Market Newsdesk

OAKVILLE, Ontario, Nov. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Saint Jean Carbon Inc. (“SaintJean” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: SJL) is pleased to announce that, subject to the approval by the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”), the Company has agreed to issue, pursuant to Policy 5.1 of the Exchange, a loan bonus to two (2) arm’s length third party lenders (the “Lenders”) of 115,000 common shares in the capital of the Company in the aggregate (the “Bonus Shares”) at a deemed price of $0.05 per Bonus Share, pursuant to terms of the loans previously obtained by the Company from the Lenders. The Company had previously obtained loans from the Lenders in the aggregate amount of $40,000 (collectively the “Loans”). The lenders were Gilles Ayotte and Bernice Cooper. The Loans bore interest at a rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum and were payable on demand. As the ability of the Company to repay the Loans was not evident at the time of the Loans were advanced, the Company and the Lenders agreed that in consideration of the risks taken by the Lenders, the Company would issue the Bonus Shares to the Lenders. The Company repaid the Loans and accrued interest in full to the Lenders on October 22, 2020 and October 29, 2020, respectively. The Bonus Shares are subject to a four month and one (1) day hold period.

Shares for Debt

The Company also wishes to announce, subject to the approval by the Exchange, that it has agreed to settle an aggregate of $150,000 of debt (the “Debt”) owed to an arm’s length third party service provider by issuing an aggregate of 3,000,000 common shares (the “Shares”) in the capital of the Company at a deemed price of $0.05 per Share (the “Shares for Debt Transaction”). In order to preserve cash for continuing operations, the Company is of the view that it is in its best interests to satisfy the Debt with Shares. The Shares are subject to a four month and one (1) day hold period.

Offtake Agreement

The Company also wishes to elaborate on its arm’s length offtake agreement with Ameca Ltd. (“Ameca”), previously announced on September 30, 2020. A revised agreement was signed on November 5, 2020. Production in Sri Lanka may begin as early as the summer of 2021. Saint Jean intends to pre-sell at least 10,000 tonnes of the highest quality graphite in the world, verified in Saint Jean’s R&D facility, to a third party and never take physical possession of the material. Ameca and Saint Jean have agreed on a formula of profit sharing on all sales. The intent is to sell the entire 15,000 tonnes of graphite under the Company’s offtake agreement with Ameca. Ameca’s planned initial production is 15,000 tonnes per year.

About Saint Jean

Saint Jean is a publicly traded carbon science company, with specific interests in energy storage and green energy creation and green re-creation, with holdings in mining claims in the province of British Columbia in Canada. For the latest information on Saint Jean’s properties and news please refer to the website: http://www.saintjeancarbon.com/

On behalf of the Board of Directors
Saint Jean Carbon Inc.
William Pfaffenberger, Chairman of the Board, President and Intérim CFO

Information Contact:

Email: [email protected]
Tel: (250) 381-6181

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, concerning Saint Jean’s business and affairs.  In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as ‘‘plans’’, ‘‘expects’’ or ‘‘does not expect’’, “intends” ‘‘budget’’, ‘‘scheduled’’, ‘‘estimates’’, “forecasts’’, ‘‘intends’’, ‘‘anticipates’’ or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results ‘‘may’’, ‘‘could’’, ‘‘would’’, ‘‘might’’ or ‘‘will be taken’’, ‘‘occur’’ or ‘‘be achieved’’.   Such forward-looking statements include those with respect to: (
i
) the approval by the Exchange of the Bonus Shares; (ii) the issuance of the Bonus Shares; (iii) completion of the Shares for Debt Transaction; (iv) the approval by the Exchange of the Shares for Debt Transaction; (v) the expected commencement of production in Sri Lanka; (vi) the intention to pre-sell at least 10,000 tonnes of graphite in the world; and (vii)
the
intention to sell 15,000 tonnes of graphite to
Ameca
. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially.  Although Saint Jean believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct.

Statements of past performance should not be construed as an indication of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors, including those discussed above, could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and Saint Jean assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities legislation.

Washington, D.C., Nov. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The New Civil Liberties Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group, today filed a response to the State’s motion to dismiss in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in the case of Matthew Johnson, et al. v. Governor Philip D. Murphy, et al. The lawsuit challenges Executive Order No. 128 (EO 128), which violates the Contracts Clause of the U.S. Constitution, as well as New Jersey’s Constitution and statutory laws, by interfering with freely negotiated contracts between tenants and housing providers.

NCLA clients like Mr. Johnson, who owns a small rental property in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, are property owners who rent out their homes to make a living. Most of them own only a single rental unit. The governor’s unconstitutional order victimizes them by allowing tenants to apply their security deposits to cover rent or back rent. The problem is that once a tenant uses up the security deposit in this way, that tenant no longer has a financial incentive to keep the property nice during the remainder of the tenancy, and it leaves the housing provider without any security against damage by the tenant.

