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TD Asset Management Inc. Announces Estimated Annual Reinvested Distributions for certain TD ETFs

Canada NewsWire

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2020 /CNW/ – TD Asset Management Inc. (“TDAM”) today announced the estimated 2020 reinvested distributions for certain TD Exchange-Traded Funds (the “TD ETFs”) listed below. These annual reinvested distributions generally represent realized capital gains within the TD ETFs. 

Unitholders of record on December 31, 2020 will receive the actual 2020 reinvested distributions which may vary from the estimated amounts disclosed below. The actual taxable amounts of reinvested distributions for 2020, will be reported in late December or early 2021. The tax characteristics of the distributions will be reported in early 2021.

Cash distributions will be reported separately.

Details of the per-unit reinvested distribution are as follows:


Fund Name


Fund
Ticker


Estimated Annual
Reinvested
Distribution ($)

TD Active High Yield Bond ETF

TUHY

$0.31818

TD Active Global Income ETF

TGFI

$0.27603

TD Canadian Long Term Federal Bond ETF

TCLB

$0.21635

TD U.S. Long Term Treasury Bond ETF

TULB

$1.69410

TD Income Builder ETF

TPAY

$0.16839

TD Q U.S. Small Mid-Cap Equity ETF

TQSM

$0.00000

TD Morningstar ESG Canada Equity Index ETF

TMEC

$0.00000

TD Morningstar ESG U.S. Equity Index ETF

TMEU

$0.00000

TD Morningstar ESG International Equity Index ETF

TMEI

$0.00000

For more information regarding TD ETFs, visit TDAssetManagement.com

Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Please read the prospectus and ETF Facts before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. ETF units are bought and sold at market price on a stock exchange and brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

Morningstar® Canada Sustainability Extended IndexSM, Morningstar® US Sustainability Extended IndexSM and Morningstar® Developed Markets ex-North America Sustainability Extended IndexSM are service marks of Morningstar, Inc. and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by TD Asset Management Inc. The TD Morningstar ESG Canada Equity Index ETF, TD Morningstar ESG International Equity Index ETF and TD Morningstar ESG U.S. Equity Index ETF (collectively, the “TD ETFs”) are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Morningstar Research Inc. (“Morningstar”), and Morningstar makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the TD ETFs.

TD ETFs are managed by TD Asset Management Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

®The TD logo and other trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries.

About TD Asset Management Inc.

TD Asset Management (TDAM), a member of TD Bank Group, is a North American investment management firm. Operating through TD Asset Management Inc. in Canada and TDAM USA Inc. in the U.S., TDAM brings new thinking to investors’ most important challenges. TDAM offers investment solutions to corporations, pension funds, endowments, foundations and individual investors. Additionally, TDAM manages assets on behalf of almost 2 million retail investors and offers a broadly diversified suite of investment solutions including mutual funds, professionally managed portfolios and corporate class funds. Asset management businesses at TD manage $396 billion in assets as at September 30, 2020. Assets under management include TD Asset Management Inc., TDAM USA Inc. and Epoch Investment Partners Inc. All entities are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

SOURCE TD Asset Management Inc.

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FDA Approves Amgen’s RIABNI™ (rituximab-arrx), A Biosimilar To Rituxan® (rituximab)

Fifth FDA Approval From Amgen’s Biosimilars Portfolio

PR Newswire

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved RIABNI™ (rituximab-arrx), a biosimilar to Rituxan® (rituximab), for the treatment of adult patients with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener’s Granulomatosis), and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA). RIABNI will be made available in the U.S. in January 2021.

“The approval of RIABNI represents an important milestone across our biosimilar and oncology portfolios,” said Murdo Gordon, executive vice president of Global Commercial Operations at Amgen. “Following the proven success of KANJINTI® (trastuzumab-anns) and MVASI® (bevacizumab-awwb) in the U.S. marketplace, RIABNI reaffirms Amgen’s long-term commitment to providing high quality biosimilars that can potentially offer more affordable, effective treatment options for cancer and other serious diseases and that contribute to the sustainability of healthcare systems.”

RIABNI, a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody, was proven to be highly similar to Rituxan based on a totality of evidence, which included comparative analytical, nonclinical and clinical data, with no clinically meaningful differences in safety or effectiveness. The data package was composed of, in part, results from a pharmacokinetic (PK) similarity study and a comparative clinical study.

The randomized, double-blind, comparative clinical study evaluated the efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of RIABNI compared to Rituxan in subjects with grade 1, 2, or 3a follicular B-cell NHL and low tumor burden. There were 256 patients enrolled and randomized (1:1) to receive 375 mg/m2 intravenous infusion of either RIABNI or Rituxan, once weekly for 4 weeks followed by dosing at weeks 12 and 20. The primary endpoint, an assessment of overall response rate (ORR) by week 28, was within the prespecified margin for RIABNI compared to Rituxan, showing clinical equivalence. PK, PD, safety and immunogenicity of RIABNI were similar to Rituxan.

The Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC or “list price”) of RIABNI in the U.S. will be 23.7% lower than the reference product, Rituxan. RIABNI is being made available at a WAC of $716.80 per 100 mg and $3,584.00 per 500 mg single-dose vial, 23.7% less than the WAC for Rituxan, 15.2% less than the WAC for Truxima® (biosimilar to Rituxan) and matching the WAC for Ruxience® (biosimilar to Rituxan). At launch, RIABNI will be priced 16.7% below the current Rituxan Average Selling Price (ASP). RIABNI will be available from both wholesalers and specialty distributors.

Amgen has a total of 10 biosimilars in its portfolio, five of which have been approved in the U.S., and three that are approved in the European Union (EU).

About 
RIABNI™
 
(rituximab-arrx) in the U.S.
RIABNI is a biosimilar to Rituxan, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. The active ingredient of RIABNI is a monoclonal antibody that has the same amino acid sequence as Rituxan. RIABNI also has the same strength as Rituxan, and the dosage form and route of administration are identical to the IV formulation of Rituxan.

RIABNI is currently not yet available commercially. This is not an offer for sale. The following information is derived from the approved label in the U.S.

In the U.S., RIABNI is approved for:

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
RIABNI (rituximab-arrx) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:

  • Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent.
  • Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with first line chemotherapy and, in patients achieving a complete or partial response to a rituximab product in combination with chemotherapy, as single-agent maintenance therapy.
  • Non-progressing (including stable disease), low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent after first line cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) chemotherapy.
  • Previously untreated diffuse large B-cell, CD20-positive NHL in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone (CHOP) or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens.


Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

RIABNI, in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated and previously treated CD20-positive CLL.

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener’s Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA)
RIABNI, in combination with glucocorticoids, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener’s Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA).

