Stockwinners Market Radar for August 19, 2024 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

19:57 EDT Berkshire Hathaway sells about 13.97M Bank of America common shares - In a regulatory filing, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) sold approximately 13.97M common shares of Bank of America (BAC) in three transactions in the past several days, with prices ranging from $39.2719-$39.6454 per share. The sold shares are worth approximately $550.7M altogether.

19:50 EDT ENDRA Life Sciences Inc trading halted, news pending

19:33 EDT Astellas Pharma says China's NMPA approves Padcev - Astellas Pharma announced that the Center for Drug Evaluation of China's National Medical Products Administration has approved PADCEV for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer after prior treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy and programmed death receptor-1 or programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitors.

18:50 EDT Palo Alto Networks CEO: We're excited about the deals we did this quarter - In an interview on CNBC's Mad Money, Nikesh Arora said the company is replacing billings with remaining performance obligations and ARR as they are a better measure of success and industry standards.

18:22 EDT Core & Main signs agreement to acquire Green Equipment Company - Core & Main has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all the assets of Green Equipment Company, a provider of underground utility protection equipment, based in Fort Worth, Texas. "Green Equipment Company's expertise and solid presence in the underground utility industry across the southwest and southeast United States are strong complements to our existing product portfolio and present Core & Main with new opportunities for growth," said Steve LeClair, chair and CEO of Core & Main.

17:36 EDT SAIC awarded $262.43M Air Force contract modificaiton - SAIC has been awarded a maximum $262.43M contract bridge modification to a previously awarded Government Wide Acquisition Contract Alliant 2 vehicle for continued Air Force cloud computing capability. The contract modification is for continued support of commercial cloud services, common architectural and foundational services, and software engineering services to assist with migration and modernization. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $1.25B. Work will be performed at the contractor's designated facilities and is expected to be completed by September 8, 2025. FY24 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $13.8M are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center is the contracting activity.

17:23 EDT GoPro announces restructuring plan, 15% workforce reduction - In a regulatory filing, GoPro stated, "GoPro previously announced during its August 6, 2024 Second Quarter earnings call its intent to reduce operating expenses by approximately $50 million from projected fiscal 2024 expenses to $320 million +/- $5 million in fiscal 2025. On August 19, 2024, GoPro announced that its Board of Directors of the company approved a restructuring plan to help achieve that goal. The Restructuring Plan is anticipated to entail a reduction in force of approximately 15% from our ending second quarter headcount of 925 full-time employees beginning in Q3 2024 and is expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2024. The Restructuring Plan is expected to result in an estimated aggregate charge of in the range of $5 million to $7 million. Cash expenditures will be approximately $1.0 million of the estimated aggregate charge in the third quarter of 2024 and approximately $4 million to $6 million of the estimated aggregate charges in the fourth quarter of 2024. The estimates of the charges and expenditures that the company expects to incur in connection with the above, and the timing thereof, are subject to a number of assumptions, including local law requirements in various jurisdictions, and actual amounts may differ materially from estimates. The company expects to incur the majority of the restructuring and related charges in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024."

17:13 EDT Workhorse Group reports 'going concern' qualification - The company stated in a regulatory filing: "As a result of our recurring losses from operations, accumulated deficit, projected capital needs, and delays in bringing our vehicles to market and lower than expected market demand, substantial doubt exists regarding our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the issuance date of the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements."

17:09 EDT AdaptHealth COO Shaw Rietkerk to transition to Chief Business Officer - In a regulatory filing, AdaptHealth disclosed that it informed Shaw Rietkerk of its intention to transition him to a new position as the company's Chief Business Officer, by the end of September, 2024, following which Rietkerk will no longer serve as the company's COO. The company and Rietkerk are currently negotiating the terms of the transition.

17:06 EDT Royal Caribbean director Sorensen sells 5,800 common shares - In a regulatory filing, Royal Caribbean Cruises director Vagn Sorensen disclosed the sale of 5,800 common shares of the company on August 15 at a price of $158.50 per share.

16:59 EDT Gartner CFO Safian sells 6,310 common shares - In a regulatory filing, Gartner CFO Craig Safian disclosed the sale of 6,310 common shares of the company on August 15 at a price of $483.57 per share.

