POET Releases Multi-Product Mask Set to Production

TORONTO, Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — POET Technologies Inc. (“POET” or the “Company”) (TSX Venture: PTK; OTCQX: POETF) a leading designer of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for the data center and tele-communication markets, announced today that it has launched its first multi-product wafer (MPW) mask set for production. The MPW comprises multiple products, including custom designs for specific applications and customers.

The MPW tape-out, which commits product designs to manufacturing, incorporates all the new features of the Optical Interposer announced in late October and is largely in-line with the product roadmap presented at the Company’s Annual General Meeting in August of 2020. Included are designs for two variants of 100G CWDM4 Optical Engines for two different customers, a 100G design for an LR4 transmit optical sub-assembly (TOSA), a 400G receive optical sub-assembly (ROSA) and a 400G FR4 externally modulated laser (EML)-based Optical Engine, and three different designs for Light Engines, including two operating in the “O-Band” for data communications applications and another in the “C-Band” for sensing and computing applications. The tape-out also includes various test structures for evaluation and incorporation in future product designs.

In electronics and photonics design, a tape-out is the final result of a design process for integrated circuits before they are sent to manufacturing. The tape-out is the point at which a graphic for the photomask of the circuit is sent to the fabrication facility – a milestone frequently celebrated by all those who worked on the project.

New features announced previously and now incorporated into the Optical Interposer enhance critical performance, manufacturability and versatility of the platform. To improve the overall performance of the Optical Interposer in transmitting light without significant losses, POET produced waveguide designs that minimized or eliminated reflections of light at the interface of the laser and the waveguide, a problem that is common in photonic device integration. In addition, the Company incorporated several features that minimize losses as light travels through the device, including its latest generation of Mach-Zehnder Interferometry (“MZI”)-based multiplexers, which reduce the loss of signal from this device to less than 20% (<1.0 dB), believed to be industry-leading performance for this type of device. Improved spot-size converters, able to match different diameters (modes) of light beams (for more efficient coupling between devices), were implemented with losses of less than 10% (<0.5 dB), far exceeding best-in-class. To connect efficiently to off-the-shelf components, such as top-entry photodetectors and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), POET incorporated improved vertical mirrors into the Optical Interposer, expanding the overall versatility of the platform. The Company designed unique fiber-attach-units (FAUs) with matching passive alignment structures on the Optical Interposer that facilitates alignment while providing a low-loss attachment of POET’s optical engines in customers’ transceivers. Finally, new designs of fiducials on both the Optical Interposer and POET designed lasers better enable sub-micron accuracy for mechanical pick-and-place assembly of components.

“The tape-out that we sent to our silicon fabrication foundry today represents the culmination of many months of design and development work by our team of highly experienced and dedicated engineers and consultants,” commented Dr. Suresh Venkatesan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of POET. “We have made tremendous progress in the past few months, refining designs, calibrating our simulation models and preparing for the fabrication of prototype designs of Optical Engines and sub-assemblies. Once fabricated, the Optical Interposer wafers will be sent to POET Singapore or Super Photonics Xiamen (our joint venture with Sanan IC) for component assembly, test and packaging of Alpha prototypes. We intend to use these prototypes to sample prospective customers and to collect additional data that will conclusively demonstrate to customers the superior performance of POET’s Optical Engines. We look forward to announcing specific products over the course of the next several weeks as we continue on our path to the commercialization of POET’s Optical Interposer platform.”

About POET Technologies Inc.

POET Technologies is a design and development company offering integration solutions based on the POET Optical Interposer™ a novel platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single multi-chip module using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques and packaging methods. POET’s Optical Interposer eliminates costly components and labor-intensive assembly, alignment, burn-in and testing methods employed in conventional photonics. The cost-efficient integration scheme and scalability of the POET Optical Interposer brings value to any device or system that integrates electronics and photonics, including some of the highest growth areas of computing, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles and high-speed networking for cloud service providers and data centers. POET is headquartered in Toronto, with operations in Allentown, PA and Singapore. More information may be obtained at www.poet-technologies.com.

Shareholder Contact
for POET
:

Shelton Group
Brett L. Perry
[email protected]
Company Contact
for POET
:

Thomas R. Mika, EVP & CFO
[email protected]

This news release contains “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “potential”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”, “outlook”, “foresee” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding any potential outcome. Such statements include the Company’s expectations with respect to the success of the Company’s product development efforts, the performance of its products, the expected results of its operations, meeting revenue targets, and the expectation of continued success in the financing efforts, the capability, functionality, performance and cost of the Company’s technology as well as the market acceptance, inclusion and timing of the Company’s technology in current and future products.

Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, management’s expectations regarding the success and timing for completion of its development efforts, financing activities, future growth, recruitment of personnel, opening of offices, the form and potential of its planned joint venture, plans for and completion of projects by the Company’s third-party consultants, contractors and partners, availability of capital, and the necessity to incur capital and other expenditures. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, the failure of its products to meet performance expectations or requirements, operational risks in the completion of the Company’s anticipated projects, a delay or abandonment of its planned joint venture, delays in recruitment for its newly opened operations or changes in plans with respect to the development of the Company’s anticipated projects by third-parties, risks affecting the Company’s ability to execute projects, the ability of the Company to generate sales for its products, the ability to attract key personnel, and the ability to raise additional capital. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law.

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

120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2- Tel: 416-368-9411 – Fax: 416-322-5075



PolyPid to Host Key Opinion Leader Call Discussing D-PLEX₁₀₀ and the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections

PETAH TIKVA, Israel, Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PolyPid Ltd. (Nasdaq: PYPD), a Phase 3 clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing targeted, locally administered, and prolonged-release therapeutics using its proprietary PLEX technology, today announced that it will host a key opinion leader (KOL) call on D-PLEX100 for the prevention of surgical site infections on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at 8:00 am Eastern Time.

The call will feature presentations by KOLs Hartzell V. Schaff, MD, Mayo Clinic, Anthony J. Senagore, MD, Formerly of UTMB at Galveston, and Oded Zmora, MD, Shamir Medical Center, Israel, who will discuss the burden and challenges related to surgical site infections (SSIs) post colorectal and cardiovascular surgeries and the opportunity for D-PLEX100 to change the current status quo for the better. Dr. Schaff, Dr. Senagore, and Dr. Zmora will be available to answer questions following the formal presentations.

PolyPid’s management team will also discuss its developmental plans for D-PLEX100.

To register for the call, please register here.

Dr. Schaff is the Stuart W. Harrington Professor of Surgery and a consultant in the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. He is a member of major international societies, including the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (2012-2013 President). He has authored or co-authored 784 papers, 94 book chapters, edited or written nine textbooks, and delivered over 500 lectures. He has served or is serving on the editorial boards of 11 journals, including Circulation and the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, where he is currently the Associate Editor. Dr. Schaff received his medical degree and training at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, where he also completed an NIH Research Fellowship. His surgical training was completed at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Anthony J. Senagore, MD, is a colorectal surgeon with a long track record of academic surgery practice. He now serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for Genetesis in Mason, Ohio, and consults several healthcare startup companies. He has served as Professor of Surgery at several prestigious academic medical centers, including UTMB (University of Texas Medical Branch) at Galveston, Central Michigan University, College of Medicine, the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and Spectrum Health/Michigan State University. He has served as Chair of the Colorectal Surgery Residency Review Committee for the ACGME, President of the Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, and he is a Past President of the ASCRS and Midwest Surgical Association. He also served on the Relative Value Update Committee for 16 years and as Chair of the Practicing Physicians Advisory Committee for the Centers for Medicaid Services. He has significant experience in revenue cycle and capacity management for healthcare. In addition, during his career, he was involved in the development of many innovations in laparoscopic colorectal surgery and the field of enhanced recovery.

Dr. Senagore earned his medical degree from Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing, MI. He completed his residency in General Surgery at the Butterworth Hospital/MSU program. Dr. Senagore then completed a research fellowship and colon and rectal surgery residency at Ferguson Hospital on the Grand Rapids and East Lansing campuses of MSU. He continued his education and later received his Master of Science degree in physiology from MSU and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, San Francisco, CA campus. He has edited five textbooks in colon and rectal surgery, authored over 230 peer-reviewed publications and 25 textbook chapters.

Oded Zmora, MD is a Colon and Rectal Surgeon and Chair of the Department of Surgery, Shamir Medical Center, Israel. He is also an associate professor of surgery at the Tel Aviv University School of Medicine. Dr. Zmora’s education and training include residency in general surgery at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel and the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, followed by two years of clinical and research fellowships at the Cleveland Clinic, Florida. Dr. Zmora is a past president of the Israel Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, immediate past chair of the S-ECCO (Surgeons’ European Crohn and Colitis Organization), and past co-editor of Techniques in Coloproctology. His main research interests focus on colorectal surgery, including surgical infectious complications, prevention of colorectal cancer metastases, treatment of perineal fistulas, and clinical research in colon and rectal surgery.

