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Non-Dilutive Investment Is Back In Vogue

Benzinga

By John Biggs In the wake of a significant reduction in U.S. venture capital (VC) funding, which dropped from $345 billion in 2021 to $238 billion in 2022, there has been a marked shift towards non-dilutive funding among tech companies. D istinct from traditional equity funding, where companies trade ownership for capital, non-dilutive investment ensures businesses don’t lose their equity or control. Available options include revenue-based financing, debt financing, tax credits, and royalty financing. Late-stage growth companies find this method especially appealing as it spares them from personal guarantees or future revenue commitments. Liquidity Group, the largest AI-based financial asset management firm in the world, witnessed a 360% demand surge in Q2FY23. Ron Daniel, its CEO, noted, "We’ve transformed non-dilutive funding into an important alternative," a sentiment bolstered by the unstable VC equity funding environment. Benefits Of Non-Dilutive Funding Non-dilutive funding offers several advantages for businesses seeking capital without sacrificing ownership or control. One major advantage is the extended repayment periods typically associated with non-dilutive investments. This allows businesses to manage their cash flow more effectively by spreading out the repayment over a longer period. Additionally, non-dilutive funding options often do not require personal guarantees, reducing the risk for founders and executives. Instead, lenders or investors focus on the company's future revenue and growth potential to assess repayment likelihood. This makes non-dilutive funding an attractive option for businesses with predictable or steady revenue streams. By understanding these advantages and effectively negotiating with capital firms, businesses can access the capital they need while maintaining ownership and control. Types Of Non-Dilutive Funding There are several types of non-dilutive funding options available to businesses, each with its own unique advantages and requirements. One popular form of non-dilutive funding is revenue-based financing. This type of funding allows businesses to secure capital by selling a part of their future revenue to investors. Unlike traditional bank loans, revenue-based financing offers flexible repayment terms based on the company's monthly revenue, making it an attractive option for businesses in need of cash flow without the burden of fixed monthly payments. Here is a rundown of the most popular types: Revenue-based Financing: Companies pledge part of their future revenue to investors, offering more flexibility than standard loans. Tax Credits: Government-backed credits can significantly reduce a company's costs. Grants and Awards: Often provided by government bodies and foundations, these don’t require repayments or equity exchanges. Compared to traditional bank loans, non-dilutive funding options offer several advantages. Traditional loans often require personal guarantees and can come with extended repayment periods, putting personal assets at risk. Additionally, banks may require a substantial track record or collateral to secure a loan, making it difficult for businesses or early-stage companies to qualify. By leveraging non-dilutive funding options, businesses gain access to capital without incurring debt or giving up equity. This is particularly beneficial for businesses and high-growth companies seeking to maintain control over their business strategy and decision-making processes. If you're looking to grow your business while keeping full ownership intact, exploring non-dilutive investment options is a practical and attractive solution. In avoiding the downsides of traditional bank loans and maintaining control over your company's future, non-dilutive funding provides a valuable alternative for entrepreneurs seeking to maintain their vision while securing the necessary capital. Non-Dilutive Investment Appeals To VCs N on-dilutive financiers add a layer of security for VCs. They intensively assess and validate businesses, making such companies more appealing to those willing to invest further. That said, despite the advantages, non-dilutive funding also has its challenges. Accessibility can be an issue, and the need for proven revenue history may deter some. Furthermore, most non-dilutive methods still require repayments, putting future revenues under commitment. Negotiating terms in non-dilutive agreements can be intricate. Clear communication is imperative to find a mutually beneficial arrangement, focusing on interest rates, repayment terms, and other crucial factors. In conclusion, while non-dilutive funding presents itself as an attractive solution in the current financial landscape, businesses must weigh both the advantages and potential challenges before moving forward. As more and more move away from VC, however, it’s easy to say that non-dilutive investment is now the new hotness. 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

October 11, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Inspire Veterinary Partners Continues To Expand, Announces Proposed Acquisition In Pennsylvania

