Interoperability Matters, an Initiative of The Sequoia Project, Establishes Three New Information Blocking Subgroups Starting in 2021

Subgroups Will Address Compliance Best Practices for Health Care Providers, Health IT Developers, and Health Information Networks/Health Information Exchanges

VIENNA, Va., Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — At its annual member meeting on December 15, 2020, The Sequoia Project, a non-profit dedicated to solving health IT interoperability for the public good, announced the launch of three new community subgroups under its Interoperability Matters Information Blocking Workgroup. The three initial subgroups cover the actors defined in the information blocking regulations: healthcare providers, health IT developers, and health information networks (HINs)/health information exchanges (HIEs).

The subgroups were established to reflect the issues facing distinct actor categories and other communities affected by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s (ONC) final rule on interoperability and information blocking, the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) proposed rule on information blocking enforcement and any related future rulemaking. While initially starting out with three subgroups, The Sequoia Project expects to expand to more subgroups over time.

“We’re hoping these subgroups help communities address specific operational issues and best practices regarding information blocking regulatory compliance and implementation,” said Mariann Yeager, CEO of The Sequoia Project. “The Information Blocking Workgroup has done a great job setting up these subgroups, and we look forward to addressing the specific needs of our communities.”

The Information Blocking Workgroup is part of The Sequoia Project’s Interoperability Matters initiative, which engages experts from across the healthcare and health IT communities to identify and prioritize pressing challenges to nationwide health information sharing. The Information Blocking Workgroup is focused on the practical implications, as well as unintended consequences of, the relevant ONC and OIG rules. While the Information Blocking Workgroup focuses on broader implications of the proposed rules, the subgroups will explore more discrete issues and opportunities relevant to specific actor categories.

Subgroup participants will be selected based on identified needs by The Sequoia Project staff, workgroup co-chairs, and subgroup chairs. Subgroups will be kept small to enable effective discussions and will have a diverse representation of subject matter experts with strong expertise in information exchange and information blocking-related issues. Each will be primarily composed of diverse members from within the applicable actor community, with additional members reflecting the perspectives of the other actor categories and data requesters (e.g., consumer apps). The membership will draw from three primary sources, including the Interoperability Matters Leadership Council, Information Blocking Workgroup members, and participants in The Sequoia Project’s initial Information Blocking Compliance Boot Camp.

“We’re excited to launch the three new subgroups that will address the practical needs of specific communities in regard to evolving information blocking regulatory activities,” said Paul Uhrig, chief legal officer at Bassett Healthcare Network and Information Blocking Workgroup co-chair. “By sharing best practices and identifying key issues from those on the ground, we can accelerate progress.”

The subgroups will launch in January 2021. Final participants of each subgroup will be announced soon. For more information on The Sequoia Project’s Interoperability Matters initiative and to stay updated on subgroup announcements, visit the Interoperability Matters website.

Contact: [email protected]

About The Sequoia Project

The Sequoia Project is a non-profit, 501c3, public-private collaborative chartered to advance implementation of secure, interoperable nationwide health information exchange. The Sequoia Project focuses on solving real-world interoperability challenges, and brings together public and private stakeholders in forums like the Interoperability Matters cooperative to overcome barriers. The Sequoia Project is also the Recognized Coordinating Entity (RCE) for the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT’s Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), for which it will develop, implement, and maintain the Common Agreement component of TEFCA and operationalize the Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN) designation and monitoring process. For more information about The Sequoia Project and its initiatives, visit www.sequoiaproject.org. Follow The Sequoia Project on Twitter: @SequoiaProject.

Contact:    
Hera Ashraf   Jim Lubinskas
The Sequoia Project   Spire Communications
[email protected]   [email protected] 
317.529.5862   703.907.9103

 



Triterras Schedules Business Update Call for Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 10 a.m. ET

SINGAPORE, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Triterras Inc. (“Triterras” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: TRIT, TRITW), a leading fintech company for commodity trading and trade finance, has scheduled a conference call for Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time to provide a business and operational update.

Triterras management will host the presentation, followed by a question-and-answer period.

Date: Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. Eastern time (7:00 a.m. Pacific time)
U.S. dial-in: (833) 540-1170
International dial-in: (346) 265-0410
Conference ID: 7785995

A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available in listen-only mode simultaneously and available for replay here and via the investor relations page of the company’s website here.

