Market Newsdesk

MONT TREMBLANT, Quebec, Dec. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — This September Karma Shala Yoga Inc. launched an online yoga business gaining the attention of the Canadian yoga community. The website has all the elements of leading international online yoga experiences, in addition to unique features, including interactive Question and Answers with instructors and special guests, along with Live Events. Karma Shala Online is supported by some of the best yoga teachers in Quebec and delivered in a completely bilingual format. 

“Covid-19 forced us to think differently. We identified a need in the online yoga world and created something special for our community”, said Melisande Turpin, President, Karma Shala Yoga Inc. “We did not simply want to post yoga videos, but rather recreate the entire yoga studio experience online. We wanted to bring our community together during this difficult time and we could not be more pleased with the result.”

Karma Shala Online features:

• On-demand video library of over 150 yoga classes
• Many classes filmed outdoors in the Laurentians Mountains
• Daily live streamed classes from the Karma Shala Mont Tremblant Studio
• Weekly interactive live Q and A with instructors
• Monthly interactive special events (concerts, wine tastings, etc.)
• Unlimited access to all elements in one subscription
• A completely Canadian, completely bilingual experience

Karma Shala Yoga Inc: 
https://www.karmashala.ca/ is a yoga studio and online yoga experience based in Mont Tremblant, Quebec. The company was founded in 2015 and has since become one of the leading studios in the province, hosting thousands of Canadian and international clients each year. The online component, Karma Shala Online, launched in September of 2020, https://online.karmashala.ca/

Jimmy Adduci

Karma Shala Yoga Inc.

819-430-6730


[email protected]

Integrated Solution Helps Protect Students, Staff and
Faculty with a Complete Safety Protocol Solution

Montgomery, Alabama., Dec. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Draganfly Inc. (OTCQB: DFLYF) (CSE: DFLY) (FSE: 3U8) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an award-winning, industry-leading manufacturer and systems developer, is pleased to announce that Alabama State University has adopted the full Draganfly COVID-19 safety protocol as part of the Safely Opening Schools System which provides an integrated health and screening protocol to be used campus-wide to screen, detect, assess protect and continuously action against the potential threat of infectious disease including COVID-19.

The Safely Opening Schools System was designed by a consortium of companies, which includes Coldchain Technology Services (Testing), Hueman (Nurse Staffing), Health Hero (Preventative), Varigard (Sanitizing) and Draganfly (Screening and Pathogen Spraying). Together a blueprint was developed to what was required to open schools and the companies recognized that ‎the best way to safely open schools was through an integrated solution‎.

Integrating best in class technology that protects students, faculty and staff while providing real time data as to the overall health of the school system provides schools with tools and data to immediately take informed safety policy actions.

The program provides a complete solution of benefits which includes:

• Helps prevent possible infection from entering student population
• Provides data for status of infectious conditions
• Informs to the effective of the safety policies
• Use of advanced sanitizers proven to prevent the spread of existing pathogens

“The Safely Opening Schools System was created to be a proactive solution to provide equitable care across the state,” said Kristine McClary, school nurse and legislative committee chair of the Alabama Association of School Nurses. “Our schools need help re-opening in an organized, safe and effective manner. We are confident this solution will provide that.”

Alabama State University adopted the Safely Opening Schools complete solution. Students, staff and faculty get screened on campus by the Draganfly Smart Vital unit which provides a quick, non-invasive (contactless) and anonymous measurement of an elevated body temperature, and with voluntary consent heart rate, respiratory rate and O2 saturation all from a camera that takes seconds to capture. In addition, Alabama State University is integrating the Draganfly Varigard spraying program to disinfect all stadiums. The Varigard spray is the only sanitizer that can provide a 24-hour sequestration and kill efficacy against pathogens including COVID-19 in a single application.

If the platform detects an elevated reading, the individual will be sent to the assessment and testing nurse. COVID-19 testing is provided by Coldchain Technology Services. Coldchain provides positive results in 5 minutes and negative results in 13 minutes. COVID-19 testing will be by consent only and administered by a nursing professional. Those that choose not to take the test will be referred to a nearby testing facility and sent home. Nursing staff will be provided by Hueman people solutions. In parallel Health Hero, which has been instrumental in growing the school-located vaccination program will continue to lobby preventative measures for all schools.