About D-PLEX

100

PolyPid’s lead product candidate, D-PLEX100, is a novel drug product candidate designed to provide local prolonged and controlled anti-bacterial activity directly at the surgical site to prevent SSIs. Following the administration of D-PLEX100 into the surgical site, the PLEX technology enables a prolonged and constant release of the broad-spectrum antibiotic doxycycline, resulting in high local concentration of the drug for a period of four weeks for the prevention of SSIs, with additional potential to treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria at the surgical site. D-PLEX100 has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. D-PLEX100 has also received two Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designations as well as two Fast Track designations for the prevention of post-abdominal surgery incisional infection and for the prevention of sternal wound infection post-cardiac surgery.

About PolyPid

PolyPid is a Phase 3 clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing targeted, locally administered and prolonged-release therapeutics using its proprietary PLEX (Polymer-Lipid Encapsulation matriX) technology. PolyPid’s product candidates are designed to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by pairing PLEX with drugs to deliver them directly to precise sites in the body at predetermined release rates and over durations ranging from several days to several months. PolyPid’s lead product candidate, D-PLEX100, is in Phase 3 clinical trials for the prevention of sternal SSIs and abdominal SSIs. PolyPid’s technology and products are based on the inventions and the professional leadership of Dr. Noam Emanuel, the Founder and the Chief Scientific Officer of the company.

For additional company information, visit www.polypid.com.

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. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. For example, PolyPid is using forward-looking statements in this press release when it discusses its development and commercial plans for D-PLEX100 and Phase 3 trials of D-PLEX100. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on PolyPid’s current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or achievements of PolyPid could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in PolyPid’s final prospectus dated June 25, 2020, filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and in any subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, PolyPid undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. PolyPid is not responsible for the contents of third-party websites.



Company contact:

PolyPid, Ltd. 
Dikla Czaczkes Akselbrad
EVP & CFO
Tel: +972-747195700 
[email protected]

Investors contact:

Bob Yedid
LifeSci Advisors
646-597-6989
[email protected]

Beam Global Announces Patent Issuance for UAV ARC™ Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Autonomous Renewable Charger

Rapidly Deployed Drone Recharging Network Requires No Construction or Grid Connection

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beam Global, (Nasdaq: BEEM, BEEMW), the leading provider of innovative sustainable technology for electric vehicle (EV) charging, outdoor media and energy security, announced that the US Patent and Trademarks Office has issued US Patent No: 10,843,819, covering the UAV ARC™ Drone Recharging Network, Beam’s renewably energized, networked drone recharging solution, which provides en route charging for unmanned aerial vehicles.

UAV ARC™ terminals, which are now patented and currently in development, will provide a rapidly deployed drone recharging network. Each UAV ARC™ unit can be delivered and commissioned without permitting, construction or electrical work. A UAV ARC™ network is intended to provide a range-extending source of battery recharging for drones that would otherwise be limited by range or payload restrictions. The ability to recharge on a network of UAV ARC™ products deployed on rooftops in built up areas, undeveloped regions or at sea (marinized version) should dramatically increase the potential range and utility of UAVs. Each UAV ARC™ unit generates and stores all its power from renewable sources so drones will receive clean renewable electricity with no cost-per-unit of energy. The units are completely independent from the power grid, allowing them to provide charging during grid outages and in remote locations.

The UAV ARC™ network is capable of gathering data on the drones’ state-of-health while they are recharging. Beam Global intends to make the data and recharging available to a variety of drone operators under various business models which could include subscriptions, pay per use or ownership.

Beam anticipates adoption from both commercial and military customers as drones play an increasing role in package delivery and situational awareness. Business Insider Intelligence predicts global drone shipments to reach 2.4 million units in 2023 increasing at a 66% compound annual growth rate. Drone growth will occur across package delivery, agriculture, construction and mining, insurance, media and telecommunications and a variety of military applications.

Amazon plans to use drones to deliver customers’ orders within 30 minutes through its Prime Air delivery program. Google-parent Alphabet’s Wing is a drone delivery service in partnership with FedEx and Walgreens through which it delivers select FedEx packages and over-the-counter medicines from Walgreens. Recently, the Department of Defense awarded contracts totaling $13.4 million to five companies to sustain the capabilities of the domestic small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) industrial base. This was part of a wider spend on the part of the US Government, which saw $84 million pumped into the drone, space tech and shipbuilding industries. 