Please call the conference telephone number five minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization.

A replay of the call will be available after 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through January 12, 2021.

U.S. replay dial-in: (855) 859-2056
International replay dial-in: (404) 537-3406
Replay ID: 7785995

About Triterras  

Triterras is a leading fintech company focused on trade and trade finance. It launched and operates Kratos™—one of the world’s largest commodity trading and trade finance platforms that connects and enables commodity traders to trade and source capital from lenders directly online. For more information, please visit www.triterras.com or email us at [email protected].
        
Investor Relations Contacts:
Jim Groh, Triterras Inc.
Mobile: +1 (678) 237-7101
Email: [email protected]

Gateway Investor Relations
Cody Slach and Matt Glover
(949) 574-3860
[email protected]

Media Contacts:
Gregory Papajohn
Office of Corporate Communications
Triterras, Inc.
+1 (917) 287-3626
Email: [email protected]

Edmond Lococo, ICR Inc.
Mobile: +86 138-1079-1408
Email: [email protected]



Diginex Outlines Strategic Roadmap to Make Digital Assets More Accessible at the 13th Annual LD Micro Main Event

Diginex Anticipates Launching its First Derivative Product, a Bitcoin Perpetual Futures Contract, this Month

PR Newswire

SINGAPORE, Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Diginex Limited (Nasdaq: EQOS) (“Diginex” or the “Company”), a digital assets financial services company, laid out its strategic roadmap to make digital assets more accessible for institutions and individuals during its presentation at the 13th Annual LD Micro Main Event on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. A replay of Diginex’s presentation can be accessed through LD Micro’s Main Event website here.

During the presentation Diginex’s CEO Richard Byworth highlighted:

  • Diginex’s competitive advantage as the first and only full digital asset ecosystem comprising a cryptocurrency exchange (EQUOS) to be listed on Nasdaq;
  • The unique level of transparency and governance, which the crypto industry currently lacks, that an SEC approved company listed on Nasdaq can provide; and
  • Diginex’s two core areas of focus: (i) crypto derivatives, supported by the infrastructure and standards required to drive adoption by institutional investors; and (ii) the disruption that blockchain technology can bring to capital markets

Additionally, Richard Byworth announced that EQUOS intends to launch its first derivative product, a Bitcoin perpetual futures product (futures contract with no expiry), this month. The new product is expected to drive meaningful volume growth to the exchange. An Ethereum perpetual future is also due to be rolled out in this month. Both solutions form part of a broader product roadmap that will provide the essential infrastructure necessary for greater institutional adoption of digital assets.

Mr. Byworth commented, “Adoption of digital assets has been substantially expedited this year with the advent of a global pandemic and various governments’ fiscal and monetary responses. As a result, we are likely to likely see significant increase in the value of Bitcoin and the broader adoption of crypto assets accelerate further next year. Diginex is the pure play digital assets company, and the first and only to be listed on Nasdaq.”

“Over the course of 2019 and 2020, we have built the entire Diginex ecosystem with all value accreting to the exchange. EQUOS is differentiated from many other exchanges in that it focuses on solving many of the infrastructure and product issues that current traders are dealing with on incumbent platforms. As we roll out a much-improved version of the perpetual futures product, this is just the beginning of our roadmap around the derivative product set. Having one of the world’s leading custodians in this space, we are also able to provide our institutional clients with the foundational piece towards a full prime brokerage offering or a private bank-like experience for retail. 2021 is set to be a huge year for Bitcoin, the industry, and Diginex.”

“While we are currently targeting the sizeable market opportunities in Asia and Europe, our long-term goal is to make our innovative products available to U.S. investors as well. We intend to establish a strong foothold in multiple markets to realize the massive potential for our business and drive greater value for investors in the long run.”

To close the conference, Richard Byworth introduced Brock Pierce, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who sat down with Chris Lahiji, CEO and Founder of LD Micro, his entry into investing in Bitcoin as well as his success in business.

To learn more about Diginex’s product roadmap and the Company’s strategic priorities, as well as to view a roundtable discussion with industry experts on the essential catalysts for mainstream adoption of digital assets, view the replay of Diginex’s Inaugural Strategy Day, which can be accessed at the following link: https://ir.diginex.com/events-news/investor-events.

