Market Newsdesk

SISTERS, Ore., Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Laird Superfood (NYSE American: LSF), creator of assorted plant-based superfood products, is launching its new ACTIVATE Prebiotic Daily Greens supplement to support gut health. Prebiotics are reported to ferment in the lower intestine and provide fuel for vital gut flora.*

The new plant-based ACTIVATE Prebiotic Daily Greens is formulated with powerful superfood fruits and vegetables chosen for their positive influence on the gut microbiome – which is vital to overall gut health.* Each ingredient was hand-selected by Laird Superfood’s team of nutritionists and naturopathic doctors in partnership with Company Co-founders Laird Hamilton and his wife Gabby Reece.

“A happy gut is the foundation of happy health – a fact backed up by emerging science and extensive research,” said Gabby Reece, chief brand ambassador of Laird Superfood. “In keeping with our company mantra, Better Food, Better You, we wanted to create a product that nourishes and supports the gut microbiome. Our ACTIVATE Prebiotic Daily Greens is jam-packed with powerful superfoods, including the special ingredient Shilajit, an organic plant matter that Laird has been wanting to include in our products for years. It is commonly used in ayurvedic medicine for its positive effect on well-being.”   

A perfect addition to any consumer’s daily ritual, the ACTIVATE Prebiotic Daily Greens features a blend of 18 ingredients including fruits and vegetables with naturally occurring polyphenols and prebiotic dietary fiber that naturally support the gut.* Functional Mushrooms and Shilajit round out this superfood blend. Shilajit is a sticky substance found primarily in the rocks of the Himalayas and is comprised of important nutrients like fulvic acid and other minerals. Each serving of the Prebiotic Daily Greens has the equivalent of 14 kale leaves, 4 spinach leaves, 1 broccoli floret, and 5 blueberries. 

As is the case with all Laird Superfood products, ACTIVATE Prebiotic Daily Greens contains no artificial ingredients, no preservatives, and is Non-GMO. Supplying a good source of fiber (four grams of fiber per serving) and Vitamin C, Laird Superfood’s ACTIVATE Prebiotic Daily Greens supports gut microbiome which is critical for gut health.* 

The fresh green taste of ACTIVATE Prebiotic Daily Greens is complemented by blueberry, acai, lemon, and blends nicely into smoothies, protein shakes, or can be consumed simply by mixing into water or with other supplement mixes. Laird Superfood’s ACTIVATE Prebiotic Daily Greens is available at lairdsuperfood.com for $19.95 for a 4.2 oz bag. 

About Laird Superfood


Laird Superfood, Inc. creates award-winning, plant-based superfood products that are both delicious and functional. Known for its highly popular coffee creamers, hydration products, supplements, roasted and instant coffees, teas, hot chocolate, and harvest snacks, the Company’s products are designed to enhance your daily ritual and keep consumers fueled naturally throughout the day. The Company was co-founded in 2015 by the world’s most prolific big-wave surfer, Laird Hamilton. Laird Superfood’s offerings are environmentally conscientious, responsibly tested, and made with real ingredients. Shop all products online at lairdsuperfood.com and join the Laird Superfood community on social media for the latest news and daily doses of inspiration.

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SOURCE Laird Superfood

ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — A tech challenge to invent a better way to track polar bears is moving out of the lab and into the Arctic. Wild polar bears are testing out new prototypes created by 3M scientists through a voluntary Polar Bears International (PBI) challenge. The pilot tags are non-permanent and combine currently available satellite transmitters with innovative ways to attach them.

“Traditionally, scientists have used satellite collars to follow polar bears, but the collars can only be placed on adult females,” said Geoff York, senior director of conservation at Polar Bears International. “Adult males can’t be collared because their necks are as wide as their heads, and young bears grow too quickly to be safely collared. As transmitters have become smaller researchers have tested GPS ear tags and implants. But ear tags must be permanently attached, and implants require minor surgery. The devices designed by 3M represent a major potential step forward—they could be used on all classes of polar bears and would allow us to obtain critical data with the least impact possible.”

Researchers study polar bears behavior in the Arctic to better understand movement patterns and habitat use while collecting other data. But scientists are always looking for ways to improve existing technology and make research less invasive. In this case, the challenge was to create a way to attach a tracking device to a polar bear’s fur.

