Jack Nathan Health to Begin Opening 50 New Medical Clinics in Mexico

Jack Nathan Health to Begin Opening 50 New Medical Clinics in Mexico

Signed addendum to Master Service Agreement with Walmartadds significant growth potential for Jack Nathan Health in Mexico

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Jack Nathan Medical Corp. (TSXV:JNH) (“Jack Nathan Health” “JNH” or the “Company”) announced today that its subsidiary JNH Medico Mexico S.A. DE C.V., a provider of primary care medical clinics located in Walmart® Supercentres and other Walmart Mexico formats under the Jack Nathan Health® brand, has signed an addendum to its ongoing Master Service Agreement (“MSA”), which now specifies and directs Jack Nathan to construct 50 new locations throughout the country. This plan for rapid expansion begins immediately with the first 8 locations scheduled to open by the end of December 2020.

The clinics provide much needed healthcare services in Mexican communities where many chronic diseases go undiagnosed and untreated due to a shortage of affordable options for quality healthcare services. Jack Nathan Health clinics are now sending out home COVID-19 tests authorized by the Mexican Health Authority to patients nationally. The costs of these tests are prepaid and include a telemedicine appointment with one of Jack Nathan Health’s physicians. Jack Nathan Health’s facilities will swiftly and dramatically increase access to professional and convenient care in the communities where they operate.

“We are pleased to now begin a phase of significant growth in Mexico within Walmart. Preventative healthcare has always been a necessity in Mexico and taking a holistic approach to health comes with many benefits,” said Laura Camacho, Country Manager of Jack Nathan Health Mexico. “The new clinics, coupled with our existing telemedicine offering, bring innovative solutions and a better overall health experience throughout the country.”

With the addition of 50 new clinics, Jack Nathan Health will have 56 total clinics in Mexico, all corporately owned and operated. Rapid expansion in Walmart Mexico is fueled by modular, cost-effective construction, that only takes days and requires no capital expenditure from Jack Nathan Health, resulting in immediate revenue growth and a short timeframe to achieve accretive clinic operations.

This is also an important step toward fulfilling on Jack Nathan Health’s vision to be one of the leading integrated primary healthcare provider in the world, as well as generating better health outcomes for citizens globally. Jack Nathan Health is well positioned in Canada and now Mexico to assist in the distribution and immunization of potential COVID-19 vaccines.

“Applying our Jack Nathan healthcare expertise to communities that are in need is a truly gratifying moment in our Company’s history,” said George Barakat CEO & Co-Founder of Jack Nathan Health. “We’ve flipped the healthcare model by creating a patient-first experience. Now, with accelerated growth in Mexico, in a manner that reduces upfront costs and the administrative burden on doctors, Jack Nathan Health clinics clearly demonstrate the value of our offering. More importantly, families in these communities will now have access to a more consistent, quality, and affordable healthcare experience. It gives the citizens of Mexico the opportunity to begin their Circle of Health Care™ journeys. These new clinics, with telemedicine support, will be an integral part of our next phase of expansion with Walmart Mexico.”

Jack Nathan Health clinics in Mexico, are enhanced with our new telemedicine platform which increases access for patients throughout the country. Adding 50 new clinics significantly improves digital access to Jack Nathan Health Mexico locations with a growing group of medical professionals in our network.

About Jack Nathan Medical Corp.

Jack Nathan Medical Corp., operating as Jack Nathan Health®, is one of Canada’s largest health care networks. Jack Nathan Health® is an innovative health care company that is improving access for millions of patients by co-locating physician and ancillary medical services conveniently located inside Walmart® stores.

Jack Nathan Health® provides an exceptional level of patient care, made possible through patient-centric physicians, a variety of medical services, technology and programs, designed to put patients first. Our mission is to provide everyone access to the finest quality retail medical centres, with both in-clinic physicians and digital telemedicine, so you and your loved ones can “Live Your Best Life”.

Jack Nathan Health® was established in 2006 and continues to expand its international footprint, delivering exceptional, state-of-the-art, turn-key medical centres in 76 Walmart locations across Canada including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, as well as six locations in Mexico.

For more information, visit www.jacknathanhealth.com or www.sedar.com.

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

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute “forward-looking information” as such term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “potential”, “will”, “seek”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” and similar expressions as they relate to Jack Nathan are intended to identify forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Company’s current views and intentions with respect to future events, and current information available to them, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking information to vary from those described herein should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize. Such factors include but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in costs; litigation; legislative and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; the economic and business impact of Covid19 and operational difficulties. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law.

IR:

David Berman, CFO, [email protected]

or

Mark Kuindersma, LodeRock Advisors, [email protected]

PR & Marketing:

Jennifer Usher, Director Marketing & Communications, [email protected]

KEYWORDS: Mexico Central America North America Canada

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Practice Management Nursing Managed Care Health Infectious Diseases Hospitals Discount/Variety Retail

MEDIA:

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Seres Therapeutics to Participate in Upcoming Virtual Investor Conferences

Seres Therapeutics to Participate in Upcoming Virtual Investor Conferences

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Seres Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MCRB) today announced that management will participate in two upcoming investor conferences:

  • Piper Sandler 32nd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference on December 1, 2020 where management will participate in 1×1 meetings. A fireside chat held with Seres management will be made available on the News and Events section of the Company’s website on November 23, 2020.
  • 3rd Annual Evercore ISI HealthCONx Virtual Conference on December 2, 2020. Management will participate in 1×1 meetings.

About Seres Therapeutics

Seres Therapeutics, Inc., (Nasdaq: MCRB) is a leading microbiome therapeutics platform company developing a novel class of multifunctional bacterial consortia that are designed to functionally interact with host cells and tissues to treat disease. Seres’ SER-109 program achieved the first-ever positive pivotal clinical results for a targeted microbiome drug candidate and has obtained Breakthrough Therapy and Orphan Drug designations from the FDA. The SER-109 program is being advanced for the treatment of recurrent C. difficile infection and has potential to become a first-in-class FDA-approved microbiome therapeutic. Seres’ SER-287 program has obtained Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations from the FDA and is being evaluated in a Phase 2b study in patients with active mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. Seres is evaluating SER-401 in a Phase 1b study in patients with metastatic melanoma, SER-301 in a Phase 1b study in patients with ulcerative colitis and SER-155 to prevent mortality due to gastrointestinal infections, bacteremia and graft versus host disease. For more information, please visit www.serestherapeutics.com.