This document is not an offer, solicitation, recommendation, or advice of any kind by any person.  Any products and services described in it are not available to all persons in all jurisdictions

About Diginex

Diginex is a digital assets financial services company focused on delivering a cryptocurrency and digital assets ecosystem offering innovative product and services that are compliant, fair and trusted. The group encompasses cryptocurrency exchange EQUOS.io as well as an over-the-counter trading platform. It also offers a front-to-back integrated trading platform Diginex Access, a securitization advisory service Diginex Capital, market leading hot and cold custodian, Digivault and funds business Bletchley Park. For more information visit: https://www.diginex.com/

Follow Diginex on social media on Twitter @DiginexGlobal, on Facebook @DiginexGlobal, and on LinkedIn. Follow EQUOS.io on social media on Twitter @EQUOS_io and on LinkedIn.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside of Diginex’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination; the ability of Diginex to grow and manage growth profitably; Diginex’s limited operating history and history of net losses; Diginex’s ability to execute its business plan; the inability to maintain the listing of Diginex’s shares on NASDAQ; Diginex’s estimates of the size of the markets for its products; the rate and degree of market acceptance of Diginex’s products; Diginex’s ability to identify and integrate acquisitions; potential litigation involving Diginex or the validity or enforceability of Diginex’s intellectual property; general economic and market conditions impacting demand for Diginex’s products and services; and such other risks and uncertainties indicated in Diginex’s Shell Company Report on Form 20-F, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and in Diginex’s other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on assumptions that Diginex believes to be reasonable as of this date.

Diginex undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

Press Contact:

Heather Dale

E: [email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:

Ross Dunwoody and Christian Arnell
E: [email protected]

or

Matt Glover or Charlie Schumacher
Gateway Investor Relations
Email: [email protected] 
Tel: +1 949-574-3860

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/diginex-outlines-strategic-roadmap-to-make-digital-assets-more-accessible-at-the-13th-annual-ld-micro-main-event-301195221.html

SOURCE Diginex Limited

T-Mobile First to Roll Out Cutting-Edge 911 Capabilities

T-Mobile First to Roll Out Cutting-Edge 911 Capabilities

What’s the news: T-Mobile is the first U.S. wireless operator to launch Location-Based Routing and Next Generation 911 capabilities.

Why it matters: The new services help transition 911 to a faster, more efficient & resilient system, helping reduce the time it takes for emergency responders to locate and reach those in trouble.

Who it’s for: T-Mobile customers across the country.

BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
In an emergency, every second counts. That’s why T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) is launching new 911 capabilities – Location-Based Routing and Next Generation 911 connectivity over IP – two critical advancements that can speed up emergency response times by helping pinpoint the location of callers, reducing the need for call transfers, and enabling a more efficient and effective 911 communication system.

“As the Un-carrier we innovate and push the wireless industry forward with technology firsts like this for the sake of consumers everywhere. Nowhere is that more important than driving improvements in public safety,” said Neville Ray, President of Technology at T-Mobile. “Our advanced LTE and nationwide 5G network positions us better than any other operator to quickly and more accurately deliver emergency calls to Next Generation 911 systems. And that, simply stated, will make people safer.”

Location-Based Routing

Location-Based Routing (LBR) significantly cuts the need for 911 call transfers by leveraging low latency device-based location technology. That allows the network to connect more 911 callers directly to the appropriate 911 call center, saving precious time. In fact, T-Mobile says some areas with LBR enabled have experienced up to 40 percent fewer call transfers. LBR is currently enabled in parts of Texas and Washington State, and T-Mobile is working with 911 authorities to expand the capability nationwide.

Next Generation 911

Next Generation 911 (NG911) brings emergency communications into the future, transitioning 911 to a state-of-the-art all-IP-based system. That means a more seamless flow of information from your phone to 911 telecommunicators and first responders all while improving the system’s ability to manage call overload, natural disaster response, and interoperability between jurisdictions. NG911 also paves the way for future forms of communications. Alert systems like crash detection will become more effective, sending notifications and actionable data directly to 911 dispatchers instead of third parties. T-Mobile has established some level of NG911 connectivity in all or part of Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington state, with plans to expand both NG911 connectivity and capability nationwide as public safety networks are ready.

The new capabilities are the latest in a series of moves from the Un-carrier aimed at improving public safety. Just last month, T-Mobile became the first major wireless provider to make the 988 emergency lifeline available to customers. T-Mobile customers in need of free mental health support can now get it immediately by dialing 988 on the T-Mobile network to be connected directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of approximately 180 local- and state-funded crisis centers.