Four new prototype polar bear tracker tags are being tested on polar bears in Western Hudson Bay in the far north of Manitoba, Canada, and will later be tested in zoos that routinely conduct research to benefit conservation. The prototype tags are non-toxic, temporary and attach only to the bear’s fur.

“I am tremendously excited to take this science out of the lab and into the Arctic on wild polar bears. This challenge really exemplifies the collaborative spirit, science and creativity that drives innovation at 3M,” said Jon Kirschhoffer, an advanced research specialist in the 3M Corporate Research Systems Lab.  “We are proud to help support Polar Bears International’s work in studying polar bears.”

Jon’s son BJ Kirschhoffer is director of field operations at Polar Bears International. He grew up knowing about how 3M applies science to solve all sorts of problems.  Thus, PBI came to 3M to see if its scientists could help develop a solution.

“I asked my dad if the 3M technical community could figure out how to stick a tag on a polar bear, and they rose to the challenge,” BJ said. “They liked the environmental aspect of it and the chance to contribute to polar bear conservation.”

The prototypes range from mechanical solutions to adhesive solutions and some were a little bit of everything. Some of the concepts utilized existing 3M technologies and some ideas were completely new. All need to be able to withstand the usual: extreme cold, snow, saltwater, and some polar-bear specific actions: rolling in the snow, for example. The “burr on fur” approach allows the device to latch onto and “stick” to a polar bear’s fur.

While not involved in this project, Dr. Megan Owen, corporate director of wildlife conservation science for San Diego Zoo Global, is excited about the prospects. “The Burr on Fur project could provide a real breakthrough in how we track wildlife,” she said. “It’s an exciting innovation that could go well beyond polar bears to help us study species from leopard to giraffe.”

Polar Bears International is testing the prototypes as part of ongoing tagging and tracking work on the Western Hudson Bay polar bear subpopulation in collaboration with the University of Alberta and Dr. Andrew Derocher. In addition to tags helping partners track the bears for research, improved tagging technology may provide opportunities to better warn communities of approaching bears in the event they return to Churchill or move towards communities further North.

Polar Bears International also plans to test tags on zoo bears, working with zoo and aquarium partners in their Arctic Ambassador Center network. Zoo bears serve as ambassadors for their wild cousins and enable scientists to conduct research that would not otherwise be possible.  In the case of the tags, deploying them on zoo bears will enable researchers to closely monitor how they perform under various conditions.

“This is a significant moment for polar bear research and conservation,” said Krista Wright, executive director or Polar Bears International. “As the Arctic continues to warm and sea ice melts, creative and innovative advances in research methods and technology are critical to furthering conservation efforts—for polar bears and for wildlife around the globe.” 

Polar Bears International wishes to thank the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium’s Dr. Holly Reed Conservation Fund and the Kansas City Zoo for help with funding.

About Polar Bears International

Polar Bears International’s mission is to conserve polar bears and the sea ice they depend on. Through media, science, and advocacy, we work to inspire people to care about the Arctic, the threats to its future, and the connection between this remote region and our global climate. PBI is the only nonprofit organization dedicated solely to wild polar bears and Arctic sea ice, and our staff includes scientists who study wild polar bears. The organization is a recognized leader in polar bear conservation. For more information, visit www.polarbearsinternational.org.
PBI Contacts: Annie Edwards, [email protected] and Melissa Hourigan, [email protected], 720-608-1919.

About 3M

At 3M (NYSE: MMM), we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. Our 96,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.

3M Contact: Jennifer Ehrlich[email protected]  651-736-9430

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SOURCE 3M

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — eBay, one of the world’s largest online marketplaces, is introducing a low cost way for sellers to securely ship trading cards. Beginning January 2021, the new shipping service, eBay standard envelope, allows sellers in the U.S. to print labels and ship trading cards priced $20 and under and up to 3 oz., in an envelope with tracking included, for less than $1.

“eBay has been a trusted leader in the collectibles business for nearly 25 years, and we are continually working to deliver enhancements that meet the needs of our sellers,” said Nicole Colombo, Head of Collectibles at eBay. “Our hope is that eBay standard envelope will allow sellers to make more money on low-priced single cards and allow them to meet our shipment tracking standards.”

