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Veracyte Announces New General Manager Structure to Advance Global Expansion

Veracyte Announces New General Manager Structure to Advance Global Expansion

John Hanna appointed GM, endocrinology, breast cancer and lymphoma;

Morten Frost to join company as GM, pulmonology

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Veracyte (Nasdaq: VCYT) today announced a new general manager-based structure to advance the company’s growing roster of genomic tests and its global expansion. John Hanna, currently chief commercial officer, will become GM, endocrinology, breast cancer and lymphoma. The company also announced that Morten Frost will join the company as GM, pulmonology. Both executives will assume their new roles January 1, 2021.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201117005508/en/

John Hanna appointed GM, endocrinology, breast cancer and lymphoma, at Veracyte

John Hanna appointed GM, endocrinology, breast cancer and lymphoma, at Veracyte

“Veracyte is undergoing exciting growth, including our transformation into a global diagnostics company, our growing menu of genomic tests in a range of diseases, and our planned launch next year of four new products,” said Bonnie Anderson, Veracyte’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Our new GM-based structure will optimally position us to serve our growing customer base, manage our products throughout their life cycles to ensure long-term strategic growth and further empower our executive leaders and employees throughout the organization.”

The new general managers will have global responsibility and accountability for their respective indications from strategic business planning to tactical execution, including pipeline development, strategy, marketing, sales, reimbursement and field-based medical affairs.

John Hanna will continue to drive growth for Veracyte’s flagship Afirma business in thyroid cancer and will assume leadership over the company’s growing global Prosigna business in breast cancer, which together represent approximately 90 percent of revenue today. He will also lead the company’s lymphoma business, with the launch of its LymphMark subtyping test scheduled for next year. Mr. Hanna joined Veracyte in 2011 and has held several leadership roles during his tenure. Since he became chief commercial officer in 2017, the company’s genomic test volume and revenue have doubled.

Morten Frost will join Veracyte to lead its lung cancer portfolio strategy, including the launch next year of the company’s nasal swab test and Percepta Atlas, and will also drive the global introduction in 2021 of the Envisia classifier, for use in interstitial lung disease diagnosis, on the nCounter Analysis System. Mr. Frost comes to Veracyte with significant strategic consulting, sales and marketing experience. He was most recently at Agilent Technologies, where he served as head of global marketing for the company’s pathology and companion diagnostics business, which are part of Agilent’s approximately $1 billion Diagnostics and Genomics Group. In this role, he drove significant revenue growth, global product launches, biopharmaceutical partnerships and M&A strategy.

“I could not be more pleased to have executives of John’s and Morten’s caliber leading our product businesses at this exciting moment in our company’s growth,” said Ms. Anderson. “John’s leadership has been critical to Veracyte’s success to date and will be key to further driving revenue growth across multiple indications in the United States and globally. I am also thrilled that Morten is joining Veracyte to further strengthen our leadership team. He is an exceptional market strategist who will be critical to driving our pulmonology business forward, particularly in lung cancer, where we estimate our current and pipeline products target an addressable market of approximately $40 billion.”

About Veracyte

Veracyte (Nasdaq: VCYT) is a global genomic diagnostics company that improves patient care by providing answers to clinical questions, informing diagnosis and treatment decisions throughout the patient journey in cancer and other diseases. The company’s growing menu of genomic tests leverage advances in genomic science and technology, enabling patients to avoid risky, costly diagnostic procedures and quicken time to appropriate treatment. The company’s tests in thyroid cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are available to patients and its lymphoma subtyping test is in development. With Veracyte’s exclusive global license to a best-in-class diagnostics instrument platform, the company is positioned to deliver its tests to patients worldwide. Veracyte is based in South San Francisco, California. For more information, please visit www.veracyte.com and follow the company on Twitter (@veracyte).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, our statements related to our plans, objectives, expectations (financial and otherwise) and intentions. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “should,” “may,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from our predictions. Factors that may impact these forward-looking statements can be found in Item 1A – “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2020 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 2, 2020. A copy of these documents can be found at the Investors section of our website at www.veracyte.com. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Veracyte specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements or reasons why actual results might differ, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Veracyte, Afirma, Percepta, Envisia, Prosigna, “Know by Design” and the Veracyte, Afirma, Percepta, Envisia and Prosigna logos are registered trademarks in the U.S. and selected countries. We have common law rights and pending trademark applications for LymphMark and “More About You.”

nCounter is the registered trademark of NanoString Technologies, Inc. in the United States and other countries and used by Veracyte under license.

Investor and Media Contact:

Tracy Morris

Vice President of Corporate Communications

& Investor Relations

650-380-4413

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Oncology Health Technology Genetics Software Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

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John Hanna appointed GM, endocrinology, breast cancer and lymphoma, at Veracyte
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Morten Frost appointed GM, Pulmonology, at Veracyte
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Bristol Myers Squibb Completes Acquisition of MyoKardia, Strengthening Company’s Leading Cardiovascular Franchise

Bristol Myers Squibb Completes Acquisition of MyoKardia, Strengthening Company’s Leading Cardiovascular Franchise

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) announced today that it has successfully completed its acquisition of MyoKardia, Inc. in an all cash transaction for approximately $13.1 billion. With the completion of the acquisition, MyoKardia shares have ceased trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and MyoKardia is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb.

