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AGC Biologics to Manufacture First-ever FDA Approved Gene Therapy for Early-onset Metachromatic Leukodystrophy, Orchard Therapeutics’ Lenmeldy™ (atidarsagene autotemcel)

AGC Biologics

AGC Biologics, a leading global Biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its Milan site to begin commercial manufacturing for the lentiviral vector and genetically modified cell drug product (DP) of Orchard Therapeutics’ Lenmeldy™ (atidarsagene autotemcel), a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy for the treatment of pre-symptomatic late infantile, pre-symptomatic early juvenile and early symptomatic early juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). Lenmeldy received approval by the FDA on Monday, March 18. “It is wonderful to see Orchard Therapeutics reach this goal. This accomplishment is a strong proof point of our commitment at AGC Biologics to collaborating directly with developers to meet rigorous regulatory standards and achieve the best possible results for our partners,” says Patricio Massera, CEO of AGC Biologics. Lenmeldy is the first therapy to receive U.S. FDA approval for MLD. With this announcement, AGC Biologics Milan becomes the only global CDMO site to receive the regulatory agency’s clearance to produce this treatment for patients in the U.S. commercially. The FDA approval is the culmination of a partnership that started in 2018 with Orchard Therapeutics, which also includes guiding the product through commercial approval by the European Commission (EC) in 2021. AGC Biologics’ Milan site is uniquely connected to this product’s full lifecycle, as the facility and its scientific teams partnered with each company that owned this treatment’s IP over the last 20 years to help advance it from research and development stages to this DP commercial milestone. “We congratulate Orchard for reaching this important stage. Our team has had the privilege of supplying every clinical milestone for Lenmeldy and are glad to see it reach FDA approval,” said Luca Alberici, General Manager of AGC Biologics Milan. “I am proud of the work of the Milan team. This demonstrates our unique ability to collaborate on technical processes to deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients worldwide. This approval makes our site one of the rare few in the viral vector and genetically modified cells field that has commercial manufacturing authorization from two of the world’s leading regulatory authorities." "AGC Biologics has played a pivotal role as a strategic partner throughout the clinical development and commercial scale-up of atidarsagene autotemcel, which helped facilitate regulatory approvals in Europe and the U.S.," said Nicoletta Loggia, Ph.D., chief technical officer of Orchard Therapeutics. "Utilizing our best-in-class commercial HSC gene therapy manufacturing platform, we have consistently met the demands for drug product production since the European launch in early 2021. This has enabled us to provide treatment to patients from three continents, including Europe on a commercial basis, the Middle East through treatment abroad programs, and the U.S., under compassionate use. With the recent U.S. approval, we are excited to further expand access to this vital therapy for eligible children with early-onset MLD. The AGC Biologics Milan location has 30 years of experience in the cell and gene field and expertise with complex advanced cell therapy projects. The core team has guided three cell therapy products from development to commercial stages and has manufactured hundreds of batches of cell therapies for clinical and commercial usage. The site serves as the AGC Biologics’ Global Cell and Gene Center of Excellence for AGC Biologics. The team has a track record for helping developers meet regulatory guidelines and achieve quality performance metrics, and experience with navigating the unique complexities of technology transfers and scaling up and scaling out manufacturing within the cell and gene space. To learn more about AGC Biologics’ global cell therapy services, visit: www.agcbio.com/capabilities/cell-therapy, go to www.agcbio.com/capabilities/viral-vector and learn more about the CDMO’s viral vector offerings. Lenmeldy™ (atidarsagene autotemcel) is a trademark of Orchard Therapeutics. About AGC Biologics: AGC Biologics is a leading global biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a strong commitment to delivering the highest standard of service as we work side-by-side with our clients and partners, every step of the way. We provide world-class development and manufacture of mammalian and microbial-based therapeutic proteins, plasmid DNA (pDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), viral vectors, and genetically engineered cells. Our global network spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with cGMP-compliant facilities in Seattle, Washington; Boulder and Longmont, Colorado; Copenhagen, Denmark; Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; and Chiba, Japan. We currently employ more than 2,500 employees worldwide. Our commitment to continuous innovation fosters the technical creativity to solve our clients’ most complex challenges, including specialization in fast-track projects and rare diseases. AGC Biologics is a part of AGC Inc.’s Life Science Company. The Life Science company runs ten different facilities focused on biopharmaceuticals, advanced therapies, small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients, and agrochemicals. To learn more, visit www.agcbio.com. Contact Details AGC Biologics Nick McDonald +1 425-419-3555 nmcdonald@agcbio.com Company Website https://www.agcbio.com/