Varigard provides a one-of-a-kind, revolutionary organic sanitizer that provides up to 24-hour of pathogen sequestration and kill-efficacy. The product is to be applied across multiple modalities including hand sanitization and facility fogging and spraying via manual and drone applications.

“The trust that Alabama State University has placed in Draganfly in the past six months to help make their vision of creating a safe campus for their students, faculty and staff a reality is inspiring. We are so honored to have been brought in to be part of their efforts in addition to being part of the amazing consortium of experts to help detect, prevent and educate against COVID-19,” said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly.

About Health Hero

The Health Hero program was developed with the sole focus on delivering safe, efficient immunization programs for schools to raise vaccination rates and lower student absenteeism. We manage the process from end-to-end and provide our services at no cost to schools and families. Health Hero provides clinics for required immunizations and boosters such as Influenza, TDaP, Meningococcal, and HPV to ensure students are in compliance and not kept out of school.

The Health Hero program has immunized over 1,000,000 students, teachers and staff. Our clinics are administered by state licensed nurses and overseen by Board Certified Doctors with many years of experience practicing Family or Pediatric medicine. We vaccinate all parent consented and eligible children on a voluntary basis, regardless of their insurance coverage.

About Hueman

Hueman is an industry leader in staffing for 20+ years, specializing in recruiting top quality healthcare providers. We know it’s more important than ever to have the right approach to finding and placing the right people. We call it the Hueman approach. Our focus will be creating a nurse staffing solution to best serve your students, their families and the needs of the schools. Now, you can focus on doing what you do best, educating your students!

About Varigard

Varigard is an Alabama based company that specializes in preventing the spread of pathogens using their patented bio-based organic sanitizers. Both their hand sanitizing gel and surface spray have been independently verified to sequester pathogens for extended periods of time thus preventing the pathogens ability to spread. Varigard’s sanitizers have been proven to sequester and kill COVID-19, STAPH, MRSA, E Coli, and PNEUMONIA for a minimum of 2+ hours on skin and 24 hours on surfaces. Varigard represents a new age of safe germ defense that teachers, students, and parents have been looking for.

About Coldchain

Coldchain Technology Services is the leader in time and temperature sensitive medical material management integrating proven systems with the documentation fundamental to accreditation and effective Quality Control Systems. Our remote monitoring system, pre-qualified thermal shippers, inventory control, fulfillment, and QAQC solutions ensure the Integrity and Security of our client’s product.

About Draganfly

Draganfly Inc. (CSE: DFLY; OTCQB: DFLYF; FSE: 3U8) is the creator of quality, cutting-edge and software and systems that revolutionize the way organizations can do business and service their stakeholders. Recognized as being at the forefront of technology for over 22 years, Draganfly is an award-winning, industry-leading manufacturer and technology developer serving the public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, and mapping and surveying markets. Draganfly is a company driven by passion, ingenuity, and the need to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to its customers around the world with the goal of saving time, money, and lives.

For more information on Draganfly, please visit us at www.draganfly.com.
For additional investor information, visit https://www.thecse.com/en/listings/technology/draganfly-inc, https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/DFLYF/overview or https://www.boerse-frankfurt.de/aktie/draganfly-inc.

Media Contact
Arian Hopkins
email: [email protected]

Company Contact
Email: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking ‎‎‎‎information” as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‎‎‎‎‎“may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar ‎‎‎‎terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future ‎‎‎‎results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by ‎‎‎‎management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and ‎‎‎‎competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements include, but are not ‎‎‎‎limited to, statements with respect to the adoption of the Safely Opening Schools System. Forward-‎‎‎‎looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and ‎‎‎‎uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that ‎‎‎‎may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different ‎‎‎‎from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such ‎‎‎‎risks, uncertainties and other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: the potential ‎‎‎‎impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the current outbreak of ‎‎‎‎the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 on the Company’s business, operations and financial ‎‎‎‎condition, the successful integration of technology, the inherent risks involved in the general ‎‎‎‎securities markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the ‎‎‎‎future; the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and ‎‎‎‎expenses, currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions, liability, competition, loss of key ‎‎‎‎employees and other related risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors“ ‎‎‎‎in the Company’s most recent filings filed with securities regulators in Canada on the SEDAR ‎‎‎‎website at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking ‎‎‎‎information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents ‎‎‎‎managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking ‎‎‎‎statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers ‎‎‎‎are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.‎

SOMERSET, N.J., Dec. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

MTBC, Inc.
(Nasdaq: MTBC) (Nasdaq: MTBCP), a leading provider of cloud-based healthcare IT solutions and services, today announced management will host virtual investor meetings during and after the virtual J.P. Morgan 39^th Annual Healthcare Conference in January 2021.