“We are excited to welcome MyoKardia colleagues to Bristol Myers Squibb. The MyoKardia team has revolutionized cardiovascular treatments to address significant unmet medical needs, and we look forward to helping more patients together,” said Giovanni Caforio, M.D., Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Bristol Myers Squibb. “With MyoKardia, we are bolstering our leading cardiovascular franchise and adding exceptional scientific capabilities, a potentially transformative new medicine with significant commercial potential and a promising pipeline of candidates. Cardiovascular remains an important therapeutic area for Bristol Myers Squibb with a strong legacy and a promising future.”

Through the transaction with MyoKardia, Bristol Myers Squibb gains mavacamten, a potential first-in-class cardiovascular medicine for the treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (“HCM”), a chronic heart disease with high morbidity and patient impact. A New Drug Application (“NDA”) for mavacamten for the treatment of symptomatic obstructive HCM – based on data from the EXPLORER-HCM study – is expected to be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the first quarter of 2021. Bristol Myers Squibb expects to explore the full potential of mavacamten in additional indications, including non-obstructive HCM, as well as develop MyoKardia’s promising pipeline of novel compounds, including two clinical-stage therapeutics: danicamtiv (formerly MYK-491) and MYK-224, and two pre-clinical assets: ACT-1 and LUS-1.

Bristol Myers Squibb’s previously announced tender offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of MyoKardia for $225.00 per share expired at 12:00 a.m. New York City time, at the end of the day on November 16, 2020. Approximately 42,180,978 shares of MyoKardia common stock were validly tendered, and not withdrawn from the tender offer, representing approximately 78.9% of MyoKardia’s outstanding shares of common stock. In accordance with the terms of the tender offer, all shares that were validly tendered and not properly withdrawn have been accepted for payment and Bristol Myers Squibb expects to promptly pay for all such shares.

Following completion of the tender offer, Bristol Myers Squibb completed the acquisition of MyoKardia through the merger of Gotham Merger Sub Inc. with and into MyoKardia, without a vote of MyoKardia’s stockholders pursuant to Section 251(h) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. As a result of the merger, each share of common stock of MyoKardia issued and outstanding and not tendered in the tender offer was converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $225.00, without interest and less any required withholding taxes, the same price offered in the tender offer.

MyoKardia shareholders can direct questions regarding the tender offer to MacKenzie Partners, Inc., the information agent for the tender offer, toll free, at 1-800-322-2885.

About Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is a chronic, progressive disease in which excessive contraction of the heart muscle and reduced ability of the left ventricle to fill can lead to the development of debilitating symptoms and cardiac dysfunction. HCM is estimated to affect one in every 500 people.

The most frequent cause of HCM is mutations in the heart muscle proteins of the sarcomere. In approximately two-thirds of HCM patients, the path followed by blood exiting the heart, known as the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), becomes obstructed by the enlarged and diseased muscle, restricting the flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body (obstructive HCM). In other patients, the thickened heart muscle does not block the LVOT, and their disease is driven by diastolic impairment due to the enlarged and stiffened heart muscle (non-obstructive HCM). In either obstructive or non-obstructive HCM patients, exertion can result in fatigue or shortness of breath, interfering with a patient’s ability to participate in activities of daily living. HCM has also been associated with increased risks of atrial fibrillation, stroke, heart failure and sudden cardiac death.

There are currently approximately 160,000 to 200,000 people diagnosed with symptomatic obstructive HCM across the U.S. and EU, with no existing effective treatment options beyond limited symptomatic relief.Patients are typically diagnosed in their 40s or 50s and the treatment is expected to be chronic. It is estimated that only approximately 25 percent of individuals with obstructive HCM and only approximately 10 percent of individuals with non-obstructive HCM have received a diagnosis.

Advisors

Gordon Dyal & Co., LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Bristol Myers Squibb, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel. Centerview Partners LLC and Guggenheim Securities are acting as joint financial advisors to MyoKardia and Goodwin Procter LLP is serving as legal counsel.

About Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” relating to the acquisition of MyoKardia by Bristol Myers Squibb and the development and commercialization of certain biological compounds. Such forward-looking statements are generally identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar words. These statements are only predictions, and such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Among other risks are (i) that there can be no guarantee that the expected benefits of the acquisition will be realized, (ii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the parties and others related to the merger agreement and (iii) unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to the transaction, the response of business partners and competitors to the transaction and/or potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the transaction. The actual financial impact of this transaction may differ from the expected financial impact described in this press release. In addition, the compounds described in this press release are subject to all the risks inherent in the drug development process, and there can be no assurance that the development of these compounds will be commercially successful. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb’s business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as other documents that may be filed by Bristol Myers Squibb from time to time with the SEC. Bristol Myers Squibb does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements made in this communication relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made.

corporatefinancial-news

Media:

[email protected]

Investors:

Tim Power, 609-252-7509, [email protected]

Nina Goworek, 908-673-9711, [email protected]

KEYWORDS: New York United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Biotechnology Health Pharmaceutical Clinical Trials Cardiology

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MVB Financial Corp. Commences Modified Dutch Auction Tender Offer to Repurchase up to $45.0 Million of its Common Stock

MVB Financial Corp. Commences Modified Dutch Auction Tender Offer to Repurchase up to $45.0 Million of its Common Stock

FAIRMONT, W. Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
MVB Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: MVBF) (“MVB” or the “Company”) announced today that it has commenced a modified “Dutch auction” tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) to purchase, for cash, up to $45.0 million of its common stock (the “Common Stock”) at a price per share not less than $18.00 and not greater than $20.25, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest. The Company intends to purchase the shares using available cash on hand and proceeds from an anticipated private placement of subordinated notes to certain institutional accredited investors. On November 16, 2020, the closing price of the Common Stock was $18.50 per share. The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, at the end of the day on December 18, 2020, unless extended or terminated.

If the Tender Offer is fully subscribed, the Company will purchase between 2,222,222 shares and 2,500,000 shares, or between 18.8% and 21.2%, respectively, of the outstanding Common Stock as of November 5, 2020. Any shares tendered may be withdrawn prior to expiration of the Tender Offer. Stockholders that do not wish to participate in the Tender Offer do not need to take any action. The Company is pursuing the Tender Offer in part as a means to provide a return of capital option to existing investors as the Company continues to evolve its primary business strategy from a traditional community banking model to a technology driven financial services provider. None of our directors or executive officers will tender any of their shares in the Tender Offer.

A modified “Dutch auction” tender offer allows stockholders to indicate how many shares of Common Stock and at what price within the range described above they wish to tender their shares. Based on the number of shares tendered and the prices specified by the tendering stockholders, the Company will determine the lowest per-share price that will enable it to acquire up to $45.0 million of Common Stock. All shares accepted in the Tender Offer will be purchased at the same price even if tendered at a lower price.

To tender shares of Common Stock, stockholders must follow the instructions described in the “Offer to Purchase” and the “Letter of Transmittal” that the Company is filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These documents contain important information about the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer.

The Tender Offer will not be contingent upon any minimum number of shares being tendered. The Tender Offer will, however, be subject to other conditions, which will be disclosed in the Offer to Purchase. The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) believes that a modified “Dutch auction” tender offer is an efficient mechanism that will provide all stockholders with the opportunity to tender all or a portion of their shares. In the future, the Board may consider additional tender offer(s) or other measures to enhance stockholder value based on a variety of factors, including the market price of the Common Stock.

The Board has authorized the Tender Offer. However, none of the Company, the Board, the dealer manager, the information agent, the depositary or any of their respective affiliates are making any recommendation to stockholders as to whether to tender or refrain from tendering their shares in the Tender Offer or as to the price at which stockholders may choose to tender their shares. No person is authorized to make any such recommendation. Stockholders must decide how many shares they will tender, if any, and the price within the stated range at which they will offer their shares for purchase. In doing so, stockholders should read carefully the information in, or incorporated by reference in, the Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal (as they may be amended or supplemented), including the purposes and effects of the Tender Offer. It is recommended that Stockholders discuss their decisions with their own tax advisors, financial advisors and/or brokers.

Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is acting as dealer manager for the Tender Offer. The information agent for the Tender Offer is Georgeson LLC, and the depositary is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and related documents will be mailed to registered holders. Beneficial holders will receive the Offer to Purchase and a communication from their bank, broker or custodian. For questions and information, please call the information agent toll-free at (800) 733-6198.

Certain Information Regarding the Tender Offer

The information in this press release describing the Tender Offer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell shares of Common Stock in the Tender Offer or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase any new securities. The Tender Offer is being made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and the related materials that the Company is filing with the SEC, and will distribute to its stockholders, as such materials may be amended or supplemented. Stockholders should read such Offer to Purchase and related materials carefully and in their entirety because they contain important information, including the various terms and conditions of the Tender Offer. Stockholders of the Company may obtain a free copy of the Tender Offer statement on Schedule TO, the Offer to Purchase and other documents that the Company is filing with the SEC from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Stockholders also will be able to obtain a copy of these documents, without charge, from Georgeson LLC, the information agent for the Tender Offer, toll free at (800) 733-6198 or Raymond James & Associates, Inc. at (312) 655-2964. Stockholders should carefully read all of these materials prior to making any decision with respect to the Tender Offer. Stockholders and investors who have questions or need assistance may call Georgeson LLC toll free at (800) 733-6198.