Benzinga

By Austin DeNoce, Benzinga Inspire Veterinary Partners Inc (NASDAQ: IVP), a trailblazer in pet healthcare services, is broadening its horizons. The company recently announced a non-binding letter of intent to acquire 100% ownership of an animal hospital in Pennsylvania, marking its initial venture into the Keystone State. With 13 animal hospitals already under its umbrella, this proposed acquisition is expected to add to Inspire’s expanding network and an early indicator of the company's vigorous growth strategy. The company expects to complete the acquisition sometime in October 2023, subject to standard closing conditions. Investing In Real Estate For the Virginia-based Inspire, the move north presents a fresh market in its ongoing nationwide expansion. Some 60% of Pennsylvania households own a pet — and, by extension, demand quality pet care services. In the words of Inspire CEO Kimball Carr, the company is "excited to continue our growth nationwide and for Pennsylvania to be added to the list of states” and “look[s] forward to more anticipated growth in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Eastern U.S." Inspire’s planned investment in Pennsylvania is also in real estate. The purchase of a pre-existing pet hospital provides the company with an asset that has tangible value and the ability to be optimized for service delivery, which aligns well with Inspire’s proven operational practices and bottom-up business model. Anticipating Future Growth Inspire’s acquisition squarely sets Pennsylvania as the latest location in its sights – but likely not the final one. The company maintains an active pipeline of potential acquisitions across the animal hospital sector. With more announcements anticipated in 2023 and 2024, it's clear that Inspire is focused on strategically broadening its reach, not simply on one-off achievements. Instead, Inspire is laying the groundwork for a series of strategic acquisitions to diversify its revenue streams and bolster its credentials as an industry leader in veterinary care. This month, investors are eagerly awaiting the culmination of this Pennsylvania deal, as well as whatever comes next in Inspire’s carefully orchestrated growth plan. The Bigger Picture It’s worth emphasizing that the letter of intent is non-binding. But this shouldn’t detract from what Inspire is laying out: a blueprint for sustained and thoughtful expansion built by and for veterinary owners and staff. With a robust pipeline of potential acquisitions lined up for 2023, Inspire is signaling that growth in its operational footprint is expected to be robust and should translate to increasing revenue and profitability in 2024. The company is focused on its long-term goal to become not just a disruptive innovator but an industry leader. Its proposed acquisition in Pennsylvania serves as a statement that it is willing to venture into new territories and continually set higher standards in the pet healthcare industry. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

October 11, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

AI Could Make Many Jobs Obsolete – Amesite (NASDAQ: AMST) Is Helping Empower The Workforce Of The Future Through Its AI-Powered Platform

Benzinga

By Meg Flippin, Benzinga With the economy slowing and advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology accelerating, reskilling is becoming an important component of any company’s success. AI and its accompanying automation could render many jobs obsolete. But it's not just companies that stand at ground zero of this reskilling need. Universities too can play an important role in preparing today’s professionals for the jobs of tomorrow. A Seismic Shift In Skillsets The need to retrain existing employees comes at a time when the labor market is undergoing seismic shifts. The working population is aging, new jobs are emerging because of technological advances and employees need to learn more company-specific skills. As a result, many jobs could disappear in the coming years. In the next decade, PricewaterhouseCoopers predicts that 1 in 3 jobs will be severely impacted or rendered obsolete by technology. Nevertheless, many companies remain resistant to reskilling due to the cost in terms of money and time. But a lack of reskilling can hurt the bottom line. It affects customer retention and contributes to high turnover rates. By even the most conservative estimates, the cost to replace a worker can run twice their annual salary. A Growing Need? Organizations like Central Michigan University are taking note. The school recently renewed its partnership with Amesite (NASDAQ: AMST), an artificial intelligence software company that makes products to improve learning. CMU uses Amesite’s platform to train professionals in everything from additive manufacturing to workplace wellness. Amesite works closely with CMU to create and launch the programs. The expansion of the partnership is a nod to its success so far. “Partnership renewals validate our business model,” Amesite’s CEO Dr. Ann Marie Sastry said in a press release announcing the extended partnership. “Leveraging our state-of-the-art Version 6.3 platform with the latest GPT-4 technology and our comprehensive integration capabilities, we are able to launch solutions quickly and efficiently that generate sustainable university revenue in professional learning, and drive growth for Amesite.” Potentially Large Market Opportunity CMU isn’t the only university interested in software like Amesite’s offering. The continuing education market is expected to see growth in the coming years. It is forecast to grow from $60.5 billion in 2022 to about $93 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR of 7.47%). And there are 474 regional public universities poised to benefit from rolling out upskilling programs for professionals in the U.S. alone. Some companies are ensuring they’re future-ready by investing in upskilling as well. But, according to a Harvard Business Review report, it may not be enough. In the coming decades, millions of workers will be forced to learn new skills — and may well use them to change occupations. Take AI. As of 2022, 19% of American workers worked in roles that could be replaced by AI. That’s expected to increase as technology advances and adoption grows, presenting an even larger market opportunity for Amesite and its software offering. Flexible And Fast When it comes to reskilling, being nimble is key. That’s where Amesite’s V6.3 platform comes in. Launched in the spring, it has expanded AI capabilities powered by GPT-4 – the same technology behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus and Microsoft’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) new Bing. In fact, Amesite is a Microsoft Partner, who has lauded Amesite’s technology on Microsoft’s own website. With V6.3, businesses and schools can give learners AI-assisted learning and purpose-built features that will help them learn specific skills. The new version enables Amesite to quickly launch new offerings and scale programs, all the while efficiently supporting learners. Some of the customer offerings include AI-powered interactive experiences, whiteboarding sessions and other learning incentives. The workforce is rapidly changing as technology advances at breakneck speed. That requires companies to be able and willing to retrain their workers on the fly. Amesite looks to ensure that its software enables that. By leveraging GPT-4 and other AI, it can support businesses and educators as they retool America's workforce. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

