OpSens Integrates its OptoWire’s dPR and FFR Algorithms Within Cathmedical Cardiovascular’s Picasso System in Spain

Canada NewsWire

AGREEMENT ALLOWS CARDIOLOGISTS TO PERFORM DPR AND FFR PROCEDURES USING OPSENS’ OPTOWIRE AND CATHMEDICAL’S PICASSO SYSTEM IN AN INTEGRATED FASHION

QUEBEC CITY, April 21, 2021 /CNW/ – OpSens Inc. (“OpSens” or the “Company”) (TSX: OPS) (OTCQX: OPSSF),  a medical device cardiology-focused company, today announced it has signed an agreement with Cathmedical Cardiovascular S.A. (“Cathmedical”) for the integration of its coronary physiology algorithms into the Picasso system, a next generation hemodynamic system. The integrated systems will initially focus on the Spanish cardiology market where the Picasso has a dominant market share.

This partnership agreement allows interventional cardiologists using this system to benefit from full integration into the catheterization laboratory and to offer superior diagnosis and treatment to their patients. Combined with the OptoWire III, the full power of coronary physiology indices such as the OpSens’ diastolic pressure ratio (or dPR) is now available within the Picasso system for optimal integration into the workflow.

Louis Laflamme, President and CEO of OpSens commented, “We are excited to bring to the cardiac physicians in Spain, a seamless integration of OpSens’ dPR technology with Cathmedical’s next generation hemodynamic system. Cardiologists have already had the opportunity to appreciate independently the Picasso system and the OptoWire III for their performances, ease of use and accurate measurements. We believe their integration brings together the “best of both worlds” – hemodynamic systems and physiology guidewires – merging  functionalities that will improve physician workflow, ease their decision-making process, and may lead to better patient outcomes. This partnership is an example of the value OpSens can offer by combining its expertise with the one of its partners.”

Alfredo Garcia, General Manager of Cathmedical, said, “We are very pleased with this partnership with OpSens. It provides our customers access to the combination of the best hemodynamic system to the best pressure guidewire system on the market.”

“Integrating the OptoWire III into the cathlab system is quick and easy, freeing up space on the operating table with the removal of equipment. Within moments, the cardiologist is able to connect the OptoWire III and perform the procedure on his patient,” said Dr. Carlos Moreno, Interventional Cardiologist at Getafe University Hospital (Madrid).

The OpSens OptoWire III is a modern pressure guidewire designed for clinical practice to diagnose, treat, and confirm results in coronary arteries. The unmatched precision of its second-generation fiber optic sensor, Fidela, translates into the lowest drift in the industry and represents an exclusive feature, for which Opsens stands out in the market. The value of Fidela precision is supported by peer-reviewed literature showing that the accuracy of the pressure measurement is even more crucial when physiology guidewires are used for indices without hyperemia.

Coronary artery disease is the blockage or narrowing (stenosis) of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, often due to the buildup of fatty plaque inside the arteries, which may cause heart attacks. Several studies, such as the FAME Study, showed that when Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) is used prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), patients’ outcomes are improved with major adverse cardiac events significantly reduced.

About OpSens Inc. (www.OpSens.com or www.OpSensmedical.com)

OpSens focuses mainly on coronary physiology products in interventional cardiology. OpSens offers an advanced optical-based pressure guidewire that aims at improving the clinical outcome of patients with coronary artery disease. Its flagship product, the OptoWire, is a second-generation fiber optic pressure guidewire designed to provide the lowest drift in the industry and excellent lesions access. The OptoWire has been used in the diagnosis and treatment of over 100,000 patients in more than 30 countries. It is approved for sale in the United States, European Union, Japan, and Canada.

OpSens is also involved in industrial activities in developing, manufacturing, and installing innovative fiber optic sensing solutions for critical applications.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, and achievements of OpSens to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the said forward-looking statements.

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

SOURCE OPSENS Inc.