About MVB Financial Corp.

MVB Financial Corp., the holding company of MVB Bank, Inc., is publicly traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market® (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker “MVBF.” Nasdaq is a leading global provider of trading, clearing, exchange technology, listing, information and public company services. Through its subsidiary, MVB Bank, Inc., and its subsidiaries, MVB Community Development Corporation, Chartwell Compliance and Paladin, the Company provides financial services to individuals and corporate clients in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Chartwell Compliance is one of the world’s leading specialist firms in state and federal compliance and market entry facilitation for firms entering into or expanding in North America, serving many of the most high-profile providers of the Fintech industry. For more information about MVB, please visit http://ir.mvbbanking.com.

Forward-looking Statements

The Company has made forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in this Press Release. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations about the future and subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. When words such as “may,” “plans,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continues,” “may” or similar expressions occur in this Press Release, the Company is making forward-looking statements. Note that many factors could affect the future financial results of the Company and its subsidiaries, both individually and collectively, and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this Press Release. Those factors include but are not limited to: the possibility that shareholders will not be receptive to the Tender Offer; the Company’s ability to consummate the Tender Offer or the related financing necessary to generate proceeds to fund the Tender Offer on favorable terms, changes in general market, economic, tax, regulatory or industry conditions that impact the ability or willingness of the Company to consummate the above-described transactions on the terms described above or at all; credit risk; changes in market interest rates; length and severity of the recent COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak and its impact on the Company’s business and financial condition; economic downturn or recession; and government regulation and supervision. Additional factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as well as its other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

MEDIA CONTACT

Amy Baker

VP, Corporate Communications and

Marketing

MVB Financial Corp.

[email protected]

(844) 682-2265

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Marcie Lipscomb

[email protected]

(844) 682-2265

KEYWORDS: United States North America West Virginia

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Banking Professional Services Finance

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Granite Earned Designation as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ Company in 2020

Granite Earned Designation as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ Company in 2020

WATSONVILLE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Granite (GVA) announced that it is a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company by Great Place to Work®, the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue and increased innovation. Certification is a significant achievement based on validated employee feedback gathered with Great Place to Work’s rigorous, data-driven For All™ methodology.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201117005409/en/

“It is our honor to be Great Place to Work-Certified™ for the third time,” said Granite President Kyle Larkin. “Our people define Granite’s culture and create the type of environment where people respect and feel respected by their peers and leaders, and take pride in their work. This certification belongs to each and every member of the Granite team.”

“We congratulate Granite, on their Certification,” said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Best Workplace List Research at Great Place to Work. “Organizations that earn their employees’ trust create great workplace cultures that deliver outstanding business results.”

About Granite

Granite is America’s Infrastructure Company™. Incorporated since 1922, Granite (NYSE:GVA) is one of the largest diversified construction and construction materials companies in the United States as well as a full-suite provider in the transportation, water infrastructure and mineral exploration markets. Granite’s Code of Conduct and strong Core Values guide the Company and its employees to uphold the highest ethical standards. In addition to being one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for eleven consecutive years, Granite is an industry leader in safety and an award-winning firm in quality and sustainability. For more information, visit graniteconstruction.com, and connect with Granite on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Great Place to Work®

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees around the world and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Great Place to Work helps organizations quantify their culture and produce better business results by creating a high-trust work experience for all employees. Emprising®, their culture management platform, empowers leaders with the surveys, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Their unparalleled benchmark data is used to recognize Great Place to Work-Certified™ companies and the Best Workplaces™ in the US and more than 60 countries, including the 100 Best Companies to Work For® and World’s Best list published annually in Fortune. Everything they do is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a Great Place to Work For All™.

To learn more, visit greatplacetowork.com, listen to the podcast Better by Great Place to Work, and read “A Great Place to Work for All.” Join the community on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Media

Erin Kuhlman 831-768-4111

Investors

Lisa Curtis 831-728-7532

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Other Construction & Property Residential Building & Real Estate Commercial Building & Real Estate Construction & Property Urban Planning

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Gildan Listed on the 2020 Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the Eighth Consecutive Year

MONTREAL, Nov. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gildan Activewear Inc. (GIL: TSX and NYSE) announced today that it has been listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index. This marks Gildan’s eighth consecutive year of inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), recognizing the Company’s success and commitment in areas related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Gildan is the only apparel manufacturer to be included in the North American index.

“We are again pleased that Gildan has been included on the DJSI and that our scores reflect our continuous commitment to high achievement levels in all areas of ESG,” said Glenn Chamandy, President and CEO at Gildan. “Our eighth consecutive inclusion is the result of the hard work and dedication from our teams around the world to our vision of Gildan as a leader in ethical and sustainable apparel manufacturing. Despite a challenging global environment for all in 2020, I am particularly proud that Gildan continues to be recognized for its ability to manufacture responsibly, thanks to our unique vertically-integrated business model that allows us to care for our people, conserve the environment, and create stronger communities,” he continued.

