Market Newsdesk

Los Angeles, CA., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8A) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions, and systems developer is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with HEAL-Corp, a Non-Government Organization (“NGO”), and the Ukrainian National Academy of Internal Affairs (the “National Academy”) regarding the development of a training program on the use of drones and their countermeasure systems.

Working in conjunction with the National Academy, Draganfly will implement a designed curriculum to be used within the training program. Recently, HEAL-Corp delivered Trauma Resuscitation and Evacuation Casualty Care training to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, showcasing their commitment to assisting in the teaming effort.

Drone training on Draganfly systems will be provided to new Ministry of Internal Affairs pilots each year, including but not limited to National Police, National Guard, State Border Guard, select Armed Forces, Special Forces Security, and Emergency Services.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is a governmental agency responsible for maintaining law enforcement and ensuring public security throughout Ukraine. It is one of the essential ministries within the Ukrainian government that holds significant responsibility in safeguarding the well-being and order of the nation.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has a broad range of responsibilities, including maintaining public order and safety, combating crime, ensuring border security, protecting human rights, and overseeing the activities of law enforcement agencies. Under the ministry’s jurisdiction, several central agencies including the National Police of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, and the National Guard of Ukraine, work together in upholding public safety and security across the country.

“Draganfly has been providing drone systems and drone pilot training since the beginning of the war in Ukraine,” said Volodymyr Cherniei, Rector of the National Academy, Police General of the first rank. “Their essential training will help to solidify and scale the essential drone pilot training required to increase operational effectiveness across the Ministry’s jurisdictions.” The General further stated that: “HEAL-Corp has provided much critical assistance to the people of Ukraine in providing life-saving medical training, humanitarian assistance, and medical resources. HEAL-Corp has stood with Ukraine from the beginning of the full-scale invasion. We are pleased to select the Draganfly and Heal-Corp teams for this important contract.”

“The use of drones for medical purposes and multiple other mission types during conflict has increasingly proven to be invaluable,” says Larry Mynar CEO of HEAL-Corp. “Critical for HEAL-Corp, is the delivery of blood products, diagnostics, therapeutic and medical supplies to the frontlines in a time-sensitive manner to decrease morbidity and mortality.”

“We are incredibly honoured that Draganfly has been selected to provide drone pilot training for the Ministry of Interior of Ukraine and all its agencies. Training and fielding up to a 1,000 new pilots per year will be extremely impactful for the Ministry’s capabilities in its service to Ukraine,” said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly. “Draganfly’s experience and systems are well matched to provide and scale the training required for the vast number of missions and use cases.”

About Draganfly

Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) is the creator of quality, cutting-edge drone solutions, software, and AI systems that revolutionize how organizations can do business and service their stakeholders. Recognized as being at the forefront of technology for over 24 years, Draganfly is an award-winning industry leader serving the public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying markets. Draganfly is a company driven by passion, ingenuity, and the need to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to its customers around the world with the goal of saving time, money, and lives.

For more information on Draganfly, please visit us at www.draganfly.com.
For additional investor information, visit https://www.thecse.com/en/listings/technology/draganfly-inc, https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/dpro, or https://www.boerse-frankfurt.de/equity/draganfly-inc-1.

Media Contact
Arian Hopkins
email: [email protected]

Company Contact
Email: [email protected]

About HEAL-Corp

HEAL-Corp is a faith-based 501(3)c NGO is currently providing humanitarian relief operations within Ukraine since the full-scale invasion February 24, 2022. HEAL-Corp is composed of Disaster medicine doctors, academics, trauma surgeons, emergency medicine trainers, alongside Ukrainian and international civilian-support. HEAL-Corp actively and regularly consults with the Ukrainian government Ministries and medical professionals, assisting with lifesaving front line support, delivering medical educational programs, as well as consistently moving large scale humanitarian aid.

