation.

08:32 EST SharpLink Gaming announces results of 2021 annual general meeting - SharpLink Gaming announced that at the 2021 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders that was held yesterday, December 20, 2021, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the shareholders of the Company approved the following: The reelection of Joe Housman, Rob Phythian, Chris Nicholas, Paul Abdo and Tom Doering as members of the Board of Directors for a term expiring at our 2022 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders; and The ratification of the appointment of RSM US LLP as our Company's independent registered public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2021, as well as the authorization of our Board of Directors to compensation of RSM US LLP in accordance with the volume and nature of their services or to delegate such power to the Company's Audit Committee.

08:31 EST ARIA Cybersecurity announces availability of Myricom ARC-C TxO adapter - ARIA Cybersecurity Solutions announces the availability of the Myricom ARC-C TxO network interface adapter designed to act as a secure unidirectional network bridge. Known as a transmit only data diode it is used by OEMs, government agencies as well as by data center operators to enable one way network traffic to leave a secured domain to a non-secured domain, with no physical path back in the opposite direction. Establishing a data diode via a SmartNIC is a simple, cost-effective way for organizations to protect the network environment from intrusions as well as the passing of malicious code, such as malware or ransomware. ARIA provides this capability in a low profile, low power draw SmartNIC that can be deployed in any server or network appliance's PCIe slot making it an attractive low-cost component to a transmit only gateway solution.

08:22 EST Conifex Timber announces final results of substantial issuer bid - Conifex Timber announced the final results of its substantial issuer bid pursuant to which Conifex offered to purchase for cancellation up to 4.0 million of its common shares at a price of $2.25 for a total of $9.0 million, which expired at 5:00 p.m. on December 20, 2021. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the SIB and based on the final calculations of Computershare Investor Services, as depositary for the SIB, Conifex will take up and pay for 4.0 million Shares at the Purchase Price, representing an aggregate purchase price of $9.0 million. After giving effect to the SIB, 40,149,111 Shares will remain outstanding. Based on the final count by Computershare, a total of 24,511,992 Shares were properly tendered to the SIB and not withdrawn. As the SIB was oversubscribed, shareholders who deposited Shares pursuant to the SIB had approximately 16.22% of their successfully tendered Shares purchased by Conifex, except for "odd lot" tenders which were not subject to pro ration. Conifex will promptly make payment for the Shares tendered and accepted for purchase by tendering the aggregate purchase price to Computershare in accordance with the SIB and applicable laws and payment to the shareholders will be effected by Computershare. Payment for Shares will be made in cash, without interest. Any Shares invalidly tendered or tendered and not purchased will be returned to the tendering shareholder promptly by Computershare.

08:20 EST Galectin Therapeutics closes $10M in debt financing from chairman - Galectin Therapeutics announced that it has closed on the second $10 million convertible note pursuant to a financing agreement entered in September, 2021, with Richard Uihlein, the Company's Chairman and largest individual stockholder. In total, the Company has received $30 million in three convertible notes from Mr. Uihlein in 2021. The convertible notes are unsecured and bear interest at a rate of 2% compounded annually. Additional interest of 2.5% per quarter will accrue but will only be paid if the debt and interest are converted into shares of the Company's common stock, at Mr. Uihlein's option, on or prior to maturity, which is four years from the date of each loan closing. The conversion price of the debt and interest is fixed at 228% above the price per share of common stock on the day prior to each closing or $5.00 per share, whichever is greater.

08:19 EST Lordstown Motors appoints Leonard as EVP, General Counsel, Secretary - Lordstown Motors announced that its Board of Directors has elected Melissa Leonard as Executive Vice President, EVP, effective January 1, 2022. Leonard will replace Tom Canepa, LMC's current General Counsel & Secretary, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities. Leonard was co-leader of the Mergers and Acquisitions team for Baker & Hostetler LLP, where she has served as outside counsel to the Company since 2019. Leonard has been a corporate and transactional attorney at Baker & Hostetler since 1995.

08:17 EST Principal Solar finalizes terms of Double-H Services acquisition - Principal Solar announced that it has finalized the terms of its majority acquisition of Oklahoma-based Double-H Services. Today's news builds on the Company's previously announced acquisition of a minority stake in Double-H earlier this year. "Working closely with Double-H over the past year has helped us understand their true growth potential - not just in their existing businesses, but how they can take advantage of the industry-wide shift to the greener, more efficient, environmentally-friendly technologies customers are demanding," said K. Bryce "Rick" Toussaint, MBA, CPA, Chairman and CEO of PSSW. "Principal's Portfolio Investment Companies are delivering the future of commercial goods transport with hybrid-electric and fully-electric heavy EV solutions, which Double-H intends to purchase to convert its existing diesel fleet. In doing so, not only will Double-H gain a major marketing advantage over traditional trucking and logistics companies, but we also anticipate that it will enjoy significantly increased margins realized through substantially lower operating and maintenance costs." The final terms of the transaction are subject to additional due diligence in the next quarter, and both parties intend to finalize the transaction in the second quarter of 2022.

08:15 EST Capstone Green Energy distributor gets contract from Alabama hospital, no terms - Capstone Green Energy Corporation announced that its central and southern U.S. distributor, Lone Star Power Solutions, has secured a contract to provide a highly reliable and energy-efficient Combined Heat and Power clean energy system to a major hospital in Alabama expected to be commissioned in the Spring 2022. The 600kW microturbine-based energy system will be fueled by low-pressure natural gas and will run in parallel with the local area grid providing supplemental power for the hospital's needs. The highly efficient energy system will be configured to repurpose the waste heat produced by the microturbine for the hospital's hot water requirements. Beyond supporting the power needs of a critical hospital facility, the new clean energy system provides a hedge against rising utility costs. This, along with the system's high efficiency, will ultimately reduce the facility's operational costs. Likewise, the system offers environmental benefits, including an estimated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions roughly equivalent to removing an estimated 245 cars from the road annually.