Without statutory authority to do so, Governor Murphy purported to rewrite every residential lease in the State of New Jersey unilaterally. On its face EO 128 claims to waive numerous state laws governing security deposits that were adopted by proper, constitutional legislative process. Targeting a single group (i.e., residential tenants) for relief in this manner undermines freedom of contract, due process, and equal protection of the laws. It also ignores the governor’s limited role and disregards the separation of powers among branches of government.

The state’s move to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim is a feeble attempt to convince the court that the Contracts Clause, which prohibits states from adopting laws that interfere with contractual obligations, is a dead letter. New Jersey contends that once a state regulates an industry, it can then retroactively nullify any contractual provisions in that sector. Regulated businesses, even individuals who only rent out a single unit, the State argues, have no legitimate expectation against government intervention in their private contracts. 

NCLA’s response refutes the State’s absurd argument. EO 128 rewrites the terms of NCLA’s clients’ contracts, impairs the housing providers’ rights, and far exceeds any limited and temporary contractual interference that the Constitution might tolerate. EO 128 is precisely the type of state action the Framers designed the Contracts Clause to prohibit and is the kind that the Supreme Court has historically struck down. The security deposits for which the Plaintiffs contracted created an incentive for the tenants to comply with the terms of their leases and to maintain the condition of the housing providers’ properties. EO 128 created “every incentive” for the tenants to apply their deposit toward their rent and eliminate the security for which NCLA’s clients had contracted.

NCLA is asking the court to deny the State’s motion to dismiss and allow these New Jersey housing providers to continue pursuing their claims for declaratory and injunctive relief against Gov. Murphy.

NCLA released the following statements:

“It’s clear from the State’s motion to dismiss that Governor Murphy would like nothing more than to avoid judicial scrutiny of his unlawful executive order. And with good reason. EO 128 is a direct affront to the federal Contracts Clause, which exists to invalidate this sort of state interference with private contracts.”

— Jared McClain, Litigation Counsel, NCLA

“With one stroke of his pen, Governor Murphy single-handedly rewrote not only our clients’ lease agreements, but every existing residential lease in New Jersey. Governors are not dictators. He does not have the power to do this, and the U.S. Constitution specifically forbids him from doing this. Our clients are simply asking that their private contracts be respected and restored.”

— Kara Rollins, Litigation Counsel, NCLA

For more information visit case summary page
here
.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLA’s public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans’ fundamental rights.

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• Additional 74 patients with 1^st line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to be enrolled, more than tripling patient numbers in this indication
• Follows encouraging interim data from 1^st line NSCLC patients
• First Patient is expected to be enrolled in the expanded trial by the end of 2020
• Separately, Immutep has initiated planning for a new randomized, controlled Phase II trial in 1st line Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) advancing efti into late stage clinical trials in this indication

SYDNEY, Australia, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Immutep Limited (ASX: IMM; NASDAQ: IMMP) announces it is advancing clinical development for its lead product candidate eftilagimod alpha (“efti” or “IMP321”) through the expansion of its ongoing TACTI-002 study and a new Phase II trial.

TACTI-002 Expansion with Merck & Co, Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA

Immutep has expanded its collaboration trial with Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA (known as “MSD” outside the United States and Canada) to include an additional 74 patients with 1^st line NSCLC (Part A), the most advanced part of its ongoing Phase II TACTI-002 clinical trial evaluating efti with MSD’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab, an anti PD-1 treatment). The expansion extends Immutep’s existing clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with MSD (announced on 12 March 2018).

Additional clinical sites will be added to the existing 12 study centres across Australia, Europe, and the US and the first patient is expected to be enrolled in the expanded trial by the end of 2020. The additional 74 patients in Part A will receive the same treatment regimen and dosing schedule.

The expansion follows the encouraging interim data presented at SITC as announced on 10^th November 2020 including an Overall Response Rate (ORR) of 39.4% in evaluable patients (n=36), Disease Control Rate of 66.7% and two complete responses (complete disappearance of all lesions) from 1^st line NSCLC patients enrolled in Part A. In addition, efti plus pembrolizumab continues to be safe and well tolerated with no new safety signals reported so far.

Immutep CEO, Marc Voigt said: “We are excited to expand our collaboration trial with MSD, one of the world’s leading immuno-oncology companies. The interim results reported from 1^st line NSCLC patients have been consistently encouraging and signal good efficacy, particularly for low PD-L1 expressing patients who do not typically respond to immune checkpoint therapy. Not only does this give us great confidence expanding the TACTI-002 trial, but it also validates our strategy to form and grow multiple collaborations with innovative large pharma companies, such as MSD, that are seeking to augment the efficacy of their existing approved products, like Keytruda.”