16:34 EDT Bit Digital signs binding term sheet with Boosteroid - Bit Digital announced that it has signed a binding term sheet with Boosteroid, a new customer for its high-performance computing, or HPC, business. Key Highlights includes: upon signing a master service agreement, Boosteroid will place an initial purchase for a starting quantity of GPU servers with a five-year service duration. Bit Digital's entry into a MSA is conditioned upon further diligence of Boosteroid, customary legal and business reviews, internal approvals, and execution of an acceptable MSA; this initial order is expected to generate approximately $13M in revenue to Bit Digital over the five-year term, or approximately $2.6M per year; Bit Digital will provide Boosteroid with options to draw down additional servers in multiples of 100, up to a total of 50,000 GPU servers within five years after signing the MSA, depending on their deployment plans. The entire 50,000 GPU deployment represents an aggregate revenue opportunity to Bit Digital in excess of $700M over the five-year term, depending on the deployment plan and subject to market conditions. The initial purchase includes GPU-servers based on AMD EPYC 4th Gen CPUs and RX7900XT GPUs, customized by ASUSTeK Computer and AMD for Boosteroid. Deployment is planned across a network of more than 10 data centers in the U.S. and Europe. The initial deployment is scheduled to begin over the next two to three months.

16:25 EDT Wabash names Mike Pettit Chief Growth Officer, Keslin succeeds as CFO - Wabash announced a series of strategic executive leadership changes designed to position the company for continued success. These changes will take effect on September 1. Mike Pettit will transition from his current role as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Chief Growth Officer. ...Patrick Keslin is promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer from his previous role as Vice President, Finance. With 23 years of financial experience and a proven track record in roles of increasing responsibility during his seven years at Wabash, Keslin brings a deep understanding of the company's financial operations. He will be responsible for overseeing Wabash's financial strategy, reporting and performance. Keslin's extensive experience and strategic insight will ensure a seamless transition and continued fiscal responsibility as the company continues to expand across products, services and customer bases. Donald Winston is promoted to Senior Vice President, Global Operations from his previous position as Vice President, Global Operations. Winston has demonstrated exceptional leadership and operational acumen. In this expanded role overseeing global procurement in addition to leading manufacturing and supply chain operations, he will continue to drive operational efficiencies and excellence across the company with a focus on safety, productivity and quality

16:21 EDT Premier selected by AllSpire Health Partners as national GPO - Premier, Inc. announced that it has been selected by AllSpire Health GPO, LLC, a regional group purchasing organization, as its primary national GPO and to support AllSpire's more than $3.5B in annual GPO purchasing volume. Premier will leverage its scale and actionable data to evaluate products and services - and support the continued development of a best-in-class contract portfolio to drive efficiencies, economic success and high-quality patient care for AllSpire Health GPO members, their patients and the communities they serve. Under terms of the agreement, AllSpire Health GPO members that comprise 54 acute care hospitals with more than 12,200 licensed acute beds will be Premier GPO members and fully utilize Premier's national contract portfolio. Premier will further support the development of AllSpire's regional contract portfolio for categories where local market dynamics drive optimal value and service. "AllSpire's mission is to enable each member system to thrive in a dynamic environment and continuously enhance the quality, efficiency and scope of care we deliver to our patients and communities," said Brian Gragnolati, Chair of the AllSpire Health Partners Executive Committee, and President and CEO of Atlantic Health System. "Premier's combination of market leading, competitive contracts, automation technologies and data-driven insights make them an ideal strategic partner for supporting supply chain excellence and delivering optimal value to our members and our communities."

16:16 EDT KKR acquires portfolio of six Class A industrial warehouses across U.S. - KKR announced that it has acquired a portfolio of six well-located, Class A industrial logistics properties in major U.S. Gateway and Sunbelt markets for approximately $377M. The six modern industrial properties possess an average vintage of 2014 and feature 35-foot average clear heights. The warehouses feature other state of the art characteristics making them highly relevant for the ever-evolving needs of today's logistics tenancy. The portfolio is 100% leased to a high-quality tenant mix. The assets are strategically located in infill submarkets across several major markets, including Seattle, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey and the San Francisco Bay Area. "We are excited to purchase these six well positioned properties as we continue to grow our national portfolio of well-diversified, carefully selected industrial assets," said Ben Brudney, a Managing Director in the Real Estate group at KKR who oversees the firm's industrial investments in the United States. "We think high quality assets in infill locations near diverse demand drivers and accommodative labor forces will be increasingly difficult to reproduce in the coming years."