“This latest patented product will enable us to approach what we believe will be a significant market in the future. A barrier to the growth in adoption of drones is their limited range capabilities,” said Beam Global CEO Desmond Wheatley. “I believe that UAV ARC™ will provide a charging solution which greatly extends their range and capabilities. And it will provide a data gathering and recurring revenue model that is consistent with Beam’s mission to provide clean mobility for all through profitable business models at the intersection of clean energy and transportation.”

“Patents must address two requirements before we will invest in pursuing them,” continued Mr. Wheatley. “They must cover a product we believe has market demand that we can monetize, and they must create a significant barrier to entry for the competition. To date, all but our new and recent patents for the UAV ARC and EV Standard, which are both in development, cover products that we have sold and for which the demand is increasing. I intend to maintain this discipline around IP creation and protection, and I believe that the UAV ARC™ will be another great example of that discipline at work.”

About Beam Global

Beam Global is a CleanTech leader that produces innovative, sustainable technology for electric vehicle (EV) charging, outdoor media, and energy security, without the construction, disruption, risks and costs of grid-tied solutions. Products include the patented EV ARC™ and Solar Tree® lines with BeamTrak™ patented solar tracking, and ARC Technology™ energy storage, along with EV charging, outdoor media and disaster preparedness packages.

The company develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced renewably energized products that save customers time and money, help the environment, empower communities and keep people moving. Based in San Diego, the company produces Made in America products. Beam Global is listed on Nasdaq under the symbols BEEM and BEEMW (formerly Envision Solar, EVSI, EVSIW). For more information visit https://BeamForAll.com/, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Beam Global Press Release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements in this Press Release other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may,” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or results.

Media Contact:

The Bulleit Group
[email protected]
415-742-1894

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d802b08-b482-4107-b6b6-4b01d89dcdc9



BioAge Raises $90M to Treat Aging and Age-related Diseases

Proceeds will support advancement of the company’s pipeline and proprietary platform for identifying and developing therapies to treat diseases of aging

Company
a
nnounces Chief Medical Officer as it
p
repares to
e
nter
c
linic in 2021 with
l
ead Phase 2-ready
t
herapeutic
c
ompounds

RICHMOND, Calif., Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BioAge Labs, Inc., a biotechnology company developing medicines to treat aging and aging-related diseases, today announced that it has raised $90 million in an oversubscribed Series C financing. The raise was co-led by Andreessen Horowitz and serial entrepreneur, Elad Gil, and included new investors Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, AARP Foundation (through the RockCreek Impact Fund) and Phi-X Capital, the fund of genomics entrepreneur Mostafa Ronaghi, among others. Current investors including Caffeinated Capital, Redpoint Ventures, PEAR Ventures, AME Cloud Ventures, Felicis Ventures, and others also participated.

“These additional funds will support advancement of our systems biology and data-driven platform to map the key pathways that drive human aging and our pipeline of medicines that target these pathways to reverse or eradicate diseases and extend healthspan,” said Kristen Fortney, PhD, co-founder and chief executive officer. “We look forward to advancing our first platform-derived therapies, BGE-117 and BGE-175 into clinical trials in the first half of 2021.”

“BioAge is at the forefront of understanding scientific drivers of aging with its unique and cutting-edge systems biology platform. We believe their approach has the potential to unlock the underlying pathologies of many diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, and frailty, that disproportionately affect older populations,” said Vijay Pande, PhD, general partner at Andreessen Horowitz.

“Drugs that target aging have potential to treat several morbid diseases and improve the lives of older adults. BioAge has built a proprietary engine to analyze molecular signatures in aging populations, and to advance data-driven hypotheses to identify existing clinical-stage drugs that are ready for Phase 2 efficacy trials in age-related diseases. I’m excited to work with them as they scale their platform and develop multiple therapies to improve the health of older individuals,” said Elad Gil, PhD, entrepreneur and investor.

Proceeds from the financing will be used to build and develop a diversified portfolio of therapies that increase healthspan and lifespan, augment BioAge’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven approach to map the molecular pathways that impact human longevity, and further expand capabilities to test drug candidates in predictive models of human diseases of aging.

Separately, the company announced that Paul Rubin, M.D. will lead its clinical development efforts as chief medical officer. Dr. Rubin, a veteran biopharmaceutical drug developer, brings extensive experience from early discovery, late stage development and ultimate drug approvals across a wide variety of therapeutic areas in global geographies. In former roles heading development at Sepracor, GSK and Abbott, Dr. Rubin has been responsible for the clinical development and approval of more than ten products. Prior to BioAge, he was most recently executive vice president, Research and Development for MiRagen and held a similar role at Xoma, two biotechnology companies. Dr. Rubin earned his M.D. at Rush Medical College, Chicago.