T-Mobile is America’s 5G leader, delivering 5G speeds in more places with the first and largest nationwide 5G network, and laying the groundwork for improved, more robust emergency communications across the country. T-Mobile’s Extended Range 5G already covers more than 270 million people across more than 1.4 million square miles. With Sprint now part of T-Mobile, the Un-carrier is extending its 5G lead, quickly lighting up Ultra Capacity 5G with technology that can deliver download speeds of 300 Mbps and peak speeds up to 1 Gbps.

For more information on T-Mobile’s network, visit t-mobile.com/coverage. And as always, follow T-Mobile’s Official Twitter Newsroom @TMobileNews to stay up to date with the latest company news.

5G coverage not available in some areas. Ultra Capacity 5G includes dedicated mid- and/or high-band 5G signals. T-Mobile’s Ultra Capacity 5G covers hundreds of cities and millions of people, with more added all the time; see t-mobile.com/5Glayers. Capable device required for 5G; coverage not available in some areas. Some uses may require certain plan or feature; see T-Mobile.com.

About T-Mobile

T-Mobile U.S. Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com.

Media Contacts

T-Mobile US, Inc. Media Relations

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact

T-Mobile US, Inc.

[email protected]

https://investor.t-mobile.com

KEYWORDS: Washington United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Internet Data Management Mobile/Wireless Technology Telecommunications

MEDIA:

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Prestigious Global Elite Law Firm Shearman & Sterling LLP Goes Live in iManage Cloud

Scalable information management system delivers powerful benefits to 2200 users 
across 23 global offices

CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iManage, the company dedicated to transforming how professionals work, today announced that Shearman & Sterling LLP – a multinational law firm with a distinguished history of nearly 150 years – has successfully gone live in the iManage Cloud, after selecting it as the firm’s information management platform for its global operations.

Making a strategic shift to iManage Cloud from a legacy, on premises document management approach, Shearman & Sterling has gone live with iManage Work 10, iManage Security Policy Manager, and iManage Threat Manager across 23 international offices and 2200 legal professionals, becoming the largest New York headquartered law firm to move to iManage Work 10 in the cloud. Three regional iManage datacenters across the EU, the US, and Asia-Pac enable the firm to address its data sovereignty needs.

Work 10’s fast and intuitive search and secure mobile access has driven high user adoption across the firm. iManage’s “need-to-know” security enables Shearman & Sterling to manage ethical walls and safeguard sensitive client data at a client, matter, or work team level.

“Modernizing our information management with iManage allows us to better comply with fast-evolving client and regulatory demands,” said Meredith Williams-Range, Chief Knowledge & Client Value Officer at Shearman & Sterling. “iManage’s ability to support a global firm of our size coupled with its advanced cloud security, assures our clients worldwide that their sensitive and privileged content is secured and governed at the highest levels.”

iManage Work 10, equips Shearman & Sterling with a modern, streamlined, SaaS-based information management solution that enables professionals to access key information from anywhere and any device, transforming the firm’s ability to enable distributed work ushered in by the pandemic.  Since the firm’s August go-live, Work 10 now serves as a single, secure and governed repository for its information, consolidating files previously stored across a variety of libraries and systems.

“At Shearman & Sterling, client service is paramount,” said Lawrence Baxter, Chief Technical Officer at Shearman & Sterling. “With Work 10, we have an accurate single source of information for our professionals to quickly find and access whatever documents and data they need, saving valuable time. We see this as key to enabling our professionals to confidently service our clients, at any time, from anywhere, on any device.”

Dan Dosen, iManage GM Cloud Services, commented, “With its move to iManage Cloud, Shearman & Sterling is able to govern its data effectively in today’s regulatory environment, while empowering today’s lawyers to work the way they want to work – all without the overhead of IT infrastructure. Forward-thinking firms like Shearman & Sterling are gaining agility and competitive advantage from the iManage Cloud.”

Follow iManage via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/imanage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/imanageinc

About iManage

iManage transforms how professionals in legal, accounting and financial services get work done by combining artificial intelligence, security and risk mitigation with market-leading document and email management. iManage automates routine cognitive tasks, provides powerful insights and streamlines how professionals work, while maintaining the highest level of security and governance over critical client and corporate data. Over one million professionals at over 3,500 organizations in over 65 countries – including more than 2,500 law firms and 1,200 corporate law departments and other enterprise customers – rely on iManage to deliver great client and corporate work – securely.