Samsung Biologics Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary with Its Mission, “Driven. For Life.”

PR Newswire

INCHEON, South Korea, April 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Samsung Biologics, the world’s leading contract development and manufacturing organization, celebrated the 10th anniversary of its founding today at its global headquarters in Songdo, Incheon via a virtual ceremony.

John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, stated, “Ten years ago, we had the vision to enrich people’s lives through technology and innovation. Now heading into the next decade, we see a clear path before us. Our 2030 vision is to become a global top tier biopharma company, with the mission to make high quality, safe treatments more accessible to patients around the world.”

Samsung Biologics also introduced its new mission statement, “Driven. For Life.” representing the company’s purpose, commitment, and unrelenting will to build a better future for all humanity. Rim said, “Samsung Biologics does not just develop and manufacture products, but produces life-saving solutions. We are driven, for life.”

Since its launch in 2011, Samsung Biologics has achieved significant and meaningful milestones: the world’s largest biomanufacturing capacity at a single site at 364,000 liters, over 85 regulatory approvals from global agencies, and a growing list of 70+ clients from all over the world within a decade.

Responding to the rising demand in biopharma, the company is currently building a fourth manufacturing plant in addition to its existing three state-of the-art facilities, when combined will account for approximately a quarter of the global CMO production at a 620,000-liter total capacity upon its completion. The company recently expanded its global footprint with the opening of its first US R&D Center in San Francisco, CA and announced plans for further geographic expansion and portfolio diversification in the coming decade.

“The work we do today with cutting-edge innovation and technology impacts a better tomorrow for humanity,” Rim said. “We are driven to discover, develop and manufacture breakthrough solutions to save lives, and are only just getting started.” He added, “I’d like to thank all our clients, partners, and employees from across the globe for helping the company get to where it is today.”

Visit the Samsung Biologics website to download its 10th anniversary e-Book, celebrating a decade of breakthroughs and innovations.

About Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940.KS) is a fully integrated CDMO offering state-of-the-art contract development, manufacturing, and laboratory testing services. With proven regulatory approvals, the largest capacity, and the fastest throughput, Samsung Biologics is an award-winning partner of choice and is uniquely able to support the development and manufacturing of biologics products at every stage of the process while meeting the evolving needs of biopharmaceutical companies worldwide. For more information, visit www.samsungbiologics.com


Samsung Biologics Press Contact



Claire Kim




[email protected]

 

 

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SOURCE Samsung Biologics

The Halifax Group Names Jerry Johnson Partner

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Halifax Group (“Halifax“), a leading private equity firm that partners with management to invest in entrepreneurial businesses, today announced that it has named Jerry L. Johnson as a Partner. Mr. Johnson was previously an Operating Executive with Halifax. As a Partner, he moves from an advisory role to providing leadership in sourcing, evaluating and executing investments and supporting portfolio companies.

Mr. Johnson is a seasoned finance and consulting executive with over 25 years of leadership experience. Before joining Halifax, he was Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Strategy and Investor Relations at EnPro Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NPO), a niche manufacturer of proprietary engineered products. Prior to joining EnPro, he was a founding member and Partner of middle-market private equity firm RLJ Equity Partners, where he sourced and executed business services investments. Mr. Johnson’s career also includes experience as a merchant banker with Donaldson, Lufkin, & Jenrette and a management consultant with McKinsey & Company.

Scott Plumridge, Halifax Managing Partner, said, “Jerry’s decade-long relationship with Halifax has evolved from respected competitor to valued advisor, and we are delighted to now welcome him to the partnership. Not only has he displayed a proven ability to work with management teams and support growing enterprises, but he is also strongly aligned with Halifax’s mission and culture and is an exceptional fit with our team.”

Mr. Johnson earned the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service when serving as a White House Fellow under President George W. Bush. He is currently a member of the New York Economic Club, the Young Presidents’ Organization, and both the University of Tennessee’s Investment Advisory Council and the College of Engineering’s Board of Advisors. He is also a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Johnson received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and his B.S. in chemical engineering, summa cum laude, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was recognized with the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009.   