Important Safety Information

BOXED WARNINGS:
FATAL INFUSION-RELATED REACTIONS, SEVERE MUCOCUTANEOUS REACTIONS, HEPATITIS B VIRUS REACTIVATION, PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY

  • Infusion-Related Reactions: Rituximab product administration can result in serious, including fatal, infusion-related reactions. Deaths within 24 hours of rituximab infusion have occurred. Approximately 80% of fatal infusion-related reactions occurred in association with the first infusion. Monitor patients closely. Discontinue RIABNITM infusion for severe reactions and provide medical treatment for Grade 3 or 4 infusion-related reactions.
  • Severe Mucocutaneous Reactions: Severe, including fatal, mucocutaneous reactions can occur in patients receiving rituximab products. Discontinue RIABNITM in patients who experience a severe mucocutaneous reaction. The safety of readministration of RIABNITM to patients with severe mucocutaneous reactions has not been determined.
  • Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation: HBV reactivation can occur in patients treated with rituximab products, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death. Screen all patients for HBV infection before treatment initiation, and monitor patients during and after treatment with RIABNITM. Discontinue RIABNITM and concomitant medications in the event of HBV reactivation.
  • Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), including fatal PML, can occur in patients receiving rituximab products. Discontinue RIABNITM and consider discontinuation or reduction of any concomitant chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy in patients who develop PML.

Infusion-Related reactions (IRR)

  • Rituximab products can cause severe, including fatal, infusion-related reactions. Severe reactions typically occurred during the first infusion with time to onset of 30-120 minutes.
  • Rituximab-product-induced infusion-related reactions and sequelae include urticaria, hypotension, angioedema, hypoxia, bronchospasm, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, cardiogenic shock, anaphylactoid events, or death.
  • Premedicate patients with an antihistamine and acetaminophen prior to dosing. For patients with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener’s Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA), methylprednisolone 100 mg intravenously or its equivalent is recommended 30 minutes prior to each infusion. Institute medical management (e.g., glucocorticoids, epinephrine, bronchodilators, or oxygen) for infusion-related reactions as needed. Depending on the severity of the infusion-related reaction and the required interventions, temporarily or permanently discontinue RIABNITM. Resume infusion at a minimum 50% reduction in rate after symptoms have resolved.
  • Closely monitor the following patients: those with preexisting cardiac or pulmonary conditions, those who experienced prior cardiopulmonary adverse reactions, and those with high numbers of circulating malignant cells (≥25,000/mm3).

Severe Mucocutaneous Reactions

  • Mucocutaneous reactions, some with fatal outcome, can occur in patients treated with rituximab products. These reactions include paraneoplastic pemphigus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, lichenoid dermatitis, vesiculobullous dermatitis, and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
  • The onset of these reactions has been variable and includes reports with onset on the first day of rituximab exposure. Discontinue RIABNITM in patients who experience a severe mucocutaneous reaction. The safety of re-administration of rituximab products to patients with severe mucocutaneous reactions has not been determined.

Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death, can occur in patients treated with drugs classified as CD20-directed cytolytic antibodies, including rituximab products. Cases have been reported in patients who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and also in patients who are HBsAg negative but are hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) positive. Reactivation also has occurred in patients who appear to have resolved hepatitis B infection (i.e., HBsAg negative, anti-HBc positive, and hepatitis B surface antibody [anti-HBs] positive).
  • HBV reactivation is defined as an abrupt increase in HBV replication manifesting as a rapid increase in serum HBV DNA level or detection of HBsAg in a person who was previously HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive. Reactivation of HBV replication is often followed by hepatitis, i.e., increase in transaminase levels. In severe cases, increase in bilirubin levels, liver failure, and death can occur.
  • Screen all patients for HBV infection by measuring HBsAg and anti-HBc before initiating treatment with RIABNITM. For patients who show evidence of prior hepatitis B infection (HBsAg positive [regardless of antibody status] or HBsAg negative but anti-HBc positive), consult with physicians with expertise in managing hepatitis B regarding monitoring and consideration for HBV antiviral therapy before and/or during RIABNITM treatment.
  • Monitor patients with evidence of current or prior HBV infection for clinical and laboratory signs of hepatitis or HBV reactivation during and for several months following RIABNITM therapy. HBV reactivation has been reported up to 24 months following completion of rituximab therapy.
  • In patients who develop reactivation of HBV while on RIABNITM, immediately discontinue RIABNITM and any concomitant chemotherapy, and institute appropriate treatment. Insufficient data exist regarding the safety of resuming rituximab product treatment in patients who develop HBV reactivation. Resumption of RIABNITM treatment in patients whose HBV reactivation resolves should be discussed with physicians with expertise in managing HBV.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)

  • JC virus infection resulting in multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and death can occur in rituximab-product -treated patients with hematologic malignancies or with autoimmune diseases. The majority of patients with hematologic malignancies diagnosed with PML received rituximab in combination with chemotherapy or as part of a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The patients with autoimmune diseases had prior or concurrent immunosuppressive therapy. Most cases of PML were diagnosed within 12 months of their last infusion of rituximab.
  • Consider the diagnosis of PML in any patient presenting with new-onset neurologic manifestations. Evaluation of PML includes, but is not limited to, consultation with a neurologist, brain MRI, and lumbar puncture. Discontinue RIABNITM and consider discontinuation or reduction of any concomitant chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy in patients who develop PML.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome

  • Acute renal failure, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hyperuricemia, or hyperphosphatemia from tumor lysis, some fatal, can occur within 12−24 hours after the first infusion of RIABNITM in patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). A high number of circulating malignant cells (≥25,000/mm3), or high tumor burden, confers a greater risk of TLS.
  • Administer aggressive intravenous hydration and anti-hyperuricemic therapy in patients at high risk for TLS. Correct electrolyte abnormalities, monitor renal function and fluid balance, and administer supportive care, including dialysis as indicated.

Infections

  • Serious, including fatal, bacterial, fungal, and new or reactivated viral infections can occur during and following the completion of rituximab product-based therapy. Infections have been reported in some patients with prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia (defined as hypogammaglobulinemia >11 months after rituximab exposure).
  • New or reactivated viral infections included cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, parvovirus B19, varicella zoster virus, West Nile virus, and hepatitis B and C. Discontinue RIABNITM for serious infections and institute appropriate anti-infective therapy.
  • RIABNITM is not recommended for use in patients with severe, active infections.

Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions

  • Cardiac adverse reactions, including ventricular fibrillation, myocardial infarction, and cardiogenic shock may occur in patients receiving rituximab products. Discontinue infusions for serious or life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Perform cardiac monitoring during and after all infusions of RIABNITM for patients who develop clinically significant arrhythmias, or who have a history of arrhythmia or angina.

Renal Toxicity

  • Severe, including fatal, renal toxicity can occur after rituximab product administration in patients with NHL. Renal toxicity has occurred in patients who experience TLS and in patients with NHL administered concomitant cisplatin therapy during clinical trials. The combination of cisplatin and RIABNITM is not an approved treatment regimen. Monitor closely for signs of renal failure and discontinue RIABNITM in patients with a rising serum creatinine or oliguria.

Bowel Obstruction and Perforation

  • Abdominal pain, bowel obstruction and perforation, in some cases leading to death, can occur in patients receiving rituximab products in combination with chemotherapy. In postmarketing reports, the mean time to documented gastrointestinal perforation was 6 (range 1−77) days in patients with NHL. Evaluate if symptoms of obstruction such as abdominal pain or repeated vomiting occur.

Immunization

  • The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines following rituximab product therapy has not been studied, and vaccination with live virus vaccines is not recommended before or during treatment.
  • For patients treated with RIABNITM, physicians should review the patient’s vaccination status and patients should, if possible, be brought up to date with all immunizations in agreement with current immunization guidelines prior to initiating RIABNITM; administer non-live vaccines at least 4 weeks prior to a course of RIABNITM.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

  • Based on human data, rituximab products can cause fetal harm due to B-cell lymphocytopenia in infants exposed in utero. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception with RIABNITM and for at least 12 months after the last dose.