Press Contact Information:


Anastasia Bullinger
iManage
Phone: +1 312 868 8411
[email protected]



IFS is Recognized as a 2020 Gartner Peer Insights Customers’ Choice for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises

The Gartner Peer Insights Customers’ Choice is a recognition of vendors by verified end-user professionals, taking into account both the number of reviews and the overall user ratings

PR Newswire

LONDON, Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — IFS, the global enterprise applications company, has been named a 2020 Gartner Peer Insights Customers’ Choice for cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) for product-centric enterprises.

Gartner defines a product-centric cloud ERP suite as a set of products encompass operational ERP (supply chain and manufacturing-related functionality, etc.), financial management, purchasing, human capital management (HCM), as well as industry-specific capabilities such as configure-to-order (CTO), make-to-order (MTO), field service management (FSM), enterprise asset management (EAM) and product life cycle management (PLM). Learn more here.

The following are examples of IFS customer reviews from Gartner Peer Insights:

“We believe that being named 2020 Gartner Peer Insights Customers’ Choice for cloud ERP is proof of our unflinching commitment to providing capabilities that are valuable to our customers,” IFS Chief Customer Officer Michael Ouissi said. “We firmly believe that the main reason why our solutions continue to resonate so well in the market is because we systematically and proactively gather customer feedback for the purpose of enhancing our technology and services. We see distinctions such as this one as a testament to the success of our approach.”

CONTACT:


Natalie Sutton
, IFS Head of External Communications. Phone: +44 (0)1784 278222, [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/ifs/r/ifs-is-recognized-as-a-2020-gartner-peer-insights-customers–choice-for-cloud-erp-for-product-centri,c3257030

The following files are available for download:

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ifs-is-recognized-as-a-2020-gartner-peer-insights-customers-choice-for-cloud-erp-for-product-centric-enterprises-301195210.html

SOURCE IFS

Large Ring Energy, Inc. Shareholders Note Strong Lack of Support of Board and Management at Annual Meeting and Continue to be Concerned with Erosion of Shareholder Value, Conflicts of Interest and Potential Violations of Fiduciary Duties

PR Newswire

HOUSTON, Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — American Resources, Inc., and SK Energy LLC, the investment vehicle of Dr. Simon Kukes, one of the largest shareholders of Ring Energy, Inc. (NYSE: REI), announced today that they believe the strong lack of support shown by the shareholders of Ring Energy at its December 15, 2020 Annual Meeting shows the Board needs to make changes as they no longer represent the best interests of all shareholders, and they continue to be concerned with the Board’s poor performance, conflicts of interest and potential violations of fiduciary duties and disclosure obligations.

While Ring Energy’s December 15, 2020 press release claims its shareholders voted “decisively” to approve the new Chairman and other Directors to the Board, less than half of the 68.6 million shares present and available to vote at the meeting actually voted in favor of the new Chairman and other Directors, with 55% of shares present (~37.8 million shares) withholding votes either directly or through broker non-votes.  Hardly a “decisive” victory as portrayed by Ring Energy, with the reality being that most of the shares present at the meeting did not support and approve the new Chairman and other Directors, which was decidedly not the case in the past five years as illustrated in the chart below.


Director Votes


 Votes For


 Votes Withheld


Broker Non-Votes


 Total

2020

45%

14%

41%

100%

2019

55%

11%

33%

100%

2018

65%

17%

18%

100%

2017

82%

2%

16%

100%

2016

83%

16%

N/A

100%

This clearly demonstrates a dramatic shift in shareholder support against the incumbent Board over the past few years.

SK Energy and American Resources believe the reason for this lack of support is due to Ring Energy’s significant underperformance relative to its peers in the oil and gas sector — indeed, Ring Energy’s share price is down ~72% year to date through December 15th vs. a drop of ~34% in the XOP (SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF) over the same period — as well as the deep conflicts of interest on the Board and between the Board and its new CEO, the significant dilution created by Ring Energy’s recent equity offering, and Ring Energy’s potential fiduciary duty and disclosure issues related to the equity offering that was promptly followed by the termination of its Delaware asset sale, all of which have been previously discussed in recent announcements by SK Energy and American Resources.