“I am excited to be part of a firm that celebrates collaboration in all aspects of its investment strategy,” Mr. Johnson commented. “I have enjoyed supporting Halifax’s management teams through my role as an Operating Executive and look forward to building better businesses as a day-to-day member of this exceptional team.”

Halifax is investing out of Halifax Capital Partners IV, L.P. (HCP IV), which closed in 2017. The firm’s current portfolio companies include PromptCare, a regional provider of specialty respiratory and infusion-therapy services; Truvant (formerly Prairie Industries), a contract packager and manufacturer of consumer, household, and food products; and TriMech, a provider of design and engineering software and solutions for the advanced manufacturing industry.

About The Halifax Group

Founded in 1999, The Halifax Group is a private equity firm that partners with managers and entrepreneurs to recapitalize and grow lower middle-market businesses with total enterprise values generally between $50 million and $300 million. Halifax specializes in equity recapitalizations, corporate carve-outs, and management buyouts and invests across a variety of industries, including health and wellness, outsourced business services, and franchising. The firm is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and maintains an office in Raleigh, NC. For more information, please visit www.thehalifaxgroup.com.

Contact:

Caroline Luz

Lambert & Co.
203-656-2829
[email protected]

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SOURCE Halifax Group

Sustainable Farming Innovator Solectrac Delivers E-Tractor to First Hawaii Customer, Kim and Jack Johnson’s Environmental Education Nonprofit, Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation

PR Newswire

SANTA ROSA, Calif., April 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Solectrac, Inc. (Solectrac), America’s first production manufacturer of Electric Tractors and a leader in the transition to zero emission regenerative agriculture and a portfolio company of Ideanomics (NASDAQ: IDEX), today announced the donation of the Company’s first Compact Electric Tractor (CET) production unit to the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by Kim and Jack Johnson that supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawai’i. The debut e-tractor was delivered to the foundation’s new Kōkua Learning Farm, a seven-acre farm on the North Shore of Oʻahu. The foundation, rooted in environmental education, unveiled the tractor with a hands-on tractor demonstration day on Thursday, April 15 to a small group of local Hawaiʻi based farmers and educators.

The Compact Electric Tractor (CET) will be used on the seven-acre Kōkua Learning Farm on Oʻahu. The farm, in its early stages, will be a gathering place for students and community members to learn about food production and participate in supporting a local farming ecosystem that is productive, efficient and sustainable. The Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation also works directly with schools across Hawaiʻi through their five school programs. One of their programs, the ʻĀINA In Schools educational program, is a farm-to-school initiative that connects children to their local land, waters and food to grow a healthier Hawaiʻi.

“We are so excited about our new compact electric tractor and our ability to run it with zero emissions off of solar power. We can’t thank Solectrac enough for their generosity. The Kōkua Learning Farm is a place for people of all ages to see the possibilities of a bright future, and this new electric tractor will have lasting impact for generations to come,” said Jack Johnson, singer-songwriter and co-founder of the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation.

This delivery highlights Solectrac’s momentum towards redefining sustainable agriculture, bringing the Company one step closer to replacing all gas and diesel tractors used in farming and agriculture with sustainable e-tractors. Solectrac also recently completed a successful fundraising campaign on StartEngine with a commitment to donate a tractor to the farm that was nominated and voted on by the StartEngine investor community. The Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation was the recipient of the highest vote count. Solectrac’s current lineup of e-tractors includes the Compact Electric Tractor, the eUtility Electric Tractor, and the eFarmer Electric Tractor model.