16:14 EDT 180 Degree Capital reports NAV of $4.50 as of June 30 - 180 Degree Capital (TURN) reported its financial results as of June 30, 2024, and noted additional developments from the third quarter of 2024. "Our portfolio holdings were not immune to the market turmoil that resumed in Q2 2024, particularly for small and microcapitalization stocks," said Kevin M. Rendino, Chief Executive Officer of 180 Degree Capital. "Capital continues to flow out of small and microcapitalization stocks and into a small number of large capitalization companies. I've seen similar periods of dislocation like this during my 35-plus-year career. If history repeats itself, at some point each of these dislocations is likely to revert to more normalized market breadth and capital returns to small and microcapitalization stocks. These moves can be quick and volatile, like we saw in the first part of Q3 2024. While past trends are not a guarantee of what the future will hold, we believe this time is not different. We believe our portfolio companies are well positioned to execute on their businesses and that, coupled with capital returning to small and microcapitalization companies, could lead to material appreciation in our net asset value during this and future investment cycles." "We used Q2 2024 to position 180 Degree Capital to take advantage of certain catalysts that we believe have the potential to occur in the second half of 2024 or early 2025," continued Daniel B. Wolfe, President of 180 Degree Capital. "These steps include adding to positions that we believe have the best opportunities for value appreciation, including a new position in Aviat Networks (AVNW). As we have said in the past, we are investors, not traders. We would always like the catalysts identified to occur more quickly than they often do in real life. This is where our constructive activism is used to try to help management teams and boards drive to outcomes that unlock value, and it is where we are spending significant amounts of time."

16:12 EDT Monster Beverage announces new $500M share repurchase program - Monster Beverage announced that its board of directors has authorized a new share repurchase program for the repurchase of up to an additional $500M of the company's outstanding common stock. As of August 19, no amount remained available for repurchase under the company's previously authorized repurchase program.

16:09 EDT Adeia reports Canadian Court of Appeals rulings for Videotron, Bell/Telus cases - Adeia announced that the Canadian Court of Appeals has issued its rulings in the company's appeals of both the Videotron and Bell/Telus cases. The court agreed with the company on several key issues, finding that the lower court erred in multiple aspects of its analysis relating to royalty-based damages, accounting of profits and injunctions, which ultimately supports patent rights and the patent licensing environment in Canada. While the court upheld the invalidity findings of the lower court related to the patents at issue in those cases, the company believes the otherwise favorable rulings will be beneficial in the company's second phase of cases against Videotron and Bell scheduled to go to trial in 2025 and in its licensing efforts generally in Canada.

16:00 EDT Titan Pharmaceuticals trading halted, news pending

15:29 EDT Applied DNA Sciences to seek expansion of use of Linea Mpox Virus 1.0 Assay - Applied DNA Sciences announced its intention to seek an expansion of the approved intended use of its Linea Mpox Virus 1.0 Assay to include the detection of mpox Clade I that is the subject of the World Health Organization's 14 August 2024 declaration of a public health emergency of international concern. The company's internally generated data show that the Assay can detect the genetic sequence of mpox Clade I and is now undertaking validation studies to enable the filing of necessary documentation with the New York State Department of Health. The company plans to make its NYSDOH filing as soon as practicable based on the turnaround times for necessary reagents and control materials. No assurance can be given regarding the timing of any NYSDOH approval and whether such approval will ever be granted. The Assay was approved as a laboratory-developed test for the detection of mpox Clade II (previously monkeypox) by NYSDOH in September 2022. If approved for the testing of Clade I, the company could provide clinical testing services in its CLEP/CLIA molecular diagnostics laboratory in Stony Brook, N.Y. for mpox Clade I and Clade II on samples originating in New York State and in states that recognize New York's CLEP/CLIA certification for testing.

15:06 EDT Kroger files motion to enjoin FTC's administrative merger challenge - Kroger (KR) announced that today it filed a motion for preliminary injunction in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, against the Federal Trade Commission's administrative proceeding challenging the company's merger with Albertson's Companies (ACI). "The company argues that by proceeding in its administrative tribunal, in addition to the separate action in federal court, the FTC is violating Constitutional protections," Kroger stated. "The merger between Kroger and Albertson's is squarely focused on ensuring we bring customers lower prices starting day one while securing the future of good-paying union jobs. We stand prepared to defend this merger in the upcoming trial in federal court - the appropriate venue for this matter to be heard - and we are asking the Court to halt what amounts to an unlawful proceeding before the FTC's own in-house tribunal," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger Chairman and CEO.

14:09 EDT AbbVie announces European Commission approval for Tepkinly for second indication - AbbVie (ABBV) announced that the European Commission has granted conditional marketing authorization for Tepkinly as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of prior therapy. Tepkinly is "the first and only subcutaneous T-cell engaging bispecific antibody approved to treat both R/R FL and R/R diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the European Union, as well as the European Economic Area countries and Northern Ireland," the company stated. "The European approval of Tepkinly for the treatment of follicular lymphoma after two or more prior treatments is yet another step forward in our aspiration to develop Tepkinly as a potential core therapy across multiple B-cell malignancies. First approved for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, its expansion into follicular lymphoma underscores its utility as a hematological cancer treatment," said Mariana Cota Stirner, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, therapeutic area head for hematology, AbbVie. "Together with our partner, Genmab, we are thrilled with today's approval which advances our commitment to elevating care for people living with cancer."