Trading cards on the rise
Recent eBay data shows that collecting and selling trading cards is a continuously growing hobby. Compared to just five years ago, trading cards sales have risen almost 300 percent on eBay. In 2020 alone, eBay has sold over 45 million trading cards. This new shipping service will benefit the millions of buyers and sellers growing their sports and non-sports trading cards collections on the marketplace.

As affordable as a stamp, with extra perks included
In addition to great savings on shipping, eBay standard envelope has the following benefits when buying and selling:

• 
  Cost-effective Shipping Method:
  
   eBay standard envelope will cost less than $1, with savings up to 70% over USPS First Class Package Service shipping costs, plus includes shipping protection.
• 
  Ship items with ease:
   Once the item sells, sellers simply print the label using eBay Labels and hand-off their shipment to USPS.
• 
  Avoid lost items or items not received:
  Many sellers simply use postage stamps for low-priced trading cards, which doesn’t provide tracking. With eBay standard envelope’s included tracking, buyers and sellers can rest assured their trading cards are going to the right place, without hassle or complications.
• 
  Top Rated Seller Status:
   With integrated tracking, sellers can now qualify for eBay’s Top Rated Status along with the 10 percent discount, badging and additional eBay protections.
• 
  Larger Seller Inventory: eBay standard envelope makes it easier to make money on sales of low-priced single cards in addition to high-value cards.

The beta launch for the new shipping service will be available January 2021 for sellers in the U.S. with plans to expand to new categories in the future.

About eBay
eBay Inc (NASDAQ: EBAY) is a global commerce leader including the Marketplace and Classifieds platforms. Collectively, we connect millions of buyers and sellers around the world, empowering people and creating opportunity for all. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world’s largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.            

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SOURCE eBay Inc.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — NN, Inc., (NASDAQ: NNBR) a diversified industrial company, today announced that Jeri Harman has been named Board Chairman, effective January 4, 2021. She will succeed Robert Brunner, who will continue to serve on NN’s Board as a Director.

Mr. Brunner commented, “NN’s recently completed strategic transformation has enabled the Company to begin a new stage as a financially strengthened organization, better positioned to compete globally in industrials end markets. I look forward to continuing to support NN through this next phase of growth as a Director, and I am confident that under Jeri and the management team’s leadership, NN will further advance its strategic growth plans and create long-term value for all stakeholders.”

Warren Veltman, President & Chief Executive Officer, added, “Over the past three years as Chairman, Bob has been instrumental as we implemented our strategic transformation, and I am looking forward to continuing to work alongside him in the Director capacity. As the Company continues to build upon the progress made, Jeri’s leadership and deep financial knowledge will be invaluable as we continue our efforts to best position the Company for success.”

Ms. Harman was appointed to the NN Board of Directors in February 2019, bringing extensive capital markets knowledge and more than 30 years of financing experience to her role. Her strategic insights and financial expertise helped guide NN throughout the strategic review process, which culminated in the Company’s sale of its Life Sciences division in October. Ms. Harman is Founder & Chairman of Avante Capital Partners, a women and minority-owned private credit and structured equity fund. She has served on numerous boards over her career, and in addition to her role on NN’s Board, currently serves on the board of Engineered Performance Technologies, a consumer-focused automotive aftermarket performance products company.

Ms. Harman commented, “I am honored to be appointed Chairman of NN’s Board. Bob’s leadership has been influential in creating the more nimble and focused organization that NN is today, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him, the Board and NN leadership to continue building on our collective efforts to strengthen NN’s position as a leading diversified industrial company.”

In addition, the Company announced that Directors David Floyd and Steven Warshaw will be stepping down from NN’s Board of Directors. Mr. Floyd, a member of the Board since 2016, will retire from the Board effective January 4, 2021. Mr. Warshaw, a member of the Board since 1997, will retire from the Board and not seek reelection at the 2021 Annual Stockholders Meeting. Effective January 4, 2021, Raynard Benvenuti will serve as Chair of the Compensation Committee and Christina Carroll will serve as Chair of the Governance Committee. Mr. Benvenuti and Ms. Carroll will continue to serve as members of the Audit Committee.