08:14 EST Karat Packaging announces expansion of its logistic services - Karat Packaging (KRT) announced it plans to expand its logistic services business geographically and that it has placed an order for 10 Tesla (TSLA) Semi trucks. Karat Packaging currently has 86 trucks and trailers and provides third-party logistic services to about 100 of its customers in California. The Company is planning to expand its logistic offerings geographically from its existing distribution centers in Texas, New Jersey and South Carolina in those regions, as well as further expansion in California. "We are excited to incorporate alternative-fuel trucks into our fleet. This purchase represents our commitment to continue investing in environmentally friendly solutions," said Alan Yu, chairman and chief executive officer. "Adding to Karat Packaging's competitive advantage and the Company's distinguishing characteristics, we are pleased to offer additional 3PL services to new and existing customers, particularly during the current supply chain environment."

08:13 EST Taboola announces launch of native bidding service, signs Microsoft agreement - Taboola (TBLA) announced the launch of a new native bidding service, allowing Taboola to extend its existing and growing 14,000 advertiser base to other supply types such as display advertising inventory, social networks and others. Microsoft (MSFT) has supported Taboola in the design of the new bidding service, which will accrue to Taboola's goal to drive even more growth for both companies and to fully leverage the opportunity of the open RTB space. As a result, Taboola has signed a new agreement with Microsoft through July 2024. Historically, Taboola and Microsoft had a revenue share arrangement. In utilizing the new service, Taboola can drive higher ex-TAC revenue and can drive even faster growth. The new Taboola bidding service will also provide more growth opportunities for advertisers.

08:11 EST Gentherm commits $250,000 to support GreenLight Fund Detroit - Gentherm announced that it will donate $250,000 over the next five years to the GreenLight Fund Detroit, an organization that raises and invests funds to help break down barriers to prosperity in high poverty areas. Gentherm's annual contribution of $50,000 will assist the GreenLight Fund in supporting programs in its existing portfolio as well as four additional proven programs selected over the next five years. Examples of current GreenLight Detroit portfolio organizations include the New Teacher Center, which assists Detroit Public Schools Community District by training seasoned teachers to be mentors for new teacher success and retention, and the Center for Employment Opportunities, which is dedicated to immediate employment and support services to help those with recent criminal convictions transition back to stable, productive lives.

08:10 EST Enphase Energy completes acquisition of 365 Pronto - Enphase Energy announced the closing of its acquisition of 365 Pronto, Inc. Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., 365 Pronto is a predictive software platform dedicated to simplifying the cleantech service landscape by matching cleantech asset owners to a local and on-demand workforce of service providers. The 365 Pronto software platform enables a two-sided marketplace. The buyers are customers consisting of installers, cleantech asset owners, or original equipment manufacturers. The sellers are service providers consisting of technicians and third-party installers providing services for residential and commercial solar, battery storage, and EV charging stations. 365 Pronto has hundreds of service providers nationwide who are qualified on its platform. A pre-priced work order is usually created by the customer and the 365 Pronto software platform algorithmically matches and dispatches a qualified service provider to complete the work order efficiently. The acquisition is expected to provide the following benefits: Offers Enphase's installers the opportunity to service their own operations and maintenance contracts via the 365 Pronto software platform when necessary; Provides Enphase's installers access to a nationwide qualified supplemental labor pool that can perform service calls at a time of severe labor shortages within the industry; Increases the service level for current 365 Pronto customers with the addition of the highly skilled network of Enphase installers as service providers; Enhances the homeowner experience of buying and owning solar, battery storage, and EV charging stations by helping to reduce wait times for maintenance services.

08:08 EST Allarity closes recapitalization, share exchange, $20M PIPE investment - Allarity Therapeutics announced the closing of its Recapitalization Share Exchange resulting in its initial public listing of 8,075,824 shares of its common stock and listing on the U.S Nasdaq Stock Market under the trading symbol "ALLR." Simultaneously with the closing of its Recapitalization Share Exchange, the Company closed on a $20 million PIPE investment, in which the Company issued 20,000 shares of preferred stock at $1,000 per share and a common stock purchase warrant to purchase 2,018,958 shares of common stock to 3i, LP, a Delaware limited partnership. A registration statement relating to the Recapitalization Share Exchange, filed previously with the Securities and Exchange Commission, became effective on November 5, 2021. An additional registration statement was filed on September 13, 2021, and declared effective by the SEC on December 20, 2021, with respect to the resale of shares of Allarity common stock issued upon conversion of our Preferred Stock or the exercise of the Warrant. Copies of the registration statements can be accessed through the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov.

08:07 EST Covetrus announces new structure within Europe - Covetrus announced a new organizational structure within Northern and Central Europe to execute the company's three-year strategy, deliver operational efficiencies, and better enable the company's combined commercial teams to service their customers and provide a reset for the German and U.K. businesses. Earlier this year, Covetrus announced the hiring of Andras Bolcskei as Covetrus' first president of International. Mr. Bolcskei was charged with bringing all commercial teams outside of North America together, and today's announcement advances that plan. Key changes include the development of a new International leadership team and a concerted focus within the U.K. and German businesses, an anticipated element of the company's strategic plan, as well as an immediate and strong reaction to recent pressures within those two regions. Covetrus Germany will move its DACH headquarter from Hamburg to Dusseldorf. Effective April 1, Covetrus' Dusseldorf location will create the DACH hub for the company under the leadership of Dr. Andreas Tschuor and will restrengthen its commercial capabilities, service to customers and competitiveness within the German market. In addition, the proximity of Dusseldorf to two other Covetrus regions will enable and lead to increased efficiencies and operational excellence within those regions' commercial teams. The company will close its Hamburg office on March 31 . Employment contracts tied to Hamburg will be discontinued, and employees will be offered the choice to continue employment with unchanged conditions in the new Dusseldorf office on April 1 . Development of a new leadership team to drive the company's International Business. Effective January 1, and similar to the structure adopted in the U.S. earlier this year, the U.K. commercial and the Global Technology Solutions teams, and the U.K. & Europe sales teams will come under one, unified commercial leadership, led by Loic Jegou, Country Manager and VP, Northern Europe. "These moves position Covetrus to win for our European customers and win for our global business," said Ben Wolin, President & CEO. "I have absolute confidence in our ability to drive our strategy, win back our position within the German and U.K. markets, drive greater outcomes for our customers and the animals they care for and drive success for all our teams and stakeholders."