October 11, 2023 08:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Media Veterans to FCC: Lawsuits Bolster Claim that FOX & Murdochs Lack Character Required of Public Broadcast License Trustees

Raynor Ave.

Media veterans filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), bringing the FCC’s attention to four shareholder derivative lawsuits accusing Fox Corporation's (FOX) Board of Directors of breaching its fiduciary duty. The lawsuits allege that Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, and various officers and directors were complicit in decisions to disseminate false news and operate Fox News outside the bounds of First Amendment protections; and as a result, the company failed to safeguard shareholders from various journalistic integrity issues. The Media and Democracy Project (MAD) filed a motion requesting the FCC to compel FOX to produce key nonpublic discovery from its various lawsuits to ensure full transparency and accountability for its actions. MAD’s motion seeks evidence from the Dominion and Smartmatic litigations, all documents reviewed in the four stockholder derivative lawsuits, and internal communications from FOX Corp-owned television station FOX 29 Philadelphia (WTXF). Duggan-Kristol Derivative Filing The comment submitted by former PBS President and FCC Commissioner Ervin S. Duggan and media veteran and former Weekly Standard Editor William Kristol advances as yet another damning argument in support of the Media and Democracy Project’s (MAD) Petition to Deny the broadcast license renewal application for FOX Corp-owned television station FOX 29 Philadelphia (WTXF). “The pension funds' lawsuits address FOX leadership's willingness knowingly to lie about important matters, and go to the heart of the issue before the FCC,” said William Kristol. “These lawsuits paint the story of a corporation led by the Murdochs that lacks the character expected of a broadcast licensee.” Delaware law allows the plaintiffs to review nonpublic corporate information known as Section 220 material in preparation for drafting a complaint. This nonpublic information goes to the core questions before the commission. One lawsuit details how FOX scrapped processes in place at the Board of Directors level to monitor journalistic integrity issues in 2019. Those policies were only reconsidered in mid-2021 after the Dominion (and pending Smartmatic) litigation was filed, according to the complaint filed by Tredje AP-Fonden and other plaintiffs. The same complaint also raises the issue of whether the Board’s lack of journalistic integrity policies was related in some way to Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch’s desire to stem viewer defection to preserve their influence in conservative politics, which the complaint argues they prioritized above broadcasting the truth. These lawsuits offer critical new evidence from Section 220 material and reflect that FOX shareholders are as troubled by the same core issues that should trouble the Commission. The Duggan-Kristol filing ends by saying the FCC “should not—cannot—don blinders as to the implications that the questions being weighed in [the Delaware Court of Chancery] must have on its judgment as to whether FOX and its Controllers can be trusted to operate broadcast stations in the public interest.” “These lawsuits show the parent corporation of the broadcast licensee showed poor judgment and questionable character in managing a business that—but for FCC licensure—is identical in core objectives and operation of its subsidiary broadcast station,” said Ervin S. Duggan. “We believe firmly that these nonpartisan lawsuits demonstrating bad judgment and suspect character should speak loudly to the Commission.” Two of the four lawsuits filed by pension funds