Concomitant Use with Other Biologic Agents and Disease Modifying Antirheumatic
Drugs (DMARDs) in GPA and MPA

  • Limited data are available on the safety of the use of biologic agents or DMARDs. Observe patients closely for signs of infection if biologic agents and/or DMARDs are used concomitantly. Use of concomitant immunosuppressants other than corticosteroids has not been studied in GPA or MPA patients exhibiting peripheral B-cell depletion following treatment with rituximab products.

Adverse Reactions

  • The most common Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions in clinical trials of NHL and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were infusion-related reactions, neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and infections. Additionally, lymphopenia and lung disorder were seen in NHL trials; and febrile neutropenia, pancytopenia, hypotension, and hepatitis B were seen in CLL trials.
  • The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥25%) in clinical trials of NHL and CLL were infusion-related reactions. Additionally, fever, lymphopenia, chills, infection, and asthenia were seen in NHL trials; and neutropenia was seen in CLL trials.

Nursing Mothers

  • There are no data on the presence of rituximab products in human milk, the effect on the breastfed child, or the effect on milk production. Because of the potential of serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with RIABNITM and for at least 6 months after the last dose.

Clinical Trials Experience in GPA and MPA

  • Adverse reactions reported in ≥15% of rituximab-treated patients were infections, nausea, diarrhea, headache, muscle spasms, anemia, and peripheral edema (other important adverse reactions include infusion-related reactions).

Induction Treatment of Patients with Active GPA/MPA (GPA/MPA Study 1)

Infusion-Related Reactions

  • In GPA/MPA Study 1, 12% vs 11% (rituximab-treated vs cyclophosphamide-treated, respectively) of patients experienced at least one infusion-related reaction. Infusion-related reactions included cytokine release syndrome, flushing, throat irritation, and tremor. In the rituximab group, the proportion of patients experiencing an infusion reaction was 12%, 5%, 4%, and 1% following the first, second, third, and fourth infusions, respectively. Patients were premedicated with antihistamine and acetaminophen before each rituximab infusion and were on background oral corticosteroids, which may have mitigated or masked an infusion-related reaction; however, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether premedication diminishes the frequency or severity of infusion-related reactions.

Infections

  • In GPA/MPA Study 1, 62% vs 47% (rituximab-treated vs cyclophosphamide-treated, respectively) of patients experienced an infection by Month 6. The most common infections in the rituximab group were upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and herpes zoster. The incidence of serious infections was 11% vs 10% (rituximab-treated vs cyclophosphamide-treated, respectively), with rates of approximately 25 and 28 per 100 patient-years, respectively. The most common serious infection was pneumonia.

Hypogammaglobulinemia

  • Hypogammaglobulinemia (IgA, IgG, or IgM below the lower limit of normal) has been observed in patients with GPA and MPA treated with rituximab in GPA/MPA Study 1. At 6 months, in the rituximab group, 27%, 58%, and 51% of patients with normal immunoglobulin levels at baseline had low IgA, IgG, and IgM levels, respectively, compared to 25%, 50%, and 46% in the cyclophosphamide group.

Immunogenicity

  • A total of 23/99 (23%) rituximab-treated adult patients with GPA or MPA tested positive for anti-rituximab antibodies by 18 months in GPA/MPA Study 1. The clinical relevance of anti-rituximab antibody formation in rituximab-treated adult patients is unclear.

Treatment of Patients with GPA/MPA Who Have Achieved Disease Control with Induction Treatment (GPA/MPA Study 2)

  • In GPA/MPA Study 2, the safety profile was consistent with the known safety profile of rituximab in immunologic indications.

Infusion-Related Reactions (IRR)

  • In GPA/MPA Study 2, 7/57 (12%) patients in the non-US-licensed approved rituximab arm reported infusion-related reactions. The incidence of IRR symptoms was highest during or after the first infusion (9%) and decreased with subsequent infusions (<4%). One patient had two serious IRRs; two IRRs led to a dose modification; and no IRRs were severe, fatal, or led to withdrawal from the study.

Infections

  • In GPA/MPA Study 2, 30/57 (53%) patients in the non-US-licensed approved rituximab arm and 33/58 (57%) in the azathioprine arm reported infections. The incidence of all-grade infections was similar between the arms. The incidence of serious infections was similar in both arms (12%). The most commonly reported serious infection in the group was mild or moderate bronchitis.

Attention Healthcare Provider: Provide Medication Guide to patient prior to RIABNITM infusion and advise patients to read guide.

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Amgen at 1-800-772-6436. 

Please see the full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNINGS and Medication Guide, for additional Important Safety Information.

About Amgen Biosimilars
Amgen is committed to building upon Amgen’s experience in the development and manufacturing of innovative human therapeutics to expand Amgen’s reach to patients with serious illnesses. Biosimilars will help to maintain Amgen’s commitment to connect patients with vital medicines, and Amgen is well positioned to leverage its nearly four decades of experience in biotechnology to create high-quality biosimilars and reliably supply them to patients worldwide.

For more information, visit www.amgenbiosimilars.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgenbiosim.

About Amgen Oncology
Amgen is searching for and finding answers to incredibly complex questions that will advance care and improve lives for cancer patients and their families. Our research drives us to understand the disease in the context of the patient’s life – not just their cancer journey – so they can take control of their lives.

For the last four decades, we have been dedicated to discovering the firsts that matter in oncology and to finding ways to reduce the burden of cancer. Building on our heritage, Amgen continues to advance the largest pipeline in the Company’s history, moving with great speed to advance those innovations for the patients who need them.

At Amgen, we are driven by our commitment to transform the lives of cancer patients and keep them at the center of everything we do. 

For more information, follow us on www.twitter.com/amgenoncology.

About Amgen
 
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.

Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world’s leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.

For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.

Amgen Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the current expectations and beliefs of Amgen. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including any statements on the outcome, benefits and synergies of collaborations, or potential collaborations, with any other company, including BeiGene, Ltd. or any collaboration or potential collaboration in pursuit of therapeutic antibodies against COVID-19 (including statements regarding such collaboration’s, or Amgen’s, ability to discover and develop fully-human neutralizing antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 or antibodies against targets other than the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain, and/or to produce any such antibodies to potentially prevent or treat COVID-19), or the Otezla® (apremilast) acquisition (including anticipated Otezla sales growth and the timing of non-GAAP EPS accretion), as well as estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial metrics, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, reimbursement activities and outcomes, effects of pandemics or other widespread health problems such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Amgen’s business, outcomes, progress, or effects relating to studies of Otezla as a potential treatment for COVID-19, and other such estimates and results. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and more fully described in the Securities and Exchange Commission reports filed by Amgen, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Unless otherwise noted, Amgen is providing this information as of the date of this news release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those Amgen projects. Discovery or identification of new product candidates or development of new indications for existing products cannot be guaranteed and movement from concept to product is uncertain; consequently, there can be no guarantee that any particular product candidate or development of a new indication for an existing product will be successful and become a commercial product. Further, preclinical results do not guarantee safe and effective performance of product candidates in humans. The complexity of the human body cannot be perfectly, or sometimes, even adequately modeled by computer or cell culture systems or animal models. The length of time that it takes for Amgen to complete clinical trials and obtain regulatory approval for product marketing has in the past varied and Amgen expects similar variability in the future. Even when clinical trials are successful, regulatory authorities may question the sufficiency for approval of the trial endpoints Amgen has selected. Amgen develops product candidates internally and through licensing collaborations, partnerships and joint ventures. Product candidates that are derived from relationships may be subject to disputes between the parties or may prove to be not as effective or as safe as Amgen may have believed at the time of entering into such relationship. Also, Amgen or others could identify safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products, including its devices, after they are on the market.