08:06 EST Adverum Biotechnologies announces expected near-term milestones - 1H2022 - Anticipated leadership appointments to executive team and Board of Directors; 2Q2022 - Present protein expression data supporting an ADVM-022 6E10 vg/eye dose at a medical conference; 2Q2022 - Present data on baseline NAbs and ADVM-022 efficacy at a medical conference; Mid-2022 - Complete IND amendment process to enable initiation of Phase 2 trial of ADVM-022 in wet AMD; 3Q2022 - Plan to dose first patient in Phase 2 trial of ADVM-022 in wet AMD.

08:06 EST TFF announces final data from Phase 1b study of inhaled voriconazole powder - TFF Pharmaceuticals announced the full readout of safety and pharmacokinetic, PK, data from its Phase 1b study of Inhaled Voriconazole Powder, TFF VORI, in asthma patients. TFF VORI is a direct-to-lung, inhaled dry powder formulation of voriconazole for the treatment and prevention of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis, IPA. The data reported from the Phase 1b study are consistent with the initial data reported in November. TFF Pharma's Phase 1b study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and induction of bronchospasm of TFF VORI in 16 patients with mild to moderate asthma who were also using bronchodilators daily for asthma treatments. The data show that TFF VORI was well tolerated in asthma patients and indicate that no drug-drug interactions with bronchodilators will limit the use of these common asthma medications in patients with reactive airway disease. The Company anticipates enrolling patients who are prescribed a bronchodilator for its planned Phase 2 trial in IPA patients in 2022. Additional details from the study are below: The study was comprised of two cohorts. In cohort 1, 8 eligible subjects were randomized in a 3:1 ratio to receive 7 doses over 3.5 days of 40mg TFF VORI or inhaled placebo. In cohort 2, 8 eligible subjects were also randomized in a 3:1 ratio to receive 7 doses over 3.5 days of 80 mg TFF VORI or placebo. Systemic PK data following repeated dosing with an 80 mg twice daily dose showed no statistical differences between absorption and clearance between subjects. Observational data from the Phase 1b trial support the inclusion of patients that have hyperreactive airway disease comorbidities in the Phase 2 trial and suggest that TFF VORI also may have the potential to treat Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis.

08:05 EST Adverum finalizing two-dose study design for Phase 2 trial of ADVM-022 - Adverum Biotechnologies announced the completion of a review of its ADVM-022 program, outlined plans for the next stage of development in wet age-related macular degeneration and provided anticipated key milestones for 2022. Phase 2 Trial Design. Subject to regulatory review, Adverum is finalizing the design for a Phase 2 trial of ADVM-022 in wet AMD investigating the 2 X 10^11 vg/eye dose and a lower 6 X 10^10 vg/eye vg/eye dose, with three new enhanced steroid prophylaxis regimens, which the company anticipates will include a topical, intravitreal and a combination of systemic and local steroids. The trial is expected to enroll approximately 72 patients and evaluate similar endpoints to the Phase 1 OPTIC trial in wet AMD. This study design is based on extensive analysis conducted by the company's clinical development team and incorporates feedback from Adverum's scientific advisory board and key retina, uveitis and gene therapy experts. IND Amendment. Adverum intends to file an investigational new drug amendment in the first half of 2022 and engage with the FDA with the aim of securing agreement on the Phase 2 trial design. The company anticipates completing this process by mid-2022. Phase 2 Initiation. Adverum is beginning preparations for the Phase 2 trial of ADVM-022 in wet AMD, with the intention of dosing the first patient in Q32022. Early feedback from potential Phase 2 investigators suggests completion of trial enrollment by year end 2022. Fully Resourced. Adverum reiterates its expectation that its cash position is sufficient to fund the company's operations, including its development plans for ADVM-022, into 2024. Review of ADVM-022 Program: During the second half of 2021, Adverum undertook a comprehensive review of the company's ADVM-022 program, including analysis of its preclinical and clinical data. The review solidified the following rationale underpinning the development strategy and Phase 2 study design outlined today for ADVM-022 in wet AMD: Phase 1 Clinical Outcomes of ADVM-022 in Wet AMD: In October 2021, Adverum presented two-year follow-up data from its Phase 1 OPTIC study in wet AMD patients at the Retina Society's 54th Annual Scientific Meeting. The data presented demonstrated a greater than 80% reduction in annualized anti-VEGF injections following the 2E11 vg/eye ADVM-022 IVT injection that is expected to be validated in the Phase 2 study. ADVM-022 in wet AMD has been well tolerated and ocular inflammation was minimal and responsive to steroid eye drops. At latest visit, all 2E11 vg/eye patients were inflammation-free and none required any steroid eye drops to treat inflammation. Underlying Pathology and Patient Characteristics: The INFINITY data in diabetic macular edema indicate that poorly controlled diabetes with presence of microvascular and macrovascular diabetic complications are important criteria in the identification of an appropriate patient population for ADVM-022, and these criteria have been considered in the proposed design of the Phase 2 trial in wet AMD. Patient Safety Update: No clinically relevant reduction in intraocular pressure was observed in the 2E11 vg/eye dose group in wet AMD or DME in either OPTIC or INFINITY trials, respectively. Additionally, in the OPTIC trial, clinically relevant IOP decreases were not observed at the 6 X 10^11 vg/eye doses in wet AMD patients. No OPTIC patients with diabetes at both 6E11 and 2E11 in wet AMD, had clinically meaningful reduction in IOP. Adverum worked with its advisors and investigators to develop a treatment plan to halt progression to hypotony in DME patients who previously received the 6E11 vg/eye dose in the INFINITY trial. While Adverum is no longer pursuing an indication in DME or continuing development of the 6E11 vg/eye dose in wet AMD, all patients who experienced hypotony in the 6E11 vg/eye dose in INFINITY have stabilized and the majority recovered a significant amount of vision following the treatment plan. ADVM-022 Dosing: The company will evaluate a new lower dose of 6E10 vg/eye alongside the 2E11 vg/eye dose used in the OPTIC study. Adverum plans to submit data, including relevant non-human primate protein expression supporting the 6E10 vg/eye dose in humans, at an upcoming 2022 medical conference. Adverum also undertook an analysis of the impact of baseline neutralizing antibodies to AAV.7m8, the company's novel capsid, on ADVM-022's treatment benefit to potentially inform the planned Phase 2 trial design. Importantly, in OPTIC patients, the greater than80% reduction in annualized anti-VEGF injections observed at the 2E11 vg/eye dose further increased when patients with high NAbs were excluded. These data are expected to be submitted to a medical conference in 2022. Enhanced Steroid Prophylaxis: Adverum, in consultation with experts in retina, uveitis and gene therapy, is pursuing three steroid prophylaxis regimens as part of the Phase 2 study with the goal of establishing a predictable and effective prophylaxis to administer with ADVM-022 IVT gene therapy. Subject to regulatory review, the steroid prophylaxis treatments under consideration includes a local topical steroid regimen that is longer in duration than in the OPTIC trial, a local-IVT steroid to facilitate patient adherence, and an oral systemic steroid in combination with a local steroid option.