“We congratulate Gildan for being included in the DJSI North America Index,” said Manjit Jus, Global Head of ESG Research and Data, S&P Global. “A DJSI distinction is a reflection of being a sustainability leader in your industry. With a record number of companies participating in the 2020 Corporate Sustainability Assessment and more stringent rules for inclusion this year, this sets your company apart and rewards your continued commitment to people and planet.”

This year, Gildan was able to increase its scores in all dimensions and showed significant improvement in areas related to labor practice indicators, operational eco-efficiency, and risk and crisis management. Gildan also achieved top score in the corporate governance, codes of business conduct, environmental reporting, social reporting, and corporate citizenship and philanthropy categories this year.

Environmental
R
eporting

In 2019, Gildan launched an updated Global Environmental & Energy Policy, which focuses on strengthening its environment and energy performance as one of its key priorities while embracing a proactive culture through the implementation of initiatives that build on its practices, guaranteeing that its environmental footprint is among the best in the industry. To ensure that the Company’s policy is upheld at all its operations and that it is in compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations in the countries where it operates, the Company has a comprehensive Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS allows the Company to evaluate its procedures for managing critical areas such as water use and wastewater discharge, energy generation and consumption, chemical handling and storage, raw materials selection, waste generation, biodiversity protection, emissions and spill control. Over the years, Gildan has invested significantly in systems and technologies to closely measure, monitor, and optimize the operational sustainability of its facilities.

Social Reporting

Gildan is committed to adopting the best labour practices and working conditions to ensure that the human rights and dignity of all its employees and those of its business partners are respected. A such, in 2019, Gildan updated its Human Rights Policy to include the Company’s most important social issues and identify, understand, and address actual or potential adverse human rights risks in connection with its operations and extended supply chain. In every location where the Company operates, Gildan offers fair wages, competitive benefits, safe and healthy work environments, and professional and personal development opportunities. Gildan also has rigorous systems in place, like its grievance mechanisms, to identify, prevent, and mitigate the risk of human rights violations in its supply chain.

Code of
B
usiness
C
onduct

Gildan has a comprehensive framework governing corporate compliance policies including a Code of Ethics, a Code of Conduct, and an Anti-Corruption Policy, amongst others. The Gildan Code of Conduct guides the Company’s activities wherever it operates and is aligned with internationally recognized standards such as the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA). The Company has several processes and training in place to increase awareness and compliance with its codes across the organization and expects its business partners to adhere to the same ethical and business conduct standards that it has adopted internally.

Created jointly by S&P Dow Jones Indices and SAM, the Dow Jones Sustainability Index family is a best-in-class benchmark for sustainable business practices which are critical to generating long-term shareholder value. The Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index was established in September 2005 to track the performance of companies from Canada and the United States that lead the field in terms of corporate sustainability.

About Gildan

Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel which markets its products in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, under a diversified portfolio of Company-owned brands, including Gildan®, American Apparel®, Comfort Colors®, Gildan® Hammer™, Prim + Preux®, GoldToe®, Anvil® by Gildan®, Alstyle®, Secret®, Silks®, Kushyfoot®, Secret Silky®, Therapy Plus®, Peds® and MediPeds®, and under the Under Armour® brand through a sock licensing agreement providing exclusive distribution rights in the United States and Canada. Our product offering includes activewear, underwear, socks, hosiery, and legwear products sold to a broad range of customers, including wholesale distributors, screenprinters or embellishers, as well as to retailers that sell to consumers through their physical stores and/or e-commerce platforms, and to global lifestyle brand companies.

Gildan owns and operates vertically-integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean, North America, and Bangladesh. Gildan operates with a strong commitment to industry-leading labour and environmental practices throughout its supply chain in accordance with its comprehensive Genuine Responsibility® program embedded in the Company’s long-term business strategy. More information about the Company and its corporate citizenship practices and initiatives can be found at www.gildancorp.com and www.genuineresponsibility.com, respectively.

Investor inquiries:

Sophie Argiriou
Vice President, Investor Communications
[email protected]

 Media inquiries:

Genevieve Gosselin
Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing
[email protected]



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Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. Awarded Best Retail REIT (U.S.) 2020 By CFI.co

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (NASDAQ:ROIC) announced today that Capital Finance International (CFI.co), a London-based financial news organization, has presented ROIC with its 2020 award for Best Retail REIT (U.S.).

According to CFI.co’s announcement, the award reflects ROIC’s strategic vision, resilient spirit, and a corporate culture marked by the care that the company shows customers, employees, communities and the planet. CFI.co also commended ROIC for its ongoing ESG-focused initiatives.

Stuart A. Tanz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. stated, “We are gratified to have earned CFI.co’s award and believe it reflects our long-standing commitment to operating responsibly and sustainably, as well as the strong relationships that we have fostered in the communities that our necessity-based shopping centers serve.”