HEAL-Corp – https://www.heal-corp.org
[email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking information” as ‎‎defined under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can ‎generally be ‎identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, ‎‎“estimate”, ‎‎“anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements ‎and ‎information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and ‎‎assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant ‎‎business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These statements include, but may ‎not be limited to statements regarding the agreement between the Company, HEAL-Corp and the National Academy; the Company providing drone training to Ministry of Internal Affairs pilots, including but not limited to: National Police, National Guard, ‎State Border Guard, Special Forces Security, and Emergency Services; The Company and HEAL-Corp designing a curriculum to be used in the training program; statements made by the Minister relating to drove training program impact on operational effectiveness. Forward-looking statements and ‎information are subject to various known and ‎unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond ‎the ability of the Company to control or ‎predict, that may cause the Company’s actual results, ‎performance or achievements to be materially ‎different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are ‎developed based on assumptions about ‎such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out here-in, ‎including but not limited to: the potential ‎impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, ‎including the previous outbreak of the novel ‎coronavirus known as COVID-19 on the Company’s business, ‎operations and financial condition, the ‎successful integration of technology, the inherent risks involved in ‎the general securities markets; ‎uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in ‎the future; the inherent ‎uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and ‎expenses, currency ‎fluctuations; regulatory restrictions, liability, competition, loss of key employees and ‎other related risks ‎and uncertainties disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors“ in the Company’s most ‎recent filings filed ‎with securities regulators in Canada on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and with the U.S. ‎Securities and Exchange Commission on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. The ‎Company undertakes ‎no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by ‎applicable law. Such forward-‎looking information represents management’s best judgment based on information currently available. ‎No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results ‎may vary materially. ‎Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking ‎statements or ‎information.‎

Kratos’ new Zeus 1 rocket motor completes a successful static test at Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Camden, Arkansas facility is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f0040d0d-d78c-4d20-81bb-75a26462f2f8

SAN DIEGO, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets, announced today that its Space & Missile Defense Systems Business Unit (SMDS), a part of Kratos’ Defense & Rocket Systems Division (KDRS), successfully conducted the first static test firing of the Zeus 1 solid rocket motor (SRM) at Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Camden, Arkansas facility. Kratos, responding to the need for new affordable commercial SRMs to operate as launch vehicle stages for Kratos’ research, hypersonic, ballistic missile target, and “other” vehicles, determined Zeus 1 and 2 motor requirements and standards, and through internal investments, funded the development of the Zeus SRM designs. The family of Zeus SRMs are designed and manufactured by Kratos’ key merchant supplier partner Aerojet Rocketdyne.

Prior to firing, the Kratos Zeus 1 motor was cooled to the lowest planned operating temperature to evaluate motor performance under the most stressing ignition conditions. The Kratos Zeus 1 motor performed nominally throughout the test and preliminary hardware and data inspection confirms the robustness of the motor design and its applicability for multiple customer applications. The Kratos Zeus 1 performance provides substantial improvement over similar legacy and heritage SRMs within the same relevant form factor, allowing existing payload designs and launch infrastructure to remain unchanged, while allowing rapid integration of new, technology leading systems and payloads, including those currently under development by Kratos. These key and other attributes will provide Kratos’ customers opportunities to fly more often, faster and farther, using fewer stages, at a substantially reduced cost.

The Kratos Zeus 1 is the first of two high-performance 32.5-inch diameter solid rocket motors internally developed and funded under the Kratos Zeus Program, with the larger Zeus 2 motor scheduled for static test later this year. The Kratos Zeus motors, designed with versatility and affordability in mind, complement Kratos’ investments in the Erinyes hypersonic “flyer” test vehicle that is expected to debut early next year, and Kratos’ follow-on Dark Fury hypersonic system, which nature and performance characteristics are highly confidential. These Kratos investments in the hypersonic and “other” areas create a versatile family of test, evaluation and “other” products that offer complete systems, SRMs, and flyers. Once complete, Kratos, with the Zeus SRMs, and the Erinyes, Dark Fury, and other Kratos “Flyers”, will be one of the only companies with both the Rocket System and “Flyer” systems under one entity, providing unmatched innovation, disruptive capabilities, mission responsiveness and affordability to the customer.