In August 2020, SK Energy and American Resources proposed more than a dozen highly-qualified, independent individuals as candidates for the Board of Ring Energy – none of whom were submitted to shareholders for approval at the recent Annual Meeting – and SK Energy and American Resources again urge the Ring Energy Board to consider these candidates for immediate appointment to the Board.

SK Energy and American Resources continue to call upon each individual shareholder and institutional shareholder of Ring Energy to examine the actions of the Board of Directors with regard to the appointment and compensation of its new CEO and the sale of Ring Energy shares in October 2020, and to also examine all of the other potential distractions that the Board may face and examine potential fiduciary duty issues and conflicts of interest that the Board may have. 

Given the significant lack of support of the Board as evidenced by their dismal Annual Meeting voting results, SK Energy and American Resources believe it is imperative that the incumbent Board heed the voice of its shareholders and promptly add shareholder representatives to the Board in an effort to improve the overall quality of corporate governance and help drive shareholder returns. 

About SK Energy LLC and Dr. Simon Kukes
SK Energy LLC is an investment company owned by Dr. Simon Kukes, a globally-renowned oil and gas industry executive. Dr. Kukes has held various positions over the years, including as President and CEO of Tyumen Oil Company (TNK) where he was involved in the ~$20 billion merger of TNK and British Petroleum to form TNK-BP in 2003, and as CEO of Hess Corporation’s (NYSE: HES) Samara-Nafta subsidiary, where he was instrumental in the subsidiary’s $2.05 billion sale to Lukoil in 2013. He is also currently the largest shareholder, CEO and director of PEDEVCO Corp. (NYSE MKT: PED), an NYSE-listed oil and gas company active in the Permian and D-J Basins.

About American Resources, Inc.
American Resources, Inc. (“ARI”) is a Houston, Texas based oil and gas investment, development and operating company focused on acquisition of underexploited, distressed and/or undervalued oil and gas assets and companies where ARI believes its involvement can add value. ARI strives to maximize value through active management of assets and/or board level participation in its corporate investments.

About Ring Energy, Inc.
Founded in 2012, Ring Energy is a Midland, Texas-based oil and gas exploration, development and production company with current operations in the Permian Basin of West Texas and is recognized as the top producing oil basin in North America.

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SOURCE SK Energy LLC and American Resources, Inc.

GT Biopharma And Cytovance Biologics Announce Milestone Achievement

PR Newswire

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — GT Biopharma, Inc. (OTCQB: GTBP) (GTBP.PA) a company focused on developing innovative therapeutic treatments based on its proprietary NK cell engager (TriKE™) platform, announced today that Cytovance, a USA-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and a subsidiary of the Shenzhen Hepalink Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (“Hepalink”), have reached an agreement for license rights to use certain bacterial and mammalian cell lines and for GMP manufacturing services performed to date regarding the Company’s TriKE™ product candidates. 

Under the terms of the partnership agreement entered into between the companies, Cytovance is the exclusive GMP manufacture for three of the Company’s TriKE™ therapeutic product candidates.  Cytovance will manufacture TriKE™ in accordance with GMP using Cytovance’s proprietary Keystone® bacterial or mammalian expression systems.  Subject to the completion of certain milestones by Cytovance, GT Biopharma has the option to pay Cytovance up to $6 million for licenses to use certain of Cytovance’s bacterial and mammalian cell lines and for manufacturing services performed in either cash or in shares of the Company’s common stock valued at the time Cytovance achieves each of several milestones over the next 12 months.

GT Biopharma issued $1 million of GT Biopharma restricted common stock (GTBP) to Cytovance. The number of shares of GT Biopharma restricted common stock was based on the closing price ($0.31) of the Company’s common stock on December 15, 2020.

Anthony Cataldo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GT Biopharma commented “We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with Cytovance and their experienced team for the GMP manufacture of our TriKE product candidates. Achievement of the subject Milestone was achieved on-time and on-budget by Cytovance and we believe our partnership and their acceptance of our company stock illustrates their commitment to us and this partnership for the long term.”