13:38 EDT Electra Battery jumps 26% to 47c after Defense Department award

13:16 EDT Upwork highlighted in OpenAI blog post - Upwork's internal AI incubator, Upwork Labs, began harnessing AI to tackle key customer challenges, starting with the difficulty of creating effective job posts for complex projects, OpenAI stated in a blog post. "This initiative led to the launch of Job Post Generator, Upwork's first OpenAI-based product," OpenAI said in the post. "We saw ourselves becoming an 'OpenAI shop.' We knew we had to move quickly with our AI adoption, and OpenAI offered solutions for everything we needed. Now we're able to leverage AI to empower our workforce, and infuse it into our product development process - helping us build new experiences that delight clients and talent on our global marketplace," Adel Farahmand, VP of Partnerships and Marketplace Success at Upwork is quoted in the blog as having said. Reference Link

12:54 EDT Security Federal board approves increase to stock repurchase program - Security Federal Corporation announced that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in the number of shares authorized for repurchase under the previously approved stock repurchase program. Under the repurchase program, the Company may repurchase an additional 100,000 of the outstanding shares for a total of 135,276 shares, when combined with the remaining 35,276 shares initially approved to be repurchased.

12:15 EDT Harte Hanks, Outreach partner to deliver sales engagement solutions - Harte Hanks is collaborating with Outreach. By working together each company will join to bring customers enhanced turnkey sales solutions. Through this cooperation agreement, Harte Hanks and Outreach will integrate their strengths with one goal: to deliver superior customer relationship management and end-user customer experiences. Together the two companies will leverage joint marketing initiatives and co-branded campaigns to reach a wider audience. Harte Hanks will use the Outreach platform to engage customers and build additional sales pipeline. The Company will embed Outreach into its newly released Demand Generation in a Box product to help clients streamline and improve sales efforts.

12:13 EDT Rubirk unveils backup and recovery solution Salesforce Data Protection - Rubrik (RBRK) unveiled Salesforce Data Protection. A backup and recovery solution for Salesforce Core Platform data, the new offering is powered by the robust data security capabilities of Rubrik Security Cloud, a unified platform that consolidates data protection across SaaS, cloud, and on-premises environments, simplifying management and enhancing operational efficiency. This offering adds to Rubrik's existing data protection for SaaS tools like M365 and Jira. "According to Gartner, by 2028, 75% of enterprises will prioritize backup of SaaS applications as a critical requirement, compared with 15% in 2024. Many of the largest organizations in the world rely on Salesforce (CRM) as their CRM app that powers their business operations, helping them drive revenue faster," the company said. "As the single source of truth for many downstream financial applications, Salesforce users cannot risk costly downtime caused by accidental errors or cyber events that can trigger a cascading effect across their interconnected systems." Extending Rubrik's data protection capabilities, Salesforce Data Protection helps Salesforce admins, IT, and security leaders proactively establish a reliable backup and recovery strategy. When they do find themselves in the wake of a data loss incident, operations can return to "business as usual" quickly - all within a single platform designed to simplify management, reduce costs, and enhance security. Built on a zero-trust architecture, Salesforce users can reap the benefits of Rubrik's air-gapped, secure backups to protect against unauthorized access and ransomware attacks, ensuring their data remains secure. Reference Link

12:03 EDT Unified Commerce Group announces acquisition of GREATS from Steve Madden - Unified Commerce Group announces the expansion of its portfolio with the acquisition of substantially all assets of GREATS Inc., a digitally-native footwear brand specializing in premium sneakers for men and women, as well as a strategic investment in Utah-based womenswear retailer Bohme. GREATS becomes the third brand in UCG's portfolio, in addition to Canadian fashion brand Frank And Oak, and LA-based athleisure brand Spiritual Gangster. GREATS Inc. was previously owned by Steven Madden. Unified Commerce Group will assume operational responsibility and, as part of the deal, Steven Madden, Ltd., through one of its subsidiaries, will become a shareholder of UCG. With the recent acquisition of GREATS and investment in Bohme, the UCG shared services platform- UCG Hub- is now providing operational support, leadership and strategy to four brands, which each have growing direct-to-consumer eCommerce businesses, and a combined footprint of 30+ retail stores and 200+ wholesale partners.

12:00 EDT ZIM Integrated rises 22.2% - ZIM Integrated is up 22.2%, or $4.24 to $23.30.