Dave Carter, President of KDRS, said, “I could not be more proud of our SMDS team and partner, Aerojet Rocketdyne, with this most recent example of our industry leading capability to rapidly design, develop, demonstrate, and bring to market affordable, relevant rocket systems, far ahead of competition. Kratos and our key rocket motor merchant supplier partner, Aerojet Rocketdyne, have demonstrated once again the value of the agile, middle tier technology and product companies for our country’s National Security requirements and system affordability.”

Eric DeMarco, President & CEO of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, said, “Kratos internally funded the development of the Zeus motors to enable rapid and affordable hypersonic testing and capabilities and to be ‘first to market’ with a highly relevant system, including as based on communications with the customer community. At Kratos, affordability is a technology and better is the enemy of good enough, and we continue to innovate using proven, existing, leading technology, systems, and Kratos’ intellectual property to rapidly bring relevant products to market to address the United States and our Allies’ National Security.”

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology company that develops and fields transformative, affordable systems, products, and solutions for United States National Security, our allies, and global commercial enterprises. At Kratos, Affordability is a Technology, and Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technology is rapidly brought to market – at a low cost – with actual products, systems, and technologies rather than slide decks or renderings. Through proven commercial and venture capital-backed approaches, including proactive, internally funded research and streamlined development processes, Kratos is focused on being First to Market with our solutions well in advance of the competition. Kratos is the recognized Technology Disruptor in our core market areas, including Space and Satellite Communications, Cyber Security and Warfare, Unmanned Systems, Rocket and Hypersonic Systems, Next-Generation Jet Engines and Propulsion Systems, Microwave Electronics, C5ISR, and Virtual and Augmented Reality Training Systems. For more information go to www.KratosDefense.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made based on the current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 27, 2022, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.

Press Contact:

Yolanda White
858-812-7302 Direct

Investor Information:

877-934-4687
[email protected]

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zscaler, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZS), the leader in cloud security, today announced that Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd., a global leader in solar cell and panel manufacturing with sales operations in over 100 countries, is leveraging the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ cloud security platform to deliver seamless, secure access for its workforce and to accelerate its digital transformation initiatives.

Stemming from its divestiture from SunPower Corporation, a U.S.-based leading distributed generation storage and energy services provider, Maxeon required a future-ready integrated security services edge (SSE) platform to provide secure, direct access to critical business applications for its 5,000 global employees and seamlessly add new security services as their organization scaled.

“First and foremost, we had to make sure Maxeon maintained business continuity while ensuring our employees, applications and data remained secure. While we evaluated several big-name vendors, Zscaler came out as a clear winner because of its proven capabilities and position as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for 11 consecutive years,” said Stephen Gani, Chief Information Security Officer at Maxeon. “The divestiture was in progress during the pandemic, so our immediate concern was protecting our sensitive data and employees who were working from a variety of remote locations from the growing set of sophisticated threats – ransomware, zero-day malware, and other advanced attacks.”

As its initial steps in its zero trust and SSE journey, Maxeon deployed Zscaler Internet Access™ solution for fast direct-to-cloud web access, inline traffic inspection, and security that moves with users, regardless of where they work. The team also added Zscaler Cloud Data Loss Prevention™ solution into its security stack to gain visibility into data across all internet and encrypted SSL traffic and to enable data discovery across users, applications, content types, and file types.

To help ensure an optimal user experience regardless of location, Maxeon also implemented Zscaler Digital Experience™ solution, an integrated service in the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange, across its global offices. With Zscaler Digital Experience, Maxeon’s IT team was able to quickly diagnose and remediate quality of service issues between users and applications at speed to maintain a seamless user experience and ensure business continuity.

With the portfolio of solutions on hand, Maxeon enabled safe and reliable access to the web and SaaS apps post-divestiture, eliminating the need for a high-maintenance data center and associated costs, as well as improving and securing the user experience for its global workforce of 5,000.