Mr. Brunner continued, “We want to thank both David and Steven for their service to NN’s Board of Directors. David’s deep knowledge of the medical technology industry was instrumental as we built out the Life Sciences business over the last several years, culminating in the sale of the business this past October. Steven’s trusted guidance over two decades and his collective contributions have made a significant and lasting impact on NN.”

The Board of Directors has established a search committee that will initiate a process to replace both Director seats.

NN, Inc., a diversified industrial company, combines advanced engineering and production capabilities with in-depth materials science expertise to design and manufacture high-precision components and assemblies for a variety of markets on a global basis. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, NN has 30 facilities in North America, Europe, South America, and China.

Except for specific historical information, many of the matters discussed in this press release may express or imply projections of revenues or expenditures, statements of plans and objectives or future operations or statements of future economic performance. These, and similar statements, are forward-looking statements concerning matters that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual performance of NN, Inc. and its subsidiaries to differ materially from those expressed or implied by this discussion. All forward-looking information is provided by the Company pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and should be evaluated in the context of these factors. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “assumptions”, “target”, “guidance”, “outlook”, “plans”, “projection”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “potential” or “continue” (or the negative or other derivatives of each of these terms) or similar terminology. Factors which could materially affect actual results include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions and economic conditions in the industrial sector, the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the Company’s financial condition, business operations and liquidity, inventory levels, regulatory compliance costs and the Company’s ability to manage these costs, start-up costs for new operations, debt reduction, competitive influences, risks that current customers will commence or increase captive production, risks of capacity underutilization, quality issues, availability and price of raw materials, currency and other risks associated with international trade, the Company’s dependence on certain major customers, and the successful implementation of the global growth plan including development of new products. Similarly, statements made herein and elsewhere regarding pending and completed transactions are also forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the future performance and prospects of an acquired business, the expected benefits of an acquisition on the Company’s future business and operations and the ability of the Company to successfully integrate recently acquired businesses.

For additional information concerning such risk factors and cautionary statements, please see the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and when filed, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements we make in our press releases, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE NN, Inc.

HERSHEY, Pa., Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced that Damien Atkins, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, will be resigning due to family illness effective January 31, 2021. In connection with his pending resignation, Mr. Atkins will step down from his General Counsel and Secretary role immediately and will focus on the transition of his responsibilities until his departure. James Turoff, currently Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, will serve as Acting General Counsel as the company completes its internal and external search process for Atkins’ successor.

Atkins joined Hershey in 2018. In his role, Atkins led Hershey’s legal, government relations, corporate security and corporate secretary teams. He and his team helped protect the company during these socially and economically tumultuous times and navigate Hershey’s continued expansion into the better-for-you snacking category. 

“Damien has been a true enterprise leader within Hershey, and he will be missed,” said Michele Buck, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company. “In addition to his legal expertise, Damien has strengthened the partnership with our commercial operations and been a champion for talent development and inclusion in and outside of the company.”

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company is headquartered in Hershey, Pa., and is an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to help children succeed. Hershey has approximately 16,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive $8 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop and Pirate’s Booty.

For more than 125 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed.

To learn more visit: www.thehersheycompany.com

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SOURCE The Hershey Company

The Company Defines Growth Initiatives; Introduces Near- and Long-term Financial Milestones

MAUMEE, Ohio, Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANDE) will hold its 2020 Investor Day virtually today with presentations by President and CEO Pat Bowe, Executive Vice President and CFO Brian Valentine, and group presidents Bill Krueger and Joe McNeely. The company will present its profitable growth strategy and capital allocation framework and its path to improving operating and free cash flows. The team will also provide an in-depth review of its four business segments and strategic initiatives to position the company for long-term success.

“We have made great progress since our December 2017 Investor Day despite challenging market conditions from time to time,” said President and CEO Pat Bowe. “We are excited to host this investor day to provide the investment community with a deeper understanding of our company and the strategic initiatives we have put in place to drive profitable growth. We are working hard toward achieving our vision to be the most nimble and innovative North American ag supply chain company.”

Strategic Growth Initiatives

• Drive margin expansion and reduce capital intensity
• Innovate and develop new products and services
• Grow profitably and leverage specialty market opportunities

“We completed the company’s largest-ever acquisition almost two years ago and spent 2019 successfully integrating Lansing Trade Group into our operations,” added Bowe. “This past year has been highlighted by managing through the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing to significantly reduce expenses and optimizing our management structure. As we move forward to 2021 and beyond, we are laser-focused on driving shareholder value through disciplined and strategic growth initiatives. Accordingly, we are introducing our near- and long-term financial milestones to the investment community.”

Near- and Long-term Financial Milestones

• Generate EBITDA of $350 million to $375 million by calendar year 2023
• Reduce long-term debt by an additional $200 million to $250 million by year-end 2023
• Target a long-term-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of less than 2.5x by year-end 2023 
• Continue disciplined approach to capital deployment and consistent positive cash generation
• Work steadily toward improved ROIC, with target of 200 bps above WACC

Event Webcast Details

The presentation, which includes question and answer sessions, will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. EST and is expected to conclude at approximately 11:30 a.m. The public may access the event through a live webcast at https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2804401/2E19F8C0D2BC1D6D9569A0B13C694FD9. Presentation materials will be posted to the Investors section of the Company’s website today at approximately 8:30 a.m. EST. A replay of the webcast will be available at the same location soon after the presentation until December 8, 2021.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Without limitation, these risks include economic, weather and regulatory conditions, competition, the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes that the assumptions upon which the financial information and its forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct.

About The Andersons, Inc.

Founded in 1947 in Maumee, Ohio, The Andersons, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDE) is a diversified company rooted in agriculture that conducts business in the commodity trading, ethanol, plant nutrient and rail sectors. Guided by its Statement of Principles, The Andersons strives to provide extraordinary service to its customers, help its employees improve, support its communities and increase the value of the company. For more information, please visit www.andersonsinc.com.

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SOURCE The Andersons, Inc.

CALGARY, AB, Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ – Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) is proud to announce that it received a leadership level score of A- from CDP for its 2020 climate change disclosure. This accomplishment represents a significant milestone in CP’s journey to integrate climate-related risks and opportunities into the company’s sustainability programs and reporting practices.

“We are proud to be recognized by CDP as a leader in taking action to confront climate change,” said Keith Creel, CP’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “A leadership level score of A- from CDP is a reflection of our efforts to position CP for a sustainably-driven future by implementing climate action within our own operations, while engaging with our value chain to enable positive change beyond our organization.”

Key highlights from CP’s 2020 CDP submission include:

• CP released its first public statement on climate change, demonstrating its commitment to take action and meet the challenge of climate change. The statement supports the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, which seek to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
• CP committed to establishing a science-based emissions reduction target to guide its climate action.
• CP released its 2019 Sustainability Data Supplement, which included for the first time the company’s full Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, an important step to understanding the broader impacts of CP’s business.
• CP conducted a comprehensive scenario analysis in 2020 to understand the full range of possible climate change impacts to our business and align with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD).

CDP is an internationally recognized non-profit organization that runs a global environmental disclosure platform assessing companies on their climate-related performance and transparency. CP has been a contributing participant to CDP for over a decade, consistently disclosing annual emissions progress made on practices to improve the management of greenhouse gas emissions and ongoing energy efficiency initiatives.

CP’s leadership in sustainability was recognized by several organizations in 2020. CP was named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2020, while Corporate Knights Magazine included the company on its Best 50 Corporate Citizens list. CP was also recognized as a sustainability leader in the transportation industry for its efforts in the transition to a low-carbon economy by World Finance Sustainability Awards 2020. 

These achievements culminated with CP being added to the 2020 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America in November. The index measures corporate sustainability leaders’ performance through a comprehensive assessment of economic, environmental and social criteria.

CP will continue to build on this progress and deliver on its ambitious vision for sustainability in 2021. Initiatives will include formalizing the integration of climate-related risks into the enterprise risk-management process, developing CP’s strategy for mitigating risk, pursuing opportunities and increasing CP’s operational resilience under various climate change scenarios. Recognizing the global nature of the fight against climate change, CP aims to align with recognized initiatives that bring governments, sectors and supply chains together to support the goals laid out in the Paris Agreement.

For more information about CP’s sustainability initiatives, including the 2020 CDP climate change response, please visit sustainability.cpr.ca.

Note on forward-looking information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, “forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions and statements about possible future events, conditions, and results of operations or performance. Forward-looking information may contain statements with words or headings such as “will”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “should”, “commit” or similar words suggesting future outcomes.