Dr. Rubin commented, “I am thrilled to be leading the BioAge clinical development team at this exciting time. Our platform provides a unique opportunity to identify targets relevant to the aging process and diseases associated with this process. Diseases common to older patients are often ignored despite their direct association with morbidity, mortality and decreased quality of life. The first two drugs from our pipeline are ready to begin Phase 2 trials in indications targeting serious conditions in elderly populations that presently have no good therapeutic options. A key aspect of our strategy is to initiate efficient human clinical trials that will demonstrate that our drugs can address age-related deficiencies in acute conditions, which may expedite approval and serve as a gateway to the treatment of chronic diseases, resulting in healthy aging.”

About the
BioAge
Platform

The BioAge platform identifies key drug targets that will impact aging. The company’s proprietary human aging cohorts have blood samples collected up to 45 years ago, with participant -omics data that is tied to extensive medical follow-up records including detailed future healthspan, lifespan and disease outcomes. BioAge has built a systems biology and AI platform that leverages these rich datasets to identify the molecular drivers of age-related pathology. BioAge’s pipeline of therapies targeting these key pathways will address the significant unmet medical needs of an aging population.

About
BioAge

BioAge is a privately-held biotechnology company developing proprietary drugs to treat aging and aging- related diseases. Since its founding in 2015, the Company has raised $127 million in venture capital funding to back its AI-driven approach to map the molecular pathways that impact human longevity. BioAge’s mission is to develop a pipeline of therapeutic assets that increase healthspan and lifespan. For additional information about BioAge, visit the company’s website at www.bioagelabs.com.

Source: BioAge Labs, Inc.

Contact Information:

BioAge | [email protected]

Media | [email protected]



AABB – Asia Metals Confirms Special Meeting With Joint Venture Partner Management Committee Representatives

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Asia Broadband Inc. (OTC : AABB), through its wholly owned subsidiary Asia Metals Inc., announced today that the Company has scheduled a special meeting with management committee representatives of Joint Venture Partner, Qiangda Investments & Economics Co. Ltd. The meeting is to be held in Mexico City on December 9, 2020, to discuss a proposal regarding the Guerrero Gold Belt (GGB) mine property and operations in Mexico. AABB recently conducted a pre-feasibility study assessment of the GGB property and facilities and will be utilizing the results as a basis for the discussions during the special meeting. 

Asia Broadband Inc. (OTC : AABB), through its wholly owned subsidiary Asia Metals Inc., is a resource company focused on the production, supply and sale of precious and base metals, primarily to Asian markets. The Company utilizes its specific geographic expertise, experience and extensive industry contacts to facilitate its innovative distribution process from the production and supply of precious and base metals in Guerrero, Mexico, to our client sales networks in Asia. This vertical integration approach to sales transactions is the unique strength of Asia Broadband and differentiates the Company to its shareholders.

Contact the Company at:

Contact the Company at:
   
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.asiametalsinc.com
Phone: 702-866-9054
Parkin Investor Relations
Kevin Parkin

Forward-Looking Statements are contained in this press release within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the Asia Broadband Inc.’s (the “Company”) expected current beliefs about the Company’s business, which are subject to uncertainty and change. The operations and results of the Company could materially differ from what is expressed or implied by the statements made above when industry, regulatory, market and competitive circumstances change. Further information about these risks can be found in the annual and quarterly disclosures the Company has published on the OTC Markets website. The Company is under no obligation to update or alter its forward-looking statements as future circumstances, events and information may change.



FORCE Wealth Partners with Mastermind for Investor Relations Strategy

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Mastermind, Inc. (OTCQB: MMND), an Atlanta-based, nationally recognized leader in digital, social, mobile, content, and influencer marketing, announced today that it has entered into a partnership with FORCE Wealth to help with investor relations and raise awareness of the company’s value proposition among its network of investors and industry analysts.

With the nation’s largest network of Family Offices, Foundations, and Accredited Investors, FORCE Wealth specializes in connecting public companies to the family office community via direct introductions, webinars and events, digital targeting, newsletters, and social media.

Mastermind CEO, Daniel Dodson, said, “As communications professionals, we understand the impact influencers can have on their networks. Working with FORCE Wealth offers us the opportunity to get our message out to an elite segment of the investment community.”