“Balancing cybersecurity, employee experience and cost efficiencies remains a challenge for most organizations. With a growing list of products and solutions available in the market, it can be a daunting task for IT teams to decipher what they truly need and implement the right solutions to achieve this balancing act,” shared Scott Robertson, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific & Japan at Zscaler. “It becomes pertinent for organizations to choose a partner that can help them navigate and implement a robust and seamless security architecture. We are especially delighted to support a company like Maxeon in achieving its workforce modernization and security transformation goals. We look forward to our continued partnership with the team as they continue to optimize their security infrastructure.”

Watch the keynote and breakout session from our annual Zenith Live summit in Las Vegas here to learn more about how Zscaler is helping companies secure their workforce and digital transformation journeys.

About Maxeon Solar Technologies

Maxeon Solar Technologies (NASDAQ: MAXN) is Powering Positive Change™. Headquartered in Singapore, Maxeon designs and manufactures Maxeon® and SunPower® brand solar panels, and has sales operations in more than 100 countries, operating under the SunPower brand in certain countries outside the United States. The company is a leader in solar innovation with access to over 1,000 patents and two best-in-class solar panel product lines. Maxeon products span the global rooftop and solar power plant markets through a network of more than 1,400 trusted partners and distributors. A pioneer in sustainable solar manufacturing, Maxeon leverages a 35-year history in the solar industry and numerous awards for its technology. For more information about how Maxeon is Powering Positive Change™ visit us at www.maxeon.com, on LinkedIn and on Twitter @maxeonsolar.

About Zscaler

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across more than 150 data centers globally, the SSE-based Zero Trust Exchange™ is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform.

Zscaler™ and the other trademarks listed at


https://www.zscaler.com/legal/trademarks


are either (i) registered trademarks or service marks or (ii) trademarks or service marks of Zscaler, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Any other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

Media Contact:

Zscaler Public Relations
[email protected] 

Treatment was generally well tolerated with continued HBsAg declines in some patients

WARMINSTER, Pa., June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS) (“Arbutus” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its extensive virology expertise to develop novel therapeutics that target specific viral diseases, today announced that preliminary data from its on-going Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability and antiviral activity of the combination of AB-729, the Company’s lead RNAi therapeutic, and pegylated interferon alfa-2a (IFN) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (cHBV) was presented today at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress. The preliminary data suggests that the addition of IFN to AB-729 treatment was generally well tolerated and appears to result in continued HBsAg declines in some patients.

William Collier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arbutus, commented, “These data continue to support our strategy of utilizing AB-729 as a cornerstone in a combination therapeutic for patients with cHBV. In this trial, some patients that received 12 weeks or more of IFN after AB-729 treatment saw promising declines in surface antigen, which continues to reinforce our confidence in AB-729’s ability to effectively suppress HBsAg. While this is a small sample size and additional follow-up is needed, we believe that the combination of AB-729 and IFN is both safe and lowers surface antigen, which in turn, may allow the patient’s immune system to control the virus. We look forward to providing more data as patients continue to receive treatment.”

Forty-three virally suppressed, HBeAg negative cHBV patients were enrolled in the clinical trial and received a lead-in of AB-729 (60mg every 8 weeks) plus nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy for 24 weeks followed by 12 or 24 weeks of IFN with or without additional AB-729 doses. The preliminary data showed the following:

• The mean HBsAg decline from baseline during the lead-in phase was 1.6 log₁₀ at week 24 of treatment which is comparable to what was previously seen in other clinical trials with AB-729.
• HBsAg levels <100 IU/mL were noted during the treatment period in 93% (38 of 41 randomized) of the patients.  
• Four patients have reached HBsAg below the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) during IFN treatment, however, none of the patients have achieved sustained seroclearance to date.
• AB-729 treatment alone or in combination with IFN was generally well tolerated. There were no serious adverse events (SAEs), discontinuations or AB-729 treatment discontinuations. IFN-related treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were consistent with the known safety profile. Five patients required IFN dose modifications due to laboratory abnormalities.