This news release contains forward-looking information relating, but not limited, to, CP’s operations, priorities and plans, certain targets and goals relating to sustainability and the anticipated impacts of achieving such sustainability targets.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, having regard to CP’s experience and its perception of historical trends, and includes, but is not limited to, expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions relating to: the fuel efficiency of railways and CP’s operations; CP’s ability to implement certain initiatives, including emissions targets, scenario analyses, risk mitigation strategies, changes to enterprise risk management and internal carbon pricing mechanisms; future investments in and the availability of carbon emissions-reduction tools and technologies including through CP’s fleet modernization program and technology upgrades; the impacts of existing and planned capital investments; CP’s ability to work with governments and third parties to mitigate the impacts of climate change; North American and global economic growth; commodity demand growth; agricultural production; commodity prices and interest rates; performance of our assets and equipment; applicable laws, regulations and government policies; the availability and cost of labour, services and infrastructure; the satisfaction by third parties of their obligations to CP; the anticipated impacts of the novel strain of coronavirus (and the disease known as COVID-19); and capital investments by third parties. Although CP believes the expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking information presented herein are reasonable as of the date hereof, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Current conditions, economic and otherwise, render assumptions, although reasonable when made, subject to greater uncertainty.

Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking information. By its nature, CP’s forward-looking information involves inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking information, including, but not limited to, the following factors: changes in business strategies; general North American and global economic, credit and business conditions; risks associated with agricultural production, such as weather conditions and insect populations; the availability and price of energy commodities; the effects of competition and pricing pressures; industry capacity; shifts in market demand; changes in commodity prices; uncertainty surrounding timing and volumes of commodities being shipped via CP; inflation; changes in laws, regulations and government policies, including regulation of rates; changes in taxes and tax rates; potential increases in maintenance and operating costs; changes in fuel prices; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; labour disputes; risks and liabilities arising from derailments; transportation of dangerous goods; timing of completion of capital and maintenance projects; currency and interest rate fluctuations; trade restrictions or other changes to international trade arrangements; climate change; various events that could disrupt operations, including severe weather, such as droughts, floods, avalanches and earthquakes, and cybersecurity attacks, as well as security threats and governmental response to them, and technological changes; and the pandemic created by the outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus (and the disease known as COVID-19) and resulting effects on economic conditions, the demand environment for logistics requirements and energy prices, restrictions imposed by public health authorities or governments, fiscal and monetary policy responses by governments and financial institutions, and disruptions to global supply chains. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. These and other factors are detailed from time to time in reports filed by CP with securities regulators in Canada and the United States. Reference should be made to “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Forward-Looking Statements” in CP’s annual and interim reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, CP undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, or the foregoing assumptions and risks affecting such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. CP-IR

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SOURCE Canadian Pacific

PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Soligenix, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNGX) (Soligenix or the Company), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products to treat rare diseases where there is an unmet medical need, announced today that it has demonstrated extended protection with its heat stable ricin toxin vaccine, RiVax^®. Mice, vaccinated twice on Days 1 and 21 were protected for at least 365 days against subsequent ricin challenge. These results demonstrate that the thermostabilized vaccine formulation is capable of eliciting enduring protection in mice. Coupled with previous demonstration of efficacy in mice and non-human primates (NHPs) as well as long-term thermostability (at least 1 year at 40°C or 104°F), these results reinforce the practicality of stockpiling and potentially utilizing the RiVax^® vaccine in warfighters and civilian first responders without the complexities that arise for vaccines that require cold chain handling. This same thermostabilization approach is also being advanced in the development of Soligenix’s CiVax™ vaccine for COVID-19.

RiVax^® is the Company’s vaccine candidate for the prevention of death following exposure to a lethal dose of ricin toxin using a unique antigen that is completely devoid of the toxic activity of ricin.  Formulated by Soligenix to have enhanced thermostability, RiVax^® has demonstrated up to 100% protection in mice and NHPs subsequently exposed to lethal doses of ricin toxin either systemically or by aerosol.  Most recently, mice have been shown to be protected from ricin challenge at 10 times the lethal dose for at least 12 months post-vaccination. 