Compact Electric Tractor
The 30 HP diesel-equivalent CET is a versatile, 4WD utility vehicle for vineyards, small farms, greenhouses, golf courses and municipalities. It features a 22 kWh battery pack offering up to 6 hours of runtime. The battery delivers a 10-year estimated lifespan and can be charged in under 4 hours from a 220VAC, 30-amp outlet or overnight from a 110VAC, 15-amp outlet. The CET accepts all Category 1 – 540 PTO implements, including hydraulics on its rear hitch. Base price: $25,800 USD.

Solectrac Founder Steve Heckeroth has dedicated his life to creating eco-friendly and impactful solutions that can have a lasting impact in reducing our planet’s reliance on non-renewable, environmentally-damaging fossil fuels. He founded Solectrac in 2012 to be North America’s first manufacturer and distributor of quiet, zero emission electric tractors.

“We are very pleased to have Kim and Jack’s support in our mission to reduce carbon output in farming and utility work,” said Steve Heckeroth. “All of us at Solectrac are excited to continue this lasting partnership in sustainable agriculture with the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation (KHF).”

To explore the full Solectrac lineup of Electric Tractors or to learn more about Solectrac’s mission to lead the transition to zero emission regenerative agriculture, visit solectrac.com.

To learn more about Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation and ways to support, visit kokuahawaiifoundation.org/haleiwa.

About Solectrac


Solectrac
, Inc., located in Northern California, has developed 100% battery powered, all electric tractors for agriculture and utility operations. Solectrac tractors provide an opportunity for farmers around the world to power their tractors by using the sun, wind, and other clean renewable sources of energy. The company’s mission is to offer farmers independence from the pollution, infrastructure, and price volatility associated with fossil fuels.

About Ideanomics


Ideanomics
is a catalyst for disruption to those industries where improvements in sustainability, transparency, and freedom of choice would have profound benefits on a global scale. The Ideanomics Mobility division is a service provider which facilitates the adoption of electric vehicles by commercial fleet operators through offering vehicle procurement, finance and leasing, and energy management solutions under our innovative sales to financing to charging (S2F2C) business model. Ideanomics Capital is focused on disruptive fintech solutions for the financial services industry. Together, Ideanomics Mobility & Capital provide our global customers and partners with leading technologies and services designed to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability, and our shareholders with the opportunity to participate in high-potential, growth industries.

The company is headquartered in New York, NY, with offices in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Qingdao, and operations in the U.S., China, Ukraine, and Malaysia.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains certain statements that may include “forward looking statements”. All statements other than statements of historical fact included herein are “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects” or similar expressions, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and include statements regarding our intention to transition our business model to become a next-generation financial technology company, our business strategy and planned product offerings, our intention to phase out our oil trading and consumer electronics businesses, and potential future financial results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of risks and uncertainties, such as risks related to: our ability to continue as a going concern; our ability to raise additional financing to meet our business requirements; the transformation of our business model; fluctuations in our operating results; strain to our personnel management, financial systems and other resources as we grow our business; our ability to attract and retain key employees and senior management; competitive pressure; our international operations; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and similar disclosures in subsequent reports filed with the SEC, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risk factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Investor Relations and Media Contact
Solectrac, Inc.
Christiane Heckeroth, CCO
[email protected]

Ideanomics, Inc.
Tony Sklar, SVP of Investor Relations
1441 Broadway, Suite 5116 New York, NY 10018
[email protected]

Skyya PR
Susan Donahue
[email protected]
Ph: 646-454-9378

 

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SOURCE Solectrac

Marquette National Corporation Declares Dividend of $0.27 per Share

PR Newswire

CHICAGO, April 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Marquette National Corporation (OTCQX: MNAT) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.27 per share. The dividend will be payable on July 1, 2021 to shareholders of record on June 18, 2021.  As of March 31, 2021, Marquette had 4,404,584 shares issued and outstanding. 