“Mastermind is the kind of company our network is looking for,” said Steven Saltzstein, CEO of Force Wealth. “They offer innovative and differentiated services to a growing client base with an eye toward expanding their business. We look forward to helping them raise their profile among investors.”

About Mastermind

Mastermind helps involve people with Fortune 500 brands in ways that inspire them to take action – consideration, trial, loyalty, and advocacy. This involvement is achieved through multi-dimensional marketing campaigns that employ social, digital, mobile, content, influencer marketing, gamification, and promotion to drive greater sales and ROI. Their list of blue chip clients includes Citi, BMW, Bayer, Verizon, ESPN, McDonald’s, Harman, Coca Cola and others.

About FORCE Wealth

Force Wealth is the largest network of Family Offices, Foundations, Endowments, and individual accredited investors in the United States. They introduce members of their network to leaders of public companies looking for open market buyers and privately held businesses at the capital acquisition stage. In addition, their elite peer-to-peer community brings individuals, endowments and foundations together, facilitating co-investment opportunities, information sharing, philanthropy, and networking.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Harvey Briggs 
Director of Communications 
FORCE Wealth 
[email protected] 
608.361.8092

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/force-wealth-partners-with-mastermind-for-investor-relations-strategy-301185688.html

SOURCE FORCE Wealth

Research From Exergen Corporation Shows Morning-Only Temperature Readings May Miss up to Half of All Fevers


Accurate Temperature Taking Requires Twice Daily Readings at Home

WATERTOWN, Mass., Dec. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With families continuing to work and attend school in the midst of rising COVID outbreaks, screening for fever, a primary symptom of COVID-19, has never been more important. Research from Exergen Corporation, makers of the #1 thermometer sold nationwide, says fever screenings in the morning may be misleadingly low based on the body’s long recognized circadian rhythms. Therefore, people should take their temperatures both in the morning before leaving home and at dinnertime at the end of the day.

“With COVID-19 now rampant, temperature-taking has become a fact of life, but that doesn’t mean people understand how to get an accurate reading of fevers. The only way fevers can be accurately detected is for families to add twice daily temperature measurements with an accurate thermometer at home – before leaving in the morning and when returning at end of day,” said Francesco Pompei, Ph.D., CEO of Exergen Corporation. “Non-contact thermometers are widely known to be inaccurate and cannot be relied upon to detect fevers. Only the Exergen TemporalScanner has been proven by extensive clinical studies, and used daily by millions of nurses and doctors. It is by far the best choice for your family.”

The company has launched a Twice Daily educational campaign, including an informative video to communicate why taking your temperature twice daily should be the new normal, just like wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. The company has also developed other educational materials, which can be found, along with more than 80 peer-reviewed clinical studies that support Exergen’s accuracy, at www.exergen.com.

A number of studies affirm that body temperature varies during different times of the day and night, weekly, and seasonally. The studies include one of the largest-scale analyses of circadian cycles of human body temperature that shows predictable temperature variation. The study published in Chronobiology International, The Journal of Biological and Medical Rhythm Research, shows that the average human body temperature actually varies up to one degree, based on the time of day. In the study, 93,225 peoples’ temperatures were tracked daily, weekly, and throughout the four seasons for a full year using a temporal artery thermometer. Researchers found that body temperatures follow a circadian rhythm, lowest between the hours of 6-8AM and highest between 6-8PM.

A second study, published in the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, shows that fever incidence is lower at morning triages than at evening triages. The study analyzed 93,225 triage temperatures from a Boston emergency department (ED) (2009-2012) and 264,617 triage temperature measurements from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS, 2002-2010), making this the largest study of body temperature since the mid-1800s. Boston data were investigated exploratorily, while NHAMCS was used to corroborate Boston findings and check whether they were generalized. NHAMCS results are nationally representative of the US Emergency Departments. The analyses focused on adults.

An article by Reuters in The New York Times referenced a third study, publication pending, that suggests we might be missing infectious disease by taking temperatures in the morning, when fevers are lowest. According to the abstract, fever range temperatures were about half as common in the morning than at night. The study looked at 295,406 US emergency department visits, including nationally representative results. Patients were less likely to have detectable fevers during mornings, with especially large morning-evening differences during influenza outbreaks (national RR=0.56, 95%CI=0.47-0.66). This suggests morning screenings could miss otherwise-detectable cases. Twice-daily screenings could be a simple solution.