representing workers in New York City, Oregon, Rhode Island, and the Swedish Government, cite MAD’s Petition to Deny as an outcome of the recklessness of the FOX Board’s inability to reign senior leadership in, allowing them to continue to promote lies about the 2020 election. From the Tredje AP-Fonden Complaint: Defendants’ breaches of fiduciary duty have not only resulted in massive economic and reputational damages to the Company and caused untold societal harm, but they also threaten to deny Fox’s ability to continue operating as a broadcast news media business, which is its core business. ( paragraph 308 ) From the New York City Complaint: The Murdochs’ decision to embrace Trump’s claims of a stolen election not only led to the $787.5 million settlement payment to Dominion, but also endangered Fox’s broadcast licenses. ( paragraph 211 ) A copy of the filing from Duggan and Kristol can be found here. Media and Democracy Project Motion for Documents While a great deal of discovery evidence has been produced in the various FOX litigations, this evidence is only available to the FCC and MAD in snippets. The public interest imperative of this proceeding requires a full review of all the evidence to ensure a complete and transparent evaluation of the renewal application and the Commission’s decision to designate a hearing. MAD’s motion seeks the FCC to require FOX to produce a range of nonpublic documents, emails, and testimony related to the following areas: All documents and deposition transcripts submitted or provided in connection with the Dominion and Smartmatic litigations. All documents submitted in the four Delaware Chancery stockholder derivative lawsuits in response to any party’s Delaware Section 220 demand for inspection of books and records. From January 2020 to the present, all documents and written communications between political advertisers, their representatives and advertising agencies concerning political advertising, lowest unit rate charges or requests to purchase advertising on station WTXF-TV. From January 2020 to the present, all written communications from any FOX, Fox Television Stations, LLC or WTXF-TV station employees indicating that the FCC’s electronic filing system was malfunctioning or that an attempt was made to upload WTXF-TV political files but was unsuccessful due to the FCC database not operating properly. A copy of the motion from MAD can be found here. The Media and Democracy Project: MAD is a non-partisan, all-volunteer, grassroots civic membership organization fighting for a more informative and pro-democracy media operating in the public interest. MAD aims to improve our national discourse so that American voters can engage in informed decision-making. As part of that goal, MAD has an interest in the responsibility of journalists and media to report fully, accurately, and fairly on the electoral process and the outcome of elections. Additional information is available at www.MediaAndDemocracyProject.org. Ervin S. Duggan is a veteran of the Lyndon Johnson White House, a former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, and former President of PBS. William Kristol is a veteran political analyst and commentator. He served in senior positions in the Ronald Reagan administration and the George H.W. Bush White House. For two decades, he edited The Weekly Standard magazine, and is now editor at large of The Bulwark and a director of the educational and advocacy group, Defending Democracy Together. Contact Details Aaron Alberico +1 202-744-0786 aalberico@raynoravenue.com Company Website https://www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/

October 10, 2023 09:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Shaquille O’Neal Debuts “Shaq’s Fantasy Lab” on Las Vegas Strip