March 18, 2024 11:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time

Spring Bird Makes its Expo Debut at the 2024 Texas Transit Association State Conference, Expo, and Roadeo

Spring Bird

Spring Bird, a name synonymous with excellence and innovation in the transportation industry, is thrilled to announce its first-ever expo attendance at the Texas Transit Association (TTA) State Conference, Expo, and Roadeo from March 15-20, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. This landmark event marks Spring Bird's grand entrance into the expo scene, showcasing their comprehensive range of services, including maintenance, retrofitting, leasing, and sales of transit-style buses. Spring Bird, under the visionary leadership of Elliott Carson, continues the legacy of the Carson family in the bus industry, bringing over 75 years of combined experience and dedication to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. The company specializes in offering top-tier transit buses from renowned manufacturers like New Flyer, and Gillig, emphasizing the latest safety features and technological advancements. Spring Bird’s cutting-edge rehabilitation services will be the heart of its expo showcase. Attendees will learn about the company’s capabilities in performing minor repairs, major overhauls, and retrofitting buses with the latest low-emission engines and GPS tracking systems. Spring Bird is committed to providing customized solutions that meet clients’ unique needs, whether they want to purchase new buses or service their existing fleets. Elliott Carson, representing the fourth generation of the Carson family in the bus industry, expressed his enthusiasm about participating in the TTA State Conference, Expo, and Roadeo: "We are excited to debut at this wonderful event and look forward to connecting with transit agencies and other entities from Texas and across the United States. Our attendance at the TTA Expo is a testament to Spring Bird's commitment to excellence and innovation in providing high-quality, affordable transportation solutions." Texas is also the home of Spring Bird, located in Austin, TX. The Texas Transit Association, organized in 1986, brings together metropolitan, small urban, and rural transit agencies, along with private and public entities from across the country, making it the perfect platform for Spring Bird to introduce its services to a wider audience. Visit Spring Bird at the 2024 TTA State Conference, Expo, and Roadeo to explore how they can support your transit needs with their high-quality buses and comprehensive rehabilitation services. About Spring Bird: Spring Bird is a premier provider of transportation solutions specializing in the sale, leasing, and service of heavy-duty transit buses and motor coaches. Drawing from the rich Carson family legacy in the transportation industry, Spring Bird offers an inventory of high-quality buses from leading manufacturers and provides customized rehabilitation services, including minor repairs, major overhauls, and technological retrofitting. Dedicated to safety, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Spring Bird addresses the unique needs of cities, transit agencies, and private operators, ensuring reliable and efficient transportation solutions. Contact Details Spring Bird Media Contact press@springbirdbus.com Company Website https://springbirdbus.com

March 18, 2024 03:00 PM Central Daylight Time

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AGBOOST SCALES AI-ENABLED GENETIC DATA ANALYSIS SOFTWARE FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS

AgBoost

After years of product development and field testing, AgBoost announced the global commercial expansion of its cloud-based data analysis platform that helps cattle producers interpret genomic data for selective breeding, health, market value and nutrition management. Despite a 65% increase in U.S. beef herd productivity over five decades, according to United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA), rising demand for sustainably produced meat and shrinking profit margins underscore the importance of genetic data for herd efficiency. "Too often, cattle producers invest in DNA technology without unlocking its full potential," said Sean Akadiri, founder and CEO of AgBoost, at the 2024 Animal AgTech Innovation Summit and World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit. "Our platform revolutionizes decision-making, empowering ranchers with faster, more precise choices. By putting genetics at their fingertips, we're reducing the average $2,000 loss per calf during breeding and development, giving ranchers a decisive advantage over the competition.” Traditionally, breeding decisions rely on visual appraisals and multi-generation written records of estimated genetic merit. AgBoost's software combines genomic and production data, including live birth weight and diverse phenotypic information, for individual animals. Users can track animals individually or group them, such as in replacement heifer groups. By selecting specific traits, producers gain a comprehensive view to inform feeding, animal health, and marketing decisions effectively. “Genomic testing data can feel like deciphering hieroglyphics to most producers. But AgBoost transforms complexity into simplicity, presenting data in a visual wheel that sparks meaningful conversations. Now, we can swiftly identify the top bulls with complementary traits for desired calves,” said Nick Jorgensen, CEO and CFO of Jorgensen Land and Cattle, who not only licenses the platform for its large seed stock operation but also invested in the company. Seedstock cattle producers depend on analytics for marketing in bull and production sales. AgBoost visually showcases genetic value and identifies DNA-linked traits, like production, maternal, and carcass traits, aiding in sorting and selecting specific characteristics. The tool also allows for scenario planning, including establishing keep/cull lines to distinguish the top and bottom of the gene pool. Poised for Rapid Expansion into New Geographies and Livestock Introduced to U.S. cattle producers in 2018, AgBoost now holds millions of genomic data records for individual cows. With recent patent approvals, the company aims to expand into top-producing markets like Brazil, Canada, China, and the United Kingdom. The global beef market, valued at $526.50 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at a 4.2 percent CAGR by 2030. Currently, AgBoost supports all sizes of seedstock and commercial cow/calf producers, regardless of breed association, with an interactive pedigree and sire link, with a breeding suggestion calculator coming in late 2024. As pioneers in the market, the company intends to broaden individual producer subscriptions, enterprise licensing agreements, and tailor the platform for additional livestock and related industries to meet current demand. For more information, visit www.Ag-Boost.com. About AgBoost Established in 2013 by engineers and cattle producers as a subsidiary of the animal agtech leader, Agric-Bioformatics, Inc., AgBoost pioneers affordable, user-friendly genetic management tools for livestock producers worldwide. Our comprehensive software streamlines the entire process—from ordering tests to interpreting data for actionable insights and creating effective marketing tools. At AgBoost, our mission is clear: to prioritize producers by empowering them to own and comprehend their data, unlocking maximum growth potential for the future. To learn more or request a demo, visit www.Ag-Boost.com. Contact Details AgTech PR for AgBoost Jennifer Goldston jennifer@agtechpr.com

March 18, 2024 12:17 PM Central Daylight Time

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Sevita Names David Callen as Chief Financial Officer

Sevita

Sevita, a leading national provider of community-based health care and support services, has announced David Callen as its new Chief Financial Officer. Callen brings more than 25 years of strategic and financial leadership with a focus on driving efficiency, sustainability, and growth. He will play a key role in leading the company’s performance as a means to serve more individuals. “We are proud to welcome David to Sevita,” said Philip Kaufman, CEO, Sevita. “In addition to his financial expertise, David brings with him a passion for purpose-driven organizations like ours. His collaborative leadership style, focus on optimization and innovation, and history of driving performance will help drive our mission forward across our teams, our communities, and the individuals and families we serve.” Prior to joining Sevita, Callen served as EVP and CFO at Sleep Number Corporation, a $2+ billion sleep-health and wellness company with more than 650 stores across the US, 23 manufacturing and distribution sites worldwide, and over 4,000 employees. Callen was instrumental in Sleep Number’s transformation to become an innovative, sleep-wellness company. He also led its corporate-wide risk management, capital allocation, investor relations, banking, tax, matrix-structure finance business partners, and all facets of financial controls and reporting. Callen brings a continuous improvement mindset from his experience across automotive, dental, high-tech, retail, and outdoor product industries. He also has a proven history of delivering growth through acquisitions, innovations, and market expansion as well as performance improvements through Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen processes. Sevita serves 55,000 individuals in 41 states, providing adults, children, and their families innovative, quality services and supports that lead to growth and independence. This includes residential care and periodic care services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; rehabilitation services for neurological injuries, illnesses, and other complex health needs; therapeutic and medically complex foster care; behavioral health supports; and clinically supported adult day health programs. Learn more at sevitahealth.com. Sevita is a leading provider of community-based specialized health care, inspired by our core values of respect, integrity, inclusion and growth. We provide people with quality services and individualized supports that lead to growth and independence, regardless of the physical, intellectual, or behavioral challenges they face. Weâve made this our mission for more than 50 years. Today our team members continue to innovate and enhance care for the 50,000+ individuals we serve. Contact Details Melissa Patricio media@sevitahealth.com Company Website https://sevitahealth.com/

March 18, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Abingdon Health CEO discusses strong interim results, robust pipeline and growth strategy