ABOUT EXERGEN CORPORATION


Exergen manufactures and markets two series of the TemporalScanner thermometer: a professional version for hospitals and clinics, and a consumer version sold in major retailers nationwide. More than two billion temperatures are taken each year with TemporalScanners. Used in thousands of hospitals and clinics across the country as well as in millions of homes, TemporalScanners are the # preference of pediatricians, #1 preference of nurses and #1 selling retail thermometer. The Exergen TemporalScanner’s accuracy is supported by more than 80 peer-reviewed published studies covering all ages from preterm infants to geriatrics and all care areas from hospitals to homes. For additional information, visit www.exergen.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/290784fe-022d-4371-bf54-087ce8fe450b

Contact: Sarah Ciuba
Rosica Public Relations
[email protected]
P: 201.843.5600
F: 201.957.7163



Unisys Joins The Valuable 500 to Advance Rights and Opportunities for People with Disabilities

PR Newswire

BLUE BELL, Pa., Dec. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Observing International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) today announced that it has joined The Valuable 500 – the largest network of global CEOs committed to diversity and transforming disability inclusion through business leadership and opportunity.

“Building a workplace that is increasingly diverse, inclusive and equitable is a primary goal at Unisys, and we believe that membership in The Valuable 500 will reinforce our commitment to diversity and accelerate our progress,” said Unisys Chairman and CEO Peter A. Altabef. “Integrating more people with disabilities into our workforce is an important part of our corporate social responsibility and is good for our business as well. Drawing on the experiences of people with disabilities, we can enhance our solutions to reach a broader clientele and deliver tangible benefits to an expanded community of users.”

Inclusion of people with disabilities is a major objective of Unisys’ corporate social responsibility initiatives. As an adjunct to its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, the company has established the Unisys Ability Innovation Group to give individuals with disabilities a larger voice and drive improvements in Unisys’ workplace culture and working environment. The Disability Equality Index (DEI) – the most comprehensive benchmarking tool – cites Unisys as one of the 2020 Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.

Visit Media Hub – The Valuable 500 for that organization’s press release on Unisys and other companies joining the initiative. 

About The Valuable 500
Launched by social entrepreneur and activist Caroline Casey at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in January 2019, The Valuable 500 aims to put disability on the global business leadership agenda. The organization’s goal is to persuade 500 multinational companies that have at least 1,000 employees to make a public commitment to advance disability inclusion in their organizations. By engaging the most influential business leaders and brands, The Valuable 500 wants to create a tipping point within business that unlocks the business, social and economic value of the 1.3 billion people living with disabilities around the world, and the millions who will become disabled over time.

About Unisys
Unisys is a global IT services company that delivers successful outcomes for the most demanding businesses and governments. Unisys offerings include digital workplace services, cloud and infrastructure services and software operating environments for high-intensity enterprise computing. Unisys integrates security into all of its solutions. For more information on how Unisys delivers for its clients across the government, financial services and commercial markets, visit www.unisys.com.

Follow Unisys on Twitter and LinkedIn.

RELEASE NO.: 1203/9803

Unisys and other Unisys products and services mentioned herein, as well as their respective logos, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Unisys Corporation. Any other brand or product referenced herein is acknowledged to be a trademark or registered trademark of its respective holder.

UIS-C

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unisys-joins-the-valuable-500-to-advance-rights-and-opportunities-for-people-with-disabilities-301183953.html

SOURCE Unisys Corporation

Luna Announces $27.5 Million Debt Financing From PNC

Luna Announces $27.5 Million Debt Financing From PNC

Proceeds to be used in part for acquisition

ROANOKE, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ: LUNA), a global leader in advanced optical technology, today announced that it has entered into an agreement for a new secured debt facility for $27.5 million. The facility is supplied by PNC Bank, National Association (an affiliate of PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC)), one of the leading credit providers to middle market companies across the country. The new agreement includes a three-year $12.5 million term loan facility and a three-year $15.0 million revolving credit facility.

The new term loan and a portion of the new revolving credit facility will be used to fund a portion of the purchase price for Luna’s acquisition of OptaSense Holdings, Ltd., also being announced today. The agreement provides the Company with a term loan of $12.5 million, with an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.75-2.25% based on a net leverage ratio. The agreement also provides the Company with a revolving line of credit of up to $15.0 million, also with an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.75-2.25% based on a net leverage ratio.

“We are grateful for the strong support we received from PNC, as represented by our new debt facility,” said Scott Graeff, President and Chief Executive Officer of Luna. “This financing is allowing Luna to acquire a strong strategic business that provides capabilities we have been seeking that we believe will allow us to continue to drive profitable growth.”