“These results continue to reinforce the convenience and practicality of the RiVax^® vaccine,” stated Dr. Oreola Donini, Chief Scientific Officer of Soligenix.  “This, and other ongoing work, has continued to corroborate the efficacy of RiVax^® and will facilitate its potential approval.”

Approval for RiVax^® will be pursued under the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “Animal Rule,” which is applied to products where testing in clinical efficacy trials would be unethical.  In the case of a ricin toxin vaccine, clinical efficacy testing of the vaccine is unethical since it would require intentionally exposing humans to ricin toxin.  The Animal Rule is generally associated with the approval of medical countermeasures for biodefense purposes. The Animal Rule requires the evaluation of efficacy in animals (RiVax^® has demonstrated up to 100% protection in NHPs exposed to lethal aerosolized ricin), safety in humans (the RiVax^® antigen has been demonstrated to be well-tolerated in human Phase 1 clinical studies) and immunogenicity correlated between animal models and humans (biomarkers have been identified, see publication here).

RiVax^® studies are supported by a contract (# HHSN272201400039C) award of approximately $21.2 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).  Non-dilutive funding for the development of RiVax^® has exceeded $40 million to date.

RiVax^® has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA, and, upon approval, has the potential to qualify for a biodefense Priority Review Voucher (PRV).  In addition, RiVax^® has received Orphan Drug designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

About Ricin Toxin

Ricin toxin is a lethal plant-derived toxin and is considered both a bioterrorism agent and a chemical warfare agent because of its stability and high potency, and the fact that it is readily extracted from by-products of castor oil production.  Ricin comes in many forms including powder, mist or pellet.  Ricin can also be dissolved in water and other liquids.  The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the lethal dose in humans is about the size of a grain of salt.  Ricin toxin illness causes tissue necrosis and general organ failure leading to death within several days of exposure.  Ricin is especially toxic when inhaled.  Ricin works by entering cells of the body and preventing the cells from making the proteins they need.  Without the proteins, cells die, which is eventually harmful to the entire body.

There are currently no effective treatments for ricin poisoning.  The successful development of an effective vaccine against ricin toxin may act as a deterrent against the actual use of ricin as a biological weapon and could be used to vaccinate military personnel and civilian emergency responders at high risk of potential exposure in the event of a biological attack.

About RiVax
^®

RiVax^® is Soligenix’s proprietary heat stable recombinant subunit vaccine developed to protect against exposure to ricin toxin, the threat of which has been highlighted in the news with an envelope addressed to President Trump that was thought to contain this potent and potentially lethal toxin.  With RiVax^®, Soligenix is a world leader in the area of ricin toxin vaccine research.

RiVax^® contains a genetically altered version of a Ricin Toxin A (RTA) chain containing two mutations that inactivate the toxicity of the ricin molecule which was originally invented at the University of Texas Southwestern.  Phase 1 clinical studies to date have demonstrated the safety of the antigen and adjuvant, as well as the generation of ricin neutralizing antibodies which are increased in the presence of the alum adjuvant.  In animal studies, the alum formulation of RiVax^® also induced higher titers and longer-lasting antibodies than the adjuvant-free vaccine.  Vaccination with the thermostabilized alum-adjuvanted RiVax^® formulation in a large animal model provided 100% protection (p<0.0001) against acute exposure to aerosolized ricin, the most lethal route of exposure for ricin.  The protected animals also had no signs of gross lung damage, a serious and enduring ramification with long-term consequences for survivors of ricin exposure.  These results are described in a publication available here.

Heat stabilization of RiVax^® is achieved with the Company’s proprietary ThermoVax^® technology, designed to eliminate the cold-chain production, distribution and storage logistics required for most vaccines.  The technology utilizes precise lyophilization of protein immunogens with conventional aluminum adjuvants in combination with secondary adjuvants for rapid onset of protective immunity with the fewest number of vaccinations.  By employing ThermoVax^® during the final formulation of RiVax^®, the vaccine has demonstrated enhanced stability and the ability to withstand temperatures at least as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for up to one year. These results are described in a publication available here.

The development of RiVax^® has been funded through a series of grants from both the NIAID and the FDA and ongoing development is sponsored by NIAID contract #HHSN272201400039C. Non-dilutive funding for the development of RiVax^® has exceeded $40 million to date.  RiVax^® is being developed under the FDA “Animal Rule” and potentially would be added to the Strategic National Stockpile and dispensed in the event of a terrorist threat.  RiVax^® has received orphan drug designation in the US and in Europe.