Marquette National Corporation is a diversified bank holding company with total assets of approximately $1.982 billion.  The Company’s banking subsidiary, Marquette Bank, is a full-service, community bank that serves the financial needs of communities in Chicagoland, offering an extensive line of financial solutions, including retail banking, real estate lending, trust, insurance, investments, wealth management and business banking to consumers and commercial customers.  Marquette Bank has 20 branches located in Chicago, Bolingbrook, Bridgeview, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Lemont, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Romeoville and Summit, Illinois.  For more information visit:  http://www.emarquettebank.com.


Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements


This document contains, and future oral and written statements of the Company and its management may contain, forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the Company.  Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions.  A number of factors, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements. 
These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its potential effects on the economic environment, the Company’s customers and its operations, as well as any changes to federal, state or local government laws, regulations or orders in connection with the pandemic;(ii) 
the strength of the local, state, national and international economies (including the impact of the 2020 presidential election and the impact of tariffs, a U.S. withdrawal from or significant renegotiation of trade agreements, trade wars and other changes in trade regulations); (iii) changes in accounting policies and practices (including as a result of the future implementation of the current expected credit loss (CECL) impairment standards, that will change how the Company estimates credit losses); (iv) 
changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business; (v) 
changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets (including the impact of LIBOR phase-out); (vi)
 increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers; (vii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats and attacks, and the response of the United States to any such threats and attacks; (viii) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (ix) the loss of key executives or employees; (x) changes in consumer spending; and (xi) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company.  These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.  Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

For more information:
Paul Eckroth
EVP & CFO
708-364-9011


[email protected]

 

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SOURCE Marquette National Corporation

CME Group Announces Launch of CME Term SOFR Reference Rates

PR Newswire

CHICAGO, April 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — CME Group, the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, today announced it is publishing CME Term SOFR Reference Rates for 1-month, 3-month and 6-month tenors.

These benchmarks are based on CME Group’s deep and liquid underlying SOFR futures, making them a robust and sustainable measure of forward-looking SOFR rates. They are aligned with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee’s (ARRC) principles for recommended forward term rates. As ARRC criteria emphasizes, any forward term rate should have a limited scope of use so that the use does not materially impact volumes in the underlying SOFR-linked derivatives transactions that are relied upon to construct that rate, CME Group intends to limit the licensing of its SOFR Term Rates to cash market transactions initially until June 30, 2023. The Term SOFR rate will be available for license at no charge during this period.

“Our introduction of CME SOFR Term Rates responds directly to client demand and builds on continued liquidity growth across the SOFR ecosystem,” said Sean Tully, CME Group Global Head of Financial and OTC Products. “We are supportive of the ARRC’s forward term rate principles and believe our SOFR Term Rates comply with and advance the ARRC’s criteria, rooting these new tools in CME SOFR futures.”   

CME Group SOFR futures are bolstered by a deep and diverse pool of market participants. During Q1 2021, SOFR futures averaged $232 billion in daily representative notional value and reached a new, quarterly average daily volume (ADV) record of 112,000 contracts. In addition, SOFR futures ADV grew 82% year on year to 113,000 contracts in March 2021.

Based on industry best practices, CME Term SOFR Rates also are compliant with the UK Benchmark Regulations and aligned to the IOSCO Principles for Financial Benchmarks. CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (CBA) is the benchmark administrator for CME Term SOFR with Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. (CME Inc.) providing Calculation Agent services.

CME Term SOFR Reference Rates can be accessed from CME Group directly via its website, the CME Market Data Platform or various licensed data vendors. For more information on CME Term SOFR Reference Rates, please visit www.cmegroup.com/termsofr.