08:04 EST Nutanix CEO sells $5.79M in common stock - In a regulatory filing, Nutanix disclosed that its CEO Rajiv Ramaswami sold 190.7K shares of common stock in a transaction size of $5.79M on December 16th, reducing his stake by about 56%.

08:03 EST Hoth Therapeutics submits Orphan Drug Designation Request to FDA for HT-KIT - Hoth Therapeutics announced it submitted an Orphan Drug Designation Request to the U.S. FDA for HT-KIT for the treatment of mastocytosis. HT-KIT is an antisense oligonucleotide that targets the proto-oncogene cKIT by inducing mRNA frame shifting, resulting in apoptosis of neoplastic mast cells.

08:03 EST Zogenix submits J-NDA for FINTEPLA to the Japanese MHLW - Zogenix announced that it has submitted a New Drug Application, J-NDA, to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour & Welfare, MHLW, for the marketing approval of FINTEPLA for the treatment of epileptic seizures associated with Dravet syndrome in Japan. FINTEPLA received Orphan Drug Designation from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour & Welfare in August 2021. The submission is supported by the results of Study 3, Phase 3 study, of 143 children and young adults with Dravet syndrome, including trial participants from Japan, whose seizures were not adequately controlled by existing anti-epileptic drugs. Study 3 met its primary objective in demonstrating that patients in the FINTEPLA 0.7 mg/kg/day group achieved a 64.8% greater reduction in mean monthly convulsive seizures compared to the placebo group.

08:02 EST Pioneer Power announces $12M order for its E-Bloc product - Pioneer Power Solutions announced a significant order for its E-Bloc product. This initial order, valued at approximately $12M, is expected to double sales in Pioneer's T&D Solutions business in 2022. Specifically, this award represents 62 E-Bloc units and is part of a proposed program whereby the mass merchandiser expects to ultimately equip approximately 500 of its stores with E-Bloc type product.

08:01 EST Titan Pharmaceuticals to explore strategic alternatives, engages Maxim Group - Titan Pharmaceuticals announced that it has commenced a process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. Titan has engaged Maxim Group as its exclusive financial advisor to assist in this process. Potential strategic alternatives that may be explored or evaluated as part of this process include an acquisition, merger, reverse merger, other business combination, sales of assets, licensing or other strategic transactions involving the company. There can be no assurance that the exploration of strategic alternatives will result in any agreements or transactions, or that, if completed, any agreements or transactions will be successful or on attractive terms. Titan does not expect to disclose developments with respect to this process unless and until the evaluation of strategic alternatives has been completed or the board of directors has concluded that disclosure is appropriate or legally required.

07:56 EST Cassava up 40% as traders circulate Neuroscience editorial note - Shares of Cassava Sciences are up $14.83, or 40%, to $51.60 in pre-market trading as traders circulate an "Editorial note" published by "Neuroscience" regarding a paper previously published by HY Wang et al related to Cassava Sciences. The note states: "In response to allegations of data manipulation in an article published in Neuroscience Vol 135, Issue 1, 2005, Pages 247-261, and following COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines, the journal asked the authors for images of the original, uncropped Western blots from this study. After careful examination of these original material, Neuroscience found no evidence of manipulation of the Western blot data or other figures of this publication. For transparency, the illustrations containing the uncropped Western blot images used for the assembly of these figures that were subjected to scrutiny can be found below. Any subsequent information arising from the institutional investigation will be considered once available." Reference Link

07:38 EST Ondas Networks receives order for North American Rail Lab - Ondas Holdings announced that Ondas Networks' has received a radio system order for the implementation of the North American Rail Lab. The Rail Lab, hosted at Ondas Networks headquarters in Sunnyvale, CA, serves multiple purposes including interoperability and coexistence testing of 802.16 compliant wireless systems, customization and optimization of different network rail configurations, and next generation rail application testing. Importantly, the lab is focused on multiple frequency bands and networks beyond the 900 MHz that Ondas is targeting for commercial deployment. "We believe the Rail Lab is a critical resource for our rail customers as they incorporate Ondas' 802.16 compliant wireless platform across their wide field of operations," said Eric Brock, Ondas Chairman and CEO.