Abingdon Health PLC

Abingdon Health PLC (AIM:ABDX) CEO and co-founder Chris Yates discusses the company's interim results and business operations in an interview with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion. Abingdon Health is a lateral flow, contract development, and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), supporting customers from product ideation to commercial success. It offers services including development, scale-up manufacturing, regulatory and analytical laboratory provision, and packaging. Yates said a 117% revenue increase to £2.4 million during the interim period was primarily driven by its CDMO division. This growth was attributed to increases in development, operational revenues, and the emergence of regulatory area revenues. Despite an inflationary environment, Abingdon Health managed to maintain stable operating costs, resulting in improved gross margins to over 50%. The company has a robust opportunity pipeline with 29 ongoing projects, emphasizing its fully integrated solution's appeal to customers. Yates also highlighted a good start to the second half of the year, with revenues expected to grow significantly while controlling costs to enhance operating profit performance. Contact Details Proactive UK Proactive UK +44 20 7989 0813 UKEditorial@proactiveinvestors.com

March 18, 2024 07:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Faron Pharmaceuticals reports promising phase 1 results from BEXMAB study

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

Faron Pharmaceuticals Limited (AIM:FARN) chief executive Dr Markku Jalkanen joins Proactive's Stephen Gunnion with additional positive data from the Phase 1 study of the ongoing bexmarilimab (BEXMAB) trial that has moved into Phase 2 for higher-risk (HR) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients failed on previous hypomethylating agent (HMA). Dr Jalkanen said the study demonstrated promising results in reducing cancer cells and extending life expectancy in patients. He highlighted the durability and effectiveness of the treatment, particularly in patients with a severe form of myeloid leukemia called MDS, where current treatment options are limited. Dr Jalkanen said the Phase 1 results showed a high overall response rate and an extended overall survival rate among patients, which could lead to a new treatment option for an underserved patient population. He emphasized the importance of continuing the study and engaging with regulators to bring the treatment to market as swiftly as possible. He also noted the potential for increased interest from other pharmaceutical companies based on the positive data released. Faron Pharmaceuticals has moved to the Phase 2 part of the study, focusing on finalising dosing and drug levels as per FDA guidance. The goal is to establish a clear pathway to market approval. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

March 18, 2024 07:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Top Blacks in Healthcare 2024 Honorees Announced

BlackDoctor.org

BlackDoctor.org (BDO) today announces its highly anticipated finalists for the 9 th annual Top Blacks in Healthcare (TBH) awards, a celebration of history-makers and trailblazers in support of the Black community. TBH recognizes 15 distinguished honorees for innovative thinking, contributions and leadership that inspire greatness in our industry - for now and for generations to come. “The Top Blacks in Healthcare award honorees are role models who have reached a pinnacle in their careers supporting the Black community. As trust remains the number one gap and barrier to overcome, BDO is thrilled to spotlight their respective journeys, which lead the trajectory that reshapes our future,” said Reggie Ware, CEO, BlackDoctor.org (BDO). The 2024 Top Blacks in Healthcare award recipients include: Edrice Simmons, VP of US Oncology, AbbVie Charles Henderson, CEO, American Diabetes Association (ADA) Mike Edmondson, VP Performance Optimization, Amgen Richard Allen Williams MD, FACC, FAHA, FACP, Founder, Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) Founder, President and CEO, Minority Institute David M. Carlisle MD, PhD, President and CEO, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine (CDU) Rashad Burgess, VP Advancing Health & Black Equity, Gilead Sciences Katie Williams, Chief Marketing Officer US & Member of the Executive Team, Haleon Howard Reid, Global Head/SVP Global Public Health, Social Impact, Johnson & Johnson James Earl King Hildreth, MD, PhD, President, Meharry Medical College Chirfi Guindo, Chief Marketing Officer & Member of the Executive Team, Merck Yolanda Lawson, MD, President, National Medical Association (NMA) Negelle Morris, Senior Vice President, Head of US Cardiometabolic Sales, Novo Nordisk Rose Blackburne, MD, MBA, VP, Global Head General Medicine, Thermo Fisher Scientific Julie Spencer Washington, EVP, Chief Marketing, Communications & Customer Experience Officer, Trinity Health 15. Darrell M. Gray II, MD, MPH, FACG, President & CEO, Wellpoint Maryland BDO Executive Editor Jade Curtis states, “Celebrating honorees and sharing their incredible accomplishments inspire BDO’s audience to keep pushing toward their own personal greatness. As trust is our foundation, we must continue to reach Blacks in a trustworthy manner, in places they trust, by people they trust." The celebration of Black excellence will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, DC (1150 22nd St. NW). The historic day begins with the Thought Leadership Summit at the National Press Club and will culminate with the Top Blacks in Health Awards Gala. The Awards Gala is hosted by radio and television legend Donnie Simpson. The Thought Leadership Summit consists of day-long panels of healthcare leaders discussing topics to make health equity a reality. The panels are live-streamed to BDO’s Black community for a two-way dialogue and experience. For sponsorship, tickets and partnerships, email CommunityVoices@BlackDoctor.org. About BlackDoctor.org (BDO) BlackDoctor.org (BDO) is the leading and most trusted health platform for Black consumers, reaching a total audience of 20 million people, with six million monthly website visitors. BDO leverages culture, content and technology to improve health outcomes for Black consumers. BDO is committed to partnering with the pharma and biotech industry to support clinical trial recruitment and retainment with its Clinical Trial Resource Center, content and robust Find a Black Doctor tool. BDO positively impacts health disparities and health equity, which has become an increasing priority with health stakeholders. BDO's mission is to get every Black family as healthy as possible and has been able to build an activated, health-focused consumer base, about which it has deep insights. BDO works with leading Black medical and health experts to provide "how to do it, you can do it" content to an audience who needs it most. Contact Details BlackDoctor.org Media & Partnership Inquiries: CommunityVoices@BlackDoctor.org