Amgen’s results may be affected by its ability to successfully market both new and existing products domestically and internationally, clinical and regulatory developments involving current and future products, sales growth of recently launched products, competition from other products including biosimilars, difficulties or delays in manufacturing its products and global economic conditions. In addition, sales of Amgen’s products are affected by pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny and reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers, including governments, private insurance plans and managed care providers and may be affected by regulatory, clinical and guideline developments and domestic and international trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment. Furthermore, Amgen’s research, testing, pricing, marketing and other operations are subject to extensive regulation by domestic and foreign government regulatory authorities. Amgen’s business may be impacted by government investigations, litigation and product liability claims. In addition, Amgen’s business may be impacted by the adoption of new tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities. If Amgen fails to meet the compliance obligations in the corporate integrity agreement between Amgen and the U.S. government, Amgen could become subject to significant sanctions. Further, while Amgen routinely obtains patents for its products and technology, the protection offered by its patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by its competitors, or Amgen may fail to prevail in present and future intellectual property litigation. Amgen performs a substantial amount of its commercial manufacturing activities at a few key facilities, including in Puerto Rico, and also depends on third parties for a portion of its manufacturing activities, and limits on supply may constrain sales of certain of its current products and product candidate development. An outbreak of disease or similar public health threat, such as COVID-19, and the public and governmental effort to mitigate against the spread of such disease, could have a significant adverse effect on the supply of materials for Amgen’s manufacturing activities, the distribution of Amgen’s products, the commercialization of Amgen’s product candidates, and Amgen’s clinical trial operations, and any such events may have a material adverse effect on Amgen’s product development, product sales, business and results of operations. Amgen relies on collaborations with third parties for the development of some of its product candidates and for the commercialization and sales of some of its commercial products. In addition, Amgen competes with other companies with respect to many of its marketed products as well as for the discovery and development of new products. Further, some raw materials, medical devices and component parts for Amgen’s products are supplied by sole third-party suppliers. Certain of Amgen’s distributors, customers and payers have substantial purchasing leverage in their dealings with Amgen. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of Amgen’s products that implicate an entire class of products could have a material adverse effect on sales of the affected products and on its business and results of operations. Amgen’s efforts to collaborate with or acquire other companies, products or technology, and to integrate the operations of companies or to support the products or technology Amgen has acquired, may not be successful. A breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Amgen’s systems and Amgen’s data. Amgen’s stock price may be volatile and may be affected by a number of events. Amgen’s business performance could affect or limit the ability of the Amgen Board of Directors to declare a dividend or its ability to pay a dividend or repurchase its common stock. Amgen may not be able to access the capital and credit markets on terms that are favorable to it, or at all.

Rituxan® is a registered trademark of Biogen.
Truxima® is a registered trademark of Celltrion Inc.
Ruxience® is a trademark of Pfizer Inc.

CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks 
Kelley Davenport, 202-585-9637 (media)
Trish Rowland, 805-447-5631 (media) 
Arvind Sood, 805-447-1060 (investors) 

 

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SOURCE Amgen

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Latest Release of Lattice sensAI Solutions Stack Delivers up to 6X Performance Boost on Award-Winning CrossLink-NX FPGAs

Latest Release of Lattice sensAI Solutions Stack Delivers up to 6X Performance Boost on Award-Winning CrossLink-NX FPGAs

Upgraded CNN Engine, NN Compiler, and New Reference Designs Enable 60 Frames-Per-Second Video Streams While Consuming Mere Milliwatts of Power

HILLSBORO, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: LSCC), the low power programmable leader, today announced performance enhancements and additional reference designs for its award-winning Lattice sensAI™ solutions stack. Lattice sensAI helps developers rapidly create high-performance AI/ML solutions running on flexible, low power Lattice FPGAs for use in Edge devices. The enhancements include optimizations to the stack’s programmable CNN Plus engine and NN compiler software and leverage other innovations in AI/ML technology that capitalize on the capabilities of the Lattice Nexus™ FPGA platform. The updated stack also features reference designs that use these enhancements to boost application performance while keeping power consumption low, including a new object detection application running on the Lattice CrossLink™-NX FPGA, Lattice’s flagship device for vision processing.

“By taking advantage of the hardware programmability of FPGAs and tracking the latest innovations in AI and ML technology, we’ve extended the performance capabilities of our sensAI solutions stack to new levels,” said Hussein Osman, Market Segment Manager, Lattice Semiconductor. “With these enhancements, Lattice can deliver a smart vision solution capable of analyzing incoming video data streams at up to 60 frames-per-second while consuming only a few milliwatts of power, enabling more accurate smart vision performance in industrial automation, smart home, and security and surveillance applications.”

The latest enhancements to the Lattice sensAI solution stack (v3.1) include:

  • Optimized CNN engine IP – optimizations to the way DSPs are used in the IP block and other architectural features of CrossLink-NX FPGAs deliver heightened CNN performance to the sensAI stack. For example, when running the stack on a CrossLink-NX FPGA, the Mobilenet CNN model (version 1) can process video data at 60 frames-per-second at a resolution of 224×224, a 6x increase in performance from the prior release. Lattice offers an object detection reference design that can enable similar performance in applications like automated defect detection on an industrial assembly line or presence detection in security cameras.
  • Updated CNN compiler – the software compiler used in the sensAI stack is specifically optimized for DSPs implemented on a Lattice FPGA fabric to reduce operations-per-cycle by 50 percent. Additional NN model compression innovations include removal of duplicate weights to reduce memory usage while preserving accuracy.
  • More development board options – a new sensAI development board featuring the CrossLink-NX 40K FPGA, an image sensor, microphones, and expansion connectors for interfacing with additional sensors. This board supports the reference designs referred to above and is intended to speed time-to-market for AI/ML applications.
  • New end-to-end reference designs and hardware – a low power gesture detection reference design to accelerate customer implementation of contactless human/machine interface (HMI) systems that are gaining popularity in the post-COVID-19 marketplace. The application uses an ultra-low-power Lattice iCE40™ UltraPlus FPGA so developers can implement it in a small form factor using minimal power. The reference design could be a compelling option for developers looking to add HMI to an industrial robot or a battery-powered smart toy.

For More Information

To learn more about the Lattice technologies mentioned above, please visit:

About Lattice Semiconductor

Lattice Semiconductor (NASDAQ: LSCC) is the low power programmable leader. We solve customer problems across the network, from the Edge to the Cloud, in the growing communications, computing, industrial, automotive, and consumer markets. Our technology, long-standing relationships, and commitment to world-class support lets our customers quickly and easily unleash their innovation to create a smart, secure and connected world.

For more information about Lattice, please visit www.latticesemi.com. You can also follow us via LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, WeChat, Weibo or Youku.