As a leading and diverse derivatives market operator, CME Group is the parent of four U.S.-based designated contract markets (“DCMs”): Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. (“CME”), Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc. (“CBOT”), New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. (“NYMEX”), and the Commodity Exchange, Inc. (“COMEX”) (collectively, the “CME Group Exchanges”). These exchanges offer a wide range of products available across all major asset classes, including futures and options based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, metals and agricultural commodities. CME Group offers futures trading through the CME Globex® electronic trading platform (“Globex”), fixed income trading via BrokerTec, foreign exchange trading on the EBS platform, and central counterparty clearing services through CME Clearing, a division of CME. With a range of pre- and post-trade products and services underpinning the entire lifecycle of a trade, CME Group also offers optimization services through TriOptima and trade processing and reconciliation services through Traiana and RESET. CBA capitalizes on CME Group’s wealth of electronic transaction-based data in the calculation of its indices and benchmarks.

CME-G

 

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SOURCE CME Group

OTC Markets Group Welcomes BGP Acquisition Corp. to OTCQX

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, April 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of financial markets for 11,000 U.S. and global securities, today announced BGP Acquisition Corp. (NEO: BGP.U; BGP.WT.U; OTCQX: BGPPF; BGPAF), a special purpose acquisition corporation, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market.

BGP Acquisition Corp. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbols “BGPPF” and “BGPAF.”  U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors.  For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

We are very excited by the opportunity to make BGP Acquisition Corp equities available for trading on the OTCQX Best Market.  OTCQX provides US investors with added visibility and trading options for otherwise difficult to access foreign equities.  We are pleased to now make this opportunity available for US investors to access BGP shares and warrants. – Don Jennings, President

McMillan LLP acted as the company’s OTCQX sponsor.

About BGP Acquisition Corp.
BGP is a special purpose acquisition corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia for the purpose of effecting, directly or indirectly, an acquisition of one or more businesses or assets, by way of a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or any other similar business combination within a specified period of time. For more information visit: www.bgpacquisition.com.

About OTC Markets Group Inc.

OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates the OTCQX® Best Market, the OTCQB® Venture Market and the Pink® Open Market for 11,000 U.S. and global securities. Through OTC Link® ATS and OTC Link ECN, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors.

To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN are SEC regulated ATSs, operated by OTC Link LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

Media Contact:
OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, [email protected] 

 

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SOURCE OTC Markets Group Inc.

Argus Research Initiates Equity Research Report Coverage on CooTek, Inc. (NYSE: CTK)

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, April 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Argus Research, an independent investment research firm, has launched Equity Research Report coverage on CooTek, Inc. (NYSE: CTK)  

Click Here to view full Argus Equity Research Report

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS: (as conveyed by Argus Analyst Steve Silver) include:

CTK: A developer of user-focused and technology-driven mobile internet content

  • In our view, CooTek has developed a robust ecosystem for delivering mobile internet content that can generate substantial advertising revenue. Using its AI and big data capa­bilities, the company has built new online literature and gaming platforms over the past two years.
  • In 2020, CooTek invested to expand its user base, and significantly increased both daily and monthly active members. We expect customer acquisition costs to moderate going forward, which should position CooTek to achieve profitability for the full-year in 2022.
  • As of December 31, 2020, CooTek’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $49.6 million, down from $60.0 million a year earlier. The company also has access to up to $20 million in capital through an institutional equity purchase agreement. As such, we believe that it has sufficient capital to execute its business plan.
  • CTK ADSs rose briefly above $7 in early 2021, but then fell back to their previous 52- week low amid weakness in small-cap technology stocks. CTK also remains well below its 2018 IPO price of $12. We attribute this weakness in part to a soft advertising market and slightly slower user growth in the second half of 2020.
  • We believe that CTK’s current market cap of approximately $125 million, or just 0.3-times 2020 revenue, does not adequately reflect the company’s success in building its content ecosystem, or its prospects for long-term revenue growth and near-term profitability. Based on our forward P/E analysis, we see a fair value estimate for CTK of $9 per ADS, well above current levels.