The clinical trial remains ongoing with most patients still in the early IFN treatment period continuing to be followed for on-treatment responses. After completion of the IFN treatment period, patients are followed for an additional 24 weeks on NA therapy alone, then assessed for NA discontinuation. Three patients have been evaluated to stop NA treatment to date, with one meeting the protocol-defined criteria to stop NA treatment.

The posters that were presented at EASL 2023 can be accessed through the Investors section of Arbutus’ website under Publications at https://www.arbutusbio.com/publications/.

About AB-729

AB-729 is an RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic specifically designed to reduce all HBV viral proteins and antigens, including hepatitis B surface antigen, which is thought to be a key prerequisite to enable reawakening of a patient’s immune system to respond to the virus. AB-729 targets hepatocytes using Arbutus’ novel covalently conjugated N-Acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) delivery technology that enables subcutaneous delivery. Clinical data generated thus far has shown single- and multi-doses of AB-729 to be generally safe and well-tolerated while providing meaningful reductions in hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B DNA. AB-729 is currently in multiple Phase 2a clinical trials.

About HBV

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause chronic infection which leads to a higher risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Chronic HBV infection represents a significant unmet medical need. The World Health Organization estimates that over 290 million people worldwide suffer from chronic HBV infection, while other estimates indicate that approximately 2.4 million people in the United States suffer from chronic HBV infection. Approximately 820,000 people die every year from complications related to chronic HBV infection despite the availability of effective vaccines and current treatment options.

About Arbutus

Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its extensive virology expertise to develop novel therapeutics that target specific viral diseases. Our current focus areas include Hepatitis B virus (HBV), SARS-CoV-2, and other coronaviruses. To address HBV, we are developing a RNAi therapeutic, an oral PD-L1 inhibitor, and an oral RNA destabilizer to potentially identify a combination regimen with the aim of providing a functional cure for patients with chronic HBV by suppressing viral replication, reducing surface antigen and reawakening the immune system. We believe our lead compound, AB-729, is the only RNAi therapeutic with evidence of immune re-awakening. AB-729 is currently being evaluated in multiple phase 2 clinical trials. We also have an ongoing drug discovery and development program directed to identifying novel, orally active agents for treating coronaviruses, (including SARS-CoV-2), for which we have nominated a compound and have begun IND-enabling pre-clinical studies. In addition, we are also exploring oncology applications for our internal PD-L1 portfolio. For more information, visit www.arbutusbio.com.

Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements about our future development plans for our product candidates; the expected cost, timing and results of our clinical development plans and clinical trials with respect to our product candidates; our expectations with respect to the release of data from our clinical trials and the expected timing thereof; our expectations and goals for our collaborations with third parties and any potential benefits related thereto; and the potential for our product candidates to achieve success in clinical trials.

With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, Arbutus has made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things: the effectiveness and timeliness of preclinical studies and clinical trials, and the usefulness of the data; the timeliness of regulatory approvals; the continued demand for Arbutus’ assets; and the stability of economic and market conditions. While Arbutus considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, market and social uncertainties and contingencies, including uncertainties and contingencies related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and patent litigation matters.

Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause Arbutus’ actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Known risk factors include, among others: anticipated pre-clinical studies and clinical trials may be more costly or take longer to complete than anticipated, and may never be initiated or completed, or may not generate results that warrant future development of the tested product candidate; Arbutus may elect to change its strategy regarding its product candidates and clinical development activities; Arbutus may not receive the necessary regulatory approvals for the clinical development of Arbutus’ products; economic and market conditions may worsen; uncertainties associated with litigation generally and patent litigation specifically; Arbutus and its collaborators may never realize the expected benefits of the collaborations; market shifts may require a change in strategic focus; and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could significantly disrupt Arbutus’ clinical development programs.

A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Arbutus appears in Arbutus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, Arbutus’ Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Arbutus’ continuous and periodic disclosure filings, which are available at www.sedar.com and at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Arbutus disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.