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation, Lattice Semiconductor (& design) and specific product designations are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Lattice Semiconductor Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. The use of the word “partner” does not imply a legal partnership between Lattice and any other entity.

GENERAL NOTICE: Other product names used in this publication are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective holders.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Bob Nelson

Lattice Semiconductor

408-826-6339

[email protected]

INVESTOR CONTACT:

Rick Muscha

Lattice Semiconductor

408-826-6000

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Oregon

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Semiconductor Consumer Electronics Technology Other Technology Software Hardware

MEDIA:

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Sierra Bancorp Names Susan M. Abundis and Julie Castle to its Board of Directors

Sierra Bancorp Names Susan M. Abundis and Julie Castle to its Board of Directors

PORTERVILLE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Sierra Bancorp (NASDAQ: BSRR), the holding company for Bank of the Sierra, announced today that it has named Susan M. Abundis and Julie Castle to the Board of Directors of both Sierra Bancorp and Bank of the Sierra. Abundis and Castle will join the boards immediately. In addition, the board of Sierra Bancorp has appointed both Ms. Abundis and Ms. Castle to the Governance and Nominating Committee. Also, the respective boards appointed Ms. Abundis to the Senior Loan Committee while Ms. Castle has been appointed to the Audit Committee and the Risk Committee.

Susan M. Abundis has 40 years of banking experience and is currently on the Board of Trustees at Community Medical Center, California Health Sciences University, and Tesoro Viejo Conservancy. Most recently, she was Chief Operating Officer at California Health Sciences University in Clovis. Her last banking role was as Managing Director–Division Credit Manager at Bank of the West–BNP, where she started as an Area Manager and Senior Vice President. Abundis also held several jobs at Bank of America culminating in her position as Market President, Area Manager and Senior Vice President. Originally from Arroyo Grande, she currently resides in Fresno, earned her bachelor’s degree at Fresno State, and attended Pacific Coast Banking School. Among her many professional awards, Abundis was named Woman of the Year by both Soroptimist of Ventura and Girl Scouts of America–Tres Condados of Ventura County and made the Marjoree Mason Center’s list of Top Ten Women of the Year.

Julie Castle was most recently a Member of the Board for Rabobank, N.A. She was also previously a Board Member for Pacific Coast Banking School (PCBS) and First Interstate Bank. Castle’s financial experience spans over 35 years, and includes managing and leadership positions at Wells Fargo, E.F. Hutton, Bank of America, First Interstate Bancsystem, Zions Bancorporation, and Cannon Financial Institute, where she served as Executive Vice President and Managing Consultant. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of California, Davis and a Graduate Degree of Banking at the University of Washington, PCBS. She is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

“We are excited for Susan and Julie, two great leaders and incredibly talented individuals, to join our Board of Directors,” said Kevin McPhaill, President and Chief Executive Officer. “It’s yet another sign of the ongoing growth of our Bank as we strive to provide value for our shareholders and continue to help the communities we serve.”

Sierra Bancorp’s Board of Directors include Chairman Morris A. Tharp, Vice-Chairman James C. Holly, President and CEO Kevin J. McPhaill, and Directors Albert L. Berra, Gordon T. Woods, Lynda B. Scearcy, Robb Evans, Vonn R. Christenson, Laurence S. Dutton, Ph.D., Susan M. Abundis, Julie Castle, and Director Emeritus Robert L. Fields.

About Sierra Bancorp

Sierra Bancorp is the holding company for Bank of the Sierra, which since its founding in 1977, has grown to become the largest independent bank headquartered in California’s southern San Joaquin Valley, with over $3 billion in assets. Bank of the Sierra is a community-centric regional bank, which offers a full range of retail and commercial banking services with full-service branches located within the counties of Tulare, Kern, Kings, Fresno, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. The bank also maintains a loan production office and an online branch and provides specialized lending services through an agricultural credit center and an SBA center. Bank of the Sierra is recognized as one of the strongest and top-performing community banks in the country with a 5-star rating from Bauer Financial.

Category: Financial

Source: Sierra Bancorp

Mitchell Lee, Communications Specialist

Matthew Hessler, SVP, Director of Marketing

(559) 782-4900 or (888) 454-BANK

www.bankofthesierra.com

KEYWORDS: California United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Banking Professional Services Finance

MEDIA:

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Wayne Savings Bancshares, Inc. Declares Quarterly Dividend

WOOSTER, Ohio, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wayne Savings Bancshares, Inc. (OTCQX:WAYN), (the “Company”), the holding company parent of Wayne Savings Community Bank (the “Bank”), has declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share of the Company’s common stock for the quarter ending December 31, 2020. The quarterly cash dividend will be paid on January 20, 2021 to stockholders of record as of January 6, 2021.

Established in 1899, Wayne Savings Community Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of Wayne Savings Bancshares, Inc., has twelve full-service banking locations in the communities of Wooster, Ashland, Millersburg, Rittman, Lodi, North Canton, Creston and Fredericksburg, Ohio. At September 30, 2020, Wayne Savings Bancshares, Inc. reported total assets of $550.7 million, deposits of $451.6 million, and stockholders’ equity of $50.9 million, or 9.2% of total assets.

Statements contained in this news release which are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors. Factors which could result in material variations include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates which could affect net interest margins and net interest income, competitive factors which could affect net interest income and noninterest income, changes in demand for loans, deposits and other financial services in the Company’s market area; changes in asset quality, general economic conditions as well as other factors discussed in documents filed by the Company from time to time. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.

Contact:

Wayne Savings Bancshares, Inc.
James R. VanSickle, II
President and Chief Executive Officer
330-264-5767

        



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First Responders Children’s Foundation First Annual Toy Express Kicks Off National Program by Delivering Over 100,000 Toys to Children in New York and More Than 250,000 Toys Nationwide

NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Responders Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports children of first responders and their families, will deliver over 100,000 free holiday toys through different events designed to help spread much-needed holiday cheer to New York families. The New York State Toy Express kicked off on Friday, December 11th in New York City. Looking forward to this week, toys will be distributed through additional events in partnership with the NYPD, FDNY and first responder agencies both in New York City and throughout New York State.

First Responders Children’s Foundation is a proud partner of the NYPD Five Borough Sleigh Ride, which kicked off this week with a motorcade delivering toys to children during the city’s first annual First Responders Children’s Foundation Toy Express with the NYPD. The first day of the event was dedicated to delivering toys to ten pre-selected families, all of whom were victims of gun violence, fires, or other tragedies. Media, Nassau County Police Department and New York State Police officers, including NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea, were present, along with multiple additional representatives from the Foundation and NYPD. Over 20,000 families will be gifted through these events with the NYPD alone.

Over the weekend, the Foundation also delivered toys to thousands of children from first responder families in both New York and New Jersey. On Saturday, the Foundation held a drive-through holiday toy and food giveaway at the Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park in Manhattan to thank over 800 first responder families for their sacrifices during these challenging times.

And on Sunday, the Foundation delivered over 6,000 toys to more than 400 families in Ulster County with the help of the Saugerties’ Mayor’s Office, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Saugerties Police Department, New York State Police, CSX, Centerville Fire District, Glasco Fire Company and Sawyer Motors Foundation. “We’re saying happy holidays and thank you to the heroic first responders who show up when we dial 911,” said Jillian Crane, President of First Responders Children’s Foundation. “Toy Express will help make a happy holiday for the children of our first responders which include nurses, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, medical personnel, and 911 dispatchers. Our first responders are on the frontlines of the pandemic, and they continue to risk their own health every day in selfless service to their local communities across the country.”