Management will be available during the business day Eastern Time January 13-14 and January 19-20 for scheduled virtual investor meetings. To arrange a meeting, investors should contact MTBC’s IR representation, Matt Kreps at Darrow Associates, by email at [email protected] or by phone at +1-214-597-8200.

MTBC recently announced that it expects record revenue and adjusted EBITDA results in the fourth quarter of 2020, exceeding record third quarter results. Additionally, MTBC announced that it anticipates full-year 2020 revenue in the range of $104 to $106 million, an increase of 61% to 64% year-over-year, and adjusted EBITDA in the range of $10 to $12 million, representing growth of 23% to 48%.

About MTBC

MTBC is a healthcare information technology company that provides a full suite of proprietary cloud-based solutions, together with related business services, to healthcare providers and hospitals throughout the United States. Our Software-as-a-Service (or SaaS) platform includes revenue cycle management (RCM), practice management (PM), electronic health record (EHR), telehealth and patient experience management (PXM) solutions for high-performance medical groups. MTBC helps clients increase financial and operational performance, streamline clinical workflows and make better business and clinical decisions, allowing them to improve patient care while reducing administrative burdens and operating costs. MTBC’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol “MTBC,” and its Series A Preferred Stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol “MTBCP.”

For additional information, please visit our website at www.mtbc.com. To view MTBC’s latest investor presentations, read recent press releases, and listen to interviews with management, please visit ir.mtbc.com.

Follow MTBC on LinkedIn,Twitterand Facebook.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements relate to anticipated future events, future results of operations or future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “goals,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

Our operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect our results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements reflecting management’s expectations for future financial performance and operating expenditures, expected growth, profitability and business outlook, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our financial performance and business activities, and the expected results from the integration of our acquisitions.

These forward-looking statements are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our (or our industry’s) actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s ability to manage growth, migrate newly acquired customers and retain new and existing customers, maintain cost-effective global operations, increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs, predict and properly adjust to changes in reimbursement and other industry regulations and trends, retain the services of key personnel, and other important risks and uncertainties referenced and discussed under the heading titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, there is uncertainty about the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the impact it may have on the Company’s operations, the demand for the Company’s services, and economic activity in general.

The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not assume any obligations to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

SOURCE MTBC

Company Contact:

Bill Korn
Chief Financial Officer
MTBC, Inc.
[email protected]

Investor Contact:

Matt Kreps, Managing Director
Darrow Associates Investor Relations
[email protected]
(214) 597-8200

Media Inquiries:

Mike Cuesta
Chief Marketing Officer
MTBC, Inc.
[email protected]

COS COB, Conn., Dec. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Nasdaq: CSSE), one of the largest operators of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, announced today Screen Media’s acquisition of North American rights to HBO’s Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street, inspired by Michael Davis’ New York Times best-selling book. Directed by Marilyn Agrelo (Mad Hot Ballroom) and produced by Trevor Crafts (Experimenter 2015) and Ellen Scherer Crafts, the documentary chronicles the improbable origins and expansion of the groundbreaking show that not only changed children’s television programming, but had real-world effects on equality, education, and representation worldwide. The film will premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival in January in the World Premieres section.

Screen Media will release in theaters and into the home entertainment market in Spring 2021. The HBO Documentary Film will have its television debut on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max later in the year.

Inspired by the activism of the late 1960s, socially conscious television executive Joan Ganz Cooney and Sesame Workshop co-founder Lloyd Morrisett conducted a revolutionary experiment: to harness the burgeoning power of television and create an educational, impactful, uplifting and entertaining show that could reach children nationwide, especially those living in urban areas. Cooney recruited trailblazing Muppets creator Jim Henson and acclaimed children’s television writer and director Jon Stone to craft the iconic and beloved world of “Sesame Street.”