Fantasy Lab

NBA Hall of Famer and internet beloved Shaquille O'Neal, also known as "Shaq", and Fantasy Lab Las Vegas officially debut “Shaq’s Fantasy Lab” to the public. The entertainment venue and basketball legend announced their partnership on September 18th, appointing O’Neal with the new title of Chief Fantasy Officer “CFO” at Fantasy Lab in Las Vegas. Now locals and incoming travelers can experience Shaq’s Fantasy Lab for themselves. This partnership brings together the limitless world of immersive experiences and the unparalleled charisma of Shaq. “ Fantasy Lab quickly became one of my favorite places to visit when I’m in Las Vegas, so I was excited when the opportunity to get involved presented itself. I’ve loved working with Fantasy Lab’s innovative minds, and can’t wait for everyone to see what we’re doing with the space,” says Shaquille O’Neal. Located at Fashion Show Las Vegas shopping mall, Fantasy Lab is a one-of-a-kind ticketed immersive experience that all ages can enjoy as well as a collection of thoughts, dreams, and emotions brought to life by original technologies that blur the line between science and fiction. A collection of love, fear, hope, heartbreak, and beauty scattered across multiple rooms Enlightenment, Insomnia, Kaleidoscope, Nightmare, Circus, Labyrinth, Stars), each with its own story to tell. “ In both our Mexico City and Las Vegas venues, our goal is to make our visitors leave Fantasy Lab feeling more uplifted than when they walked in. Partnering with Shaq has been the alignment we’ve been searching for due to his genuine enthusiasm for bringing fun into everything he does. Apart from a legendary NBA career, Shaq has been known for his positive and light-hearted character and attitude in everything he does and we know together we can leave a positive mark on our Vegas visitors,” shares Ricardo Franco, co-owner and co-founder of Fantasy Lab. On top of revamping the seven experiential rooms at Fantasy Lab to fit Shaq’s fantasies and larger-than-life personality, Shaq’s Fantasy Lab will also have a full bar and kitchen. Visitors will be able to choose from 2 different experiences, Time to Dream and Midnight Dreams. While visitors can expect the same immersive audio-visual experience with both, Midnight Dreams takes place Wednesday through Sunday from 8 p.m. to close and is designed for the 21 and over crowd in Vegas. It’s a free-roaming experience where guests can explore the seven rooms at their own pace, each with different popular music and original visuals. Guests are also welcome to savor a drink as they roam and absorb the atmosphere. Time to Dream is every day until 8 p.m. and is a family-friendly experience designed to be fun for people of all ages. Guests spend about 10 minutes in each room to fully soak up the experience. Alcohol is not permitted during the day for the Time to Dream experience. For additional information visit shaqsfantasylab.com. To purchase tickets visit Time to Dream and Midnight Dreams. Fantasy Lab LV can also be found on: Facebook and Instagram. About Fantasy Lab Fantasy Lab is an immersive experience, originally in Mexico City and expanded into Las Vegas, that is a collection of thoughts, dreams, and emotions brought to life by original technologies that blur the line between science and fiction. A collection of love, fear, hope, heartbreak, and beauty scattered across multiple rooms, each with its own story to tell. As pioneers of immersive experiences, Fantasy Lab believes in a world where technology provides hope and connection, not disenchantment and isolation, and they are doing their part to make it a reality. Contact Details Eleven11 Media Relations Juliana Martins +1 725-200-3701 juliana@eleven11mediarelations.com Company Website https://fantasylablv.com/

October 10, 2023 09:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Meet Your Friendly Neighborhood Knightscope Robot