12:00 EDT Skillsoft falls -4.4% - Skillsoft is down -4.4%, or -54c to $11.60.

12:00 EDT Sunlands Online falls -14.9% - Sunlands Online is down -14.9%, or -$1.58 to $9.04.

10:08 EDT Jaguar Health's Napo Pharmaceuticals issues Hong Kong patent for SBS treatment - Jaguar Health announced that Hong Kong's Intellectual Property Department has issued a new patent to Jaguar family company Napo Pharmaceuticals for methods for treating short bowel syndrome, bile acid diarrhea, and diarrhea associated with small intestine resection or gallbladder removal, in patients with an inhibitor of chloride-ion transport such as crofelemer, Jaguar's novel plant-based prescription drug. "We are very happy that this patent has been issued and believe that it further enhances our intellectual property protection for crofelemer for our core rare disease target indication of SBS," said Lisa Conte, CEO. "As previously announced, Jaguar, with strong leadership and participation from Jaguar family companies Napo and Napo Therapeutics, is supporting independent investigator-initiated proof-of-concept studies of crofelemer for SBS with intestinal failure and MVID in the US, EU and Middle East/North Africa regions, with results expected by the end of 2024 and throughout 2025. In accordance with the guidelines of specific EU countries, published data from clinical investigations in SBS and MVID could support early patient access to crofelemer for these debilitating conditions in those countries."

10:06 EDT Northern Trust partners with Greenlight to expand financial literacy - Northern Trust is partnering with Greenlight Financial Technology to better serve families and help the next generation build healthy financial futures. Northern Trust clients now have complimentary access to Greenlight's family finance app and debit card, available through the Greenlight for Banks program. Northern Trust's partnership with Greenlight will provide clients with more of these teachable moments, in which families can build smart money habits together and equip the next generation to steward wealth responsibly. Greenlight's platform teaches children how to earn, save, give and spend wisely - all with parental supervision. Northern Trust clients can receive a free Greenlight SELECT plan subscription by registering through a dedicated landing page.

10:02 EDT GE HealthCare collaborates with University of California's CTIPM - GE HealthCare announced a collaboration with the University of California San Diego School of Medicine to investigate advanced magnetic resonance imaging protocols and techniques for female-specific diseases and conditions of the pelvis and develop comprehensive educational materials for clinicians. The goal of the project is to elevate women's pelvic health, filling an important gap in medical research and care. Its results have the potential to enable clinicians to make more informed decisions, diagnose diseases and conditions faster and provide increased access to quality pelvic care for women. The Center for Translational Imaging and Precision Medicine at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine will be the collaborating site to conduct the project. The project will be led by Rebecca Rakow-Penner, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Radiology and Bioengineering at UC San Diego and Deputy Director for CTIPM. The project encompasses a wide spectrum of diseases of the female pelvis, including better visualization of endometriosis and ovarian cancer using MRI techniques in both clinical and academic research settings.

10:00 EDT Xperi rises 11.8% - Xperi is up 11.8%, or 89c to $8.44.

10:00 EDT Sweetgreen falls -4.3% - Sweetgreen is down -4.3%, or -$1.60 to $35.77.

10:00 EDT CS Disco falls -6.8% - CS Disco is down -6.8%, or -37c to $5.09.

09:50 EDT COSCIENS Biopharma Inc (USA) trading resumes

09:47 EDT Himalaya Shipping falls -3.6% - Himalaya Shipping is down -3.6%, or -27c to $7.29.

09:47 EDT CS Disco falls -8.4% - CS Disco is down -8.4%, or -46c to $5.00.

09:47 EDT Xperi rises 17.4% - Xperi is up 17.4%, or $1.31 to $8.86.

09:46 EDT Liquidia sinks after FDA delays full approval of Yutrepia - Shares of Liquidia (LQDA) are moving lower after the company announced that the Food and Drug Administration has granted only tentative approval of Yutrepia inhalation powder to treat adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease. Final Approval of Yutrepia may occur after expiration of the three-year regulatory exclusivity for Tyvaso DPI on May 23, 2025, Liquidia said in a statement. The tentative approval indicates that Yutrepia "has met all regulatory standards for quality, safety and efficacy required for approval in the United States but must await the expiration of regulatory exclusivity of a competing product before final approval can be granted," the company added. Tyvaso DPI is developed by United Therapeutics (UTHR). Shares of Liquidia are down 40% to $8.42 in early trading while United Therapeutics is up 5% to $337.27.