07:37 EST Univar unit signs distribution agreement with Kalsec - Europe, Univar B.V., a subsidiary of Univar Solutions, announced it has expanded its Ingredients & Specialties portfolio through a new exclusive distribution agreement with Kalsec. Kalsec's innovative products are naturally sourced from herbs, spices, vegetables and hops for use in the food and beverage industries in countries across Europe

07:36 EST Pyxis Tankers announces delivery of 2017 product tanker Pyxis Lamda - Pyxis Tankers announced that pursuant to a previously announced transaction, on December 20, 2021, the Company took delivery of the Pyxis Lamda, a 50,296 dwt medium range product tanker built in 2017 at SPP Shipbuilding in South Korea. The Pyxis Lamda was acquired from an entity related to the family of Company Chairman and CEO, for a purchase price of $32 million. After her first special survey, the Pyxis Lamda will seek commercial employment in early January, 2022. On December 20th, the Company also entered into a new $29 million senior loan facility, under which borrowings of $21.68 million were used to finance a portion of the purchase price of Lamda Acquisiton and $7.32 million were used to refinance the Company's existing indebtedness secured by the Pyxis Malou.

07:34 EST Aehr Test Systems receives new order for four FOX-NP test & burn-in systems - Aehr Test Systems announced it has received an order from a current silicon photonics customer for four additional FOX-NP systems to support the characterization and product qualification of new photonics based devices. The FOX-NP systems are expected to ship over the next six to seven months. Gayn Erickson, President and CEO of Aehr Test Systems, commented, "This customer, one of the world's largest semiconductor manufacturers, continues to use Aehr for wafer level burn-in and stabilization of their silicon photonics wafers and is adding these FOX-NP systems for a new photonics based device application. Configured with two blades, each of these new FOX-NP systems allows two wafers to be tested in parallel using our proprietary WaferPak Contactors and enables testing either two of the same wafers or two different wafers with different test plans. This customer is expected to purchase new sets of WaferPaks to be used with these systems. As the applications and market for silicon photonics based devices continue to grow, we expect this customer to continue to increase their capacity in the future."

07:34 EST MindMed announces FDA put on hold IND submission for Phase 2b trial of LSD - Mind Medicine announced that the FDA has placed a clinical hold on its IND submission intended to support the initiation of a Phase 2b trial of lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD, for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. Additional detail regarding the FDA's decision is expected within 30 days.

07:32 EST Miniso announces $200M share repurchase program - Miniso announced that its board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program under which the company may repurchase up to $200M of its outstanding Class A ordinary shares and/or American depositary shares representing its Class A ordinary shares, effective until September 21, 2022. The company expects to fund repurchases under this program from surplus cash on its balance sheet.

07:31 EST Karyopharm, Menarini Group enter license agreement for NEXPOVIO - Karyopharm Therapeutics and the Menarini Group announced their entry into an exclusive licensing agreement whereby Menarini will commercialize NEXPOVIO, Karyopharm's first-in-class, oral Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export compound, in Europe and other key global territories. Under the terms of the agreement, Menarini received exclusive rights to commercialize NEXPOVIO for the treatment of oncology indications in the European Union and other European countries (including the United Kingdom), Latin America and other key countries. In exchange, Karyopharm will receive an upfront payment of $75M in 2021 and is eligible to receive up to an additional $202.5M in future milestones, plus tiered double-digit royalties on net sales of NEXPOVIO in the licensed territories.

07:19 EST Fisker partners with Bridgestone for maintenance solutions in France, Germany - Fisker announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, with Bridgestone to provide after-sales and related maintenance solutions in France and Germany. After recently selecting Bridgestone as the exclusive tire partner for its upcoming Ocean all-electric SUV, Fisker is extending its collaboration with the global company. As part of this new partnership, and as an industry first, Bridgestone will leverage its EV-ready retail and service network to provide Fisker's customers in France and Germany with extensive after-sales services throughout the Speedy, Pitstop and Reiff-ABS networks, all part of Bridgestone's extended retail network in Europe. Speedy includes over 450 locations throughout France, while in Germany, the combination of Pitstop and Reiff-ABS offers services at more than 300 locations across the country. Fisker will work with Bridgestone to select the most appropriate sites from its service network in France and Germany to address Fisker's customers' needs and specificities.