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Click here to learn more about the Knightscope Public Safety Infrastructure Bond. For many decades, people have been imagining how robots would fit into the future. Whether it was Sonny from Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot, the equally awe-inspiring and terror-inducing Terminator, or everyone’s favorite Wall-E, robots have been a part of pop culture for decades. Well, now robots are no longer a thing solely reserved for Hollywood. And better yet, they are helping keep the streets safe without the risk of going rogue. The future is now. In an ever-evolving world, public safety is in need of an upgrade. AI and robotics are part of the solution to create safer public spaces while decreasing human error that can come from human police officers. Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP) is a technology company ushering in the dawn of Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs) and working hard to protect U.S. citizens from crime across the country. The company has over a decade of experience and has shown its solutions to be effective. For example, when one of its units was deployed in Huntington Park, Los Angeles County, there were 46% fewer crime reports overall – and they have recently renewed the contract for the 5th year in a row. Knightscope’s success has garnered national attention, and the company has won corporate contracts with major corporations such as PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN), PG&E (NYSE: PCG), ABM (NYSE: ABM) and Lowe's (NYSE: LOW) The company’s robots are designed to enhance safety and security in various environments, such as corporate campuses, shopping malls and hospitals. Knightscope robots operate autonomously, meaning they can navigate and patrol areas without human intervention. They utilize a combination of sensors, cameras and artificial intelligence algorithms to detect and analyze their surroundings in real time. The robots are equipped with 360-degree cameras, thermal imaging sensors, and license plate recognition capabilities to capture and analyze visual data. They can also detect signals from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, helping to identify potential security threats. The data collected by the Knightscope robots is sent to a central command center through a secure wireless network. The command center operators can monitor the robot's feed, receive alerts for suspicious activity, and control the robot's movements remotely when necessary. The robots were also designed with a large physical presence to serve as a deterrent, as their presence often helps to discourage criminal activity. Knightscope’s influence and reach seem to be on the rise. Just in 2023, the company has made more than 50 announcements including numerous contracts and reports it is on track to double its revenue versus 2022. These contracts further validate the growing demand for Knightscope's robotic solutions as they continue to work through a nearly $5 million backlog of new orders.. The company is also joining the NYPD and MTA in New York City. Their robots will operate within the subway system during the late-night hours of 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. The K5 robots maintain a balance of effectiveness and approachability, being both engaging and respectful of privacy. Better yet, they were designed to be photogenic, and NYC tourists are sure to get a kick out of the recent development. This deployment signifies the continued expansion of Knightscope's robots to support policing efforts throughout the United States – with the largest city in the country with the largest police department in the country taking the lead Another notable development is the launch of their School Safety Grant Program. This initiative enables individuals to contribute to creating safer learning environments in K-12 schools. By pooling together non-deductible donations, the program aims to partially subsidize schools facing budget constraints, preventing them from implementing Knightscope's advanced security technologies. This endeavor is a powerful way to protect children, faculty, and administrators within educational institutions. The company is currently offering an investment opportunity for interested parties to buy bonds. Over recent years, there has been an increase in the development of robotic technologies for everyday life activities. Positive attitudes towards robots are increasing, and while there are mixed views globally, there is an overall recognition of the potential benefits and positive impact of robot use in society. The demand for robots is only poised to grow. In 2021. The robotics market was valued at $31.38 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $110.39 by 2030 with a CAGR of 15% from 2022-2030. Knightscope seems well-positioned to capitalize on this growth and be a potential leader in the U.S. market. Click here to learn more about the Rise of the Robots. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. AN OFFERING STATEMENT REGARDING THIS OFFERING HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SEC. THE SEC HAS QUALIFIED THAT OFFERING STATEMENT, WHICH ONLY MEANS THAT THE COMPANY MAY MAKE SALES OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED BY THE OFFERING STATEMENT. THE OFFERING CIRCULAR THAT IS PART OF THAT OFFERING STATEMENT IS AVAILABLE HERE. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

October 10, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Starpax’s Cancer Technology Looks To Address A Major Problem That Chemotherapy And Immunotherapy Haven’t Solved For A Century