About GTB-3550 TriKE™

GTB-3550 is the Company’s first TriKE™ product candidate being initially developed for the treatment AML.  GTB-3550 is a single-chain, tri-specific scFv recombinant fusion protein conjugate composed of the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of anti-CD16 and anti-CD33 antibodies and a modified form of IL-15.  The natural killer (NK) cell stimulating cytokine human IL-15 portion of the molecule provides a self-sustaining signal that activates NK cells and enhances their ability to kill.  We intend to study GTB-3550 in CD33 positive leukemias such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and other CD33+ hematopoietic malignancies.

About GTB-3550 TriKE™ Clinical Trial

Patients with CD33+ malignancies (primary induction failure or relapsed AML with failure of one reinduction attempt or high-risk MDS progressed on two lines of therapy) age 18 and older are eligible (NCT03214666).  The primary endpoint is to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of GTB-3550 TriKE.  Correlative objectives include the number, phenotype, activation status and function of NK cells and T cells.  Interim results presented at the American Society of Hematology meeting December 5, 2020 demonstrates GTB-3550 TriKE™ reduces bone marrow blast levels in AML and MDS patients with reported no toxicities, and improves NK cell function and proliferation.

About GT Biopharma, Inc.

GT Biopharma, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of immuno-oncology therapeutic products based our proprietary TriKE™ NK cell engager platform.  Our TriKE™ platform is designed to harness and enhance the cancer killing abilities of a patient’s immune system natural killer cells (NK cells).  GT Biopharma has an exclusive worldwide license agreement with the University of Minnesota to further develop and commercialize therapies using TriKE™ technology.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including statements regarding the potential acquisition, the likelihood of closing the potential transaction, our clinical focus, and our current and proposed trials.  Words and expressions reflecting optimism, satisfaction or disappointment with current prospects, as well as words such as “believes”, “hopes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “expects”, “projects”, “plans”, “anticipates” and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.  Our forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance, and actual results could differ materially from those contained in or expressed by such statements.  In evaluating all such statements, we urge you to specifically consider the various risk factors identified in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A and in our subsequent Form 10Q Quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements.

Our forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on currently available financial, economic, scientific, and competitive data and information on current business plans.  You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things:  (i) the sufficiency of our cash position and our ongoing ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, (ii) our ability to complete our contemplated clinical trials, or to meet the FDA’s requirements with respect to safety and efficacy, (iii) our ability to identify patients to enroll in our clinical trials in a timely fashion, (iv) our ability to achieve approval of a marketable product, (v) design, implementation and conduct of clinical trials, (vii) the results of our clinical trials, including the possibility of unfavorable clinical trial results, (vii) the market for, and marketability of, any product that is approved, (viii) the existence or development of treatments that are viewed by medical professionals or patients as superior to our products, (ix) regulatory initiatives, compliance with governmental regulations and the regulatory approval process, and social conditions, and (x) various other matters, many of which are beyond our control.  Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties develop, or should underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially and adversely from those anticipated, believed, estimated, or otherwise indicated by our forward-looking statements.

We intend that all forward-looking statements made in this press release will be subject to the safe harbor protection of the federal securities laws pursuant to Section 27A of the Securities Act, to the extent applicable.  Except as required by law, we do not undertake any responsibility to update these forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release.  Additionally, we do not undertake any responsibility to update you on the occurrence of any unanticipated events which may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

For more information, please visit www.gtbiopharma.com.

 

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SOURCE GT Biopharma, Inc.

Midwest Holding Inc. Announces Pricing of Public Offering

PR Newswire

LINCOLN, Neb., Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Midwest Holding Inc. (“Midwest” or the “Company”) today announced that a public offering of 1,000,000 shares of its voting common stock has been priced at $70.00 per share. Midwest has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 150,000 shares at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments. The Midwest voting common stock has been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “MDWT.”  The offering is expected to close on December 21, 2020, subject to customary closing conditions.

The underwriters have also reserved 50,000 shares of the Company’s voting common stock for sale at the public offering price set forth above, to directors, officers, employees, business associates and related persons of the Company through a directed share program.

Piper Sandler & Co. is acting as sole bookrunner and JMP Securities is acting as co-manager for the offering.

A registration statement relating to this offering was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on December 16, 2020. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus.  Copies may be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Midwest, any underwriter or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll free at 866-805-4128.

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

About Midwest Holding Inc.