About Luna

Luna Innovations Incorporated (www.lunainc.com) is a leader in optical technology, providing unique capabilities in high-performance, fiber optic-based, test products for the telecommunications industry and distributed fiber optic-based sensing for the aerospace and automotive industries. Luna is organized into two business segments, which work closely together to turn ideas into products: Lightwave and Luna Labs. Luna’s business model is designed to accelerate the process of bringing new and innovative technologies to market.

About PNC

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this release that are not historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include Luna’s expectations regarding its continued profitable growth. Management cautions the reader that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to a number of both known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance, and/or achievements of Luna may differ materially from the future results, performance, and/or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. These factors include, without limitation, technological and scientific challenges and those risks and uncertainties set forth in Luna’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, and Luna’s other periodic reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Such filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on Luna’s website at www.lunainc.com. The statements made in this release are based on information available to Luna as of the date of this release and Luna undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

Media Contact:

Jane Bailey

Phone: 540-525-0364

Email: [email protected]

Investor Contact:

Allison Woody

Phone: 540-769-8465

Email: [email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Virginia

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Telecommunications Finance Banking Professional Services Technology Automotive Manufacturing Aerospace Manufacturing

MEDIA:

Logo
Logo

UnitedHealthcare Awards Nearly $100,000 in Community Builder Grants to Six Community Organizations in Michigan

UnitedHealthcare Awards Nearly $100,000 in Community Builder Grants to Six Community Organizations in Michigan

  • Grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 will support programs that address:
    • Social determinants of health: food assistance, housing, utility payment and employment/education/training services
    • Non-emergent care in local emergency departments
    • Access to primary and preventive care services

DETROIT–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Michigan has awarded nearly $100,000 in Community Builder Grants to six community organizations aimed at improving access to health care services and addressing social determinants of health.

“Through the Community Builder Grant program, we are investing in community partnerships designed to break down barriers to health care services and improve quality of life among underserved populations,” said Dennis Mouras, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Michigan. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support these organizations and their community-based efforts.”

The six grant recipients include:

  • Muskegon Community Health Project – serving Muskegon; $25,000 to link clients to housing, employment and education opportunities in an effort to build a more just community.
  • Kids’ Health Connections– serving Detroit; $25,000 to provide services that prevent childhood diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kids’ Health Connections was formerly known as Wayne Children’s Healthcare Access Program (also Wayne CHAP).
  • Community Action Agency – serving Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties; $12,500 will support a targeted mentorship component to the agency’s YouthBuild program that provides men and women ages 16 to 24 the opportunity to earn their high school diploma or GED while also being trained in basic construction skills.
  • Bronson Health Foundation – serving Kalamazoo County; $10,000 for a collaborative effort by Bronson Healthcare Group with the Kalamazoo County Public Health Commission and Integrated Services of Kalamazoo to work with homeless individuals suffering chronic unmanaged pain who are frequent users of emergency department services and community safety-net systems. The program is patterned after the national, evidence-based Frequent User System Engagement model. It aims to improve the quality of life for participating individuals (as defined by the individual) and lessen reliance on safety-net programs and services.
  • Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMCSA) – $10,000 for Alpena-based Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency to provide gap funding for emergency needs among community members in 11 northeast Michigan counties.
  • Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency–serving Greater Detroit;$10,000 to support the Wayne Metro and UnitedHealthcare Food Distribution Initiative.

“NEMCSA is grateful for the generosity of UnitedHealthcare,” said Lisa Bolen, executive director and CEO, Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency. “This grant arrives at a critical time, and these funds will help individuals in the northeast Michigan community overcome struggles during this time of crisis.”

As part of the community partnerships built through the Community Builder Grant Program, UnitedHealthcare will identify lessons learned and how to collect and measure data to share best practices that are able to help people lead healthier and fulfilling lifestyles.

UnitedHealthcare serves more than 800,000 people in Michigan enrolled in employer-sponsored, individual, Medicare and Medicaid benefit plans, with a network of 149 hospitals, and nearly 45,000 physicians and other care providers statewide. Recently, the United Health Foundation committed $2.5 million to the Michigan Primary Care Association to establish a breast cancer genetic testing and screening pilot program for high-risk women, men and their families at five Michigan community health centers.

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.3 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. The company also provides health benefits and delivers care to people through owned and operated health care facilities in South America. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @UHC on Twitter.

Tony Marusic

UnitedHealthcare

(312) 363-7714

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Michigan United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Philanthropy Health Insurance Foundation General Health

MEDIA: