Market Newsdesk

NEW YORK, Jan. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RANE (Risk Assistance Network + Exchange) identifies the core trends and constraints that will shape global developments in the 2021 Annual Geopolitical Forecast, now available on Stratfor Worldview.

Fresh from the end-of-year vaccine rollouts, the first half of 2021 will still be defined by the coronavirus pandemic. But thanks to those vaccines, the global economy will begin to reawaken, with China leading the way. Recovery elsewhere is expected to be uneven, and much of the world will not reach pre-pandemic levels of GDP until 2022, including the United States and Europe.

A “two-speed” economic recovery will occur in Europe, opening the door for civil unrest and fractious relationships in the EU.

Steve Roycroft, CEO of RANE, says that, “In the upcoming year, RANE analysts will be focused on assessing the risk landscape in the wake of COVID-19, as well as arming clients with the geopolitical intelligence they need to address a range of significant, material risks as we enter 2021. Our Annual Forecast provides foundational insights into these risks and identifies opportunities for future action.”

Other primary drivers of global geopolitical risk in 2021 include great power competition among the US, China, and Russia. As recent nation-state hacks of SolarWinds and other businesses demonstrate, cybersecurity will continue to be a major geopolitical point of contention.

The Biden administration will maintain an aggressive stance on China, but it will attempt to build a more cohesive international alliance against it. A key focus of the Biden administration will be on China’s tech sector; however, it will be less focused on targeting specific companies, preferring instead to target broad sectors. In the South China Sea, both the Philippines and Vietnam will increasingly reach out to the United States for cooperation.

The US will reopen talks with Iran in early 2021. But Iran’s recent passage of a law is likely to force the incoming Biden administration’s hand on the nuclear issue.

And watch for a global push in 2021 to establish attainable medium-term emissions targets by both national governments and corporations.

RANE’s complete 2021 Annual Forecast is now available on Worldview.Stratfor.com.

About RANE


RANE (Risk Assistance Network + Exchange)

is a network-based risk intelligence company. We connect risk and security professionals to critical insights and expertise, enabling them to more efficiently address their most pressing challenges and drive better risk management outcomes. RANE members receive exclusive access to community-driven risk intelligence and a range of support services and risk management programs.
In
2020, RANE acquired Stratfor, the
world’s leading geopolitical intelligence platform, to enable organizations to more confidently navigate an increasingly complex international environment.

For more information, contact
:
Emily Donahue
[email protected]
512.744.4309

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and TAIPEI, Taiwan, Jan. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TLC (Nasdaq: TLC, TWO: 4152), a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company developing novel nanomedicines to target areas of unmet medical need, announced today that its subsidiary, InspirMed Inc., has completed a round of financing, raising US$15 million in cash from strategic investors in exchange for subsidiary equity.

InspirMed is a newly established subsidiary of TLC specializing in the development of inhalable liposome formulation programs, such as TLC19 for the treatment of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as well as other programs for severe acute and chronic pulmonary diseases. The strategic move to partition lung disease programs from TLC will allow TLC to maintain focus on its current pipeline of liposomal injectable formulation programs, such as TLC599 for osteoarthritis pain and TLC590 for postsurgical pain, while instilling to InspirMed funding designated for use in the development of inhalable drugs.

Long before the emergence of COVID-19, TLC had already begun plans to apply its unique and proprietary technology platforms to lung diseases. TLC’s inhalable liposome formulation first made its public debut at the 2019 International Society of Aerosols in Medicine (ISAM) conference, in an abstract titled “Inhalable Liposomal Nintedanib Formulation for Enhanced Treatment of Pulmonary Disease”, where a proprietary inhalable liposome formulation of nintedanib, a drug commonly used in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, was found to have sustained release capabilities after being delivered directly to the lungs, avoiding clinical gastrointestinal side effects and requiring less frequent dose administration. The inhalable liposome drug was also found to be less toxic than the free drug. However, as the TLC’s funds were intended for the development of its main pipeline of injectable formulations, with no additional funding available for new programs, the development of inhalable formulations was deferred.