March 14, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

How Theriva Biologics Is Using An Adenovirus To Develop A Novel Treatment For Pancreatic Cancer, As Well As Other Cancers With An Unmet Need

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Pancreatic cancer has, unfortunately, been in the news lately due to the rising rates of early-onset cancer, especially in young people. The gastrointestinal cancer, which has a 12% five-year survival rate, is expected to become the second-highest cause of cancer-associated deaths in 2030 in the U.S. In 2024, it is projected that 64,440 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The global market size for pancreatic cancer was valued at $2.22 billion in 2022, and it is expected to be worth around $7.91 billion by 2032. Despite the multi-billion dollar market size, the industry is expected to grow at 13.6% through 2032, and pancreatic cancer still needs more therapeutic options – especially for advanced cases or when existing treatments don’t yield the desired results. Theriva Biologics (AMEX: TOVX) is a biotech company that is looking to use adenoviruses to help treat pancreatic cancer. Adenoviruses are a class of viruses with an established safety profile. They are highly prevalent in the environment, making them ideal candidates for therapeutic use in the cancer field. Theriva Biologics' lead product candidate, VCN-01, is a uniquely modified human adenovirus designed for systemic delivery to treat different types of cancer. Theriva Biologics reports that phase 1 clinical trials of VCN-01 have shown promising results for the treatment of several additional indications apart from pancreatic cancer, such as retinoblastoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) in combination with chemotherapy and immunotherapies. Currently, the company is conducting a phase 2b clinical trial of VCN-01 in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy for first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer. It is on track to complete enrollment into the VIRAGE Study by the first half of 2024. In the first quarter of 2024, a Drug Monitoring Committee (DMC) conducted a thorough safety review of VCN-01, and found that the VCN-01 safety profile permitted the VIRAGE study to continue without modification. By the second half of 2024, Theriva Biologics aims to perform an interim analysis of the data obtained from the VIRAGE Study. Pancreatic cancer presents several unique challenges that contribute to its high mortality rate and the difficulty in managing the disease. One major challenge is the aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer, which often spreads to other organs before being diagnosed. Approximately 50% of patients are diagnosed when the cancer has already metastasized, resulting in advanced-stage disease. Pancreatic cancer is also known for causing nonspecific symptoms, making it challenging to detect in its early stages. VCN-01 has a systemic delivery approach, which means it can target both the main tumor and distant metastases, which makes it a promising therapeutic option for advanced and difficult-to-treat cancers like pancreatic cancer. If the company can successfully harness the benefits of adenoviruses, it will present suffering patients around the globe with a novel solution to extend their lives. Featured photo by Olga Kononenko on Unsplash Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

March 14, 2024 08:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Meet Atlas Obscura, The Travel Platform That Combines The Wonder Of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not With The Breadth Of National Geographic’s Content