07:14 EST Medipharm Labs provides update on profitability improvement initiatives - MediPharm Labs is pleased to provide an update on the significant strategic profitability improvement initiatives underway at the Company. 2021 was a year of transition for MediPharm Labs and paved the strategic foundation for the future. The following highlights the Company's focus areas on its path to profitability. The company said, "MediPharm Labs continues to operate with a strong cash position and clean balance sheet. With the Company's only debt agreement being a 2020 convertible debenture that holds a balance of less than $500K, down from an original balance of over $40M. This position paired with a robust plan to reduce overhead, operating expenses and general and administrative expenses gives MediPharm Labs longevity to execute on its sales contracts and pipeline...MediPharm Labs is not an ordinary cannabis company. Being the only purpose-built facility in North America to receive a domestic GMP licence specifically for the extraction of natural cannabinoids, MediPharm Labs continues to use its Drug Establishment Licence to build its pharmaceutical business. There are over 20 strong novel cannabinoid-based drugs currently in the late-stage research process and this business continues to develop with the approach of FDA patent challenges for generic forms of current drugs. Notwithstanding the longer pharmaceutical sales cycle of these products, MediPharm Labs has already shipped GMP CBD for development purposes to multiple established pharmaceutical companies...In 2021, MediPharm Labs delivered medical cannabis products to five different countries providing its clients, including pharmaceutical and large cannabis companies, with a full product and supply chain solution so that they can focus on their end consumer. MediPharm Labs being one of the only white label providers in international markets has resulted in multiple contracts and filled the Company's sales pipeline with opportunity that will be monetized as regulatory channels open. Projects like Brazilian product authorization will unlock new international revenue opportunities in 2022. Adding multiple new customers to the Company's international business has allowed for new volume-based buying that will improve gross margins on international business in the near term....Although MediPharm Labs long-term focus has been international wellness and pharmaceutical markets, Canada offers the Company near-term positive margin and a product development testing ground. MediPharm Labs intention is to capitalize on opportunities to grow where it is strategically aligned...MediPharm Labs premium cannabis oil has an average price of nearly double what the Company's top competitors are selling for. This shows that consumers recognize the value in a higher quality product offering. To expand in this category, MediPharm Labs will continue to focus on its premium portfolio sales in retail while driving innovation. The Company continues to launch unique oil SKUs with its new Cannabinol with only trace amounts of THC oil launched in Q4 2021."

07:13 EST Schrodinger announces retirement of CFO Joel Lebowitz - Schrodinger announced that Joel Lebowitz is retiring from his position as CFO. Lebowitz will remain in his role as chief financial officer until February 28, 2022, to ensure a transition, and Schrodinger will immediately begin a search for his successor.

07:13 EST ADMA Biologics adopts limited duration stockholder rights plan - ADMA Biologics announced that its Board of Directors has approved the adoption of a 6-month term stockholder rights plan and declared a dividend distribution of one right for each outstanding share of common stock. The record date for the dividend distribution is December 30, 2021. The Rights Plan will expire, without any further action required to be taken by ADMA's Board of Directors, on June 15, 2022. "The Rights Plan provides the Board of Directors with time to make informed decisions that are in the best long-term interests of ADMA and its stockholders and does not prevent ADMA's Board of Directors from considering any offer to acquire ADMA that it considers to be in the best interest of ADMA's stockholders," the company said. The Rights Plan is similar to the stockholder rights plan previously adopted by ADMA and adopted by other publicly traded companies.

07:11 EST Cousins Properties signs lease with Amazon for Domain 9 development in Austin - Cousins Properties (CUZ) announced that it has signed a 330,000 square foot lease with Amazon (AMZN) to occupy 100% of its Domain 9 development in Austin. Amazon employs more than 3,000 people in Austin and currently leases space at several other Cousins assets within the Domain submarket. Amazon plans to occupy the new space in Domain 9 in three phases beginning in the first quarter of 2024.

07:08 EST PharmaTher provides update on product pipeline, expected milestones - PharmaTher is pleased to provide a product pipeline update and expected milestones for 2022. The Company's Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of ketamine in the treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease is currently ongoing and the Company now expects topline results in Q1-2022. Positive Phase 2 clinical results will allow the Company to request a meeting with the FDA to discuss its plan and obtain an agreement to move to a Phase 3 clinical study under the 505(b)2 regulatory pathway by Q3-2022. PharmaTher has an exclusive license agreement with the University of Arizona for the intellectual property protecting the potential use of ketamine to treat movement disorders. The possible therapeutic effect of low-dose ketamine on LID was noted in a retrospective analysis of Parkinson's disease patients who received ketamine for pain relief. During this analysis, it was observed that the patients experienced an improvement in LID lasting several weeks beyond treatment. These results were corroborated in a test of low-dose ketamine in a rodent LID model, and this possible effect has also been examined in a controlled study. An Investigator-initiated IND application has been submitted and it is expected the FDA will accept the IND to proceed to a clinical study for ketamine to treat ALS patients within the next 30 days. Patient enrollment is targeted for Q1-2022. On August 3rd, 2021, the Company was granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for ketamine to treat ALS. PharmaTher has an exclusive license agreement with the University of Kansas for the intellectual property protecting the potential use of ketamine to treat ALS. Ketamine has the potential to effectively increase the life expectancy of those with ALS at any stage and slow the progressive loss of muscle associated with poor outcomes of the disease. The University of Kansas Medical Center researchers and inventors of the potential use of ketamine to treat ALS, Dr. Richard J. Barohn, M.D., John A. Stanford, Ph.D., and Dr. Matthew Macaluso, D.O., have made the promising discovery that ketamine can be administered as an effective treatment for ALS. In addition, unpublished and patent-pending preclinical research has shown that the administration of ketamine preserves muscle function in advancing ALS and increases life expectancy when given in the early stages of muscle decline. The Company is supporting an Investigator-lead observational study to evaluate the impact of betaine anhydrous on the unwanted ketamine side effects seen post ketamine treatment for subjects with depression. The Company now expects results to be reported in early Q1-2022. Based on the results, the Company will advance the KETABET program with its microneedle patch for clinical studies in the H2-2022. PharmaTher has an exclusive license agreement with the National Health Research Institutes for the development and commercialization of a patented combination formulation of FDA-approved ketamine and betaine. KETABET has been shown in research to enhance the antidepressant effect while having the potential to reduce the known negative side effects of ketamine significantly. The combination of ketamine and betaine anhydrous produced more robust antidepressant-like responses than their individual effects and that the combination blocked the psychotomimetic effects of ketamine. In collaboration with The Queen's University of Belfast, led by Professor Ryan Donnelly, the Company has successfully completed the evaluation of a patented hydrogel-forming microneedle patch to deliver Ketamine and KETABET as a potential next-generation treatment for neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative and pain disorders. This de-risking milestone supports the Company's expansion in finalizing IND-enabling studies and the clinical manufacturing scale up with LTS Lohmann, a leader in transdermal delivery systems, to support FDA and international regulatory submissions. Validation and tech transfer activities to support clinical studies are in progress and the Company expects to conduct clinical studies in H2-2022. PharmaTher has an exclusive license agreement with QUB for the development and commercialization of a patented hydrogel-forming microneedle delivery technology developed by Professor Ryan Donnelly to support PharmaTher's product and clinical development initiatives with ketamine and psychedelics. Professor Donnelly's lab successfully completed research and published a paper titled "Hydrogel-forming microneedle arrays as a therapeutic option for transdermal esketamine delivery" validating the delivery of esketamine, the S(+) enantiomer of ketamine, in a novel microneedle patch which may overcome the drawbacks associated with ketamine administration in an intravenous or nasal spray format. The Company is developing its own Ketamine Hydrochloride Injection USP product as part of its plans to support the Company's future Phase 3 clinical studies and its commercialization plans in the U.S. via a supplemental Abbreviated New Drug Application with the FDA for use in anesthesia and procedural sedation. The Company expects to file for its sANDA in Q4-2022 for commercialization in the U.S. and international markets thereafter. PharmaTher has entered into an agreement with Alcami Corporation, a global pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization with extensive experience in cGMP sterile fill-finish products and handling of controlled substances, for the clinical and commercial manufacturing for the Company's KETARX project. The Company expects to form partnerships with research labs, ketamine clinics and pharmaceutical companies that are: seeking a secure supply of cGMP ketamine and ketamine products for current portfolios; exploring alternative dose forms for multiple existing indications; and requiring support to develop and eventually commercialize specific ketamine products for new indications. In addition, the Company will enter the market with KETARX targeting ketamine's FDA approved label for anesthesia and procedural sedation.