With the COVID-19 pandemic this year redacting the world into a state of panic, TLC aspired to make a difference, and investigated the idea of encapsulating hydroxychloroquine, which has shown antiviral effects toward the SARS-CoV-2 virus, into TLC’s proprietary liposome formulation, using only ~1% of the oral dosage needed.  TLC19 Hydroxychloroquine Liposome Inhalation Suspension was thus incubated, with Phase I clinical trial currently taking place in Taiwan and Australia. With the demand for inhalable products heightening, TLC established a subsidiary, allocating its inhalation technical expertise for financing by strategic investors in order to raise funds needed for the expedited research and development of TLC19 and other inhalable programs.

“We are happy to have kicked off 2021 with the completion of financing for InspirMed,” said TLC President George Yeh. “This milestone marks a fresh start to a new year, a year in which we hope to see breakthrough development in both our injectable as well as inhalable formulation programs. By working together, we aspire to effectively control the pandemic so that people around the world can return to the comfort of a normal way of life, bringing greater good for all.”

About TLC

TLC (NASDAQ: TLC, TWO: 4152) is a clinical-stage, specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of novel nanomedicines that maximize the potential of its proprietary lipid-assembled drug delivery platform (LipAD™), including BioSeizer^® sustained release technology and NanoX™ active drug loading technology, which are versatile in the choice of active pharmaceutical ingredients and scalable in manufacturing. TLC has a diverse, wholly owned portfolio of therapeutics targeting areas of unmet medical need in pain management, ophthalmology, oncology, and infectious diseases. TLC is consistently ranked top 5% among all listed companies in Taiwan’s Corporate Governance Evaluations.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding TLC’s expectations regarding the clinical development of TLC’s product candidates, the clinical benefits of TLC’s product candidates, the timing, scope, progress and outcome of TLC’s clinical trials, how sufficient cash and equivalents will be to fund operations, the anticipated timelines for the release of clinical data and progress of TLC’s manufacturing capabilities.  Words such as “may,” “believe,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, assumptions, uncertainties and factors, including risks that the outcome of any clinical trial is inherently uncertain and product candidates may prove to be unsafe or ineffective, or may not achieve commercial approval, and delays or disruptions on our business or clinical trials due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other risks are described in the Risk Factors section of TLC’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as well as subsequent filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements are based on TLC’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, TLC expressly disclaims any responsibility to update any forward-looking statement contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

BEIJING, Jan. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 36Kr Holdings Inc. (“36Kr” or the “Company” or “We”) (NASDAQ: KRKR), a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China, today announced its participation in the following virtual investor conferences:

• Morgan Stanley China New Economy Summit, January 6-8, 2021
• Needham 23^rd Annual Growth Conference, January 11-15, 2021

Management will meet online with institutional investors throughout these events. For additional information, please contact your respective institutional sales representative at each sponsoring bank.

About 36Kr Holdings Inc.

36Kr Holdings Inc. is a prominent brand and a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants in China with the mission of empowering New Economy participants to achieve more. The Company started its business with high-quality New Economy-focused content offerings, covering a variety of industries in China’s New Economy with diverse distribution channels. Leveraging traffic brought by high-quality content, the Company has expanded its offerings to business services, including online advertising services, enterprise value-added services and subscription services to address the evolving needs of New Economy companies and upgrading needs of traditional companies. The Company is supported by comprehensive database and strong data analytics capabilities. Through diverse service offerings and the significant brand influence, the Company is well-positioned to continuously capture the high growth potentials of China’s New Economy.

For more information, please visit http://ir.36kr.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

36Kr Holdings Inc.
Investor Relations
Tel: +86 (10) 5825-4188
E-mail: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677
E-mail: [email protected]

In the United States:

The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: [email protected]

MONTREAL, Jan. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The new year marks the return of the Challenge with its positive and motivating formula to support Quebec smokers who want to quit. By signing up, participants commit to not smoking for 6 weeks, from February 8 to March 21, 2021, a realistic first goal that comes with many benefits. Registration is open at quitchallenge.ca.  