INVESTMENT THESIS excerpts (Click Here to view full Argus Equity Research Report):

  • CooTek is a fast-growing internet company that offers a portfolio of content-rich mobile applications supported by big data analytics. The company leverages the insights gained from its users to deliver targeted advertisements through these applications. Most of its advertising revenue comes from the Chinese market.
  • The company has gained user insights from its legacy TouchPal Smart Input mobile app, an adaptive, multilingual tool that helps users to communicate more efficiently by offering next-word prediction, mistyping correction, and auto spelling correction on mobile devices, among other features. The app uses big data analytics to improve its language model continually, and provides users with a customized experience over time. The app, which was launched initially in 2010, has more than 125 million daily and 163 million monthly active users in more than 200 countries.
  • In our view, CooTek is well positioned to maintain a strong market presence by developing its data-driven technology. More than half of the company’s employees are software engineers and product designers. The company also has an active IP strategy, with a growing number of patents, trademarks, copyrights and website domains, both in and outside China.

About Argus Research Corp. Headquartered in NYC, Argus Research (www.argusresearch.com) is a leading independent equity research firm (est. 1934)  ̶  providing fundamental and quantitative research coverage on more than 1,600 companies across all 11 sectors of the S&P 500, as well as macroeconomic and equity market forecasts, thematic research, model portfolios and pre-IPO research. In addition, Argus has recently committed to providing a sponsored research solution for small & mid-cap companies seeking coverage. Our Institutional Asset Management, Bank Trust, Sell-side Advisor and Self-Directed Investor clients value Argus’s proprietary equity research methodology, analysis and commentary.  Argus’s Equity Research/earnings estimates are available on major research / earnings estimate aggregator platforms, including Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, Factset and S&P Global.  

Argus Research Co. has received a flat fee from the company discussed in this report as part of a Sponsored Research agreement between Argus and the company. No part of Argus Research’s compensation is directly or indirectly related to the content of this assessment or to other opinions expressed in this report. Please refer to the full Argus report and the disclaimer for complete disclosures.

For more Information please contact: 
Darrell Stone
646-747-5438
[email protected]   

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SOURCE Argus Research

OTC Markets Group Welcomes Mirriad Advertising plc to OTCQX

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, April 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of financial markets for 11,000 U.S. and global securities, today announced Mirriad Advertising plc (LSE: MIRI; OTCQX: MMDDF), an in-content advertising company, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Mirriad Advertising plc upgraded to OTCQX from the OTCQB® Venture Market.

Mirriad Advertising plc begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “MMDDF.”  U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market from the OTCQB Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors.

“Congratulations to Mirriad Advertising on qualifying for the OTCQX Best Market,” said Jonathan Dickson, Vice President of Corporate Services at OTC Markets Group. “We are pleased to support entrepreneurial international companies seeking to strengthen transparency and trading for U.S. investors. Cross-trading on OTCQX in the U.S. will enable Mirriad Advertising, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM Market, to further expand its engagement with a wider base of global investors.”

“Mirriad Advertising aim to play an important role in the world’s growing $500 Billion advertising ecosystem. We’re at an historic moment in Media & Advertising, and with the end of cookie based targeting and the unstoppable rise of ad-free and ad-light streaming environments, the marketplace is in upheaval and in need of new solutions,” said Stephan Beringer, CEO of Mirriad Advertising plc. “With a $135 Billion total addressable market, upgrading to OTCQX marks a valuable step in Mirriad’s strategic plans in the US to provide more global investors access to join our journey, trading with every major US broker, in US hours, in US dollars.”

“With major global clients already signed, our AI-powered technology analyses content to identify the most relevant context for brands to connect with audiences when they’re most engaged using cinematic quality in-content campaigns. As independently proven by Kantar Media, this contextually based and interruption-free advertising approach has driven increased performance in the most valuable key metrics for companies, such as Brand awareness, purchase intent and actual brand consumption by an average of +30%. It’s a very exciting time,” said Beringer.

About Mirriad Advertising plc
Mirriad’s award-winning solution unleashes new revenue for content producers and distributors by creating new advertising inventory in content. Our patented, AI and computer vision technology dynamically inserts products and innovative signage formats after content is produced. Mirriad’s market-first solution seamlessly integrates with existing subscription and advertising models, and dramatically improves the viewer experience by limiting commercial interruptions.