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street reintroduces this visionary “gang” of mission-driven artists, writers, and educators that audaciously interpreted radical changes in society and created one of most influential and impactful television programs in history.

With more than 20 interviews with original writers, cast, and crew, and never-before-seen behind the scenes footage, Street Gang is told from the inside with humor and emotion, weaving together personal narratives and eyewitness accounts. The film explores the original mission of the “gang” that created this cultural phenomenon, now spanning 51 years and reaching more than 150 countries.

“We were inspired to make this film because of our love for ‘Sesame Street.’ What we hope people will take away is a deeper understanding of the amazing people who made the show,” said Producer Trevor Crafts. “That ’gang’ rose to a challenge in their time, to change things for the better for children. They created such a significant impact in education, access, and representation for so many people – all with love and laughter,” added Producer Ellen Scherer Crafts.

“The ‘Sesame Street’ gang inspired us with their passion to make the world a better place. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is committed to changing the world one story at a time and we are delighted to share this incredible story with the largest audience possible,” said William J. Rouhana Jr., chief executive officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment.

The deal was negotiated by Seth Needle, SVP of Global Acquisitions and Co-Productions, for Screen Media with Brian O’Shea, CEO at The Exchange on behalf of the filmmakers. The Exchange is handling foreign sales for the film and financing was provided by Bondit Media Capital LLC.
Screen Media, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment company and HBO Documentary Films presents a Macrocosm Entertainment production, in association with the Exchange, Bondit Media Capital, and Citizen Skull Productions. It is directed by Marilyn Agrelo; produced by, Trevor Crafts, Ellen Scherer Crafts; producer, Lisa Diamond; executive producers, Brian O’Shea, Nat McCormick, Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor, Mark Myers, Heather Kenyon; co-executive producer, Michael Davis; editor, Ben Gold.

ABOUT CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL ENTERTAINMENT

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE) operates streaming video-on-demand networks (VOD). The company owns Crackle Plus, which owns and operates a variety of ad-supported and subscription-based VOD networks including Crackle, Popcornflix, Popcornflix Kids, Truli, Pivotshare, Españolflix and FrightPix. The company also acquires and distributes video content through its Screen Media subsidiary and produces original long and short-form content through Landmark Studio Group, its Chicken Soup for the Soul Originals division and APlus.com. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is a subsidiary of Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC, which publishes the famous book series and produces super-premium pet food under the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand name.

ABOUT SCREEN MEDIA VENTURES, LLC

Screen Media Ventures, LLC, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Nasdaq: CSSE) company, acquires the rights to high quality, independent television series and feature films. Screen Media Ventures acquires worldwide rights for distribution through theatrical, home video, pay-per-view, free, cable and pay television, video-on-demand, and new digital media platforms. The company acquires AVOD rights for third party networks and is the main supplier of content for Crackle Plus and other Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment properties. With a library of over 1,500 television series and motion pictures, Screen Media Ventures is one of the largest independent suppliers of high-quality tv series and motion pictures to U.S. and international broadcast markets, cable networks, home video outlets and new media venues. For more information, visit: www.screenmedia.net

ABOUT MACROCOSM ENTERTAINMENT

Trevor Crafts and Ellen Scherer Crafts created Macrocosm to bring dynamic engaging content to global audiences by building and showcasing unique worlds. Films include Sundance Film Festival World Premiere “Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street” (2021), “7 Splinters in Time” (2018) Manson Family Vacation (SXSW 2015 premier), and Experimenter, a 2015 Sundance Film Festival hit and critical darling. Creators of transmedia property Lantern City (lanterncitytv.com), Macrocosm published the illustrated novel Rise in 2013 and in 2014 partnered with BOOM! Studios, to create the Lantern City comic book series, one of UPROXX Top Ten Comics of 2015, In 2017 Macrocosm created another new world for young readers with the Not-So Secret Society graphic novel. For more information, please visit: www.macrocosm.tv.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks (including those set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020) and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. Investors should realize that if our underlying assumptions for the projections contained herein prove inaccurate or that known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from our expectations and projections.