Benzinga

By Kimberly Adams, Benzinga The human body has healthy cells that reproduce to replace damaged or missing cells in the tissues. Cancer starts when one of those cells begins to have an abnormal reaction that causes it to reproduce perpetually. It takes approximately one billion of these cancer cells to end up with a ¾-inch tumor. So, imagine how many cancer cells a 2-inch tumor gets. If you don’t kill all these cancer cells, a single cancer cell left could cause the cancer to come back. When tumors grow, blood vessels in the tumor begin to malfunction, becoming chaotic and often collapsing. Drugs and immune cells need blood vessels to reach all cancer cells in a tumor, however, unfortunately, there are regions of the tumor where cancer cells are totally inaccessible. These regions are called hypoxic zones – where the level of oxygen is extremely low – and this is where the cancer stem cells are located. It is very important for a cancer treatment to eliminate cancer stem cells because they are the major driver of metastasis in the patient’s body and resistance to treatment. It is well documented that systemic chemotherapy or immunotherapy fails to reach hypoxia zones to kill cancer stem cells. The reason is simple – if there are no blood vessels to bring drugs or immune cells next to a cancer cell, the counter-tumor action cannot work because drugs or immune cells are not self-propelled to travel by themselves in the interstitial spaces of the tumor tissues. Of course, when the blood vessels in a tumor are not too damaged and hypoxic zones are still absent, patients see treatments showing some efficacy. But the problem is that cancer diagnostics often come too late and hypoxic zones are too often already present in the tumor at the patient’s first exam. This is where Starpax’s never-before-seen extraordinary technology comes in – to address specifically this problem of reaching cancer cells in hypoxic zones. Starpax Magnetodrones™ are self-propelled, meaning they can swim in the interstitial space of tumor tissues without the need for blood vessels. The Magnetodrones are proprietary nonpathogenic Starpax living bacteria (Bn1-S™) developed in-laboratory, conceived to transport FDA-approved anticancer molecules attached to their surface. They are injected directly into the tumor, not in the blood vessels. They are sensitive to very special magnetic fields generated by the Starpax Polartrak™, a medical device invented by Starpax in which the patient is installed. The Polartrak creates unique patented virtual monopole magnetic fields vectors that control the trajectory of the Magnetodrones in 3D with millimetric precision inside the tumor in order to force them to spread throughout the whole volume of the tumor while they release drugs to the cancer cells on their path. Also, the PolarTrak is conceived to create a magnetic sphere around the tumor that keeps the Magnetodrones captive inside the tumor, thus aiming to avoid toxicity to the rest of the patient’s body and typical side effects of systemic treatments that could damage healthy tissues and organs. Another specific characteristic of the Magnetodrones is they are aerotactic – that means they search for a low level of oxygen to be comfortable. The Magnetodrones have been developed to live in a culture media with an excessively low oxygen level which is the same as the oxygen level in a hypoxic zone. So, when they pass by a hypoxic zone, they stop swimming, penetrate and accumulate into it to deliver anticancer drug to stem cells inaccessible by current systemic treatments or even immune cells. Since stem cells do not divide in hypoxia zones – The Magnetodrones bring a specific drug molecule into this area that reverses chemoresistance of the hypoxic zones in order to destroy stem cells. Magnetodrones cannot proliferate in the human body as they die within 60 minutes after the injection because the temperature of the human body is too high for them to survive. Having reached 100% remission rate and no side effects observed in their preclinical studies, Starpax is confident of achieving similar results in its human clinical studies scheduled for the end of the first quarter of 2024. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

October 10, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Sharps Technology (STSS) To Enter The Copolymer Prefillable Syringe Market With Strength And Ahead of Plan Through Pending Manufacturing Facility Acquisition and $400M Nephron Deal