Quitting is winning!

In addition to the prevention of many health problems such as certain cancers and heart and lung diseases, quitting smoking is also associated with a host of other benefits. The new advertising concept uses humour to highlight some of the pros of butting out, such as no longer freezing outside, not seeing your money go up in smoke, and not running out of breath going up the stairs. Things ex- smokers won’t miss, no matter their age!

“In Quebec, smokers still make up 17% with this proportion reaching 21% among ages 18-34, so the fight against smoking remains without a doubt one of our priorities¹. Because of the high prevalence rates of smoking among young adults, this age group represents a priority target of the 2020-2025 Tobacco-Free Quebec Strategy. But the good news is that the Challenge relies on a proven approach to help Quebecers break free of this addiction that jeopardizes their health and well-being,” shares Mr. Christian Dubé, Minister of Health and Social Services.

Support for better chances of success

Quitting smoking is difficult and often takes several attempts. In 2020, 60% of participants surveyed reported that they had already tried quitting 3 times or more. “The idea is to keep trying and learn from past experiences. And to increase the chances of success, it’s important to not hesitate to ask for help, whether to prepare to quit or get support during the initiative. Developing a personalized game plan, consulting your doctor or pharmacist, and taking advantage of the support provided by the Quit to Win! Challenge are examples of winning strategies to succeed,” states Dr. Christiane Laberge, the campaign’s spokesperson.

By signing up, participants have access to free tools and resources before, during and after the Challenge, such as useful tips and a personal profile at quitchallenge.ca, an inspiring Facebook community, encouragement emails, and a link to the I QUIT NOW helpline at 1-866-527-7383 and other national services.

To get motivated, future ex-smokers can think not only of all the benefits that come with quitting but also of the chance to win one of the many prizes offered, including a luxury stay at Station touristique Duchesnay (a $1,500 value), a $250 gift card, courtesy of Jean Coutu, and $1,000 in cash (prize reserved for ages 18-24).

Register at quitchallenge.ca before February 8, 2021.

About the

Quit to Win! Challenge


The Quit to Win! Challenge is a province-wide campaign that provides free support to smokers who want to quit through a collective challenge. Created in 2000 by Capsana, the Challenge is carried out in partnership with several public and private organizations, including the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, Quebec’s Directions régionales de santé publique, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Jean Coutu Group. To find out more, visit quitchallenge.ca.

About Capsana

Capsana is a social enterprise owned by the ÉPIC Foundation, which is associated with the Montreal Heart Institute, and the Fondation PSI. Its mission is to help individuals take an active role in their health. To find out more, visit capsana.ca.

Source:

quitchallenge.ca | facebook.com/defitabac
capsana.ca | @equipeCapsana

Information and interview requests:

Fanny Laurin
Advisor
514-809-5103
[email protected]
www.citoyen.com

¹ Statistics Canada (2019). Table 13-10-0096-01. Health characteristics, annual estimates.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/302ad2d4-bbdf-4cdf-a00d-c4319b5ce6f5

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Juva Life Inc. (CSE: JUVA) (OTC: JUVAF) (FRANKFURT: 4VV) (“Juva Life,” “Juva” or the “Company”), a premier California based multi-faceted life sciences company focused on the commercialization of Cannabis products and advanced formulations is pleased to offer insights into activities and strategic actions for the coming year.

Company Founder and CEO, Doug Chloupek states, “As previously announced, our activities in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Central Valley are well underway with our delivery services generating growing revenues from our Redwood City and Stockton operations, and our plans are moving ahead with permitting, licensing and construction activities at our Hayward and Stockton facilities. We are just months away from increasing our revenue capability as our new facilities scale up and go online. Combined with the introduction of our advisory team in early December, we are now able to activate our proposed Life Sciences strategy for the new year.”

Juva is addressing the absence of reliable and reproducible evidence-based cannabis products that individuals can rely upon for their health needs. With the development of a proprietary technology platform to standardize and clinically validate cannabis-based products, Juva will address the need for safe evidence-based cannabis products aimed at targeting serious medical illness. In doing so, Juva will address the needs of patients/consumers, regulators, healthcare providers and commercial partners.