09:40 EDT Firefly Neuroscience Inc trading resumes

09:36 EDT Knightscope secures two new contracts for Emergency Communication Devices - Knightscope announces two new contracts for its Emergency Communication Devices. An existing client - a private Episcopal school in southern California - is expanding their system with the additional of another K1 Blue Light Tower and a Full Service Maintenance Plan; and a Knightscope Authorized Partner, City Wide Solutions - an electrical integrator that has multiple customers in the Ohio area - is upgrading existing Blue Light Towers on healthcare clinic campuses with Knightscope's K1 Retrofit Kits.

09:31 EDT Apple little changed at $225.22 after MoffettNathanson starts with Neutral

09:25 EDT New Fortress Energy: Fast LNG asset resumes production after maintenance - New Fortress Energy announces that the scheduled maintenance outage of our 1.4 MTPA Fast LNG 1 asset located offshore Altamira, Mexico FLNG has been completed, and the FLNG unit has returned to production as scheduled this morning. This planned outage followed the significant milestone of our first LNG cargo which occurred on August 9th. The FLNG 1 unit is expected to continue its production ramp and will reach full production later this month.

09:24 EDT CXApp appoints Joy Mbanugo as CFO - CXApp announced the appointment of Joy Mbanugo as CFO, effective immediately, reporting to Chairman and CEO Khurram Sheikh. Mrs. Mbanugo will oversee the company's financial strategy and operations as it continues its rapid growth and global expansion, transforming workplaces worldwide. Prior to joining CXAI, she served as the CFO at ServiceRocket.

09:22 EDT AlphaVest Acquisition enters merger agreement with AMC Corporation - AlphaVest Acquisition announced the execution of a Business Combination Agreement with AMC Corporation on August 16, 2024. The transaction will be structured as a business combination with ATMV's wholly owned subsidiary, AV Merger Sub, and is anticipated to result in AMC stockholders receiving shares of ATMV capital stock valued at $175M. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both ATMV and AMC and is expected to be consummated in the fourth quarter of 2024, subject to regulatory and stockholder approval by the stockholders of ATMV and the stockholders of AMC and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions. AMC creates and distributes innovative, and smart security and consumer electronics solutions. It makes high quality internet connected smart home products and augmented reality wearable products that are accessible, affordable, and easy-to-use. Upon the closing of the Business Combination, the combined company is expected to operate under the name AMC Corporation and remain a NASDAQ-listed public company trading under a new ticker symbol. AMC's executive management team will continue to lead the combined company. There can be no assurance that the combined company will remain listed on NASDAQ. As previously disclosed in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC, ATMV terminated its previously announced business combination agreement, dated as of August 11, 2023, with AV Merger Sub and Wanshun Technology Industrial Group Limited, effective as of March 13, 2024.

09:19 EDT Mullen Automotive announces sale of Mullen THREE to Princeton University - Mullen Automotive announces its sale of the Mullen THREE, Class 3 EV box truck upfit to Princeton University's facilities operations unit, located in Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton's facilities operations has selected the Mullen THREE to support its campus operations and contribute to its overall sustainability goals, including reaching zero emissions for on-campus university service vehicles. The vehicle order is fulfilled by Mullen's nationally known EV dealer partner, Pritchard EV.

09:14 EDT Kintara announces Kineta reopens enrollment for VISTA-101 clinical trial - TuHURA Biosciences and Kintara Therapeutics (KTRA) announced that Kineta (KA) has reopened enrollment in its ongoing VISTA-101 Phase 1/2 clinical trial. As previously announced on July 8, 2024, TuHURA entered into an Exclusivity and Right of First Offer Agreement with Kineta for the potential acquisition of Kineta's KVA12123 VISTA blocking antibody and related rights and assets associated with and derived from the asset. Kineta and TuHURA are cooperating on the reinitiation of patient enrollment into this trial during TuHURA's due diligence period with respect to the KVA12123 assets. To date, KVA12123 has cleared the fifth of six monotherapy dose levels and two of the four cohorts in combination with Merck's anti-PD1 therapy, KEYTRUDA. Initial results demonstrating partial response and stable disease in the combination cohorts, and durable stable disease observed in monotherapy cohorts, were reported earlier this year at the American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024. Additionally, the initial results of KVA12123 showed a favorable clinical safety and tolerability profile with no dose limiting toxicities and no evidence of cytokine release syndrome-associated cytokines at any dose level. As previously announced, under the terms of the Agreement, Kineta received a $5 million nonrefundable payment from TuHURA. Pursuant to the Agreement, among other things, Kineta has granted TuHURA an exclusive right to discuss and negotiate with Kineta the potential acquisition of Kineta's worldwide patents, patent rights, patent applications, product and development program assets, technical and business information, and other rights and assets associated with and derived from its development program related to KVA12123. This exclusive right shall continue through the first to occur of the execution of any definitive agreement with respect to a potential transaction by TuHURA or one or more of its affiliates and 11:59 PM Eastern Time on October 1, 2024, subject to extension for an additional 20 days. TuHURA is currently engaging in due diligence under the Agreement.