OurCrowd

By Meg Flippin, Benzinga Combining the wonderment and obscurity of “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” with the high-quality production of National Geographic, Atlas Obscura is changing the way we travel and consume travel-related content. The U.S.-based travel media company, which counts millions of consumers as customers, is making a name for itself in the travel industry, creating and curating unique travel experiences whether in person, online or in print. You may not find a run-of-the-mill cruise to Mexico when you peruse this startup’s offerings, but you will find a tasting trip to Oaxaca where you can sample the culinary delights and soak up the culture of this bustling city. Don’t feel like leaving your home for a unique experience? With a click of the mouse, you can be part of a virtual tour of the Bone Museum in Brooklyn or hear a three-part lecture on the history of space exploration. Curating Content And Experiences For Travelers The company holds appeal for travel enthusiasts looking for unique experiences online and in person and for once-in-a-lifetime trips. It leverages the Atlas, its community-driven platform to provide travelers with access to over 25,000 wondrous places around the world. Unlike other leading travel media companies, Atlas is a collaborative project that depends on its community of explorers to help discover amazing places and share them with the world. In addition to offering over 137 unique international destinations and boasting a global community of 10 million explorers, Atlas Obscura reports that it operates the no. 1 travel podcast on Apple charts, published three consecutive New York Times bestsellers with more in the works and recently became one of six exclusive partners for Delta Airlines Inc.’s (NYSE: DAL) billion-dollar inflight entertainment hub Delta Sync Exclusives, sharing the deal with such heavy-hitters as T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS), Paramount+, American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP), Resy and the New York Times Games. Through the deal Atlas Obscura will reach millions of flyers annually, providing them insider tips and destination information. The company already counts BrandUSA, Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas and Los Angeles as partners and creates content for some of the world’s largest brands including Land Rover, Nissan Motor Co. (OTCMKTS: NSANY), Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM). Out-Of-The-Box Travel In Demand What started more than a decade ago as a two-person passion project of Joshua Foer and Dylan Thuras to map the hidden wonders of the world has morphed into a media powerhouse with 6.5 million monthly active users, 3 million social media followers, 1.6 million monthly podcast downloads and 1.5 million email subscribers. To help Atlas Obscura grow even more in the travel industry click here. Investors Taking Notice That growth hasn’t been lost on investors either. John Backus, founder and managing director of PROOF.VC – an expansion-stage venture capital firm that invests in rapid-growth, breakout companies across the venture ecosystem – is an early backer of Atlas Obscura and is taking part in the company’s most recent Series A round on OurCrowd in which it's seeking to raise $10 million. “We love this company. It’s at scale. It’s about $20 million in revenue, and it’s been profitable for the last year,” Backus, who sits on the board, recently said. “This is a company that is profitable, that is growing, that is looking to invest in its media business and create content that can last in perpetuity.” Since the second quarter of 2023, the company has been profitable. Atlas Obscura’s popularity is driven by the fact that it's solving a common problem in the travel industry: a lack of cool places to visit. The world is vast and interesting with more and more travelers across all ages and demographics looking for unique vacations, yet finding them on traditional travel websites and apps can be difficult and time-consuming. When planning a trip, individuals on average search 40 travel websites. Meanwhile, visitor bureaus tasked with promoting tourism for their city, state or country are looking for ways to build their brands and provide better experiences for visitors. All of that plays to Atlas Obscura’s strengths. Nor is the company sitting back and enjoying its success. It plans to leverage its database of unique destinations by developing an AI tool that will create personalized travel itineraries in minutes. It’s betting that will not only accelerate growth but improve the user travel planning experience. Interested in investing in a company transforming the way we travel? Click here to learn how. Featured photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash. OurCrowd was started in 2013, driven by the idea that the business of building startups grows bigger and better when the global ‘crowd’ gains access to VC-level investment opportunities.Today, OurCrowd is a global venture and alternative investing platform that empowers institutions and individuals to invest and engage in emerging companies. OurCrowd vets and selects companies, invests its capital, and provides its global network with unparalleled access to co-invest and contribute connections, talent and deal flow. OurCrowd builds value for its portfolio companies throughout their lifecycles, providing mentorship, recruiting industry advisors, navigating follow-on rounds and creating growth opportunities through its network of multinational partnerships. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Lisa Graston lisa.graston@ourcrowd.com Company Website http://www.ourcrowd.com

March 14, 2024 08:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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