Contact Information

Investors and Media

Lisa Caperelli
Vice President, Investor Relations
Phone: 215-206-1822
Email: [email protected]

DUBLIN, Ireland, June 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) today announced plans for continued growth in Ireland through an investment of up to $135 million over four years. The investment is intended to fund several strategic R&D projects through the addition of up to 290 highly skilled engineering and research positions, as well as a broad range of additional support roles.

The development is being formally announced in Dublin today by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, and Ruth Cotter, senior vice president, Marketing, Communications and Human Resources at AMD. The new investment is supported by the Irish government through IDA Ireland.

“I warmly welcome the ambitious plans of AMD to expand their advanced R&D and engineering operations in Ireland. This significant investment will not only bolster our thriving technology sector but also create long-term career opportunities for both highly experienced professionals and new graduates from engineering disciplines. The company’s plans to add up to 290 new positions and its funding of strategically important R&D projects demonstrate its confidence in Ireland’s supportive enterprise environment and infrastructure. The Irish government, through IDA Ireland, is delighted to support this expansion, further solidifying our commitment to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem for research, development, and engineering,” said Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

“From the cloud and PCs to communications and intelligent end points, AMD’s high-performance and adaptive computing solutions play an increasingly larger role in shaping the future of computing today. For nearly three decades, Ireland has been a flagship European R&D centre developing adaptive computing solutions, drawing from a strong and highly-skilled workforce. By further investing and expanding our presence in Dublin and Cork, we are committed to continuing to both drive innovation in Ireland and to support the European semiconductor ecosystem. Through this investment, our R&D teams in Ireland will design innovative high-performance and adaptive computing engines to accelerate data centre, networking, 6G communications and embedded solutions while taking a leadership position on artificial intelligence,” said Ruth Cotter, senior vice president, Marketing, Communications and Human Resources at AMD.

Prior to the acquisition of Xilinx by AMD in 2022, Xilinx partnered with IDA Ireland on a number of occasions to advance semiconductor innovation in Ireland. Most recently, in 2017, Xilinx announced a $40 million investment to expand its research, development and engineering operations, as well as recruit over 100 new skilled employees.

“This investment will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible while contributing further to Ireland’s position as a global technology leader. This expansion further strengthens the company’s presence in Ireland as a leading centre of semiconductor innovation and puts Ireland at the heart of AMD’s European research and engineering operations. IDA Ireland has been proud to support AMD and previously Xilinx for nearly three decades and is committed to supporting investments of scale that impact positively on Europe’s semiconductor industry,” said Michael Lohan, chief executive officer, IDA Ireland.

The Irish site was first established in 1994 as the first purpose-built Xilinx site outside of the U.S. and began its operations a year later with a focus on manufacturing, operations support, engineering and administration services. Since the acquisition of Xilinx, Ireland is now home to one of the largest AMD R&D sites in Europe with a strong record of delivering products with significant commercial success, such as the AMD Zynq™ UltraScale+™ RFSoC semiconductor product family.