Midwest Holding Inc. is a financial services company focused on providing technology-enabled and services-oriented solutions to distributors and reinsurers of annuity and life insurance products in the United States.  Midwest provides an end-to-end solution to manage annuity and life insurance policies that includes a broad set of product development, distribution support, policy administration, and asset liability management services.  Midwest sells, underwrites, and markets annuity products in 20 states and the District of Columbia through its subsidiary American Life & Security Corp.  Midwest also provides reinsurance management and asset management services as a comprehensive solution for reinsurers. 

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this release that are not historical or current facts, including statements regarding Midwest’s use of proceeds, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements convey Midwest’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Midwest’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are described in the “Prospectus Summary” and “Risk Factors” sections of the prospectus referred to above and in Midwest’s most recent annual and quarterly reports and other required reports, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Unless required by law, Midwest undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release.

Contacts

Midwest Holding Inc.
Noh-Joon Choo
Phone: (646) 978-5324
Email: [email protected]

Investor Relations:
The Blueshirt Group, for Midwest Holding Inc.
Chris Mammone
Email: [email protected]  

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SOURCE Midwest Holding Inc.

Ampion Demonstrates Safety In COVID-19 Patients And Initiates Global Clinical Trial For Intravenous Ampion

PR Newswire

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE American: AMPE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the advancement of immunology based therapies for prevalent inflammatory conditions, announced today it has completed its Phase I clinical trial and has initiated the first steps for a global Phase II clinical trial for intravenous (“IV”) Ampion treatment in COVID-19 patients.

The Phase I study was a randomized, controlled study of adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19. The primary endpoint for the study was evaluated after a 5-day treatment period, and safety was followed for an additional 3 months. Half of the patients received IV Ampion plus the standard of care (“SOC”) for COVID-19 while the other half received SOC alone. The following highlights were observed:

  • Based on data review, the Safety Monitoring Committee (“SMC”) found the IV treatment of Ampion to be safe and well-tolerated for 90-days following treatment.
  • The study met its primary safety endpoint after 5 days of IV Ampion treatment and again after 3 months, with no remarkable safety differences between the Ampion treatment and SOC control groups.
  • The study showed promising efficacy with the IV Ampion treatment group seeing stronger clinical improvement than the SOC group as measured by the World Health Organization (“WHO”) clinical improvement scale and the National Early Warning Score (“NEWS2”), which is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (“NICE”) in its guidelines for the management of COVID-19 patients in critical care.
  • Additionally, Ampion-treated patients showed greater improvement compared to patients treated with the SOC, including anti-viral therapies.

The beneficial clinical applications for IV Ampion treatment in COVID-19 patients will be further explored using two treatment groups in a larger Phase II study while building on the safety profile from the Phase I study. The following highlights are presented:

  • Clinical sites in Israel will be used concurrently with sites in the United States, as Israel has been recognized by the FDA as capable for sharing knowledge and inspection information to support the safety and efficacy of drugs in the United States.
  • In vitro, Ampion interrupts the hyper-active immune response, known as the cytokine storm, associated with COVID-19 infection. IV Ampion targets systemic inflammation in the body observed with COVID-19 patients, which is being investigated to improve the clinical course of the diseases and outcomes in patients treated with Ampion.
  • The IV Ampion clinical program complements ongoing clinical studies evaluating inhaled Ampion, which targets localized inflammation in the lungs.

About Ampio Pharmaceuticals
Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a development stage biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of Ampion, our product candidate, to treat prevalent inflammatory conditions for which there are limited treatment options. Ampio’s lead drug, Ampion, is backed by an extensive patent portfolio with intellectual property protection extending through 2032, and will be eligible for 12-year FDA market exclusivity upon approval as a novel biologic under the biologics price competition and innovation act (“BPCIA”).

Forward Looking Statements
Ampio’s statements in this press release that are not historical fact, and that relate to future plans or events, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding Ampio’s expectations with respect to Ampion and its classification, as well as those associated with regulatory approvals and other FDA decisions, the Biological License Application (“BLA”), the ability of Ampio to enter  into partnering arrangements,  clinical trials and decisions and changes in business conditions and similar events, the ability to receive regulatory approval to conduct clinical trials, that Ampion may be used to treat ARDS induced by COVID-19, all of which are inherently subject to various risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties involved include those detailed from time to time in Ampio’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, under Ampio’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ampio undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Company Contact

Investor Relations
Joe Hassett
[email protected]
484-686-6600

Media Contact



Sarah May

[email protected]

215-205-1217

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SOURCE Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.