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Taylor Krafchik
Ellipsis
[email protected]
(646) 776-0886

MEDIA CONTACT
Kate Barrette
RooneyPartners LLC
[email protected]
(212) 223-0561

WESTCHESTER, Ill., Dec. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to the food and beverage manufacturing industry, today named Eric Seip senior vice president, global operations and chief supply chain officer. In this role, Seip will be responsible for leading global manufacturing, supply chain and procurement excellence, driving world-class safety, delivering cost savings through efficiency management, and accelerating digital transformation. Additionally, Seip will develop, implement and maintain rigorous supply chain strategies to ensure the continued identification and assimilation of innovative thinking and best practices. Seip will report directly to Jim Zallie, Ingredion’s president and chief executive officer, and will be a member of the Company’s executive leadership team, effective Jan. 11, 2021. 

“Eric is a talented professional with a demonstrated track record of driving operational excellence and continuous improvement across global manufacturing networks,” said Zallie. “Eric brings substantial experience leading global supply chains, delivering transformative solutions and accelerating digital initiatives. His expertise will be invaluable as we continue to execute our Driving Growth Roadmap and leverage the strength of our supply chain as a competitive advantage. I am thrilled to have a leader of Eric’s caliber join our executive leadership team.”

Most recently, Seip worked for ChampionX, a global oil and gas services company, as senior vice president, global procurement and supply chain. Seip brings more than 30 years of global operations and supply chain experience in asset expansions, integrations, turnarounds, operations strategy, Lean Six Sigma and change management.

Seip holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and earned a master’s degree in finance from Pepperdine University.

ABOUT INGREDION

Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR) headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago, is a leading global ingredient solutions provider serving customers in more than 120 countries. With 2019 annual net sales of more than $6 billion, the company turns grains, fruits, vegetables and other plant-based materials into value-added ingredient solutions for the food, beverage, animal nutrition, brewing and industrial markets. With Ingredion Idea Labs^® innovation centers located around the world and more than 11,000 employees, the Company co-creates with customers and fulfills its purpose of bringing the potential of people, nature and technology together to make life better. Visit ingredion.com for more information and the latest Company news.

CONTACT:
Investors: Tiffany Willis, 708-551-2592
Media: Becca Hary, 708-551-2602 

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., Dec. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (“Horizon” or the “Company”) earned the No. 3 spot in the www.rankingbanking.com study and was the highest-scoring financial institution with less than $10 billion in assets on the publication’s list of the top 20 “performance powerhouses” in the nation, “selected based on total shareholder return generated over a 20-year period ending June 30, 2020.”

Horizon was the highest-ranked Indiana-headquartered bank in the study, earning top-five scores in four categories, including those related to board strength, technology, lending and revenue. It ranked fourth for growth in loans and total revenues from December 2014 to December 2019.

“We are very proud to have Bank Director recognizing our record of success, which we attribute to our focus on providing customers exceptional service and sensible advice to build life-long relationships, as well as our commitment to managing a high-performing bank with a disciplined operating culture and a deliberate business mix in attractive Midwestern markets,” Chairman and CEO Craig M. Dwight said.

The economies of Horizon’s markets — northern and central Indiana and southern and central Michigan — are expected to continue benefitting from an influx of commuters and other residents attracted by the regions’ lower taxes and housing costs, quality-of-life opportunities and business friendly environments. Horizon’s markets are also home to major corporate, healthcare and high-tech manufacturing employers making significant investments in their local operations, as well as some of the nation’s largest and most prominent public and private research universities.

Horizon’s residential, indirect auto and other consumer lending businesses primarily serve prime, in-market borrowers, while its commercial business focuses on high-quality, in-market sponsors.

Bank Director’s study, published on December 14, is available at www.bankdirector.com/rankingbanking/2021-rankingbanking-performance-powerhouses.

About Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

Horizon Bancorp, Inc. is an independent, commercial bank holding company serving northern and central Indiana, and southern and central Michigan through its commercial banking subsidiary, Horizon Bank. Horizon may be reached online at www.horizonbank.com. Its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol HBNC.