About AMD

For more than 50 years AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics and visualization technologies. Billions of people, leading Fortune 500 businesses and cutting-edge scientific research institutions around the world rely on AMD technology daily to improve how they live, work and play. AMD employees are focused on building leadership high-performance and adaptive products that push the boundaries of what is possible. For more information about how AMD is enabling today and inspiring tomorrow, visit the AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) website, blog, LinkedIn and Twitter pages.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) such as AMD’s plans to invest $135 million over the next four years to fund R&D projects; AMD’s plans to add up to 290 engineering, research, and support positions; expected growth of AMD in Ireland; and the expected activities of AMD’s R&D and engineering operations in Ireland, which are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are commonly identified by words such as “would,” “may,” “expects,” “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects” and other terms with similar meaning. Investors are cautioned that the forward-looking statements in this press release are based on current beliefs, assumptions and expectations, speak only as of the date of this press release and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. Such statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond AMD’s control, that could cause actual results and other future events to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, without limitation, the following: Intel Corporation’s dominance of the microprocessor market and its aggressive business practices; global economic uncertainty; cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; market conditions of the industries in which AMD products are sold; loss of a significant customer; impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AMD’s business, financial condition and results of operations; competitive markets in which AMD’s products are sold; quarterly and seasonal sales patterns; AMD’s ability to adequately protect its technology or other intellectual property; unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations; ability of third party manufacturers to manufacture AMD’s products on a timely basis in sufficient quantities and using competitive technologies; availability of essential equipment, materials, substrates or manufacturing processes; ability to achieve expected manufacturing yields for AMD’s products; AMD’s ability to introduce products on a timely basis with expected features and performance levels; AMD’s ability to generate revenue from its semi-custom SoC products; potential security vulnerabilities; potential security incidents including IT outages, data loss, data breaches and cyber-attacks; potential difficulties in upgrading and operating AMD’s new enterprise resource planning system; uncertainties involving the ordering and shipment of AMD’s products; AMD’s reliance on third-party intellectual property to design and introduce new products in a timely manner; AMD’s reliance on third-party companies for design, manufacture and supply of motherboards, software and other computer platform components; AMD’s reliance on Microsoft and other software vendors’ support to design and develop software to run on AMD’s products; AMD’s reliance on third-party distributors and add-in-board partners; impact of modification or interruption of AMD’s internal business processes and information systems; compatibility of AMD’s products with some or all industry-standard software and hardware; costs related to defective products; efficiency of AMD’s supply chain; AMD’s ability to rely on third party supply-chain logistics functions; AMD’s ability to effectively control sales of its products on the gray market; impact of government actions and regulations such as export administration regulations, tariffs and trade protection measures; AMD’s ability to realize its deferred tax assets; potential tax liabilities; current and future claims and litigation; impact of environmental laws, conflict minerals-related provisions and other laws or regulations; impact of acquisitions, joint ventures and/or investments on AMD’s business and AMD’s ability to integrate acquired businesses; impact of any impairment of the combined company’s assets on the combined company’s financial position and results of operation; restrictions imposed by agreements governing AMD’s notes, the guarantees of Xilinx’s notes and the revolving credit facility; AMD’s indebtedness; AMD’s ability to generate sufficient cash to meet its working capital requirements or generate sufficient revenue and operating cash flow to make all of its planned R&D or strategic investments; political, legal, economic risks and natural disasters; future impairments of goodwill and technology license purchases; AMD’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; AMD’s stock price volatility; and worldwide political conditions. Investors are urged to review in detail the risks and uncertainties in AMD’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to AMD’s most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

Contact:

Anna Carzana

AMD Communications
+39 02 3008161
[email protected]

Suresh Bhaskaran

AMD Investor Relations
+1 408-749-2845
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/59304f9e-cf97-4f56-84bf-aa9ffd22efb9

London, 21 June 2023: VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON), a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and online services, today announced that it will invest, through its subsidiary Kyivstar, equivalent of USD 600 million in the recovery of Ukraine over the next three years. The investment will span Kyivstar’s infrastructure projects,  ensuring essential connectivity and 4G services throughout the country, the development of superior digital services accessible to all Ukrainians, and community support projects.  

The investment pledge is announced as a part of the international Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on June 21^st and 22^nd with a focus on mobilising international support for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. Launching its “Invest in Ukraine, Now!” campaign, the company invites all international and national stakeholders to consider investments in Ukraine today, in order to accelerate the country’s reconstruction.

“The past 16 months have shown the world that communications are indeed the lifeline of Ukraine. With the dedication of our 4000-strong team, and the support of our parent company VEON, Kyivstar has been central to Ukraine’s resilience and recovery since the very morning of February 24^th, 2022,” said Oleksandr Komarov, CEO of Kyivstar. “Today’s sizeable investment commitment signifies not only a continuation of our track record, but also an acceleration of our investments. At a time when many others are refraining from making future plans, we proudly commit to ‘building back better’ in partnership with public sector counterparts and other national and international stakeholders. We would like to  invite other companies  to invest with the same enthusiasm to contribute today to the future Ukraine .”