Juva Life’s strategy mirrors the best practices of the ethical pharmaceutical industry coupled with a modern learning strategy to develop evidence-based products faster and at a lower cost basis. This provides dual benefits to patients who desire new products to treat their needs as well as to investors who have the potential to see accelerated value creation. The cornerstone of our platform is the standardization and clinical validation of complex natural products such as cannabis.

Juva’s platform consists of the following core elements:

• IDENTIFICATION: Novel chemistry platform identifies combinations of bioactives that work together across multiple modes of action.
• VALIDATION: Evidence-based clinical development platform coupled to advanced data science tools.
• PRODUCTIZATION: Address unmet medical need spanning consumer and pharmaceutical categories.
• COMMERCIALIZATION: Vertically integrated to enable efficient unlocking of value.

“We envision a new type of cannabis company” said Chloupek. “By introducing expertise in the science of cannabis we reduce development and discovery risk, and by employing expertise in the business of cannabis we can reduce commercial risk. Through this framework we have a solid strategy to leverage our regional revenue generation through investment in peer evaluated, scientifically developed formulations that aim to offer value-multiplied licensing opportunities to a potentially global audience. If we can prove efficacy and safety with products that consumers desire, then there is a quantifiably great opportunity ahead. That’s how we aim to build a sustainable business model and grow shareholder value.”

For those new to the Juva story, please visit our website at www.juvalife.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

-Doug Chloupek-

Doug Chloupek, CEO & Founder
Juva Life Inc.
[email protected]

About Juva Life Inc. (CSE: JUVA) (OTC: JUVAF) (FRA: 4VV)
Juva Life is working to bring the cannabis market face to face with the sector’s next generation investment grade business model. From in-house research, cultivation, manufacturing, retail, and delivery services, Juva employs state of the art tools in discovery, development, and data science to identify new molecular profiles for major unmet medical needs. Our initial focus is on cannabis, where we are deploying our platform to target consumer and pharma applications. Find out more at: https://juvalife.com/. 

For further information, please contact:
Juva Life Investor Relations
Tel: +1 833-333-5882 (JUVA)
Email: [email protected]

Forward Looking Statement

This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding future plans, objectives, or economic performance, or the assumption underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “likely”, “except”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan”, “forecast”, “project”, “estimate”, “outlook”, or the negative thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the objectives and business plans of the Company; ability to realize benefits from its recent corporate appointments; ability to retain its key personnel; the intention to grow the Company’s business and operations; the competitive conditions of the industries in which the Company operates; and laws and any amendments thereto applicable to the Company.

Forward-looking information is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, key personnel and qualified employees continuing their involvement with the Company; and the Company’s ability to secure financing on reasonable terms.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks relating to the future business plans of the Company; risks that the Company will not be able to retain its key personnel; risks that the Company will not be able to secure financing on reasonable terms or at all, as well as all of the other risks as described in the Company’s management discussion and analysis for year ended December 31, 2019 under the heading “Risks and Uncertainties”. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. Further, any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company’s management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect information or events after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law, including securities laws.

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC – Designation of EU Home Member State for regulatory purposes

4 January 2021

Following the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the end of the transition period, Royal Dutch Shell plc (“Shell”) hereby announces that the EU Home Member State of Shell for the purposes of the EU Transparency Directive (Directive 2004/109/EC, as amended) will be the Netherlands.

As a consequence, going forward Shell will file certain regulatory information with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (Autoriteit Financiële Markten, or AFM) in accordance with applicable EU and Dutch law. Major shareholders will have to report substantial holdings in Shell to the AFM in accordance with applicable Dutch law, in addition to their ongoing disclosure obligations under the UK Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTR). Shell’s status as a UK PLC, headquartered in The Netherlands, remains the same.

Enquiries

Shell Media Relations

International: +44 20 7934 5550
Americas: +1 713 241 4544