First Responders Children’s Foundation established the Toy Express with a generous toy donation worth more than $3,500,000 in retail value from Mattel and American Girl including 5,000 signature 18” American Girl dolls and more than 45,000 in other Mattel products such as Hot Wheels®, Barbie® and Mega Bloks®. Additional sponsors include CSX, Good360, Hess Toy Truck, Jakks Pacific, MaskUSA.com, and Toys for Tots. In addition, generous individuals across the nation are helping bring holiday cheer to first responder families by making donations of toys and money. Transportation of toys and masks across the country is coordinated and provided by Total Quality Logistics (TQL) and their Moves that Matter program.

By the end of the holiday season, First Responders Children’s Foundation’s Toy Express will have delivered almost 250,000 free toys and masks through various COVID-safe events throughout the country.

First Responders Children’s Foundation began in the wake of 9/11 when Founder and Chairman, Alfred R. Kahn, hosted the first annual Thanksgiving Day Parade Breakfast just weeks after the 9/11 attacks. That year, more than 800 children and family members of first responders lost in the line of duty were invited to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade from private, front-row viewing which began an annual tradition of welcoming devastated first responder families into a supportive environment to face the challenges of the start of a holiday season without a loved one. 19 years later, the Foundation continues to support the families of first responders across the country with critical assistance including college scholarships and financial grants including paying for funeral bills of first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community. During the 2020 pandemic, the Foundation has assisted more than 677,638 first responders through its COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. This holiday season, First Responders Children’s Foundation’s Toy Express will help provide cheer and happiness to children and families of first responders. Media assets for Toy Express can be found at https://1strcf.org/toy-express/.

Media Contact:
Joanna Black
+1 (646) 912-2681
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/374a74db-250f-4537-bddf-13efbd013f80

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/69ef8be7-e1de-4e14-8a23-2e6295c322da



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Correction: REVIUM RECOVERY ACQUIRES ANTI-ADDICTION REHABILITATION BUSINESS

OC Beverages changes name to “Revium Recovery, Inc.”, acquires new symbol and implements reverse stock split

New York, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Revium Recovery, Inc. (OTCPINK: OCBGD) has, through its wholly owned subsidiary Revium Recovery, Ltd. (“Revium Ltd.”), acquired exclusive rights to develop and market an innovative and unique anti-addiction treatment which implements a proprietary measurement-based, integrative care approach. The focused method uses a holistic approach and takes into account physical, cognitive, and psychological parameters for each patient.  

Addiction is a global scourge, affective people of all cultures around the world. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, over 350 million people suffered from substance abuse in 2017. The global substance abuse disorders market is estimated at more than USD $56 billion, which accounts for more than 30% of the total global behavioral rehabilitation market valued at USD $188.1 billion in 2015, according to Grand View Research Data’s report on Behavioral Rehabilitation Market published in 2017.

Revium Recovery, Ltd., based in Israel, is a clinical-caliber company focused on the development of a disruptive, methodical and novel proprietary approach toward addiction treatment, enabled via a unique decision-making support and guidance system (DMSS). Its mission is to design and deliver DMSSs for first-in-class integrative-care to individual treatment programs to produce optimal outcomes in addiction treatment. Revium Ltd.’s flagship product is a novel, integrative-care program developed for rehabilitation providers, combining comprehensive diagnostics and individualized programs for regulating addiction-related hormone levels, implemented to each patient using advanced informatics tools. The Company’s innovative approach relies on “smart”, patient-tailored use of a natural neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in concert with standard inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment programs.

Revium Ltd. entered into an agreement with Retorno, one of the Israel’s largest rehabilitation centers, pursuant to which Revium Ltd. was granted worldwide exclusive rights to develop and market Retorno’s comprehensive addiction rehabilitation program. The program utilizes DHEA as part of a complex treatment approach currently in use by Retorno. This novel treatment approach has been reviewed by the Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse within Israel’s Ministry of Health and has been recommended for use as an add on augmenting treatment.

Concurrently, Revium Ltd. has also entered into an agreement with Bar Ilan University and the University of Haifa of Israel to support the Company’s development and testing of the DMSS and testing its efficacy in addition treatment.

In connection with the acquisition of its new business, the Company closed on a private placement of units of its securities to accredited investors with gross proceeds to the company of $1.61 million. The proceeds of the private placement will be applied to executing the combined company’s new business plan which includes continued R&D investment, implementation of the regulatory plan, new initiatives in sales and marketing, as well as strategic acquisitions.

Inna Martin, Revium Recovery, Ltd.’s CEO stated: “Addiction is an illness that can strike anyone, anywhere. With tens of millions of sufferers worldwide, we all know someone struggling with substance use disorder. We see how it literally destroys their lives, and the lives of their families’ as well. Unfortunately, today’s rehab programs do not offer enough beds and offer limited hope of recovery. The thousands of clinics worldwide are characterized by very long years treatment methodology, insufficient long-term rehabilitation rates and high levels of relapse. Revium Recovery was established to achieve a real breakthrough the addiction community’s been waiting for! We develop measurement-based, integrative treatment approach, which is designed to improve the long-term rehabilitative effect.”    

Yoram Drucker, OCBGD CEO stated: “I’m pleased to have reached this point, where we may offer an upgrade in the way addiction is treated, giving better chance of recovery to the patients and their families. We are looking to implement the new technology, allowing rehabilitation centers use the platform and potentially increase the success rate of their treatment”.

As a prelude to the new business, the Company changed its corporate name to “Revium Recovery, Inc.” and implemented a reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-500. Beginning December 9, 2020, our common stock will be quoted on the OTC Markets Pink tier on a post-split adjusted basis under the symbol “OCBGD” for 20 business days, after which time the symbol will change to our new trading symbol, RVRC.

“We believe the name change and the change in our capital structure are critical steps to attracting a broader range of investors, said Yoram Drucker, OCBGD CEO.

Following the Private Placement and the capital restructure, currently there will be approximately 34 million shares of common stock outstanding.

New Trading Symbol and CUSIP

Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTC Markets Pink tier under the trading symbol “OCBG.” Beginning December 9, 2020, our common stock will be quoted on the OTC Markets Pink tier on a post-split adjusted basis under the symbol “OCBGD” for 20 business days, after which time the symbol will change to our new trading symbol, RVRC.

The CUSIP number of our common stock will change to 76151C100.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss Revium Recovery, Inc.’s (“Revium”) future operations and its ability to successfully advance the anti-addiction rehabilitation program; the nature, strategy and focus of Revium’s business; and the development and commercial potential and potential benefits of any of other related service offerings of Revium. Revium may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on our current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of these forward-looking statements could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release, including: the uncertainties associated with raising sufficient capital and the requirement for significant additional capital to advance our new business, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all; risks related to business interruptions, including but not limited to, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, which could seriously harm our financial condition and increase costs and expenses. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risks discussed in our public filings with the OTC Markets. Except as otherwise required by law, Revium disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether, as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Contact:

Inna Martin

+972-3-641-7779



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Mark Lantrip announces retirement after four decades of service to Southern Company; Company names Chris Cummiskey Chief Commercial and Customer Solutions Officer

PR Newswire

ATLANTA, Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Southern Company today announced Chris Cummiskey, currently Group CEO for Southern Energy Resources and executive vice president of Southern Company Services Commercial Development, will succeed Mark Lantrip, who is retiring after 40 years of service. Cummiskey has been named executive vice president and Chief Commercial and Customer Solutions Officer for Southern Company, effective Jan. 1, 2021.