ABOUT RETAIL OPPORTUNITY INVESTMENTS CORP.

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (NASDAQ: ROIC), is a fully-integrated, self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in the acquisition, ownership and management of grocery-anchored shopping centers located in densely-populated, metropolitan markets across the West Coast. As of September 30, 2020, ROIC owned 88 shopping centers encompassing approximately 10.1 million square feet. ROIC is the largest publicly-traded, grocery-anchored shopping center REIT focused exclusively on the West Coast. ROIC is a member of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and has investment-grade corporate debt ratings from Moody’s Investor Services, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings, Inc. Additional information is available at: www.roireit.net.

When used herein, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “should,” “estimates,” “expects,”
“
guidance
” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements with the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in Section 21F of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain statements contained herein may constitute
“
forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results of ROIC to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Information regarding such risks and factors is described in ROIC’s filings with the SEC, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is available at:
www.roireit.net
. 



Contact:
Carol Merriman, Investor Relations
858-255-7426
[email protected]

Source: Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

Posted on

Skeena Resources Closes C$46.0 Million Common Share Public Offering

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO
U.S.
NEWSWIRE SERVICES
OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Skeena Resources Limited (TSX: SKE, OTCQX: SKREF) (“Skeena” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced overnight marketed public offering (the “Offering”). Pursuant to the Offering, Skeena issued 19,574,468 common shares of the Company (the “Common Shares”), including 2,553,191 Common Shares issued in connection with the exercise in full of the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters (as defined below) in connection with the Offering, at a price of C$2.35 per Common Share for gross proceeds of C$46.0 million.

The Offering was completed through a syndicate of underwriters co-led by Raymond James Ltd. and Canaccord Genuity Corp., and including Clarus Securities Inc., Sprott Capital Partners and RBC Capital Markets (collectively the “Underwriters”).

The Common Shares were offered pursuant to a final prospectus supplement dated November 11, 2020 to the Company’s short form base shelf prospectus dated November 4, 2020. The Common Shares were offered in each of the provinces of Canada, except Québec. The Common Shares were sold to U.S. buyers on a private placement basis pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other jurisdictions outside of Canada provided that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used by the Company to fund ‎exploration and development activities at the Eskay Creek Project and Snip Gold Project, and for general ‎administrative and corporate purposes.

Agentis Capital Mining Partners, Jett Capital Advisors, and Tectonic Advisory Partners have acted has financial advisors to the Company.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Skeena

Skeena Resources Limited is a junior mining company focused on developing the past-producing Eskay Creek gold-silver mine located in Tahltan Territory in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company released a robust Preliminary Economic Assessment in late 2019 and is currently focused on infill and exploration drilling at Eskay Creek to advance the project to Prefeasibility. Skeena is also exploring the past-producing Snip gold mine.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Skeena Resources Limited,

Walter Coles Jr.
President & CEO

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute “forward looking information” and “forward looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the Company and there is no assurance that actual results will meet management’s expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as “anticipates”, “believes”, “targets”, “estimates”, “plans”, “expects”, “may”, “will”, “could” or “would”. In this new release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things: the use of the net proceeds therefrom; anticipated advancement of the Eskay Creek Project and the Snip Project; and future exploration and development plans of Skeena.

Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Walter Coles Jr.
President & CEO
Office: 604 684 8725
[email protected]



Posted on

BioMarin and Deep Genomics to Collaborate on Advancing Programs Identified Using Artificial Intelligence

PR Newswire

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. and TORONTO, Nov. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) and Deep Genomics today announced that the companies have entered into a preclinical collaboration that will use Deep Genomics’ artificial intelligence drug discovery platform (The AI Workbench) to identify oligonucleotide drug candidates in four rare disease indications with high unmet need.  Deep Genomics will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible to receive development milestones as a part of the collaboration.  BioMarin will receive an exclusive option to obtain Deep Genomics’ rights to each program for development and commercialization. The companies did not disclose financial terms.

In the collaboration, Deep Genomics will use its AI Workbench to identify and validate target mechanisms and lead candidates, and BioMarin will advance them into preclinical and clinical development. The AI Workbench enables rapid exploration of novel targetable mechanisms and therapeutic candidates.  It combines deep learning, automation, advanced biomedical knowledge and massive amounts of in vitro and in vivo data to accurately identify targetable molecular mechanisms and guide the discovery and development of oligonucleotide therapies.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Deep Genomics, a leader in AI-facilitated discovery and development of potential oligonucleotide-based therapeutics, and to tap into their AI Workbench to unlock the potential of exciting new drug targets for rare diseases,” said Lon Cardon, Chief Scientific Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President at BioMarin.  “We believe the combination of Deep Genomics’ experience in using artificial intelligence to creatively modulate targets coupled with our proven track record in developing transformational medicines for patients with rare diseases will speed BioMarin’s trajectory into new biological frontiers.”