09:08 EDT Kintara and TuHURA announce reopening of enrollment for VISTA-101 clinical trial - TuHURA Biosciences and Kintara Therapeutics announced that Kineta, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel immunotherapies in oncology that address cancer immune resistance, has reopened enrollment in its ongoing VISTA-101 Phase 1/2 clinical trial. As previously announced on July 8, TuHURA entered into an Exclusivity and Right of First Offer Agreement with Kineta for the potential acquisition of Kineta's KVA12123 VISTA blocking antibody and related rights and assets associated with and derived from the asset. Kineta and TuHURA are cooperating on the reinitiation of patient enrollment into this trial during TuHURA's due diligence period with respect to the KVA12123 assets. To date, KVA12123 has cleared the fifth of six monotherapy dose levels and two of the four cohorts in combination with Merck's anti-PD1 therapy, KEYTRUDA. The initial results of KVA12123 showed a favorable clinical safety and tolerability profile with no dose limiting toxicities and no evidence of cytokine release syndrome-associated cytokines at any dose level. As previously announced, under the terms of the Agreement, Kineta received a $5M nonrefundable payment from TuHURA.

09:05 EDT noco-noco signs MoU with 3DOM Alliance, Tesnology to acquire license - noco-noco has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Japan headquartered 3DOM Alliance and Tesnology to acquire a non-exclusive license for battery securitization systems and intellectual property developed by 3DOM and Tesnology. This agreement is a significant milestone in noco-noco's efforts to establish battery as a societal infrastructure across Asia Pacific. 3DOM and Tesnology possess the intellectual property relating to securitization and security trading of batteries in Japan and are currently developing specialized system platforms to monetize the energy storage assets throughout their lifetime; from production, asset securitization, commercialization all the way through to decommissioning and recycling. This new innovative "green financing model" is expected to significantly boost the growth of battery energy storage system assets in Japan which remain at a relatively early stage currently and is geared to meet the country's requirement of approximately 10GW of energy storage capacity by 2030. Additionally, the Company also announced the signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore Headquartered B2G Energies Pte Ltd, to collaborate on the deployment, construction, and implementation of renewable energy projects including energy storage systems across Asia Pacific. B2G Energies is a leading renewable energy company in Singapore, specializing in Energy Storage Systems and Energy System Integration, dedicated to delivering sustainable and innovative solutions that reduce carbon emissions, being at the forefront of the transition to clean and green energy sources.

09:05 EDT Icahn Enterprises agrees to pay $1.5M to settle SEC disclosure charges - The Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges against Carl C. Icahn and his publicly traded company, Icahn Enterprises L.P., for failing to disclose information relating to Icahn's pledges of IEP securities as collateral to secure personal margin loans worth billions of dollars under agreements with various lenders. IEP and Icahn agreed to pay $1.5M and $500,000 in civil penalties, respectively, to settle the SEC's charges, the SEC stated. Reference Link

09:05 EDT Zoom Video announces the launch of its single-use webinar offering - Zoom Video Communications announced the launch of its new single-use webinar offering, which can host up to 1 million attendees. In addition to its monthly and annual webinar subscription options, Zoom now offers a range of single-use webinar options to accommodate larger event sizes. Customers can now choose webinars for 10K, 50K, 100K, 250K, 500K, and 1M attendee capacities.

09:04 EDT Coya Therapeutics CEO Howard Berman to leave role, Arun Swaminathan to succeed - Coya Therapeutics announced that Arun Swaminathan has been promoted to the role of CEO effective November 1. He will succeed Howard Berman who will continue to serve in the capacity of executive chair. Coya also believes it will benefit from Swaminathan's leadership in advancing COYA 302 in related programs such as Frontotemporal Dementia, Parkinson's Disease and other immune mediated diseases.

09:03 EDT Elevai Labs announces results from on-going research study - Elevai Labs announced results from an on-going research study in partnership with Dr. Stanislav Sokolenko's Lab, Associate Professor at Dalhousie University's Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science, demonstrating the potential of its proprietary Precision Regenerative Exosome Technology in generating exosomes that carry proteins associated with extracellular matrix organization, immune functions, and wound healing. "In this study, we were trying to answer whether our exosomes were fundamentally different than exosomes from other sources," stated Company Chief Executive Officer Jordan Plews. "The data has led us to believe that, when appropriately processed through our PREx platform, our ethically sourced human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells release exosomes enriched with a profile of proteins similar to, but distinct from, other mesenchymal stem cell sources."