As the country’s largest telecommunication company, Kyivstar has been at the forefront of Ukraine’s resilience,  maintaining essential connectivity for its customers – currently 24.3 million mobile and 1.1 million fixed-line users. In partnership with fellow operators, it enabled Ukranians to remain connected to their home country with roam-like-home offers, currently serving 2.5 million mobile customers in roaming. Equally importantly, Kyivstar services also benefited the wider Ukrainian population through measures including infrastructure sharing with other operators, and providing free wifi to shelters and new settlements.

To enable the continuity of services, Kyivstar technical teams have skillfully performed nearly 150 thousand repairs with twice the intensity compared to the pre-conflict period, reconnected 800 settlements, upgraded and deployed nearly 10,000 4G base stations, and installed 32,000 new batteries to ensure continuity of communication during energy black-outs. With these efforts, 93% of Kyivstar’s network is operational, enabling critical communications services that continue to sustain Ukraine’s society and economy.

The company’s work also includes supporting the cybersecurity of Ukraine, defending the cyber space against DDoS, phishing and malware attacks which intensified by 200%, 300% and 400% respectively in 2022 as compared to 2021.

The USD 600 million  commitment signifies an acceleration of Kyivstar’s investments in these areas in the coming three years, and will enable the continuation and expansion of these services. The new investments in network expansion – starting with ‘LTE everywhere’  and fiberization, and eventually leading to 5G-focused reconstruction – will mean higher quality internet coverage for millions of users. With the planned expansion of 4G networks, Kyivstar plans to cover 98% of Ukraine’s population in 4G in three years time, including in small and remote settlements.

The investments will accelerate the digitalization of the country with essential digital services as well as connectivity. Kyivstar currently serves Ukraine with a significant portfolio of digital solutions supporting the provision of essential services such as information dissemination,mobile education, and mobile health. The company recently invested in in Ukraine’s leading digital healthcare provider, Helsi, which serves a registered base of 25 million customers, not only users of Kyivstar but of all operators. The USD 600 million investment will partially be used to support further development of  these services, as well as new investments into digital verticals that will make a positive social impact on the Ukrainian society. 

Another pillar of Kvivstar’s support to Ukraine has been charitable support, which leverages the capabilities inherent to its business as a digital operator and a focus on giving back to the society. Since the onset of the conflict, Kyivstar supported Ukrainians with humanitarian donations amounting to UAH 1.1 billion – roughly USD 32.5 million . Within the scope of its investment pledge, Kyivstar will continue to work with leading Ukrainian NGOs and social initiatives, supporting charity projects with donations and with socially responsible business partnerships.

About Kyivstar:

Kyivstar is the largest telecoms operator in Ukraine with 24.3 million mobile subscribers and over 1.1 million home internet subscribers. The company provides services based on mobile and fixed-line technologies, including 4G, as well as innovative services such as Big Data, IoT, cloud solutions, digital TV, digital health and others. The company provides the highest average speed of mobile data transmission among Ukrainian mobile operators. Kyivstar is 100% owned by the international VEON Group, headquartered in the Netherlands and listed on NASDAQ and Euronext Amsterdam stock exchanges. For more information visit www.kyivstar.ua.

About VEON

VEON is a global digital operator that currently provides converged connectivity and online services to over 160 million customers in six dynamic markets, and is the 100% owner in Kyivstar. We transform people’s lives, empower individuals, create opportunities for greater digital inclusion and drive economic growth across countries that are home to more than 7% of the world’s population. Headquartered in Amsterdam, VEON is listed on NASDAQ and Euronext Amsterdam, and has a broad investor base. For more information, visit: https://www.veon.com

Disclaimer

This release contains “forward-looking statements,” as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and include statements relating to, among other things, VEON’s and Kyivstar’s initiatives in Ukraine. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which VEON cannot predict with accuracy and some of which VEON might not even anticipate. The forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date of this release. VEON does not undertake to publicly update, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws, any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such dates or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact Information

• VEON

Senior Communications Manager
Anna Ivanova-Galitsina
[email protected]

• TUVA Partners

Managing Partner
Julian Tanner
[email protected]