07:07 EST Main Street exits debt and equity investments in CAI Software - Main Street Capital announced that it recently exited its debt and equity investments in CAI Software upon the recapitalization of CAI to a technology-focused financial acquirer. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Smithfield, Rhode Island, CAI is a leader in the delivery of mission-critical enterprise resource planning, or ERP, manufacturing execution systems, or MES, and warehouse management systems, or WMS, software and related services with industry expertise in niche sectors including seafood and other food processing and distribution, millwork, lumber and other building materials, precious metal refining and jewelry manufacturing. Main Street realized a gain of $10.3M on the exit of its equity investments in CAI and received total dividends of $2.6M over the investment period. As a result, on a cumulative basis since Main Street's initial investment in CAI in October 2014, Main Street realized an annual internal rate of return of 54.1% and a 7.1 times money invested return on its equity investments in CAI. On a cumulative basis including both Main Street's debt and equity investments in CAI, Main Street realized an annual internal rate of return of 16.9% and a 1.5 times money invested return. This realized value includes $1.8M in equity value that Main Street received in a minority equity ownership position in the acquirer as part of the transaction.

07:04 EST LianBio announces infigratinib approved under special NPP - LianBio announced that infigratinib has been approved by the Health Commission and Medical Products Administration of Hainan Province, under the special Named Patient Program, NPP, for the treatment of patients with previously treated, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with a FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangement. The first cholangiocarcinoma patient in China was prescribed and treated with infigratinib at Bo'ao Super Hospital in Mainland China, marking the first prescription of infigratinib outside of North America. "LianBio is committed to bringing transformative medicines to patients and physicians in China," said Yizhe Wang, Ph.D., Chief Executive of LianBio. "We are proud to enable early commercial access to infigratinib in Hainan Province approximately six months after the drug's first global approval. Our growing team is committed to applying our regulatory expertise in our territories to explore pathways to provide patients with expedited access to the best medical innovations." The special NPP was enacted by the State Council of PRC as a pilot program implemented in the Bo'ao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone to accelerate patient and physician access to urgently needed medicines that are approved in certain jurisdictions, but not yet approved in Mainland China. Infigratinib is an oral selective FGFR inhibitor being evaluated in global clinical trials based on demonstration of clinical activity in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma and urothelial carcinoma with FGFR genomic alterations.

07:02 EST Zenvia acquires Movidesk - Zenvia announced the signing of definitive contracts for the acquisition of Movidesk. The operation is in line with the company's strategy announced during its IPO last July. This transaction will be Zenvia's tenth acquisition in its history and its second one announced since the IPO. Movidesk client base grew by 49% reaching almost 3,000 customers. Founded in 2016, Movidesk is a company focused on customer service solutions to define workflows, provide integration with communication channels and monitor tickets through dashboards and reports. Movidesk is estimated to close 2021 with approximately R$47M in annual recurring revenue, or ARR, and a gross margin above 70%. Total revenues has grown at a CAGR of 134% since 2018. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions precedent and is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2022, when the company anticipates it will hold a conference call to discuss the acquisition in more details. The payment conditions include a cash disbursement upon deal closing and an earn-out structure based on the fulfilling of gross margin targets until the third quarter of 2023. Movidesk's former controlling shareholder and key executives will receive 10% of the consideration in Zenvia's Class A shares subject to a lock-up, usual in this type of transaction. According to Zenvia's M&A model, Donisete Gomes, Movidesk CEO, will remain as head of Movidesk operation along with his team. Zenvia estimates the acquisition will be done at a multiple of 3.0x EV/2023 sales at the end of the earn-out period.