Mirriad currently operates in the US, Europe and China.

About OTC Markets Group Inc.

OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates the OTCQX® Best Market, the OTCQB® Venture Market and the Pink® Open Market for 11,000 U.S. and global securities.  Through OTC Link® ATS and OTC Link ECN, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services.  We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors.

To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN are SEC regulated ATSs, operated by OTC Link LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

Media Contact:
OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, [email protected] 

 

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SOURCE OTC Markets Group Inc.

DeFi Technologies and HIVE Blockchain Technologies Complete Share Exchange

PR Newswire

TORONTO, April 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ – DeFi Technologies Inc. (the “Company” or “DeFi Technologies“) (NEO: DEFI) (GR: RMJR) (OTC: RDNAF) is pleased to announce that further to its press release dated March 25, 2021, it has completed the share exchange transaction (the “Transaction“) with HIVE Blockchain Technologies Ltd (“HIVE“) (TSXV: HIVE) (OTCQX: HVBTF) (FSE: HBF). Pursuant to the Transaction, DeFi Technologies issued ten (10) million common shares of DeFi Technologies to HIVE in exchange for four (4) million common shares of HIVE. No finder’s fees were paid in connection with the Transaction and all securities issued under the Transaction are subject to a four-month and one day statutory hold period.

In addition to the Transaction, HIVE and DeFi Technologies have created a partnership surrounding the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem with specific applications around Ethereum and Miner Extractable Value (MEV). The new partnership, which follows three months of discussions, will enable HIVE with a strategic stake in DeFi Technologies and a broader partnership surrounding the DeFi ecosystem with a specific focus on the Ethereum based MEV space and developments surrounding it.

MEV refers to the amount of profit miners can extract from reordering and censoring transactions on the blockchain. It has become an important issue over the past year as the DeFi space has grown from US$3B to US$71B in market capitalization. Of the $347.3M of Extracted MEV, 88% comes from DeFi activities (see graph below). As can be seen from data by Coin Metrics, over half of all ETH miner revenue currently comes from transaction fees. By partnering together to take on these activities, individuals get a more capital efficient market to play in, while distributing greater returns to miners for acting more altruistically.

Source: Flashbots.net

The DeFi sector has appreciated dramatically since 2020 and has reached a tipping point with institutional investors and large enterprises showing increased interest in the decentralised finance sector. In Q3 2020, the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) published guidance clarifying national banks can provide services to stablecoin issuers in the U.S. This and other interest from venture capital and financial institutions in the decentralized finance sector is a major step in widespread adoption of DeFi.

This new strategic partnership presents a significant opportunity to create more value per deployed mining infrastructure for HIVE by leveraging MEV applications. For DeFi Technologies, the partnership gives exposure to one of the largest miners of Ethereum, which is the backbone on which DeFi applications are built and thus serves as a critical component supporting the sector.

About DeFi Technologies:

DeFi Technologies Inc. is a Canadian company that carries on business with the objective of enhancing shareholder value through building and managing assets in the decentralized finance sector.

About HIVE Blockchain Technologies Ltd.

HIVE Blockchain Technologies Ltd. is a growth oriented, TSX.V-listed company building a bridge from the blockchain sector to traditional capital markets. HIVE owns state-of-the-art green energy-powered data centre facilities in Canada, Sweden, and Iceland which produce newly minted digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum continuously on the cloud. Our deployments provide shareholders with exposure to the operating margins of digital currency mining as well as a portfolio of crypto-coins.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information: 

This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Transaction, the strategic partnership with HIVE and the potential for synergies and growth as a result of the partnership; the pursuit by DeFi Technologies of business opportunities; and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, 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”. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

THE NEO STOCK EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

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SOURCE DeFi Technologies, Inc.