“As Southern Company continues to lead the way toward a new energy landscape, we will look to the diverse capabilities of our operating companies, unregulated businesses and the industry-leading research and development efforts,” said Tom Fanning, chairman, president & CEO of Southern Company. “Chris is a valued member of the Southern Company team with a laser focus on delivering on our commitments to our customers, employees and shareholders as we decarbonize our operations to a net zero emissions future.”

As Chief Commercial and Customer Solutions Officer, Cummiskey will be responsible for delivering growth and customer solutions across Southern Company’s subsidiaries. This role will be customer focused, driving efficiencies and collaboration of Southern Company’s customer, marketing and branding strategies across the companies.

Cummiskey also will oversee innovation functions including Southern Company’s Research and Development and New Ventures organizations. In addition to these system-wide responsibilities, Cummiskey will serve as Chairman and CEO of Southern Power, PowerSecure and Southern Holdings.

“I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with Chris over the past six years, and I am proud to have him continue to leverage the great work of our regulated and unregulated companies with a common goal of driving value for customers,” said Lantrip. “This position is critical to meet the goals we have set for ourselves on behalf of our customers, and I am confident in Chris’s ability to continue to lead this effort on behalf of Southern Company.”

Lantrip, who will be retiring effective April 2021, most recently served as the executive vice president for Southern Company and chief executive officer of Southern Company Services. He joined the company in 1981 as an analyst at Gulf Power and progressed through increasing levels of responsibilities at Georgia Power and Southern Company Services. Over the last six years in his role with SCS, Lantrip has been responsible for setting direction and driving marketing collaboration across the regulated and unregulated companies. He also has overseen the growth of Southern Company’s unregulated businesses and innovative strategies including Southern Company’s R&D organization and New Ventures.

“Over a distinguished 40-year career, Mark has been well ahead of the pack on recognizing and adopting the technology and innovation transforming the energy industry. A trusted friend and a sharp business mind, Mark has helped position Southern Company as a leader that is building and shaping the future of energy as opposed to a company having change forced upon it,” said Fanning.

Before becoming Group CEO for Southern Energy Resources earlier this year, Cummiskey served as executive vice president of external affairs and nuclear development for Georgia Power. Previously in his career, Cummiskey served as chief commercial officer of Southern Power and as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Cummiskey is a past member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the Georgia Ports Authority and the Georgia board of trustees for the Nature Conservancy. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Rebecca, reside in Atlanta with their two children, Addison and Jack.

During his career, Lantrip also served as chairman of Southern Power, PowerSecure and Southern Holdings, the Southern Company businesses units organized into the Southern Energy Resources Group in 2020. In previous roles, Lantrip served as executive vice president of finance for Southern Company Services and Southern Company treasurer with responsibility for financial planning and analysis, enterprise risk management, trust finance, capital markets and treasury.

Lantrip’s career focused on innovation in the energy space. He serves as co-chair of the Institute for Electric Innovation, an Institute of the Edison Foundation focused on advancing the adoption of innovative and efficient technologies among electric utilities and their technology partners that will transform the power grid. Additionally, he is a founding member and chairs the board of The Alliance for Transportation Electrification, a broad coalition of organizations advocating for an acceleration of transportation electrification in all states across the country. Lantrip also was crucial to the development of Energy Impact Partners, the investment platform investing in innovative technologies, services and products throughout the energy supply chain and led Southern Company’s involvement in the private equity firm when it formed in 2015.

“I am so thankful to have served at Southern Company and play a role in studying, researching and implementing the innovative energy solutions that are benefitting customers, communities and stakeholders,” said Lantrip. “The people are the heart of Southern Company, people putting our customers at the center of everything they do every day. I want to thank the thousands of colleagues, teammates and friends I encountered during my career. I will always value our time together and it is those relationships I will miss most. But I retire knowing Chris will expertly guide the company in finding the next generation of technological breakthroughs and innovations.”

Lantrip holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree from the University of West Florida. He and his wife, Lisa, have two children and five grandchildren.


About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy company serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices below the national average. For more than a century, we have been building the future of energy and developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation and a low-carbon future, Southern Company and its subsidiaries develop the customized energy solutions our customers and communities require to drive growth and prosperity. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and govern our business to the benefit of our world. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have been recognized nationally by the U.S. Department of Defense, G.I. Jobs magazine, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, Forbes and the Women’s Choice Award. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.


About Southern Power

Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities and other energy customers. Southern Power and its subsidiaries, some of which are owned in part with various partners, own or operate 50 facilities operating or under development in 13 states with more than 11,920 MW of generating capacity in Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington and West Virginia.


About PowerSecure

PowerSecure, a Southern Company subsidiary, is a leading provider of innovative energy solutions to electric utilities and their industrial, institutional, and commercial customers. PowerSecure provides energy solutions in the following areas: distributed generation, energy storage and renewables, energy efficiency and utility infrastructure. The company is a pioneer in developing distributed power systems and the integration of distributed energy resources in a sophisticated microgrid. This includes the ability to forecast electricity demand and optimize the deployment of the systems, provides utilities with dedicated electric capacity to utilize for grid resiliency, provides customers with the most reliable power in the industry, and optimizes the value streams to the utility and its customers from the distributed energy resources. PowerSecure has installed and controls over 2-gigawatts of distributed generation systems across the U.S.

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SOURCE Southern Company

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CoBank Releases 2021 Year Ahead Report – Forces That Will Shape the U.S. Rural Economy

COVID-19 vaccine brings optimism for a brighter and more prosperous year ahead, but significant economic recovery unlikely before mid-year

DENVER, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The speed of the economic recovery will largely hinge on the availability, dissemination and reach of COVID-19 vaccines, pushing the expected burst of pent-up consumer demand into the latter half of 2021, according to a comprehensive year-ahead outlook report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange division.

“The coming year will be a recovery year for most Americans and the businesses that make up the U.S. economy,” said Dan Kowalski, vice president of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange division. “The early part of the year should look very different than the latter, but in total, economic growth is estimated to be about 4%, following a retreat of roughly 4% in 2020.”  

The CoBank 2021 outlook report examines 10 key factors that will shape agriculture and market sectors that serve rural communities throughout the U.S.

Global Economy: Uneven Recovery Ahead

Against all hope that COVID would fade in 2020, it will continue to steer the global economy in 2021. Global economic recovery was very uneven in 2020, and given the current surge in virus cases, we expect that to remain the case in 2021.Our confidence in GDP forecasts has increased since mid-2020, but uncertainties related to the dissemination and uptake of vaccines mean timing the recovery is still exceedingly difficult. Of all major economies, China recovered the fastest from the pandemic and will finish 2020 in remarkably good economic shape while Europe has suffered the most. Perhaps one of the longest lingering impacts from COVID will be the mountains of debt absorbed by most governments around the world.