“We share BioMarin’s pioneering spirit in drug discovery and are delighted to partner with them,” said Brendan Frey, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Deep Genomics. “Our second generation AI Workbench continues to unlock a rapidly growing number of therapeutic opportunities for patients with genetically defined disorders.  BioMarin is an industry leader in developing transformational therapies for patients with rare diseases, and we look forward to working with them to expand their clinical pipeline.”

About BioMarin

BioMarin is a global biotechnology company that develops and commercializes innovative therapies for serious and life-threatening rare genetic diseases. The Company’s portfolio consists of six commercialized products and multiple clinical and pre-clinical product candidates. For additional information, please visit www.biomarin.com. Information on BioMarin’s website is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

About
Deep Genomics

Deep Genomics is a therapeutics company founded on computational biology and artificial intelligence. It’s AI-based systems, datasets, processes and culture enable the intentional design of effective and highly safe genetic medicines with a speed and a success rate that far exceed what was previously possible. The AI, genome biology, software engineering and preclinical research team is located in the heart of Toronto, Canada, next to the AI research labs of Google, Uber, the Vector Institute and the University of Toronto, where deep learning was invented. The clinical and business development teams are based in Boston, Massachusetts.  For more information, visit www.deepgenomics.com and follow us on Twitter at @deepgenomics.

BioMarin® is a registered trademark of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

 

Contacts:

Investors   

 Media


Traci McCarty 


Debra Charlesworth


BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.  


BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.


(415) 455-7558          


(415) 455-7451


Michael Lampe


Deep Genomics


(484) 575-5040



[email protected]

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biomarin-and-deep-genomics-to-collaborate-on-advancing-programs-identified-using-artificial-intelligence-301174203.html

SOURCE BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

Posted on

Playpower® Introduces Playarmor™, First Antimicrobial Protective Coating Introduced Exclusively for Application on Commercial Playground Equipment & Site Furnishings

Trusted by Hospitals and Restaurants,
PlayArmor
Provid
es
a Long-Lasting
Antimicrobial Biostatic Finish
That
Neutraliz
es
Microbes

  • PlayArmor is available
    now
    for use
    exclusively on PlayPower’s brands of indoor and outdoor play equipment
    ,
    and in early 202
    1
    for its
    treated site amenities such as picnic tables and benches
  • Cleaning with a disinfectant only lasts until the next person touches the equipment;
    registered with
    the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PlayArmor takes safety to the next level,
    with no need to reapply
    for
    up to
    90 days to
    help
    protect
    playgrounds and site furnishings
    between
    cleanings
  • With m
    any playgrounds closed temporarily due to
    the
    pandemic
    ,
    the company launched PlayArmor
    to help create an even safer environment as
    playgrounds
    reopen   

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., Nov. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PlayPower, the world’s largest commercial playground and recreational equipment manufacturer, today introduced PlayArmor™, a long-lasting antimicrobial coating specifically targeted for use on playgrounds to add a barrier of protection to the surfaces that children touch. PlayArmor is available in the U.S. for exclusive use on PlayPower’s brands of indoor and outdoor play equipment.

Registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PlayArmor is based on well-established technology that’s scientifically proven to create an effective, safe and active surface barrier.

“PlayPower has a legacy of doing things the right way, so the safety of our brand product lines — and of play itself — is always our priority,” said Todd Brinker, PlayPower senior vice president of sales and marketing for outdoor play. “At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we began talking to customers about how we could help keep their play equipment safe. We set a goal to make play environments as germ-free as possible and PlayArmor is the result of that focused effort.”

PlayPower is the exclusive distributor for Clearstream® Technologies, the specialized chemical company that makes PlayArmor for application on commercial playgrounds and site amenities, such as picnic tables and benches. No other playground equipment manufacturer has access to the PlayArmor brand.

Representatives for the PlayPower brands Little Tikes Commercial®, Miracle®, Playworld®, and Soft Play® will make PlayArmor available for application to existing and newly purchased play equipment after installation. PlayPower brand Wabash Valley, makers of high-end commercial site furnishings, will begin coating new products during manufacturing in the first quarter of 2021.

PlayArmor, which bonds to the playground surface, remains effective for its intended purpose for up to 75 pressure washes. PlayPower recommends reapplication every 90 days, which maximizes product surface protection throughout the year.

“Whether indoors or outdoors, it’s impossible to keep playgrounds germ-free just with daily cleaning and disinfection, because they are only effective until the next child or parent touches the equipment,” said Ken Schober, vice president of PlayPower’s indoor play division. “PlayArmor helps protect surfaces between cleanings.”

PlayPower will offer commercial-grade labels that let visitors know the playground has been treated with PlayArmor. The labels will also direct people to further information about the antimicrobial coating via a website link or QR code.

PlayArmor is safe for contact with humans, animals and the environment. The technology is used throughout hospitals, including in surgical theaters, isolation wards, medical research facilities and intensive care units.

For more information about PlayArmor, visit www.PlayArmor.com.