PR Contact

Lisa Raffensperger

[email protected]

IR Contact

Carlo Tanzi, Ph.D.

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Massachusetts United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Biotechnology Other Health Health Pharmaceutical Clinical Trials

MEDIA:

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Volt Executives Named to Staffing Industry Analysts’ 2020 “Global Power 150 – Women in Staffing” List

Volt Executives Named to Staffing Industry Analysts’ 2020 “Global Power 150 – Women in Staffing” List

ORANGE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Volt Information Sciences, Inc. (NYSE-AMERICAN: VOLT), a global provider of staffing services, today announced that both Linda Perneau, President & Chief Executive Officer, and Lori Schultz, Chief Global Solutions Officer, were named by Staffing Industry Analysts to the “Global Power 150 – Women in Staffing” list.

In its sixth year, the Global Power 150 List highlights 100 influential women from the Americas, and 50 globally, who have made significant contributions to the success of their companies and the staffing industry ecosystem. As the first female CEO in Volt’s long history, Ms. Perneau took the company helm in late 2018, achieving improved financial performance, revamping business lines, and gaining operational efficiencies. Ms. Schultz’s oversight includes the company’s managed service provider, Volt Consulting Group, as well as Volt International and the company’s Arctern subsidiary, which provides shared services support from India.

“We are honored to be recognized by SIA,” said Linda Perneau, Volt’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Being named to this list in particular is a source of pride for both Lori and I. As veteran female executives, we have devoted our careers to the business of workforce solutions – but we have never lost sight of the need to make the workplace work for women. Volt understands the vital role the staffing industry plays in recruiting and retaining women at all levels and stages of their careers. We firmly believe more diverse teams perform and deliver better, and sincerely appreciate SIA’s acknowledgment of the powerful women who excel and promote that ideal.”

About Volt Information Sciences, Inc.

Volt Information Sciences, Inc. is a global provider of staffing services (traditional time and materials-based as well as project-based). Our staffing services consist of workforce solutions that include providing contingent workers, personnel recruitment services, and managed staffing services programs supporting primarily administrative, technical, information technology, light-industrial and engineering positions. Our managed staffing programs involve managing the procurement and on-boarding of contingent workers from multiple providers. Volt services global industries including aerospace, automotive, banking and finance, consumer electronics, information technology, insurance, life sciences, manufacturing, media and entertainment, pharmaceutical, software, telecommunications, transportation, and utilities. For more information, visit www.volt.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

Volt Information Sciences, Inc.

[email protected]

Joe Noyons

Three Part Advisors

[email protected]

817-778-8424

KEYWORDS: United States North America California Pennsylvania

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Human Resources

MEDIA:

New study: People living longer in retirement, signals need for lifetime income strategies

New study: People living longer in retirement, signals need for lifetime income strategies

Some retirees outliving savings, others spending less than they’ve accumulated

DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Guaranteed income strategies have emerged as underutilized methods to not only help people save for retirement but also provide a stream of income to sustain them during potentially longer life spans. The new study from the Longevity Project in collaboration with Principal Financial Group® and the Stanford Center on Longevity, explores the implications of longevity in retirement and potential policy and industry recommendations. According to the white paper, Lifetime Income to Support Longer Life: Retirement Innovation and the New Age of Longevity, people entering retirement tend to either overspend and withdraw funds at unsustainable rates, or they underspend, denying themselves basic needs because they’re afraid of running out of money.1

“There’s been a significant improvement in life expectancy over time,” said Sri Reddy, senior vice president, Retirement and Income Solutions at Principal®. “At the same time, many retirees are significantly underestimating how many years they’ll spend in retirement. This uncertainty, combined with variables including declining pension benefits and rising costs, can make it difficult to plan for spending one’s assets in retirement.”

The average American turning age 65 today can expect to live 40% longer than someone who turned 65 in 1950.2 Furthermore, the number of Americans retiring every day has more than doubled over the last 20 years.3

“While helping Americans save enough for retirement must continue to be a critical priority, our research points to the next frontier for retirement—helping Americans spend their retirement savings in a sensible, measured way,” said Ken Stern, chair of the Longevity Project. “Income annuities have emerged as a viable and immediately realizable vehicle to help many Americans generate guaranteed lifetime income. However, expanding the role of guaranteed lifetime income will require a concerted effort to educate consumers.”

Solving the puzzle of longer life and longer retirement

According to a Longevity Project – Morning Consult poll featured in the study, only a small percentage of retirees and pre-retirees (7%) are counting on annuities to be an important part of their retirement portfolio. This compares to much higher reliance on Social Security benefits (64%), personal savings and investments (38%), and 401(k) or 403(b) plans offered by employers (35%). The new white paper attributes these low adoption rate to several factors:

  • Consumers may not see income annuities as simple or easy to understand. Variable annuities and indexed annuities have a reputation of being more complex and sometimes more expensive.
  • Consumers don’t want to “lose” money by putting it in an annuity and possibly dying before getting their money back. They may value access to their money over the promise of not running out of money.
  • Financial professionals are still warming up to annuities. Some may lack understanding of how annuities work and may not position them with clients.
  • Retirement plan sponsors are the gatekeepers of America’s defined contribution plans—the retirement savings vehicle for millions of Americans. Since very few plans currently offer guaranteed lifetime income options in their plan’s lineup, people may just not be familiar with them.

Product innovations such as automatic enrollment and automatic escalation and the growth of target date funds have helped many Americans to save for retirement. But at retirement, many find themselves in a financial world with little to guide them on how to spend down their retirement savings, facing a wide variety of complicated decisions and few ways to protect themselves financially if their retirement lasts longer than average. These factors underscore the value of working with financial professionals.

“With the passage of the SECURE Act last year, we took an important first step towards creating a framework for guaranteed retirement income solutions,” said Reddy. “This study shows us there is a real need for industry, plan sponsors, financial professionals and policy makers to collaborate at new levels to increase access to lower-cost income annuities and similar lifetime income solutions so American workers may have a more secure retirement and more confidence that they will not outlive their resources.”

As a part of its continued commitment to promote financial security, Principal works with financial professionals to provide the resources employers need to help workers prepare for retirement. Now more than ever, it is important to help people develop a plan that supports them feeling confident about the future — and guaranteed income is a key strategy that can aid in that effort. Principal has an innovative in-plan solution that provides guaranteed income for the rest of the plan participant’s life, which is even more valuable as people live longer than previous generations and spend more years in retirement.

About Principal®

Principal helps people and companies around the world build, protect and advance their financial well-being through retirement, insurance and asset management solutions that fit their lives. Our employees are passionate about helping clients of all income and portfolio sizes achieve their goals – offering innovative ideas, investment expertise and real-life solutions to make financial progress possible. To find out more, visit us at principal.com.

About the Longevity Project

We foster research and public conversation to build awareness of the implications of longer life, and bring together leaders from business, government, and the social sector to plan for the transitions in healthcare, retirement planning, the future of work and more. Together with our lead content collaborator, the Stanford Center on Longevity and other leading universities, think tanks and media organizations, our goal is to support a new awareness of the longevity challenge and support change so that people around the world can live healthier, more secure and more fulfilled lives.

The subject matter in this communication is educational only and provided with the understanding that Principal® is not rendering legal, accounting, investment advice or tax advice. You should consult with appropriate counsel or other advisors on all matters pertaining to legal, tax, investment or accounting obligations and requirements.

Stanford Center is not an affiliate of any company of the Principal Financial Group.

Investment and Insurance products are:

Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency

Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, A Bank or Any Bank Affiliate

Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested

Guarantees are based upon the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

©2020 Principal Financial Services, Inc. Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Co. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., 800-247-1737, member SIPC and/or independent broker/-dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.

Principal, Principal and symbol design and Principal Financial Group are trademarks and service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.

© 2020 Principal Financial Services, Inc.

1415138-112020


1 Longevity Project interview with Steve Vernon, March 6, 2020

2 The Longevity Project in collaboration with Principal Financial Group and the Stanford Center on Longevity. The Lifetime Income to Support Longer Life: Retirement Innovation and the New Age of Longevity white paper, 2020.

3 U.S. Census Bureau / Deutsche Bank https://finance.yahoo.com/news/americans-retiring-increasing-pace-145837368.html

Lonnetta Ragland, [email protected], 515-878-1504

KEYWORDS: United States North America Iowa

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Other Consumer Insurance Finance Seniors Consulting Banking Professional Services Consumer Other Professional Services

MEDIA:

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Visa Launches Research Center Committed to Promoting and Advancing Global Economic Equity and Inclusivity

Visa Launches Research Center Committed to Promoting and Advancing Global Economic Equity and Inclusivity

  Visa Economic Empowerment Institute will conduct and develop unique research and generate powerful insights to enhance the global payments ecosystem

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) today announced the launch of the Visa Economic Empowerment Institute (VEEI), a center of excellence for research and public-private dialogue on payments policy, committed to promoting and advancing equitable economic empowerment of individuals, businesses and societies around the world.

The VEEI will develop new research and insights designed to inform long-term policy within the global payments ecosystem, and promote the value of digital payments and global networks to advance inclusion and drive economic growth. VEEI will serve as a forum for policymakers, regulators, non-governmental organizations and international organizations to convene and collaborate on policies to rebuild and grow the global economy.

“Visa’s unparalleled global network and perspective on economic trends will allow VEEI to develop novel insights on the payments ecosystem and provide actionable solutions for improving and enhancing communities,” said Al Kelly, chairman and CEO of Visa. “The creation of VEEI is our next step toward removing barriers and creating more accessible economic opportunities for everyone, everywhere.”

Dr. Barbara Kotschwar, a Georgetown University professor and former specialist at the World Bank, will serve as the VEEI’s Executive Director. She will lead a team of Fellows, who are subject matter experts in payments, central banking, development finance, international trade, cybersecurity and other key issues. The Fellows will leverage Visa’s vast information resources and technology capabilities to analyze problems and develop policy recommendations to bring real solutions to communities around the world. Bill Sheedy, senior advisor to Visa CEO Al Kelly, will chair the Institute.

“As our world becomes more complex and interconnected, it is paramount that we close gender, global development, ethnicity, and other inclusion gaps to achieve digital connectivity and access to global markets for all,” said Dr. Kotschwar. “The Institute will provide a platform for public and private actors to work together collectively to increase economic empowerment, trade and global connectivity.”

The Visa Economic Empowerment Institute will focus on three strategic pillars to further its mission:

  • Fostering Digital Equity and Inclusion, which will address societal issues, inclusive economic growth, financial inclusion, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) recovery and resilience.
  • Unlocking Growth through Trade, which will address the factors that encourage greater digital and cross-border trade.
  • Imagining an Open Future for Payments, which will address the future of money, societal and cross-border issues and innovations that are shaping the way people pay and are paid, and MSME recovery.

In connection with the launch, the VEEI released a set of foundational position papers, highlighting some of the key contextual challenges its pillars of research will focus on, including:

  • Fostering Digital Equity and Inclusion: The pandemic has accelerated several years of digital transformation into months, reinforcing the importance of digital connectivity and highlighting systemic inequities around access and barriers to usage. For example, while 93% of the world’s population lives within physical reach of mobile broadband or internet connections, nearly half (3.6 billion people) do not use it.i
  • Unlocking Growth Through Trade: Trade agreements have not kept pace with advances in technology and economic growth in the digital economy. With few firm commitments on digital trade, protectionism is on the rise, threatening MSME growth and their connections to the broader digital economy.
  • Imagining an Open Future for Payments: Payment innovations are increasing and demand a new approach to cybersecurity protections and financial services on new payment platforms.

VEEI is uniquely positioned to lead conversations between the public and private sectors and future publications will reflect this dialogue. To learn more about VEEI and to read the foundational position papers, please visit https://usa.visa.com/sites/visa-economic-empowerment-institute.html.

About Visa

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world’s leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network – enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company’s relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of digital commerce on any device, for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit About Visa, visa.com/blog and @VisaNews.


i Report of the Secretary-General. Roadmap for Digital Cooperation. June 2020. https://www.un.org/en/content/digital-cooperation-roadmap/assets/pdf/Roadmap_for_Digital_Cooperation_EN.pdf

Lindy Mockovak

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Finance Banking Other Philanthropy Professional Services Philanthropy

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Aravive Announces Phase 3 Trial Design for AVB-500 in Platinum Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Pivotal Trial Expected to be Initiated During 1Q21

HOUSTON, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aravive, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARAV), a clinical-stage oncology company developing transformative therapeutics, today announced the Company has received guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a Phase 3 trial design for AVB-500 in platinum resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). The global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled adaptive trial is designed to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of AVB-500 at a dose of 15 mg/kg in combination with paclitaxel.  

“We look forward to advancing AVB-500 into a pivotal Phase 3 trial in platinum resistant ovarian cancer, following the promising results from our Phase 1b trial and productive conversations with the FDA,” said Gail McIntyre, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Aravive. “With agreement from the FDA that our preclinical and clinical pharmacology programs are now complete, we anticipate that this trial, if successful, could support the submission of a biologics license application to the FDA. We plan to initiate the trial in the first quarter of 2021, with an interim analysis expected a year later.”

The pivotal, adaptive Phase 3 trial is expected to enroll approximately 300-400 patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer who have received one to four prior lines of therapy. This global trial is planned to be conducted at approximately 100 sites in the U.S. and Europe. The primary endpoint for the trial is progression free survival, and secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, duration of response, quality of life, clinical benefit rate, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile. Prospectively defined interim analyses will investigate treatment differences in patients who have previously received bevacizumab versus those who have not and will explore the biomarkers identified in the Phase 1b trial in an effort to test the hypotheses generated from the Phase 1b data. Based on the interim analyses, the trial can be adapted to include only those patients who have not previously been treated with bevacizumab and/or whose baseline serum biomarker results meet the identified threshold.

About AVB-500

AVB-500 is a therapeutic recombinant fusion protein that has been shown to neutralize GAS6 activity by binding to GAS6 with very high affinity in preclinical models. In doing so, AVB-500 selectively inhibits the GAS6-AXL signaling pathway, which is upregulated in multiple cancer types including ovarian cancer. In preclinical studies, GAS6-AXL inhibition has shown anti-tumor activity in combination with a variety of anticancer therapies, including radiation therapy, immuno-oncology agents, and chemotherapeutic drugs that affect DNA replication and repair. Increased expression of AXL and GAS6 in tumors has been correlated with poor prognosis and decreased survival and has been implicated in therapeutic resistance to conventional chemotherapeutics and targeted therapies. AVB-500 is currently being evaluated in clinical trials and has been granted Fast Track Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in platinum resistant recurrent ovarian cancer. Analysis of all safety data to date showed that AVB-500 has been generally well-tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities or unexpected safety signals.

About Aravive

Aravive, Inc. is a clinical-stage oncology company developing transformative therapeutics designed to halt the progression of life-threatening diseases. Aravive’s lead therapeutic, AVB-500, is an ultra-high affinity decoy protein that targets the GAS6-AXL signaling pathway associated with tumor cell growth. Aravive recently successfully completed a Phase 1b trial of AVB-500 in platinum resistant ovarian cancer and selected 15 mg/kg as the dose for the Phase 3 trial. While the Phase 1b trial of AVB-500 in platinum resistant ovarian cancer was a safety trial and not powered to demonstrate efficacy, all 5 patients in the 15 mg/kg cohort experienced clinical benefit, with 1 complete response, 2 partial responses, and 2 stable disease. The Company also intends to initiate a Phase 1b/Phase 2 trial of AVB-500 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma later this year. For more information, please visit www.aravive.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended), express or implied, such statements regarding advancing AVB-500 into a pivotal Phase 3 trial during first quarter 2021, the trial supporting the submission of a biologics license application to the FDA, conducting an interim analysis a year later, enrollment of approximately 300-400 patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer who have received one to four prior lines of therapy, the trial being conducted at approximately 100 sites in the U.S. and Europe. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: our ability to initiate a pivotal trial during first quarter 2021, the trial supporting the submission of a biologics license application to the FDA, our ability to conduct an interim analysis a year later, as planned, our ability to enroll approximately 300-400 patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer who have received one to four prior lines of therapy as planned, our ability to conduct the trial at approximately 100 sites in the U.S. and Europe as planned, our ability to initiate a Phase 1b/Phase 2 trial of AVB-500 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma as planned later this year, the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s clinical strategy, clinical trials, supply chain and fundraising, the Company’s ability to expand development into additional oncology indications, the Company’s dependence upon AVB-500, AVB-500’s ability to have favorable results in clinical trials and ISTs, the clinical trials of AVB-500 having results that are as favorable as those of preclinical and clinical trials, the ability to receive regulatory approval, potential delays in the Company’s clinical trials due to regulatory requirements or difficulty identifying qualified investigators or enrolling patients especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic; the risk that AVB-500 may cause serious side effects or have properties that delay or prevent regulatory approval or limit its commercial potential; the risk that the Company may encounter difficulties in manufacturing AVB-500; if AVB-500 is approved, risks associated with its market acceptance, including pricing and reimbursement; potential difficulties enforcing the Company’s intellectual property rights; the Company’s reliance on its licensor of intellectual property and financing needs. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K and subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:

Media:

Sheryl Seapy, W2O
[email protected]
(213) 262-9390

Investors:

Luke Heagle, W2O
[email protected]
(910) 726-1372



Freeline to present at the 3rd Annual Evercore ISI Health CONx Conference

LONDON, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc (Nasdaq: FRLN) (the “Company” or “Freeline”), a clinical-stage, fully integrated, next generation, systemic AAV-based gene therapy company with the ambition of transforming the lives of patients suffering from inherited systemic debilitating diseases, today announced that management will participate in a fireside chat at the 3rd Annual Evercore ISI Health CONx Conference on 3 December, 2020 from 08.00 – 8.20 am ET.

A live audio webcast of the fireside chat will be available on the events section of Freeline’s website.  An archived replay will be available on the Company’s website for a period of 90 days after the conference.

About Freeline

Freeline is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on AAV-based gene therapy targeting the liver. Its vision is to create better lives for people suffering from chronic, systemic diseases using the potential of gene therapy as a one-time treatment to provide a potential functional cure. Freeline is headquartered in the UK and has operations in Germany and the US.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward looking statements” as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements that express the Company’s opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results, in contrast with statements that reflect historical facts. Examples include discussion of the Company’s strategies, financing plans, and clinical trial plans. In some cases, you can identify such forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “seek,” “project” or “expect,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could” or “should,” the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Forward looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to the Company, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including the Company’s recurring losses from operations; the development of the Company’s product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation, completion and the outcome of clinical studies or trials and related preparatory work; the Company’s ability to design and implement successful clinical trials for its product candidates; the potential for a pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of infectious diseases in the U.S., U.K. or EU, including the COVID-19 pandemic, to disrupt the Company’s clinical trial pipeline; the Company’s failure to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its product candidates; the fact that results obtained in earlier stage clinical testing may not be indicative of results in future clinical trials; the Company’s ability to enroll patients in clinical trials for its product candidates; the possibility that one or more of the Company’s product candidates may cause serious adverse, undesirable or unacceptable side effects or have other properties that could delay or prevent their regulatory approval or limit their commercial potential; the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of its product candidates; the Company’s limited manufacturing experience which could result in delays in the development or commercialization of its product candidates; and the Company’s ability to identify or discover additional product candidates, or failure to capitalize on programs or product candidates. Such risks and uncertainties may cause the statements to be inaccurate and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Many of these risks are outside of the Company’s control and could cause its actual results to differ materially from those it thought would occur. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. The Company does not undertake, and specifically declines, any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such statements to reflect future events or developments, except as required by law.

For further information, please reference the Company’s reports and documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You may get these documents by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

Further information:

United States

LifeSci Advisors

Dan Ferry
+1 (617) 430 7576
[email protected]

Europe

JW Communications

Julia Wilson
+44 (0) 7818 430877
[email protected] 



DeFi Project KingSwap Completes Migration from Uniswap to its Own Liquidity & Farming Pools

After generating millions in transaction volume on Uniswap, KingSwap’s staking rewards, NFTs, and fiat conversions are all available on its platform

Singapore, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (via Blockchain Wire) DeFi project KingSwap (https://www.kingswap.io/) today announced it has completed its migration from Uniswap to its own platform’s liquidity and farming pools. Earlier this month, KingSwap achieved $4 million USD in transaction volume in its first three days on Uniswap. Now, KingSwap’s DEX features are available directly through its website https://www.kingswap.exchange

The first regulated* DeFi project out of Singapore, KingSwap is a high-yield liquidity platform that offers extensive staking rewards, digital collectibles, and fiat conversions. An evolution of Uniswap, KingSwap provides user-friendly features that provide real-time benefits in terms of price curves and contributor rewards. 

“We’re pleased with the quick progress our team has made in migrating KingSwap’s liquidity and farming pools from Uniswap to KingSwap,” said Malcolm Tan, KingSwap advisor. “We are grateful to Uniswap for providing us the early traction and visibility we needed to generate an enthusiastic user base, and look forward to building upon this with exciting NFT launches and platform enhancements in the coming weeks.” 

KingSwap’s NFTs give their owners loyalty rewards from $KING tokens issued. The project sold out several batches of its exclusive ‘Knight Token’ NFTs and ‘Queen Sparkle’ NFTs, which provide owners access to $KING airdrops.  Daily airdrops have already been distributed to all NFT holders (with over 200% ROI). The resale market for these NFTs is already robust, with some resellers already achieving returns of over 150 percent within a span of a few days. 

Prior to KingSwap’s public launch on October 30, venture capital firms and cryptocurrency investors participated in KingSwap’s private fundraising round, helping the project quickly exceed its 1000 ETH soft cap to raise over $20 million USD in funding and liquidity support. KingSwap’s backers include Plutus VC, Hashstreet VC, Alpha Sigma Capital, Tradecraft Capital, and 7CC. 

KingSwap was founded by a team of experienced leaders in banking, finance, and crypto, including Dr. Anish Mohammed, who has advised and worked for companies including HSBC, Lloyds, and Zurich, and was an early advisor to Ripple and Ocean Protocol; Dunstan Teo, Chief Architect of the Fido Protocol and President of Sanctum Pte Ltd.; and Ho Chin Shin, who previously worked as a director at Standard Chartered Bank; Nomura, Japan’s largest investment bank; and the Bank of Singapore. 

KingSwap’s advisors include Venture Capitalist Dr. Giampaolo Parigi (PhD); Professor Alex Nascimento (MBA), Faculty and Co-Founder, Blockchain at UCLA; Michael Terpin, Founder and CEO of Transform Group and Co-Founder of BitAngels; Lionel Iruk, Esq.(J.D), Dr. Robert Choi (PhD), and Frank D.(MBA). 

To learn more about KingSwap, join the KingSwap Telegram group or follow the project on Twitter

ABOUT KINGSWAP
KingSwap (https://www.kingswap.io/) is a DeFi project based out of Singapore that is introducing a liquidity pool platform with fiat conversions. KingSwap’s high-yield liquidity platform offers extensive staking rewards, digital collectibles, and fiat conversions. An evolution of Uniswap, KingSwap provides user-friendly features that provide real-time benefits in terms of price curves and contributor rewards. 



Media Contact: Transform Group, [email protected]

Scapa Healthcare Announces Expansion of Sterilisation Irradiation Services in the UK

Proven Track Record of Technical Expertise Supporting Customers’ Product Sterility Requirements

WINDSOR, Conn., Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Scapa Healthcare, the trusted strategic partner of choice for the world’s leading companies in advanced wound care, consumer wellness and medical device & fixation, announces that it is increasing the capacity of its comprehensive irradiation services at its Gargrave, UK facility to meet growing demand for irradiation services for medical devices and pharmaceutical products.

Scapa Healthcare provides a full range of sterilisation services including in-house gamma irradiation, microbiology, storage, product stability and global product distribution as well as technical expertise in electron beam and ethylene oxide sterilisation methods.

The facility is equipped to precisely and reproducibly sterilize a wide variety of medical devices and pharmaceutical products composed of different materials, densities, dose requirements and material composition. Scapa’s team of experts’ integrated approach underpins customer’s requirement and supports sterility label claims under ISO 13485 and ISO 11137 accreditations. Scapa’s microbiologists and technical specialists collaborate across all areas of product sterility through the company’s Microbiology Quality Assurance services.

“Scapa Healthcare is recognized as a leader in delivering premium life sciences turn-key solutions to our customers,” said Matt Ellison, General Manager, Europe and UK, Scapa Healthcare. “Our dedicated team of experts at the Gargrave site work closely with customers, guiding and leading throughout the process from product development to distribution and logistics of finished goods to ensure we meet and exceed customer requirements. We strive to be the partner of choice for leading healthcare companies by providing fast and efficient turnaround times along with the highest quality of customer service.”

For more information about Scapa Healthcare full offering of sterilisation services, please visit: https://www.scapahealthcare.com/services/sterilisation

About Scapa Healthcare

Scapa Healthcare is the trusted strategic partner of choice for the world’s leading companies in advanced wound care, consumer wellness and medical device & fixation. Our strategy is to partner with market leaders to develop and manufacture innovative skin friendly medical device fixation and topical solutions. Through pursuing these partnerships, Scapa now provides integrated services to the top global MedTech companies. Our state-of-the-art facilities enable Scapa Healthcare to offer customers the whole spectrum of production services from inception through to market delivery. For more information visit: scapahealthcare.com or email [email protected].



Media Contact
Hillary Lima
SVM Public Relations and Marketing Communications
[email protected]
(401) 490-9700

Scapa Healthcare Contact 
Lee Barrett
[email protected]

The Children’s Place Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results

Reports
Q3
GAAP Earnings per Diluted Share of $0.91 versus $2.77 in Q32019

Reports
Q3
Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share of $1.44 versus $3.03 in Q3 2019

SECAUCUS, N.J., Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Children’s Place, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCE), the largest pure-play children’s specialty apparel retailer in North America, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended October 31, 2020.

Jane Elfers, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “As expected, revenue during our peak back-to-school period was significantly impacted by the move to remote and hybrid learning models. Post the back-to-school peak, when our assortments converted to more casual options and the weather turned cooler, our sales improved. Importantly, we returned to profitability and generated positive cash flow from operations for the third quarter.”

Ms. Elfers continued, “Our digital sales penetration increased to 44% in the third quarter and year-to-date, our digital sales represent 55% of total sales. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, we have increased the number of new digital customers versus last year by approximately 100%, converted over 800,000 of our store-only customers to omni-channel customers, and increased our mobile app downloads by over 60% versus last year. Combined, these metrics provide a strong foundation for continued digital growth as digital adoption, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to drive online sales to an increasingly greater share of total sales. Importantly, we remain on track to close 300 stores by the end of fiscal 2021, with a plan of 200 store closures in fiscal 2020, inclusive of the 118 stores that have permanently closed in the first nine months of 2020, and 100 store closures in fiscal 2021.”

Ms. Elfers concluded, “We are approaching the fourth quarter with heightened caution and expect both sales and profitability to be under pressure due to the numerous headwinds created by the pandemic, specifically: the reduced demand for dress-up product, significantly reduced store traffic, recent nationwide spikes in COVID-19 cases resulting in additional temporary store closures, social distancing requirements, and reduced mall operating hours.  In addition, the capacity constraints across the domestic transportation network resulting from the unprecedented level of expected online demand and the related freight surcharges imposed by our major carriers will put additional pressure on sales and margins during Q4.  While we continue to manage through these short-term headwinds during this extraordinary time, our focus remains on successfully scaling our digital transformation investments and accelerating store closures to position the Company for accelerated operating margin expansion in a post-COVID environment.”

Third Quarter 2020 Results

Net sales decreased 19% to $425.6 million in the three months ended October 31, 2020 compared to $524.8 million in the three months ended November 2, 2019, primarily as a result of a decrease in back-to-school sales due to schools adopting remote and hybrid learning models, along with the impact of permanent and temporary store closures.

Gross profit was $146.1 million in the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $198.1 million in the three months ended November 2, 2019. Adjusted gross profit was $151.7 million in the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $198.1 million in the comparable period last year, and deleveraged 210 basis points to 35.7% of net sales. The decrease was primarily a result of increased penetration of our e-commerce business and its higher fulfillment costs, along with the deleverage of fixed expenses resulting from the decline in net sales, partially offset by higher merchandise margins in both our stores and e-commerce channels.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $106.6 million in the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $120.5 million in the three months ended November 2, 2019. Adjusted SG&A was $103.5 million in the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $116.6 million in the comparable period last year, and deleveraged 210 basis points to 24.3% of net sales, primarily as a result of the deleverage of fixed expenses resulting from the decline in net sales and higher incentive compensation accruals. This was partially offset by a reduction in store expenses resulting from our permanent store closures, as well as a reduction in operating expenses associated with actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operating income was $23.3 million in the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $58.0 million in the three months ended November 2, 2019. Adjusted operating income was $33.3 million in the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $63.4 million in the comparable period last year, and deleveraged 430 basis points to 7.8% of net sales.

Net income was $13.3 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, in the three months ended October 31, 2020, compared to net income of $43.0 million, or $2.77 per diluted share, in the three months ended November 2, 2019. Adjusted net income was $21.1 million, or $1.44 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $47.1 million, or $3.03 per diluted share, in the comparable period last year.

Fiscal Year-To-Date 2020 Results

Net sales decreased 22.7% to $1.050 billion in the nine months ended October 31, 2020 compared to $1.358 billion in the nine months ended November 2, 2019, primarily as a result of permanent and temporary store closures, along with a decrease in back-to-school sales beginning in mid-July due to schools adopting remote and hybrid learning models, partially offset by increased e-commerce sales.

Gross profit was $193.5 million in the nine months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $488.9 million in the nine months ended November 2, 2019. Adjusted gross profit was $313.9 million in the nine months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $488.4 million in the comparable period last year, and deleveraged 610 basis points to 29.9% of net sales, primarily as a result of increased penetration of our e-commerce business and its higher fulfillment costs, along with the deleverage of fixed expenses resulting from the decline in net sales.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $319.4 million in the nine months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $364.9 million in the nine months ended November 2, 2019. Adjusted SG&A was $295.1 million in the nine months ended October 31, 2020, compared to $359.3 million in the comparable period last year, and deleveraged 160 basis points to 28.1% of net sales, primarily as a result of the deleverage of fixed expenses resulting from the decline in net sales and higher incentive compensation accruals, partially offset by a reduction in store expenses resulting from our permanent store closures, as well as a reduction in operating expenses associated with actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operating loss was ($214.3) million in the nine months ended October 31, 2020, compared to operating income of $66.8 million in the nine months ended November 2, 2019. Adjusted operating loss was ($29.5) million in the nine months ended October 31, 2020, compared to adjusted operating income of $75.9 million in the comparable period last year, and deleveraged 840 basis points to (2.8%) of net sales.

Net loss was ($148.1) million, or ($10.13) per diluted share, in the nine months ended October 31, 2020, compared to net income of $49.1 million, or $3.10 per diluted share, in the nine months ended November 2, 2019.  Adjusted net loss was ($29.2) million, or ($2.00) per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $55.9 million, or $3.53 per diluted share, in the comparable period last year.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation

The Company’s results are reported in this press release on a GAAP and as adjusted, non-GAAP basis. Adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share, adjusted gross profit, adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses, and adjusted operating income (loss) are non-GAAP measures, and are not intended to replace GAAP financial information, and may be different from non-GAAP measures reported by other companies. The Company believes the income and expense items excluded as non-GAAP adjustments are not reflective of the performance of its core business, and that providing this supplemental disclosure to investors will facilitate comparisons of the past and present performance of its core business.

For the three months ended October 31, 2020, the Company’s adjusted results exclude net expenses of approximately $10.0 million, primarily related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including incremental COVID-19 operating expenses, including incentive pay and personal protective equipment for our associates, and occupancy charges for rent at our stores temporarily closed.

The total impact on income taxes for the above items was approximately $2.2 million, including a provision of approximately $0.5 million, primarily resulting from the changes in operating loss carryback rules as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act.

For the nine months ended October 31, 2020, the Company recorded an inventory provision of approximately $63.2 million and approximately $37.9 million of impairment charges, including the right-of-use assets recorded in connection with the adoption of the new lease accounting standard. The inventory provision relates to the adverse business disruption resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including the store closures. The impairment charges were primarily a result of decreased net revenue and cash flow projections resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic disruption.

In addition to the inventory provision and impairment charges, the Company’s adjusted results for the nine months ended October 31, 2020 exclude net expenses of approximately $75.3 million, primarily related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including occupancy charges for rent at our stores temporarily closed; incremental COVID-19 operating expenses, including incentive pay and personal protective equipment for our associates; and payroll and benefits for certain store employees during the period our stores were closed, net of a payroll tax credit benefit resulting from the CARES Act.

Additionally, the Company excluded net costs of approximately $8.4 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2020, primarily related to restructuring costs.

The total impact on income taxes for the above items was approximately $65.9 million, including a benefit of approximately $16.9 million, primarily resulting from the changes in operating loss carryback rules as a result of the CARES Act.

Store Update

As of October 31, 2020, the Company had 99% of its stores open to the public in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Consistent with the Company’s store fleet optimization initiative, the Company permanently closed 16 stores in the three months ended October 31, 2020. The Company ended the quarter with 809 stores and square footage of 3.8 million, a decrease of 14.3% compared to the prior year. Since the Company’s fleet optimization initiative was announced in 2013, it has closed 389 stores.

The flexibility provided by lease actions allows the Company to target 200 store closures in fiscal 2020, including 118 stores closed in the first nine months of fiscal 2020, and 100 additional closures in fiscal 2021.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of October 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $64.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $179.4 million outstanding on its revolving credit facility. During the third quarter, the Company completed an $80 million term loan financing transaction and utilized the net proceeds to pay down its existing revolving credit facility.  Additionally, the Company generated approximately $32.5 million in operating cash flow in the three months ended October 31, 2020.

Outlook

As a result of the continued uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is not providing financial guidance at this time.

Conference Call Information 

The Children’s Place will host a conference call on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its third quarter fiscal 2020 results.

The call will be broadcast live at http://investor.childrensplace.com. An audio archive will be available on the Company’s website approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call. A conference call transcript will also be posted on our website.

About The Children’s Place
The Children’s Place is the largest pure-play children’s specialty apparel retailer in North America. The Company designs, contracts to manufacture, sells at retail and wholesale, and licenses to sell fashionable, high-quality merchandise predominantly at value prices, primarily under the proprietary “The Children’s Place”, “Place”, “Baby Place”, and “Gymboree” brand names. As of October 31, 2020, the Company had 809 stores in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, online stores at www.childrensplace.com and www.gymboree.com, and the Company’s eight international franchise partners had 252 international points of distribution in 19 countries.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release, contains or may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements relating to the Company’s strategic initiatives and adjusted net income per diluted share. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. These forward-looking statem
ents are based upon the Company’
s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainti
es are described in the Company’
s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the “Risk Factors” section of its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020 and supplemented by the “Risk Factors” sections of its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May 2, 2020 and the fiscal quarter ended August 1, 2020. Included among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially are the risk that the Company will be unsuccessful in gauging fashion trends and changing consumer preferences, the risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of the Company’s business and its dependence on consumer spending patterns, which may be affected by changes in economic conditions, the risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business or the economy in general (including decreased customer traffic, schools adopting remote and hybrid learning models, closures of businesses and other activities causing decreased demand for our products and negative impacts on our customers’ spending patterns due to decreased income or actual or perceived wealth, and the impact of the CARES Act and other legislation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and any changes to the CARES Act or such other legislation), the risk that the Company’s strategic initiatives to increase sales and margin are delayed or do not result in
anticipated improvements, the risk of delays, interruptions and disruptions in the Company’s global supply chain, including resulting from COVID-19 or other disease outbreaks, or foreign sources of supply in less developed countries or more politically unstable countries, the risk that the cost of raw materials or energy prices will increase beyond current expectations or that the Company is unable to offset cost increases through value engineering or price increases, various types of litigation, including class action litigations brought under consumer protection, employment, and privacy and information security laws and regulations, the imposition of regulations affecting the importation of foreign-produced merchandise, including duties and tariffs, and the uncertainty of weather patterns. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact:  Investor Relations (201) 558-2400 ext. 14500

(Tables follow)

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
Third Quarter Ended
 
Year-To-Date Ended
  October 31,   November 2, October 31,   November 2,
    2020       2019       2020       2019  
Net sales $ 425,571     $ 524,796     $ 1,049,701     $ 1,357,647  
Cost of sales   279,506       326,671       856,229       868,701  
Gross profit   146,065       198,125       193,472       488,946  
Selling, general and administrative expenses   106,639       120,514       319,442       364,937  
Asset impairment charges   294       839       37,929       1,308  
Depreciation and amortization   15,809       18,821       50,405       55,877  
Operating income (loss)   23,323       57,951       (214,304 )     66,824  
Interest expense, net   (3,263 )     (2,155 )     (7,742 )     (6,144 )
Income (loss) before taxes   20,060       55,796       (222,046 )     60,680  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   6,740       12,748       (73,917 )     11,620  
Net income (loss) $ 13,320     $ 43,048     $ (148,129 )   $ 49,060  
               
               
Earnings (loss) per common share              
Basic $ 0.91     $ 2.78     $ (10.13 )   $ 3.12  
Diluted $ 0.91     $ 2.77     $ (10.13 )   $ 3.10  
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding              
Basic   14,639       15,497       14,628       15,720  
Diluted   14,643       15,546       14,628       15,837  
               