Immutep Commences Planning for New Phase II Clinical Trial in Head and Neck Cancer

Separately, Immutep has commenced planning for a new Phase II, randomised, controlled clinical study in approximately 160 1^st line HNSCC patients. Patients will be 1:1 randomised to receive efti in combination with an anti-PD-1 treatment, or anti-PD-1 monotherapy. The trial is intended to take place across clinical sites in the United States, Australia and Europe.

Immutep CEO, Marc Voigt said: “Efti has shown very encouraging results in head and neck cancer in the 2^nd line setting with PD-X naïve patients as demonstrated by the results reported at SITC. This has given us great confidence to explore it as a therapy in the commercially more relevant 1^st line therapy setting and we have initated planning for a new randomized clinical study. We hope to share additional details in the near future. This advances our development program into later stage clinical development.”

About the TACT-002 Trial

TACTI-002 (Two ACTive Immunotherapies) is being conducted in collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA (known as “MSD” outside the United States and Canada). The study is evaluating the combination of efti with MSD’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in up to 183 patients with second line head and neck squamous cell carcinoma or non-small cell lung cancer in first and second line.

The trial is a Phase II, Simon’s two-stage, non-comparative, open-label, single-arm, multicentre clinical study that is taking place in study centres across Australia, Europe, and the US.

Patients participate in one of the following:

• Part A – First line Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), PD-X naive
• Part B – Second line NSCLC, PD-X refractory
• Part C – Second line Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC), PD-X naive

TACTI-002 is an all comer study in terms of PD-L1 status, a well-known predictive marker for response to pembrolizumab monotherapy especially in NSCLC and HNSCC. PD-L1 expression is typically reported in three groups for NSCLC: < 1%, 1-49% and ≥ 50% (Tumour Proportion Score or TPS) and in HNSCC: < 1%, 1-19% and ≥ 20% (Combined Positive Score or CPS). Patients with a high PD-L1 status are typically more responsive to anti-PD-1 therapy such as pembrolizumab, whereas those with low PD-L1 status are overall significantly less responsive. Pembrolizumab monotherapy is registered in the US and the EU for first line NSCLC patients with a TPS score ≥ 1% (US) and ≥ 50% (EU), reflecting 65% and 30% of all first line NSCLC patients, respectively. Pembrolizumab monotherapy is registered in the US (regardless of PD-L1 expression) and EU (≥ 50% TPS score) for second line HNSCC patients.

More information about the trial can be found on Immutep’s website or on ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03625323)

About Immutep

Immutep is a globally active biotechnology company that is a leader in the development of LAG-3 related immunotherapeutic products for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. Immutep is dedicated to leveraging its technology and expertise to bring innovative treatment options to market for patients and to maximize value to shareholders. Immutep is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (IMM), and on the NASDAQ (IMMP) in the United States.

Immutep’s current lead product candidate is eftilagimod alpha (“efti” or “IMP321”), a soluble LAG-3 fusion protein (LAG-3Ig), which is a first-in-class antigen presenting cell (APC) activator being explored in cancer and infectious disease. Immutep is also developing an agonist of LAG-3 (IMP761) for autoimmune disease. Additional LAG-3 products, including antibodies for immune response modulation, are being developed by Immutep’s large pharmaceutical partners.

Further information can be found on the Company’s website www.immutep.com or by contacting:

Australian Investors/Media:

Catherine Strong, Citadel-MAGNUS
+61 (0)406 759 268; [email protected]

U.S. Media:

Tim McCarthy, LifeSci Advisors
+1 (212) 915.2564; [email protected]

New York, New York, Nov. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Roman DBDR Tech Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) announced today that, commencing November 19, 2020,  holders of the units sold in the Company’s initial public offering may elect to separately trade the shares of Class A common stock and warrants included in the units. Any units not separated will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market (the “Nasdaq”) under the symbol “DBDRU”, and the shares of Class A common stock and warrants will separately trade on the Nasdaq under the symbols “DBDR” and “DBDRW,” respectively. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. Holders of units will need to have their brokers contact Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company’s transfer agent, to separate the units into shares of Class A common stock and warrants.

A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 5, 2020. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The offering was made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from B. Riley Securities, Inc. at 1300 17th Street N., Suite 1400, Attn: Syndicate Prospectus Department, Arlington, Virginia 22209, by telephone at (800) 846-5050 or by email at [email protected].

About Roman DBDR Tech Acquisition Corp.

Roman DBDR Tech Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company may pursue an initial business combination target in any stage of its corporate evolution or in any industry or sector, it intends to focus its search on companies in the technology, media and telecom (“TMT”) industries. The Company is led by its Co-Chief Executive Officers, Dr. Donald G. Basile and Dixon Doll, Jr.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the offering filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Contact

Dr. Don Basile
Co-CEO and Chairman
[email protected]
(650) 618-2524