06:56 EST Tyson Foods expands access to childcare for frontline workers - Tyson Foods is taking another step in its efforts to become the most sought-after place to work by providing greater access to affordable childcare for frontline workers and their families. The company plans to build an on-site childcare and learning facility at its new Humboldt, Tennessee, poultry processing plant, and recently announced a program at its Amarillo, Texas, beef plant, to work with two local providers to provide free childcare to the children of second shift workers. The $3.5M Humboldt facility, expected to be operational in 2023, will support up to 100 children, five years of age and younger, and employ a staff of 18. Called Tyson Tykes, it will be operated as an early childhood learning center by KinderCare and subsidized by the company to lower the cost for Tyson team members.

06:46 EST Stewart acquires Greater Illinois Title Company, terms not disclosed - Stewart Information Services announced the acquisition of Greater Illinois Title Company. Headquartered in Chicago, GITC operates Greater Illinois Title, Greater Indiana Title, GIT Michigan, Greater Wisconsin Title, Greater Missouri Title, and GIT Florida Title Services, with a subsidiary operating in 18 additional states. The acquisition builds on previous investments and continues to emphasize Stewart's mission of becoming the Premier Title Services Company.

06:31 EST Scienjoy to develop NFT Blind Box Project with Herr Gallery - Scienjoy announced that the company intends to develop a NFT Blind Box Project with Herr Gallery, an NFT-focused art gallery based in New York, based on the painting entitled "Liberty" and the subsequent Liberty Mural project by New York artist Julie Harvey. Scienjoy and Herr Gallery plan to unveil the NFT Blind Box Project, along with the launch of Herr Gallery's proprietary NFT marketplace, in the first quarter of 2022.

06:23 EST FDA accepts sBLA for Alexion's Ultomiris for Priority Review in gMG - AstraZeneca's Alexion unit states: "The supplemental Biologics License Application for Ultomiris, or ravulizumab-cwvz, in adults with generalised myasthenia gravis, or gMG, has been accepted for Priority Review by the US Food and Drug Administration. The FDA set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act date during the second quarter of 2022, following use of a rare disease priority review voucher by Alexion, AstraZeneca's Rare Disease group. The sBLA submission in the US is based on results from the Phase III trial of Ultomiris in gMG, which were announced by Alexion in July 2021, and showed efficacy as early as Week 1 and sustained for 52 weeks. In the trial, the safety profile of Ultomiris was consistent with that observed in Phase III trials of Ultomiris in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome." Reference Link

06:01 EST Amazon.com plans to create 550 new jobs at Phoenix Tech Hub - Amazon announced plans to create more than 550 corporate and tech jobs in Tempe, Arizona, over the next few years, further expanding the company's Phoenix Tech Hub. These new roles will support Amazon's growing teams in Consumer Retail, Amazon Web Services, and Operations, and include positions such as software development engineers, senior solution architects, project managers, and business analysts. To accommodate its growth in Phoenix, Amazon has signed on to a 63,000-square-foot expansion at its existing offices at 100 S. Mill Avenue in Tempe, developed by Cousins Properties and Hines. The additional new office space is expected to open for employees in late 2022. Amazon currently has more than 5,000 tech and corporate employees working at its Phoenix Tech Hub.

05:27 EST Heidrick & Struggles enters agreement to acquire RosExpert, WE Partners - Heidrick & Struggles has entered into agreements to acquire RosExpert in Russia and WE Partners in the Ukraine and Kazakhstan, all among the top executive search and leadership consulting firms in each respective country. These acquisitions form part of Heidrick & Struggles' strategy to expand its global footprint and grow its local presence in key strategic markets around the world. Established 25 years ago in Russia, RosExpert is among the top firms in the country offering integrated executive search and leadership advisory services. Financial terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed, and the transaction is expected to close in Q1 2022, subject to relevant regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

05:22 EST Pan American Silver provides update on law in Chubut province of Argentina - Pan American Silver reported that the executive of the Province of Chubut in Argentina issued a decree to the legislature to repeal the legislative bill passed on December 15 that would have modified the provincial mining law to allow permitting of open pit mining in certain zones in the Departments of Gastre and Telsen. Pan American Silver owns 100% of the large Navidad silver project, which is located in the north central part of the province. Pan American Silver believes that properly permitted and regulated mining activity with sustainable mining practices, both environmental and social, could benefit the people of Chubut.

05:15 EST Amazon to create over 2,000 jobs in Austin Tech Hub expansion - Amazon announced plans to create more than 2,000 corporate and tech jobs in Austin, Texas, over the next few years, further expanding the company's Austin Tech Hub. These new roles will support teams growing and include positions such as senior data engineers, senior technical program managers, user experience designers and financial analysts. To accommodate its growth in Austin, Amazon has signed on to lease 330,000 square feet of space at a new building developed by Cousins Properties at The Domain in Austin. The new office space is expected to open for employees in early 2024. Amazon currently has more than 3,000 tech and corporate employees working at its Austin Tech Hub. This latest investment will join Amazon's three existing locations in Austin at The Domain, which provides access to local retail, restaurants, entertainment, and more. This investment at Amazon's Austin Tech Hub is part of a multi-city expansion across the country and company. The company plans to create 3,000 jobs across Austin, Chicago, and Phoenix in the next few years. In the last 18 months, Amazon also announced expansions of its offices in Houston and Dallas.

05:11 EST Qudian CEO intends to purchase up to $10M ADSs - Qudian announced that Min Luo, the company's founder, chairman and CEO, has informed the company that he intends to use personal funds to purchase up to $10M of the company's American depository shares, or ADSs, over the next 12 months. Purchases will take place in full compliance with applicable laws and the company's securities trading policy. The share purchases may be made from time to time in the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, Rule 10b5-1 and/or Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The number of ADSs purchased and the timing of purchases will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, price, trading volume and general market conditions.