As a new chemical entity, an FDA approved RiVax^® vaccine has the potential to qualify for a biodefense PRV, which allows the holder accelerated review of a drug application.  Approved under the 21st Century Health Cures Act in late 2016, the biodefense PRV is awarded upon approval as a medical countermeasure when the active ingredient(s) have not been otherwise approved for use in any context.  PRVs are transferable and can be sold, with sales in recent years in excess of $100 million.  When redeemed, PRVs entitle the user to an accelerated review period of six months, saving a median of seven months’ review time as calculated in 2009.  However, the FDA must be advised 90 days in advance of the use of the PRV and the use of a PRV is associated with an additional user fee ($2.1 million in 2020).

About Soligenix, Inc.

Soligenix is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products to treat rare diseases where there is an unmet medical need. Our Specialized BioTherapeutics business segment is developing SGX301 as a novel photodynamic therapy utilizing safe visible light for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, our first-in-class innate defense regulator (IDR) technology, dusquetide (SGX942) for the treatment of oral mucositis in head and neck cancer, and proprietary formulations of oral beclomethasone 17,21-dipropionate (BDP) for the prevention/treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders characterized by severe inflammation including pediatric Crohn’s disease (SGX203) and acute radiation enteritis (SGX201).

Our Public Health Solutions business segment includes active development programs for RiVax^®, our ricin toxin vaccine candidate, SGX943, our therapeutic candidate for antibiotic resistant and emerging infectious disease, and our research programs to identify and develop novel vaccine candidates targeting viral infection including Ebola, Marburg and SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19). The development of our vaccine programs incorporates the use of our proprietary heat stabilization platform technology, known as ThermoVax^®.  To date, this business segment has been supported with government grant and contract funding from the NIAID, the Defense Threat Reduction Agents (DTRA) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

For further information regarding Soligenix, Inc., please visit the Company’s website at www.soligenix.com.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect Soligenix, Inc.’s current expectations about its future results, performance, prospects and opportunities, including but not limited to, potential market sizes, patient populations and clinical trial enrollment.  Statements that are not historical facts, such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “intends,” “plans,” “expects,” “goal,” “may,” “suggest,” “will,” “potential,” or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.  These statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from what is expressed in, or implied by, these statements, such as experienced with the COVID-19 outbreak.  Soligenix cannot assure you that it will be able to successfully develop, achieve regulatory approval for or commercialize products based on its technologies, particularly in light of the significant uncertainty inherent in developing therapeutics and vaccines against bioterror threats, conducting preclinical and clinical trials of therapeutics and vaccines, obtaining regulatory approvals and manufacturing therapeutics and vaccines, that product development and commercialization efforts will not be reduced or discontinued due to difficulties or delays in clinical trials or due to lack of progress or positive results from research and development efforts, that it will be able to successfully obtain any further funding to support product development and commercialization efforts, including grants and awards, maintain its existing grants which are subject to performance requirements, enter into any biodefense procurement contracts with the US Government or other countries, that it will be able to compete with larger and better financed competitors in the biotechnology industry, that changes in health care practice, third party reimbursement limitations and Federal and/or state health care reform initiatives will not negatively affect its business, or that the US Congress may not pass any legislation that would provide additional funding for the Project BioShield program. In addition, there can be no assurance as to the timing or success of the Phase 3 clinical trial of SGX942 (dusquetide) as a treatment for oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemoradiation therapy, or any of our other clinical/preclinical trials.  Despite the statistically significant result achieved in the SGX301 Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, there can be no assurance that a marketing authorization from the FDA or EMA will be successful.  Further, there can be no assurance that RiVax® will qualify for a biodefense Priority Review Voucher (PRV) or that the prior sales of PRVs will be indicative of any potential sales price for a PRV for RiVax^®. Also, no assurance can be provided that the Company will receive or continue to receive non-dilutive government funding from grants and contracts that have been or may be awarded or for which the Company will apply in the future. These and other risk factors are described from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Soligenix’s reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K.  Unless required by law, Soligenix assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events.

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SOURCE Soligenix, Inc.