Benzinga

By Meg Flippin, Benzinga Sharps Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: STSS) is pushing into the copolymer prefillable syringe market thanks to a deal with Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp., a leader in contract manufacturing of generic medications and 503B outsourcing that includes prefillable sterile syringes. Sharps announced the signing of an Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) to acquire Nephron’s InjectEZ specialty syringe manufacturing facility for $50 Million. This includes a 10-Year purchase agreement for over $400 Million from Nephron Pharmaceuticals for Sharps’ next-generation copolymer prefillable syringe systems. Product delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024 with revenue totaling approximately $30 Million for the first twelve months of production and subsequent revenue of over $45 Million per year beginning in 2025, and continuing through 2033. “With this landmark purchase agreement in place for our copolymer prefillable syringes, we will accelerate the realization of our shared goals, transition the company to revenue, and propel Sharps into a new phase of growth and sustainability,” commented Robert Hayes, CEO of the medical device and pharmaceutical packaging company specializing in developing and manufacturing copolymer drug delivery systems. “At the forefront of our growth trajectory are our copolymer-based prefillable syringe systems, a sector that is experiencing escalating market demand and is poised to shape the future of Sharps.” Owning Manufacturing For A Market Poised For Growth Market research is forecasting significant growth within the prefillable syringe segment, with product demand outstripping supply for the foreseeable future. The market for prefilled syringes is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of ~12% from 2022 to 2030, according to Grand View Research. The prefilled syringe market is a niche sub-industry within the healthcare sector and Sharps will serve both Nephron and other customers within the copolymer segment of the market. Contributing to the demand for copolymer-based syringes are the glass-like features without breakage, and the market could be ripe for growth due to the global lack of capacity for these products and technical challenges in production that Sharps’ team reports a wealth of experience in. Under the terms of the deal, Sharps is paying $50 million for the InjectEZ specialty copolymer syringe manufacturing facility, which is one of the only fully dedicated facilities to manufacture these types of syringes in North America. Located on Nephron’s campus in West Columbia, South Carolina, InjectEZ has fully automated prefillable syringe system manufacturing capabilities that utilize ISO cleanrooms for all key areas including injection molding, high-speed automated assembly, and specialty packaging lines that are equipped with Husky molding machines and Hahn automation. With full control of the InjectEZ facility through this transaction and the capacity from the Company’s wholly-owned manufacturing facility in Hungary, Sharps will have the ability to supply Nephron with their prefilled syringe needs and also commercialize products to the broader healthcare syringe market. The company expects the deal to generate “significant” short and long-term revenue. Nephron Inks 10-Year Purchase Agreement As a result of this deal the Company’s first customer will be Nephron, which inked a 10-year purchase agreement for Sharps’ next-generation copolymer prefillable 10 mL and 50 mL syringes. Minimum orders will be over $400 Million during that period. Sharps expects to begin delivering products to Nephron in the first quarter of 2024, representing about $30 million in revenue for the first 12 months of production. Starting in 2025, Sharps expects revenue of at least $45 million per year through 2033 from Nephron, with additional revenue from its capacity to serve the broader market for its products. “As a company that is transitioning from research and development to commercialization, this is a significant development that will have a meaningful impact on Sharps’ revenue and profitability,'' states Mr. Hayes. We anticipate Nephron's start-up volume to be approximately 60% of our initial planned manufacturing capacity, which will provide Sharps with the ability to fully service Nephron’s needs and to also sign purchase orders for our products from other companies in the healthcare market.” To finance the acquisition of InjectEZ, Sharps retained Lampert Capital Advisors, a provider of financing solutions to public and private companies. Lampert is engaged in a financing process that has resulted in a signed term sheet with a leading middle-market lender for up to $75 Million in debt financing to be used for the acquisition of InjectEZ, production line enhancements, working capital, transaction fees and expenses, and general corporate purposes. Continuing Relationships and Growth Sharps announced a manufacturing and research partnership with Nephron Pharmaceuticals in November 2022 to support the manufacturing of its innovative prefillable syringe systems. Through the successful completion of the new Asset Purchase Agreement and the 10-year purchase agreement, Sharps is poised to have a full partnership and a U.S. footprint that will provide a strong baseline of revenue for Sharps for many years. The new agreement will leverage synergies from both companies and enable Sharps to commercially enter the prefilled syringe landscape with manufacturing strength and ahead of plan. These developments are the culmination of a strong partnership developed in 2022, and may be just the beginning: “We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we strengthen our relationship with Nephron and will update our shareholders as the transaction advances,” said Mr. Hayes. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

October 06, 2023 08:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Sharma: India prepared for Cricket World Cup

Acroud Media

With India hosting the 2023 ICC World Cup, the Expectation is very much on the home nation to put on a good showing on home soil. India will be starting their ICC World Cup on Sunday, October 8th, against fierce opposition in five-time champions Australia. This is set to be a huge game for both sides who will be looking to start their campaign in a positive manner. Some might suggest that the host nation, India, will struggle under the weight of the pressure of being hosts, but team captain Rohit Sharma says they are ready for the tournament. Sharma says he and the team have ”prepared really well” and is used to the pressures that come with the job. "I know what is at stake,” he said. “The guys who are a part of the team know what is at stake. For us, it is about taking everything out and focussing on what we want to do as a team.” The host nation has won the Cricket World Cup in each of the last three editions and India are the betting favourites coming into the season. However, Sharma is keen for them to take it a game at a time. "It (hosts winning the WC) has happened in the last three editions of the World Cup. It is a long tournament and you cannot get too far ahead of yourself. It is important for us to try and focus on one job at a time and move on.” He added: “It is very easy to say that (forget pressure) and it is going to be tough. But we have prepared really well. As long as you have prepared really well, it gives you a lot of confidence going into the main games.” To learn more about the Cricket World Cup and the best betting apps in India, head over to Yahoo. Contact Details Acroud Media info-media@acroudmedia.com

October 06, 2023 03:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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