About PlayArmor
™

The active ingredient in PlayArmor is categorized as a silane quaternary ammonium. This is a well-established class of antimicrobials that enact a “mechanical kill” of pathogens rather than a “chemical kill.” In effect, PlayArmor penetrates the cell wall of the pathogen, killing it by rupturing the cell membrane. Other antimicrobials on the market poison cells to kill them, creating the potential for antimicrobial-resistant superbugs. That is not possible with PlayArmor. PlayArmor does not protect against airborne transmission of viruses. Therefore, mask wearing, social distancing and other protective measures are still recommended during indoor and outdoor play. www.PlayArmor.com

About PlayPower

®


PlayPower, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of outdoor recreational products and is the world’s largest, fully integrated manufacturer of commercial playground equipment, surfacing solutions, floating dock systems and lifts for boats and personal watercraft, shade solutions and site furnishings. The company is headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina, with offices and manufacturing facilities in Monett, Missouri; Lewisburg, Pennsylvania; Englewood, Colorado; Dallas, Texas; Nogales, Mexico; Selby, England; Perth, Scotland; Sosnowiec, Poland; and Aneby, Sweden. PlayPower’s goal is to lead the market in all areas in which it competes and to continue to bring innovation and fun to the marketplace. The Company’s website is www.PlayPower.com.



Media Contact:
Jennifer Leckstrom
RoseComm for PlayPower
[email protected]
215-681-0770

Posted on

Wrap Technologies Announces New Orders; Expands Inside and Outside Domestic Sales Team

TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wrap Technologies, Inc. (the “Company” or “Wrap”) (Nasdaq: WRTC), an innovator of modern policing solutions, announced today 4 key additions to the Company’s inside and outside sales teams, including Directors of Western Regional Sales and Eastern Regional Sales.

“We are excited to be introducing additional talent to our sales department,” said Tom Smith, President and Interim CEO of Wrap Technologies. “We continue to see a strong pipeline of inbound requests for BolaWrap demonstrations, training and quotes, and many agencies who have previously seen demos or have been trained on the BolaWrap are now beginning to outfit their officers with our device.”

“With 13 distributors across the US covering 49 states and a majority of domestic sales coming through our distribution network, it is important that we continue to grow in our ability to support our distributors and help drive volume.”

Recent orders from domestic law enforcement agencies received and expected to ship this quarter include:

  • Agency in Indiana: purchased 25 devices
  • Agency in Ohio: purchased 15 devices
  • Agency in Texas: purchased 10 devices
  • Agency in Michigan: purchased 10 devices

Additionally, initial small orders were received from agencies in Georgia, Minnesota, Virginia, Illinois, Arkansas, New York, Maine, several Universities and a Federal agency. We expect these orders may lead to additional future orders.

About Wrap Technologies (WRTC)
Wrap Technologies is an innovator of modern policing solutions. The Company’s BolaWrap 100 product is a patented, hand-held remote restraint device that discharges an eight-foot bola style Kevlar® tether to restrain an individual at a distance from 10 to 25 feet. Developed by award winning inventor Elwood Norris, the Company’s Chief Technology Officer, the small but powerful BolaWrap 100 assists law enforcement in safely and effectively deescalating encounters, especially those involving an individual in crisis. BolaWrap 100 has already been used to safely apprehend suspects without injury in a number of cities including Los Angeles, Sacramento, Fresno, Bell, Albuquerque, Minneapolis, West Palm Beach, Fort Worth, and Oak Ridge. For information on the Company, please visit www.wrap.com.

Follow WRAP® here:

WRAP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wraptechnologies/
WRAP on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wraptechinc
WRAP on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wraptechnologiesinc/

Trademark Information
BolaWrap and Wrap are trademarks of Wrap Technologies, Inc. All other trade names used herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective holders.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements – Safe Harbor Statement  
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to: statements regarding the Company’s overall business; total addressable market; and, expectations regarding future sales and expenses. Words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “should”, “believe”, “target”, “project”, “goals”, “estimate”, “potential”, “predict”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, and variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Moreover, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company’s control. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: the Company’s ability to successful implement training programs for the use of its products; the Company’s ability to manufacture and produce product for its customers; the Company’s ability to develop sales for its new product solution; the acceptance of existing and future products; the availability of funding to continue to finance operations; the complexity, expense and time associated with sales to law enforcement and government entities; the lengthy evaluation and sales cycle for the Company’s product solution; product defects; litigation risks from alleged product-related injuries; risks of government regulations; the business impact of health crises or outbreaks of disease, such as epidemics or pandemics; the ability to obtain export licenses for counties outside of the US; the ability to obtain patents and defend IP against competitors; the impact of competitive products and solutions; and the Company’s ability to maintain and enhance its brand, as well as other risk factors mentioned in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and other SEC filings. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations.

Wrap Technologies, Inc.

Paul M. Manley
VP – Investor Relations
(612) 834-1804
[email protected]