Contact:

Craig Dwight, Chairman & CEO
Phone: (219) 873-2725
Fax: (219) 873-9280

 

MORRISVILLE, N.C., Dec. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Syneos Health^® (Nasdaq:SYNH), the only fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions organization, today announced the acquisition of Illingworth Research Group™, a leading provider of clinical research home health services. With healthcare already becoming more local, COVID-19 has accelerated the need for in-home clinical trial services which have realized increasing demand in recent years.

A pioneer in the clinical trial home health space, Illingworth Research provides in-home and on-site research nursing services for clinical trials in more than 46 countries for the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries. This includes mobile research nurse services which eliminate wasted travel time and allow patients to remain at home during challenging circumstances. With experience across Phase I–IV studies and a range of therapeutic areas including oncology, respiratory, rare disease and pediatrics, the Company also provides complementary patient-focused CRO services aimed at reducing patient and site burden.

The acquisition adds new scale and capabilities to Syneos Health’s decentralized clinical trial solutions. Syneos Health’s Decentralized Solutions strategy seeks to bring flexibility to each customers’ study, fueled by data, people, process and technology. Syneos Health taps its Dynamic Assembly^® network – an open ecosystem of best-of-breed data and technology collaborators – to deliver fit-for-purpose solutions designed to strategically address the nuances of unique customer engagements. By bringing together the right elements for each study, the Company is able to provide a site- and patient-focused approach, with the goal of allowing sponsors to realize efficiencies in patient recruitment, engagement, improved access and patient diversity.

“The patient-focused solutions provided by Illingworth Research have never been more relevant as healthcare continues to move closer to the patient. COVID-19 has accelerated this need, benefiting patients who can continue to participate in trials from their homes and sponsors seeking new options built to boost enrollment rates,” said Alistair Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer of Syneos Health. “Importantly, these solutions also help deliver on our commitment to increase diversity in clinical trials, accessing remote-based patients who traditionally would not have participated because of difficulty accessing research sites. I am pleased to welcome Illingworth Research to the Syneos Health family as we continue to enhance the way our decentralized trials are designed and delivered.”

“Joining Syneos Health offers significant opportunities to utilize our in-home clinical research expertise at greater scale, with the goal of enabling more patients to participate in trials,” said John Illingworth, Chairman and Founder, Illingworth Research Group. “Illingworth Research and Syneos Health share complementary therapeutic expertise and cultural philosophies, and we plan to capitalize on our combined teams’ insights and technologies to speed innovation. We look forward to realizing the benefits of this combination for both patients and our employees.”

Illingworth Research Group will maintain its brand, operating as a distinct Syneos Health Business Unit.

About Syneos Health

Syneos Health^® (Nasdaq:SYNH) is the only fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions organization. The Company, including a Contract Research Organization (CRO) and Contract Commercial Organization (CCO), is purpose-built to accelerate customer performance to address modern market realities. We bring together approximately 24,000 clinical and commercial minds with the ability to support customers in more than 110 countries. Together, we share insights, use the latest technologies and apply advanced business practices to speed our customers’ delivery of important therapies to patients. To learn more about how we are shortening the distance from lab to life^®, visit syneoshealth.com or subscribe to our podcast.

About Illingworth Research Group

Illingworth Research Group™, a Syneos Health^® company, is a leading provider of clinical research home health services, providing highly trained, qualified and experienced research nurses to the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries. Building on our long-standing home health experience, we also provide complimentary patient-focused CRO services. Illingworth Research Group – named the Scrip Award Best CRO (Specialist Provider) for 2020 – operates in more than 46 countries, delivering the highest standards of clinical care and regulatory adherence across a diverse range of therapeutic areas. To learn more about our unique approach to clinical trial delivery visit illingworthresearch.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the benefits of our acquisition of Illingworth Research Group, the closing of our acquisition of Illingworth Research Group, and our foundation for growth. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: risks associated with acquired businesses, such as Illingworth Research Group, including the ability to integrate acquired operations, products, and technologies in our business; risks associated with the Company’s acquisition strategy; failure to realize the full value of goodwill and intangible assets; restructuring risk; and other risk factors set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as updated by the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, and other SEC filings, copies of which are available free of charge on the Company’s website at investor.syneoshealth.com. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Contacts

Investor Relations:

Ronnie Speight
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
+1 919 745 2745
[email protected]

Press/Media:

Danielle DeForge
Vice President, External Communications
+1 202 210 5992
[email protected]