Market Newsdesk

Expands Health and Wellness Product Portfolio, Distribution Partnerships and Sales Team

Box, Inc. Announces Proposed Private Offering of $300 Million of Convertible Senior Notes

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Box, Inc. (NYSE: BOX), a leader in cloud content management, today announced that it intends to offer, subject to market conditions and other factors, $300 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2026 (the “notes”) in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Box also intends to grant the initial purchasers of the notes an option to purchase up to an additional $45 million aggregate principal amount of the notes.

The notes will be general senior, unsecured obligations of Box and will accrue interest payable semiannually in arrears. The notes will be convertible into cash, shares of Box’s Class A common stock (“common stock”) or a combination of cash and shares of Box’s common stock, at Box’s election. The interest rate, initial conversion rate and other terms of the notes will be determined at the time of pricing of the offering.

Box intends to use a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to pay the cost of the capped call transactions described below. Box intends to use the remainder of the proceeds from this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes, such as repayment of debt and potential acquisitions. While Box has not designated any specific uses and has no current agreements with respect to any material acquisition, Box is examining potential acquisitions. It is possible that Box may not be able to complete such acquisitions on favorable terms or complete them at all. Box does not anticipate that any of these potential acquisitions would be “significant” for purposes of Rule 3-05 of Article II of Regulation S-X.

In connection with the pricing of the notes, Box expects to enter into capped call transactions with one or more of the initial purchasers and/or their respective affiliates and/or other financial institutions (the “option counterparties”). The capped call transactions are expected generally to reduce potential dilution to Box’s common stock upon any conversion of notes, with such reduction subject to a cap. If the initial purchasers exercise their option to purchase additional notes, Box expects to enter into additional capped call transactions with the option counterparties.

Box expects that, in connection with establishing their initial hedges of the capped call transactions, the option counterparties or their respective affiliates may enter into various derivative transactions with respect to Box’s common stock and/or purchase shares of Box’s common stock concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the notes. This activity could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of Box’s common stock or the notes at that time.

In addition, Box expects that the option counterparties or their respective affiliates may modify their hedge positions by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to Box’s common stock and/or purchasing or selling Box’s common stock or other securities of Box in secondary market transactions following the pricing of the notes and prior to the maturity of the notes (and are likely to do so on each exercise date for the capped call transactions). This activity could also cause or prevent an increase or a decrease in the market price of Box’s common stock or the notes, and to the extent the activity occurs during any observation period related to a conversion of notes, this could affect the value of the consideration that a noteholder will receive upon conversion of its notes.

Neither the notes, nor any shares of Box’s common stock potentially issuable upon conversion of the notes, have been, nor will be, registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws.

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005555/en/

Investors:

Alice Kousoum Lopatto and Elaine Gaudioso

+1 650-209-3467

[email protected]

Media:

Denis Roy and Rachel Levine

+1 650-543-6926

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: California United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Internet Security Data Management Technology Software

MEDIA:

Logo

Nomad Foods Enters into Exclusive Negotiations to Acquire Fortenova Group’s Frozen Food Portfolio

FELTHAM, England–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Nomad Foods Limited (NYSE: NOMD) announced today that it has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Fortenova Group’s Frozen Food Business Group (FFBG), which includes Ledo, Frikom and other leading frozen brands.

This prospective transaction is aligned with management’s strategy of complementing strong organic growth in the base business with the acquisition of market leading frozen food brands across Europe.

FFBG has a leading European frozen food portfolio of iconic local brands with strong consumer awareness in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and several other countries in Southeastern Europe. It is the market leader in these regions where it operates across numerous categories including fish, fruits, vegetables, ready meal, pastry and ice cream.

The acquisition of FFBG would extend Nomad’s portfolio into new and developing European markets while also creating a beachhead for potential future consolidation within Central and Eastern Europe.

These discussions are preliminary and there can be no assurance that a transaction will be completed. The company does not intend to provide further updates unless there is a definitive outcome to the discussions.

About Nomad Foods Limited

Nomad Foods (NYSE: NOMD) is Europe’s leading frozen foods company. The company’s portfolio of iconic brands, which includes Birds Eye, Findus, iglo, Aunt Bessie’s and Goodfella’s, have been a part of consumers’ meals for generations, standing for great tasting food that is convenient, high quality and nutritious. Nomad Foods is headquartered in the United Kingdom. Additional information may be found at www.nomadfoods.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements which are based on the Company’s expectations, intentions and projections regarding its future performance, anticipated events or trends and other matters that are not historical facts, including expectations regarding the impact of the FFBG acquisition including the Company’s ability to expand its geographic reach and extend its product offering and brand family while also creating a beachhead for potential future consolidation within Central and Eastern Europe. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of such statements and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005521/en/

Investor Relations Contacts

Taposh Bari, CFA

Nomad Foods Limited

+1-718-290-7950

John Mills

ICR, Partner

+1-646-277-1254

Media Contact

Felipe Ucros

Gladstone Place Partners

+1-212-230-5930

KEYWORDS: United Kingdom Europe Croatia Serbia Bosnia and Herzegovina

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Food/Beverage Other Retail Retail Supermarket Specialty

MEDIA:

Posted on January 11, 2021 7:03 am

Antibe Therapeutics Provides 2021 Corporate Update

Antibe Therapeutics Provides 2021 Corporate Update

– Large market partnering program now underway –

– Limited COVID-19 impact: Phase III program slated to start in second half of 2021 –

– U.S. institutional outreach expanding –

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Antibe Therapeutics Inc.:

To our shareholders,

As we build on last year’s significant clinical and capital markets achievements and enter the homestretch in the strategic monetization of otenaproxesul, we want to update you on our progress and plans. We are particularly gratified by the recent uptick in interest by both global and regional potential partners, supporting otenaproxesul’s compelling value proposition and revenue opportunity. We are also encouraged by the response to our U.S. institutional outreach, further validating our strategy for unlocking the value of our assets as we move toward a potential listing on a senior U.S. exchange.

Clinical and Scientific Programs Advance

Otenaproxesul’s Phase III preparations remain on schedule. With eight Phase III-enabling animal studies finished and a further two to complete, we have already discharged the bulk of registration trial preparations begun last summer. We also remain on track with CMC (chemistry, manufacturing and controls), an extensive set of activities crucial to late-stage clinical development and commercialization. Our manufacturing partner is in the final stages of tablet production.

As planned, we will be submitting otenaproxesul’s IND (“Investigational New Drug”) application to the U.S. FDA within weeks. In ordinary circumstances, we would then expect to proceed with the adaptive Phase III trial in the upcoming quarter. However, the ongoing rise in COVID-19 infections is increasingly compromising the ability of clinics and hospitals to accommodate large clinical trials, particularly in the U.S. where this trial must take place. With this situation expected to ease later in the year as vaccines take hold, guidance for trial initiation is being adjusted to the second half of 2021. In the interim, and supported by our strong balance sheet, we are taking the opportunity to perform an enhanced version of the previously planned absorption, metabolism and excretion (“AME”) study which is set to begin in Canada this quarter. In addition to providing valuable information for potential partners, this 6-week study (which includes 2 weeks of follow-up monitoring) will further de-risk dose selection for our Phase III program, while also supplying pharmacokinetic data required for drug marketing approval.

Our pipeline’s value and depth continue to grow. Last quarter, we commissioned a market opportunity assessment to guide the detailed development of our second drug, ATB-352, an opioid replacement aimed at the post-operative pain market. The study provided important input for trial design and confirmed the large unmet medical need for a gastrointestinal-safe NSAID for acute pain, projecting peak year sales exceeding US$800 million in the U.S. alone. While stronger nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (“NSAIDs”) have demonstrated analgesic efficacy comparable to opioids in many settings, they are correspondingly more damaging to the gastrointestinal tract, limiting their use and leaving physicians, payors and policymakers with few options as they address a resurgent opioid crisis.

Leveraging our hydrogen sulfide platform beyond its current focus on NSAIDs, our pipeline expansion initiatives are now generating promising new molecules and fresh intellectual property. Our first candidate for in vivo testing targets inflammatory bowel disease (“IBD”). More than three million U.S. adults suffer from this condition, long in need of safe and more effective first-line treatments. Previous work with hydrogen sulfide-releasing substances has shown encouraging results in animal models of IBD. The development of new molecules is an ongoing process and we hope to announce further progress in the coming months.

Corporate Developments to Drive Value for Partnering and Capital Markets

As anticipated, the attainment of human proof-of-concept for otenaproxesul and promising third party commercial projections are driving new interest by potential partners. Correspondingly, we are intensifying our focus on increasing the value of our assets and improving negotiating leverage. Our efforts include this month’s launch of our large market partnering program, spearheaded by Dr. Rami Batal, our Chief Commercial Officer, and Ella Korets-Smith, our Head of Regional Business Development. As recently announced, we also strengthened our capabilities with the addition of Dr. Don Haut to our Partnering Advisory Team. His 20-year record of healthcare-related business development, including a leading role in AskBio’s recent $4 billion acquisition by Bayer AG offers us rich insight into the dynamics and key players in today’s pharma partnering landscape.

To support our accelerating business development efforts, we have also retained a premier global life science transaction firm. Their first task was an in-depth partner targeting study, identifying and characterizing the most promising 70 global and regional pharma firms with an interest in pain and inflammation. The formal outreach process has commenced and we will report material developments as they occur.

Further supporting our partnering activities and in preparation for a potential listing on a senior U.S. exchange, Antibe recently initiated efforts to unify the intellectual property (“IP”) ownership of our drugs and platform. We believe that full control of the underlying IP would unlock value for potential partners and investors while simplifying IP protection for our pipeline expansion efforts. In addition, we will soon upgrade our current U.S. OTC listing to the “QX” level from its current “QB” designation. These initiatives complement our recent graduation to the TSX, share consolidation and the appointment of U.S.-based directors.

Board of Directors Recognizes Significant Progress with RSU Grants

In view of the achievement of human proof-of-concept for otenaproxesul and commercial validation, the Board of Directors is awarding 2,092,000 restricted share units (“RSUs”) to directors, officers, employees and consultants pursuant to Antibe’s RSU plan. The vesting of 50% of the RSUs granted to key executives will be subject to specific performance goals that reflect the successful execution of Antibe’s business plan, including our monetization strategy. All RSUs are subject to time-based vesting; one third (1/3) of the RSUs granted will vest on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of today’s date. In addition, we have granted BND Projects Inc. 66,000 options for investor relations services. Each option has an exercise price of $4.00, vests quarterly starting on the date of the grant, and will expire January 11, 2024.

We are excited to hit the ground running in 2021, as we embark on the next steps in developing and commercializing a new generation of anti-inflammatory drugs to meet the pressing needs of doctors and patients around the world.

Sincerely,

Dan Legault

Chief Executive Officer

About Antibe Therapeutics Inc.

Antibe is leveraging its proprietary hydrogen sulfide platform to develop next-generation, safer nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (“NSAIDs”) for pain and inflammation arising from a wide range of medical conditions. Antibe is developing three assets that seek to overcome the gastrointestinal (“GI”) ulcers and bleeding associated with NSAIDs. Antibe’s lead drug, otenaproxesul (ATB-346), is entering Phase III for osteoarthritis pain. Additional assets under development include a safer alternative to opioids for peri-operative pain, and a GI-safe alternative to low-dose aspirin. Learn more at antibethera.com.

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws, which include, but are not limited to, statements about listing on a senior U.S. exchange, large market partnering and the expansion of strategic opportunities. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions “will”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “propose”, “promises”, “move toward”, “look forward” and similar wording. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this news release. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to meet all of the quantitative and qualitative listing criteria to list on a US securities exchange; the Company’s ability to successfully arrange large market partnerships; the Company’s ability to capitalize on strategic opportunities; the Company’s ability to capture the full potential of its drug pipeline and platform, and the other risks identified in the Company’s public filings made in Canada. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005389/en/

Antibe Therapeutics Inc.

Christina Cameron

VP Investor Relations

+1 416-922-3460

[email protected]

Stern Investor Relations

Courtney Turiano

+1 212-362-1200

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: North America Canada

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Pharmaceutical

MEDIA:

Logo

KKR Invests in Music Catalog of Ryan Tedder and OneRepublic

Global Investment Firm to Partner with Tedder on Music

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Leading global investment firm KKR, together with Ryan Tedder, songwriter, musician, producer and lead vocalist of OneRepublic, today announced that KKR has agreed to acquire a majority stake of the music catalog of Tedder and OneRepublic, including music publishing and recorded music rights. Following the acquisition, Tedder will retain an interest in his music alongside KKR. Tedder’s management, Patriot Management, and artist development company mtheory, through its MTC Music Royalties fund, will also participate in the equity transaction. Interscope Records will continue to own the master recordings of OneRepublic.

The catalog includes nearly 500 songs written, recorded or produced by three-time Grammy winner Tedder for OneRepublic and other artists, including songs Tedder has written with Beyonce, U2, Paul McCartney, Adele, Stevie Wonder, Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Jonas Brothers, Thomas Rhett and all OneRepublic songs including their massive hits “Apologize,” “Secrets” and “Counting Stars,” which just passed 40 million in sales and is one of the highest selling singles in Interscope Records’ history. Songs written by Tedder have sold over 420 million copies, or the equivalent of 63 billion streams.

Centered around an “artist-first” approach and in collaboration with Tedder, KKR plans to leverage the firm’s vast network, resources and global scale as well as its deep experience successfully investing in market-leading music, digital, media and content businesses to expand upon the success and reach of Tedder and OneRepublic’s music.

“The music industry is undergoing an incredible period of transformation,” shared Tedder. “Streaming and all forms of digital content are not only providing new avenues for how we consume music, but also for how artists can reach new audiences in a much more immersive way. KKR really stood out to us from every metric that mattered and it truly impressed upon me and my team their commitment to music as a true focus and passion moving forward.”

“We are excited to partner with Ryan on both his extraordinary body of creative work and on pursuing future opportunities together. At KKR, we are focused on a number of investment initiatives across the music and entertainment industries and we believe Ryan’s unique combination of artistic brilliance and business acumen will help us amplify these efforts,” said Nat Zilkha, Partner at KKR and Chairman of Gibson Brands, a portfolio company of KKR.

“KKR’s collaborative approach across investment strategies allows us to provide highly flexible and creative capital solutions to artists and companies across the music and entertainment industry. We are looking forward to partnering with Ryan and other leading artists to support their art and innovation,” added Jenny Box, Partner at KKR.

“Ryan is one of the most creative artists of our time,” said Ron Laffitte, President of Patriot Management. “We were looking for a strategic partner to help us build on Ryan’s incredible success and find new ways to empower his artistic genius. KKR stood out immediately because they understand that the artist should be at the center of everything that involves the creator’s creation.”

KKR has experience investing in artist-centric businesses, including household names in the music industry such as Gibson Brands, Alpha Theta (f.k.a. Pioneer DJ) and BMG. KKR also has broad experience investing in the digital media and content sectors, including investments in ByteDance (TikTok), Jio Platforms, Epic Games, AppLovin, OverDrive, RBmedia, WebMD, UFC, Leonine, Next Issue Media and Nielsen.

“We believe that KKR, with its ability to leverage its vast investment platform to bring innovation to our industry, will be the ideal partner to support Ryan in his future endeavors,” said Nick Geller, COO of Patriot Management. “We are excited to work with Nat, Jenny and the rest of the KKR team on this opportunity, and to be a part of their various initiatives in the music industry going forward.”

KKR is investing in the catalog through its Dislocation Opportunities Fund and private credit vehicles. Jordan Keller and Sarah Smith of Keller, Turner, Andrews & Ghanem represented the Sellers, and Latham & Watkins and FTI Consulting served as advisors to KKR on the transaction. Further terms were not disclosed.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, credit and real assets, with strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns for its fund investors by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside the capital it manages for fund investors and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE:KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

About Ryan Tedder

3x Grammy award winning songwriter and producer, Ryan Tedder, has worked with everyone from Adele to Paul McCartney, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, John Legend and Anitta in addition to being the lead singer, writer and producer of the multi-platinum selling band OneRepublic. Most recently, Tedder has co-written two #1 country singles including the current country #1 “Champagne Nights” by Lady A, the #1 global airplay hit of 2019 (“Sucker” by Jonas Brothers), Lady Gaga and Elton John’s “Sine From Above”, Alicia Key’s “Love Looks Better”, Blackpink & Cardi B’s “Bet You Wanna, four songs on Miley Cyrus’s album PLASTIC HEARTS, and Anitta’s “Me Gusta Feat. Cardi B and Myke Towers”, as well as serving as an executive producer on upcoming albums by Jessie J, Bastille, Anitta, DNCE, Jonas Brothers & OneRepublic. Last summer, Tedder, along with OneRepublic and Kygo, released “Lose Somebody”. As a producer, he received the Grammy award for “Album of the Year” for the Albums 21, 1989, and 25. As a songwriter, Tedder has received the National Music Publishers’ Association’s Songwriter Icon Award at the NMPA annual meeting, as well as the Diamond Award certified by the RIAA. He is also a producer and mentor on the hit primetime show, Songland.

About OneRepublic

OneRepublic is comprised of Ryan Tedder, Brent Kutzle, Zach Filkins, Drew Brown, Eddie Fisher and Brian Willett. They released their debut album DREAMING OUT LOUD in 2007 and The release included the multi-platinum-selling smash single “Apologize,” which shattered digital sales and airplay records worldwide and received a Grammy Award nomination. The band’s sophomore album, 2009’s WAKING UP, produced the hit singles “All the Right Moves,” “Secrets” and “Good Life.” The certified-platinum album NATIVE followed in 2013, featuring the No.1 hit and 40 million plus-selling single “Counting Stars,” along with a worldwide tour. OneRepublic released OH MY MY, their fourth full-length album in 2016. During the spring of 2019, the band released “Start Again ft. Logic,” a song featured on the soundtrack for the Netflix drama 13 Reasons and “Connection” which was part of FCA’s Summer of Jeep campaign. OneRepublic has amassed 5B streams on Spotify to date. OneRepublic’s tracks, “Rescue Me,” “Somebody To Love”, “Wanted”, “Didn’t I”, and “Better Days” from their upcoming album, HUMAN, are out now. OneRepublic most recently released “Wild Life”, which appeared in Disney+’s original movie, Clouds.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005387/en/

Media:

For KKR:

Cara Major or Miles Radcliffe-Trenner

[email protected]

For Ryan Tedder:

Dvora Englefield @ The Lede Company

[email protected]

For Patriot Management:

Amanda Silverman @ The Lede Company

[email protected]

For mtheory:

Joy Larocca

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: New York United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Entertainment General Entertainment Celebrity Music Finance Banking

MEDIA:

Posted on January 11, 2021 7:03 am

Applied DNA Announces Pricing of $15 Million Registered Direct Offering Priced At-the-Market Under Nasdaq Rules

Applied DNA Announces Pricing of $15 Million Registered Direct Offering Priced At-the-Market Under Nasdaq Rules

STONY BROOK, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN) (the “Company”), a leader in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based DNA manufacturing, announced today that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors, providing for the purchase and sale of 1,810,000 shares of common stock at a price of $8.30 per share, priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules, in a registered direct offering, resulting in total gross proceeds of approximately $15 million, before deducting the placement agent’s fees and other estimated offering expenses.

The offering is expected to close on or about January 13, 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The Company currently intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital, for research and development, and to advance the adoption of its LinearDNA™ manufacturing platform.

Roth Capital Partners served as sole placement agent for the transaction.

The offering is being made pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-238557) (including a prospectus) previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 21, 2020, and declared effective by the SEC on June 1, 2020. A prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to and describing the terms of the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may also be obtained by contacting Roth Capital Partners, LLC, 888 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660, by calling (800) 678-9147 or by e-mail at [email protected].

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Applied DNA Sciences

Applied DNA is a provider of molecular technologies that enable supply chain security, anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft technology, product genotyping, and pre-clinical nucleic acid-based therapeutic drug candidates.

Visit adnas.com for more information. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Join our mailing list.

The Company’s common stock is listed on NASDAQ under ticker symbol ‘APDN’, and its publicly traded warrants are listed on OTC under ticker symbol ‘APPDW’.

Applied DNA is a member of the Russell Microcap® Index.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements made by Applied DNA in this press release may be “forward-looking” in nature within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to market and other conditions, the completion of the offering, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the offering and the intended use of net proceeds from the offering. Forward-looking statements describe Applied DNA’s future plans, projections, strategies, and expectations, and are based on assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Applied DNA. Actual results could differ materially from those projected due to its history of net losses, limited financial resources, limited market acceptance, the possibility that its assay kit could become obsolete or have its utility diminished, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including whether any of Applied DNA’s or its partner’s diagnostic or therapeutic candidates will advance further in the preclinical research or clinical trial process, including receiving clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies to conduct clinical trials and whether and when, if at all, they will receive final approval from the U.S. FDA or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies, the unknown outcome of any applications or requests to U.S. FDA, equivalent foreign regulatory agencies and/or the New York State Department of Health, the unknown limited duration of any Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approval from U.S. FDA, changes in guidances promulgated by the CDC, U.S. FDA and/or CMS relating to COVID-19 surveillance and diagnostic testing, disruptions in the supply of raw materials and supplies, and various other factors detailed from time to time in Applied DNA’s SEC reports and filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 17, 2020, and other reports we file with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov. Applied DNA undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, unless otherwise required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005386/en/

Investor contact: Sanjay M. Hurry, Applied DNA Sciences, 917-733-5573, [email protected]

Web:www.adnas.com

Twitter: @APDN

KEYWORDS: New York United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Data Management Health Security Technology Stem Cells Genetics Biotechnology

MEDIA:

Logo

Heritage Cannabis Announces the Launch of Premium 5’s New Affordable Cannabis Brand RAD

• Premium 5 Ltd. launches value brand, RAD, in response to consumer demand for more affordable cannabis concentrate offerings

• RAD is set to introduce 21 SKU listings across Canada

• RAD products have now been ordered in both Alberta and British Columbia with additional listings underway in all remaining provinces and territories

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp. (CSE: CANN) (OTCQX: HERTF) (“Heritage” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce the launch of Premium 5 Ltd. (“Premium 5”) brand RAD, a new value brand dedicated to providing cannabis concentrate/extract consumers with affordable products while still maintaining the highest quality standard possible. The variety of different product formats seek to appeal to the unique needs and preferences of all types of cannabis consumers.

On December 23, 2020, Heritage announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of Premium 5, a Canada-based recreational and medical cannabis company that creates high-quality full spectrum concentrates under the brand Premium 5, and the newly launched RAD brand.

“There is a strong market for our product offerings through Premium 5, but we acknowledge the growing consumer demand for more affordable concentrate offerings,” said David Schwede, CEO, Premium 5. “With RAD, we aim to leverage our strong reputation to delight our consumers with quality products at a value price point.”

High prices have been a regular consumer complaint after Canada legalized recreational cannabis in 2018. Although the legal market has continued to grow, the legacy market still owns a significant percentage of cannabis sales in the country. For consumers, there’s an uncertainty surrounding the ingredients and additives in products that are purchased from the legacy market that could potentially be harmful. RAD is committed to attracting consumers to the benefits of regulated and tested products through legacy-competitive pricing and in the interest of public health and safety.

RAD is entering the Canadian cannabis market with 21 SKUs with plans to launch a number of new SKU’s in the coming months. Products have now been ordered and shipped into Alberta and British Columbia and are soon expected to be going into the remaining provinces and territories.

Additionally, Heritage announces that it has terminated its previously announced term sheet with Cannahive Inc. (“Cannahive”) dated August 18, 2020. Heritage and Cannahive were unable to settle the terms of the definitive joint venture agreement. Heritage is now pursuing various alternative options for edibles.

About Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp.

Heritage is a vertically integrated cannabis provider that currently has two Health Canada approved licensed producers, through its subsidiaries Voyage Cannabis Corp. and CannaCure Corp. both regulated under the Cannabis Act Regulations. Working under these two licenses and the Purefarma, Pura Vida and Premium 5 brands, Heritage focuses on extraction and the creation of derivative products for recreational consumers, as well as the formulation of cannabis based medical solutions. In the U.S., Heritage operates under Opticann Inc., a Colorado based oral and topical cannabinoid company with the rights to exclusively sell CBD and CBG products made with the patented VESIsorb® drug delivery system for optimized absorption and stability. As the parent company, Heritage is focused on providing the resources for its subsidiaries to advance their products or services to compete both domestically and internationally.

About Premium 5 Ltd.

Premium 5 products offer a feeling and a flavor that only the terpenes from a High Terpene Full Spectrum concentrate can give and encourages consumers to find their feeling. The Company is dedicated to creating high-quality full spectrum concentrates, selling a premium high THC experience, and providing a healthier, more discrete way to medicate/consume.

Products being offered under the Premium 5 brand are crafted from indoor grown, fresh-frozen, whole bud that has been carefully selected for optimal cannabinoid and terpene profiles to offer customers only the most exceptional quality.

Premium 5 prides themselves in being consumer-driven to delight their partners, their consumers, and their communities. For more information visit https://premiumfive.ca/.

About RAD

RAD is committed to Pricing Weed Like It’s The 80’s — delivering quality concentrates and competitive price points to meet the needs and preferences of all types of cannabis consumers, while effectively harnessing the captivating power of nostalgia in our brand messaging.

Products being offered under RAD are made from high quality flower inputs selected specifically for their Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid profiles, and excellent terpene profiles, offering consumers a high-quality choice while delivering on an affordable price point.

For more information, please visit www.reallyawesomedope.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF HERITAGE CANNABIS HOLDINGS CORP.

“Clint Sharples”

Clint Sharples

CEO

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005379/en/

Media:

Corey Herscu for Heritage Cannabis

[email protected]

Tel: 416-300-3030

or

Investors:

Kelly Castledine

Tel: 647-660-2560

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: North America Canada

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Agriculture Alternative Medicine Natural Resources Health Other Natural Resources

MEDIA:

Logo

Exicure Granted Two Fast Track Designations for Cavrotolimod (AST-008) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

CHICAGO & CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Exicure, Inc. (NASDAQ: XCUR), a pioneer in gene regulatory and immunotherapeutic drugs utilizing spherical nucleic acid (SNA™) technology, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designations for its clinical product candidate, cavrotolimod (AST-008), for two development programs:

• cavrotolimod in combination with anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) therapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) refractory to prior anti-PD-1 blockade; and
• cavrotolimod in combination with anti-PD-1/anti-PD-ligand 1 (anti-PD-(L)1) therapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) refractory to prior anti-PD-(L)1 blockade

Fast Track is a designation granted by the FDA that is intended to facilitate development and expedite review of drugs to address an unmet medical need in the treatment of a serious life-threatening condition, and for which nonclinical or clinical data has demonstrated the potential of the drug candidate to address this medical need.

“There is an urgent need to investigate novel immunotherapeutic agents such as cavrotolimod that can be given to enhance the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy, particularly in patients with refractory solid tumors,” said Dr. Adil Daud, M.D., Clinical Professor at UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and principal investigator in the Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of cavrotolimod.

Cavrotolimod is a spherical nucleic acid toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist designed to robustly activate the patient’s innate and adaptive immune systems in order to potentially induce potent anti-cancer immune responses. The Phase 1b dose-escalation stage of the open-label, multi-center trial was designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and preliminary efficacy of intratumoral cavrotolimod injections alone and in combination with intravenous pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. The patients from the Phase 1b stage included those with advanced or metastatic MCC, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, CSCC, melanoma and leiomyosarcoma. A summary of the key highlights from the Phase 1b stage of the trial include:

– No observed treatment-related serious adverse events (“SAEs”) or dose limiting toxicity (DLT);

– Confirmed overall response rate (ORR) in 21% of evaluable patients (4/19 patients) in the Phase 1b dose escalation stage across all doses, reflecting 1 complete response and 3 partial responses;

– Confirmed ORR in 33% of evaluate patients (2/6 patients) in the highest dose cohort (32 mg), which was selected as the Phase 2 recommended dose;

– Overall responses occurred in two patients with advanced MCC and two patients with melanoma;

– Three of four responders were progressing on anti-PD-1 therapy at the time of enrollment in the trial;

– Durable and ongoing responses, with progression-free survival exceeding six months in all four responders and 16 months in two responders;

– In addition to the four overall responses, target tumor shrinkage occurred in one CSCC patient and two melanoma patients;

– Increases in leukocytes in injected tumors after cavrotolimod (AST-008) alone and in combination with pembrolizumab versus baseline. Uninjected tumors also showed increased immune cell levels after patients received cavrotolimod (AST-008) plus pembrolizumab;

– Dose-dependent activation of key immune cells, including cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells, as well as increases in cytokine/chemokine levels in patient blood after cavrotolimod (AST-008) treatment alone, and cavrotolimod (AST-008) plus pembrolizumab treatment;

– Systemic (abscopal) effects were observed, with regression in noninjected tumors distant from injected lesions; and

– The cavrotolimod pharmacodynamic profile corroborated the efficacy data, as increased serum cytokines/chemokines, activated immune cells, and tumor infiltration by immune cells were observed.

“I am encouraged by the Phase 1b dose-escalation results and excited about the potential of cavrotolimod to address the significant unmet need facing these patients,” said Dr. Michael Wong, M.D., Ph.D., Professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center and principal investigator in the Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of cavrotolimod.

“These Fast Track designations underscore the pressing need to develop new therapies to treat refractory non-melanoma skin cancers as well as the promising preclinical and initial clinical results of cavrotolimod in patients with locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma,” said Dr. Shailender Bhatia, M.D., Associate Professor at University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and principal investigator in the Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of cavrotolimod.

About Exicure, Inc.

Exicure, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics for neurology, immuno-oncology, inflammatory diseases and other genetic disorders based on our proprietary Spherical Nucleic Acid, or SNA technology. Exicure believes that its proprietary SNA architecture has distinct chemical and biological properties that may provide advantages over other nucleic acid therapeutics and may have therapeutic potential to target diseases not typically addressed with other nucleic acid therapeutics. Exicure is in preclinical development of XCUR-FXN an SNA–based therapeutic candidate, for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). Exicure’s therapeutic candidate cavrotolimod is in a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors. Exicure is based in Chicago, IL and in Cambridge, MA.

For more information, visit Exicure’s website at www.exicuretx.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact could be deemed forward looking including, but not limited to, statements regarding the company’s ability to advance cavrotolimod (AST-008) in a Phase 2 clinical trial and its potential benefit as a treatment for of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: the risks that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may disrupt the company’s business and/or the global healthcare system more severely than it has to date or more severely than anticipated, which may have the effect of impacting or delaying the company’s ongoing Phase 1b/2 clinical trial; unexpected costs, charges or expenses that reduce the company’s capital resources; the company’s preclinical or clinical programs do not advance or result in approved products on a timely or cost effective basis or at all; the results of early clinical trials are not always being predictive of future results; the cost, timing and results of clinical trials; that many drug candidates do not become approved drugs on a timely or cost effective basis or at all; the ability to enroll patients in clinical trials; possible safety and efficacy concerns; regulatory developments; and the ability of the company to protect its intellectual property rights. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause the company’s actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the section titled “Risk Factors” in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, as updated by the company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and the company undertakes no duty to update this information, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005348/en/

MacDougall

Karen Sharma

781-235-3060

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Illinois Massachusetts

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Oncology FDA Health Clinical Trials Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

MEDIA:

Logo

Rocket Pharmaceuticals Announces Buildout of R&D and Manufacturing Facility to Support Development of Innovative Gene Therapy Pipeline

—New 103,720 ft² Facility to Serve as Headquarters and House 150 Employees in Cranbury, NJ—

—State of the Art R&D Facility to Support Manufacturing Including AAV Drug Product—

—cGMP Production to be Initiated in 2021for Planned Phase 2 Study of First AAV-based Gene Therapy, RP-A501 for the Treatment of Danon Disease—

CRANBURY, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCKT), a clinical-stage company advancing an integrated and sustainable pipeline of genetic therapies for rare childhood disorders, today announces the Company’s plans for the buildout of its new Research and Development (R&D) and Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) operation which will also serve as the Company’s new headquarters in Cranbury, New Jersey. This new 103,720 ft² facility will support clinical development of Rocket’s growing pipeline of lentivirus (LV) and adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies from discovery through pivotal trials, with space for potential future expansion and commercialization. This buildout comes on the heels of the Company’s recent successful capital raise of approximately $300 million that provides a cash runway into the second half of 2023.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005331/en/

“Investing in R&D and manufacturing innovation, talent, and capacity through this new world-class facility will allow us to deliver on our mission of bringing five curative gene therapies to rare disease patients by 2025,” said Gaurav Shah, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Rocket. “With data on five clinical programs expected this year, including two that are in registration-enabling trials, these new capabilities will enable us to work with continued urgency and purpose towards bringing transformational therapies to patients.”

“We are collaborating with some of the best scientists and innovators worldwide. This new facility is instrumental in bolstering Rocket’s gene therapy capabilities to rapidly advance multiple platforms and programs efficiently and effectively. Producing clinical drug product will enable greater control of supply, cost, quality, and timing to pave a smoother path toward commercialization,” added Kinnari Patel, Pharm.D., MBA, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Development.

Approximately one-half of the facility is being scaled for AAV Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) production. The other half features state-of-the-art R&D labs to support the expanding pipeline and Quality Control (QC) laboratories to support CMC development for process and analytics.

Rocket recently reported positive interim Phase 1 results for its first AAV-based gene therapy, RP-A501 for the treatment of Danon Disease. The first cGMP production at this facility will be initiated in 2021 and will be used in a planned Phase 2 registrational study evaluating RP-A501, following the completion of the current Phase 1 trial.

Approximately $300 million secured in public equity offering

On December 14, 2020, Rocket closed an upsized underwritten public offering of 6,035,714 shares of its common stock, inclusive of greenshoe, at the public offering price of $56.00 per share. The offering was ~7.3x oversubscribed based on the initial deal size of $175 million. Rocket intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to further fund the development of its pipeline of gene therapies for rare diseases, including filing for marketing authorization for RP-L201 in the U.S. and Europe, accelerate the buildout of in-house manufacturing capabilities, and for general corporate purposes. This capital raise extends Rocket’s cash runway to the second half of 2023.

About Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCKT) is advancing an integrated and sustainable pipeline of genetic therapies that correct the root cause of complex and rare childhood disorders. The Company’s platform-agnostic approach enables it to design the best therapy for each indication, creating potentially transformative options for patients afflicted with rare genetic diseases. Rocket’s clinical programs using lentiviral vector (LVV)-based gene therapy are for the treatment of Fanconi Anemia (FA), a difficult to treat genetic disease that leads to bone marrow failure and potentially cancer, Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD-I), a severe pediatric genetic disorder that causes recurrent and life-threatening infections which are frequently fatal, Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD) a rare, monogenic red blood cell disorder resulting in increased red cell destruction and mild to life-threatening anemia, and Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis (IMO), a bone marrow-derived disorder. Rocket’s first clinical program using adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy is for Danon disease, a devastating, pediatric heart failure condition. For more information about Rocket, please visit www.rocketpharma.com.

Rocket Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Various statements in this release concerning Rocket’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation, Rocket’s expectations regarding the safety, effectiveness and timing of product candidates that Rocket may develop, to treat Fanconi Anemia (FA), Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD-I), Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD), Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis (IMO) and Danon Disease, and the safety, effectiveness and timing of related pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, may constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You should not place reliance on these forward-looking statements, which often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “will give,” “estimate,” “seek,” “will,” “may,” “suggest” or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of those terms. Although Rocket believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Rocket cannot guarantee such outcomes. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation, Rocket’s ability to successfully demonstrate the efficacy and safety of such products and pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, its gene therapy programs, the preclinical and clinical results for its product candidates, which may not support further development and marketing approval, the potential advantages of Rocket’s product candidates, actions of regulatory agencies, which may affect the initiation, timing and progress of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials of its product candidates, Rocket’s and its licensors’ ability to obtain, maintain and protect its and their respective intellectual property, the timing, cost or other aspects of a potential commercial launch of Rocket’s product candidates, Rocket’s ability to manage operating expenses, Rocket’s ability to obtain additional funding to support its business activities and establish and maintain strategic business alliances and new business initiatives, Rocket’s dependence on third parties for development, manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of product candidates, the outcome of litigation, and unexpected expenditures, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Rocket’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, filed November 8, 2019 with the SEC. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All such statements speak only as of the date made, and Rocket undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210111005331/en/

Claudine Prowse, Ph.D.

SVP, Strategy & Corporate Development

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: New Jersey United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Stem Cells Genetics Pharmaceutical Cardiology Biotechnology

MEDIA:

Photo

Rocket Pharmaceuticals Headquarters (Photo: Business Wire)