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO GAAP

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 
Third Quarter Ended
 
Year-To-Date Ended
  October 31,   November 2,


  October 31,   November 2,
    2020       2019       2020       2019  
               
Net income (loss) $ 13,320     $ 43,048     $ (148,129 )   $ 49,060  
               
Non-GAAP adjustments:              
Incremental COVID-19 operating expenses   5,416             17,630        
Occupancy charges   1,915             48,973        
Restructuring costs   916       1,435       7,337       2,118  
Accelerated depreciation   827       777       2,171       2,667  
Fleet optimization   621       1,221       1,271       1,193  
Asset impairment charges   294       839       37,929       1,308  
Inventory provision               63,247        
Store payroll and benefits, net of CARES Act retention credit               4,242        
Accounts receivables               1,081        
Gymboree integration costs         494       640       1,068  
Legal reserve               302        
Distribution facility start-up costs         721             721  
Aggregate impact of Non-GAAP adjustments   9,989       5,487       184,823       9,075  
Income tax effect(1)   (2,647 )     (1,454 )     (48,955 )     (2,405 )
Prior year uncertain tax positions(2)                     135  
Impact of CARES Act   450             (16,928 )      
Net impact of Non-GAAP adjustments   7,792       4,033       118,940       6,805  
               
Adjusted net income (loss) $ 21,112     $ 47,081     $ (29,189 )   $ 55,865  
               
GAAP net income (loss) per common share $ 0.91     $ 2.77     $ (10.13 )   $ 3.10  
               
Adjusted net income (loss) per common share $ 1.44     $ 3.03     $ (2.00 )   $ 3.53  
               
(1) The tax effects of the non-GAAP items are calculated based on the statutory rate of the jurisdiction in which the discrete item resides.      
               
(2) Prior year tax related to uncertain tax positions.      
               
               
 
Third Quarter Ended
 
Year-To-Date Ended
  October 31,   November 2,


  October 31,   November 2,
    2020       2019       2020       2019  
               
Operating income (loss) $ 23,323     $ 57,951     $ (214,304 )   $ 66,824  
               
Non-GAAP adjustments:              
Incremental COVID-19 operating expenses   5,416             17,630        
Occupancy charges   1,915             48,973        
Restructuring costs   916       1,435       7,337       2,118  
Accelerated depreciation   827       777       2,171       2,667  
Fleet optimization   621       1,221       1,271       1,193  
Asset impairment charges   294       839       37,929       1,308  
Inventory provision               63,247        
Store payroll and benefits, net of CARES Act retention credit               4,242        
Accounts receivables               1,081        
Gymboree integration costs         494       640       1,068  
Legal reserve               302        
Distribution facility start-up costs         721             721  
Aggregate impact of Non-GAAP adjustments   9,989       5,487       184,823       9,075  
               
Adjusted operating income (loss) $ 33,312     $ 63,438     $ (29,481 )   $ 75,899  
               

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO GAAP

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 
Third Quarter Ended
 
Year-To-Date Ended
  October 31,   November 2,


  October 31,   November 2,
    2020       2019       2020       2019  
               
Gross profit $ 146,065     $ 198,125     $ 193,472     $ 488,946  
               
Non-GAAP adjustments:              
Incremental COVID-19 operating expenses   3,769             8,204        
Occupancy charges   1,915             48,973        
Inventory provision               63,247        
Fleet optimization                     (550 )
Aggregate impact of Non-GAAP adjustments   5,684             120,424       (550 )
               
Adjusted Gross profit $ 151,749     $ 198,125     $ 313,896     $ 488,396  
               
               
               
 
Third Quarter Ended
 
Year-To-Date Ended
  October 31,   November 2,


  October 31,   November 2,
    2020       2019       2020       2019  
               
Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 106,639     $ 120,514     $ 319,442     $ 364,937  
               
Non-GAAP adjustments:              
Incremental COVID-19 operating expenses   (1,647 )           (9,426 )      
Restructuring costs   (916 )     (1,435 )     (7,337 )     (2,126 )
Fleet optimization   (621 )     (1,221 )     (1,271 )     (1,735 )
Store payroll and benefits, net of CARES Act retention credit               (4,242 )      
Accounts receivables               (1,081 )      
Gymboree integration costs         (494 )     (640 )     (1,068 )
Legal reserve               (302 )      
Distribution facility start-up costs         (721 )           (721 )
Aggregate impact of Non-GAAP adjustments   (3,184 )     (3,871 )     (24,299 )     (5,650 )
               
Adjusted Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 103,455     $ 116,643     $ 295,143     $ 359,287  
               

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

  October 31,   February 1,
  November 2,
    2020     2020*
  2019
Assets:              
Cash and cash equivalents $ 64,456     $ 68,487     $ 66,059  
Accounts receivable   31,376       32,812       39,471  
Inventories   427,629       327,165       389,815  
Other current assets   16,159       21,416       20,722  
Total current assets   539,620       449,880       516,067  
               
Property and equipment, net   191,544       236,898       246,234  
Right-of-use assets   297,206       393,820       418,151  
Tradenames, net   72,692       73,291       73,386  
Other assets, net   105,881       27,508       31,884  
Total assets $ 1,206,943     $ 1,181,397     $ 1,285,722  
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:              
Revolving loan $ 179,360     $ 170,808     $ 184,179  
Accounts payable   283,943       213,115       235,491  
Current lease liabilities   171,276       121,868       124,281  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   142,180       89,216       116,647  
Total current liabilities   776,759       595,007       660,598  
               
Long-term lease liabilities   232,153       311,908       331,615  
Term Loan   76,307              
Other liabilities   44,355       39,295       39,070  
Total liabilities   1,129,574       946,210       1,031,283  
               
Stockholders’ equity   77,369       235,187       254,439  
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,206,943     $ 1,181,397     $ 1,285,722  
               

* Derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020.

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 
39 Weeks Ended
 
39 Weeks Ended
  October 31,   November 2,
    2020       2019  
       
Net income (loss) $ (148,129 )   $ 49,060  
Non-cash adjustments   96,925       184,043  
Working capital   473       (132,537 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   (50,731 )     100,566  
       
Net cash used in investing activities   (23,552 )     (119,125 )
       
Net cash provided by financing activities   70,686       15,075  
       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   (434 )     407  
       
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (4,031 )     (3,077 )
       
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   68,487       69,136  
       
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 64,456     $ 66,059