U.S. Economy: COVID is Still the Economy

A post-COVID bounce is coming to the U.S. in 2021, but it’s unlikely to happen soon. Much of the year’s economic trajectory will depend on fiscal policy decisions made over the next couple of months. Roughly 10 million Americans who lost their jobs early in the pandemic have yet to find work, and many of them are receiving some form of public support. If and how Congress chooses to fund further relief will impact the speed of the recovery. Throughout the first half of the coming year, many businesses will be just trying to keep the doors open. Optimism, however, should spur investment and capex decisions in the first half of the year. Opportunistic firms will attempt to time the comeback with new investments into the leisure and broader services sectors. Not all things will return to the way they were, though. Some industries may never fully recover.

Monetary Policy: Less Dramatic but No Less Critical

If there is an economic hero amidst the pandemic, it is most certainly the central banks. The Federal Reserve in particular stabilized the global financial system within weeks of the pandemic taking hold, and it continues to provide massive amounts of economic support. The role of central bank policy in 2021 should be less dramatic but no less important. With short term interest rates firmly at zero, the Federal Reserve will manage a few levers in the coming year, advocating for fiscal policy and keeping a close watch on longer-term rates and inflation, among other things.

U.S. Government: Sweeping Leadership Changes

As the 117th Congress begins, the political landscape is still somewhat uncertain. The Biden administration transition is proceeding apace. The House will remain Democratic with a smaller majority of no more than nine seats. In the Senate, control will be decided by a January 5 runoff election for both Georgia Senate seats. The narrow margin of power within Congress will moderate legislation. The Biden administration cabinet will be more diverse than President Trump’s but is unlikely to shift to its leftward extreme, as indicated by the selection of former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack for that role. The COVID response will be job one, followed closely by responding to the economic impact of the pandemic. The other priorities of the president-elect—re-engaging with the rest of the world, investing in infrastructure, addressing social justice, climate change and trade, will all depend on getting the virus under control and getting the economy firing on all cylinders.

U.S. Farm Economy: A Strong 2020 Finish Boosts Potential

Higher commodity prices and low interest rates will be an important financial buffer to net farm income in 2021 with the federal government’s role in farm payments expected to greatly diminish. Federal government was the source of more than one-third of U.S. net farm income in 2020 with USDA providing extraordinary payments through a variety of programs. Crop prices have been bolstered by robust Chinese purchases and dry growing conditions in key growing regions of the world. Historically low interest rates will lower borrowing costs for farmers and ranchers. The value of farmland, which is an important source of equity for farmers and ranchers, is also expected to remain stable in 2021.

Specialty Crops:
Preparing for More Shifts in Consumer Demand

The specialty crops sector will continue to adapt to historic shifts in logistics and supply chains in 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic causes consumers to purchase more food at retail and less through foodservice. With thousands more restaurants expected to permanently close through the winter months as COVID-19 cases surge, specialty crop growers and the supply chains that deliver fruits, nuts, and vegetables will have to continue adapting to a consumer eating more at home. Some growers, packers, and processors have successfully managed to increase or reroute products into retail channels like grocery stores and home delivery of food boxes. However, steep financial losses from the loss of foodservice contracts will ultimately result in the rationalization of some processing assets and production acreage.

Grain, Farm Supply and Biofuels: Recovery in Motion

The grain and farm supply sectors enter 2021 on reasonably firm footing supported by rising commodity prices, farmer stability and favorable domestic fuel, feed and food usage, as well as firm export demand, especially from China. The outlook for grain is more favorable than a year ago, although carry has evaporated with the inversion of futures prices. The outlook for farm supply cooperatives is positive for 2021 following a very orderly harvest, rising grain prices and decent farm liquidity. The ethanol outlook is stable but guarded, with considerable growth and margin opportunities favoring ethanol co-products vs. fuel. After experiencing a near 50% reduction in demand during mid-March 2020 to mid-April 2020, fuel ethanol in the U.S. has recovered to about 90% of pre-COVID levels.

Dairy and Animal Protein:
Higher Feed Costs and Restaurant Reboot

A rising cost environment stemming from higher feed prices will challenge the dairy and animal protein sector’s ability to return to pre-COVID margin levels in 2021. Corn and soybean meal prices have reached multi-year highs with the futures curves indicating still higher costs in the months ahead. China’s rebuilding of the nation’s hog herd brings into question its appetite for foreign protein in 2021 as supplies climb. The U.S. dairy sector stands to benefit from the rebound in Chinese hog production with dry whey used as a protein supplement in China’s hog feeding rations. Domestically, the animal protein and dairy sectors will be entering 2021 with still greater uncertainty in foodservice demand as COVID-19 cases surge to new highs and restaurant closures are expected to soar.

Rural Electricity:
From Reactive to Adaptive

The common need to turn a corner, pivoting from being pandemic-reactive to market adaptive, opens the door to a more decisive response from U.S. power suppliers to changed market conditions. Amplifying the call for action are shifts in policy, costs of new technology, and consumer requirements—all of which conspire against a business-as-usual restrained pace to energy transition in 2021. Lazard’s annual Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis report marked an important milestone for the industry, with solar now proclaimed the cheapest form of energy in history. So cheap, in fact, that it is now less expensive to build new solar than it is to operate coal plants. Business Roundtable CEOs recently issued their strongest message yet on energy transition, arguing that addressing climate change is now a business imperative for American companies.

Rural Communications: Big Spending Not Likely, But Regulatory Change Is

With a new president and a likely split Congress, we expect a good bit of gridlock in Washington in 2021. It’s likely that any COVID-related stimulus will focus on near-term economic needs versus investing in projects that take years to produce results. That leaves the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as the remaining institution in Washington to enact policies that will help rural communication providers. In 2020 the FCC held its Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum auction that was much more rural friendly than any of its past auctions. And as a result, rural operators are now able to build carrier-grade fixed wireless networks at significantly reduced costs.

Read the full report, 2021 The Year Ahead: Forces That Will Shape the U.S. Rural Economy.

About CoBank

CoBank is a $148 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 70,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.

CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.



Corporate Communications
CoBank
800-542-8072
[email protected]

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MEDIA ADVISORY – Press Conference by Zoom: Survey of Front-Line Staff in Long-Term Care Homes About Why Large COVID-19 Outbreaks are Spreading Reveals Major Breakdowns in Infection Control, Care

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — From mid-November to this week the Ontario Health Coalition has surveyed more than 80 staff in different long-term care homes with large outbreaks about why COVID-19 is spreading in their homes. In visceral terms, staff describe current working, care and infection control conditions on the ground in the homes right now. Long-term care homes surveyed ranged from homes with outbreaks of 10 to more than 150 staff and residents infected with COVID-19. The survey will be released on Friday in a press conference by Zoom.

When: Friday, December 18 at 10 a.m. by Zoom.

Media are invited to join by Zoom at the following link on Friday, December 18 at 10 a.m.


https://zoom.us/j/98706338839?pwd=K1oxWVNuN2Nqdzk1YTQvaFlVaVUzUT09

or phone at +1 647 558 0588

Meeting ID: 987 0633 8839
Passcode: 957117

Long-term care workers and their representatives will be at the press conference.

LTC Homes in the following towns are included in the survey: Beeton, Brampton, Hamilton, Mississauga, Ottawa, Scarborough, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Windsor-Essex.

For more information: Natalie Mehra, Ontario Health Coalition, at 416-230-6402.