09:02 EDT Clearwater Analytics appoints Fleur Sohtz as CMO - Clearwater Analytics (CWAN) announced the appointment of Fleur Sohtz as its new CMO. Fleur joins Clearwater Analytics with 25 years' experience scaling high-growth companies, achieving double-digit revenue growth, and creating integrated marketing programs at global companies such as Collibra, Markit, and Thomson Reuters (TRI). Known for her marketing leadership, Fleur Sohtz is an experienced CMO who has spent her career driving impactful marketing programs, achieving market differentiation, and fostering demonstrable business growth and operational efficiency. Her notable accomplishments include activating new revenue streams for Cordium, developing a go-to-market platform for venture fund Team8, category creation at Collibra, and successfully repositioning companies for future growth and market expansion.

09:01 EDT ChromaDex broadens NAD+ precursor intellectual property portfolio with patent - ChromaDex announced the broadening of its NAD+ precursor intellectual property portfolio with the newly granted U.S. Patent number 10,000,520 C1 covering the composition of matter for the disodium salt of NMNH or dihydronicotinamide mononucleotide . Co-owned with Queen's University Belfast QUB , this patent solidifies ChromaDex's leadership in the NAD+ precursor space. ChromaDex continuously evaluates and investigates next-generation NAD+ precursors at the forefront of the burgeoning healthy aging category. The company owns and licenses a robust and secure portfolio of over 80 patents relating to its flagship patented nicotinamide riboside NR ingredient, Niagen and other NAD+ precursors including nicotinamide riboside triacetate or NRT , reduced nicotinamide riboside NRH , nicotinic acid riboside or NAR, and now the newly granted NMNH patent...In addition to the disodium salt of NMNH, ChromaDex has also obtained protection for numerous other NMNH derivatives, including metallic salts such as lithium, potassium, and magnesium. Further, the patent adds protection for salt forms of NMNH. This broadens ChromaDex's protection and opens new avenues for future product development and commercialization.

08:59 EDT LPL Financial: 4Point Wealth joins LPL Strategic Wealth Services - LPL Financial announced that financial advisors Christina McConnell, Laura Long, and Jay Tillman have joined LPL Financial's supported independence model, LPL Strategic Wealth Services. The team reported having served approximately $375 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets and joins LPL from Wells Fargo Financial Advisors Network. Based in Davidson, N.C., just north of Charlotte, 4Point Wealth Management was founded in 2006 with a mission to champion each client's unique wealth journey and pursuit of financial independence. The highly accredited team has more than 50 years of industry experience, collectively, and they specialize in comprehensive retirement planning, asset allocation analysis, executive compensation and goals-based financial planning. They are supported by longtime Client Services Manager Randi Derene.

08:49 EDT Kopin awarded first order for 2K-R11 FLCoS Spatial Light Modulator - Kopin announced that it received the first production purchase order for its high resolution, 4 Megapixel 2K-R11 FLCoS Spatial Light Modulator, or SLM, system for use within 3D AOI machines. For over 10 years Kopin has produced application specific optical solutions for the 3D AOI market, which remains an important part of Kopin's Industrial business. 3D AOI solutions are essential tools in contemporary manufacturing facilities focused on semiconductors, printed circuit boards and other high-tech manufacturing. While 2D AOI systems can only capture and analyze the top surface of an object, 3D AOI systems measure and evaluate the height and depth of components and quickly inspect and measure deformations, defects or misplaced components, which equates to maintaining essential quality at high speeds. Most existing 3D AOI structured light projection systems typically offer a resolution of 1K x 1K; but the 2K-R11 elevates this standard by providing four times the resolution, which means expanding the applications for 3D AOI into the measurement of new, smaller feature size components and connectors.

08:47 EDT Wearable Devices says Mudra Band supports Apple Vision Pro - Wearable Devices announces that its Mudra Band now supports the Apple Vision Pro. This integration allows users to extend the gesture control experience across all Apple devices, including the Mac, iPad, Apple TV, iPhone and now also the AVP

08:38 EDT Alzamend Neuro teams with MGH for lithium drug AL001 trial to treat PTSD - Alzamend Neuro announced that it is partnering with Massachusetts General Hospital as its contract research organization or CRO to conduct first of its kind Phase II clinical study of AL001 for treatment of patients with PTSD. Massachusetts General Hospital is the original and largest clinical education and research facility of Harvard Medical School/Harvard University and houses the world's largest hospital-based research program...Alzamend previously completed a Phase IIA multiple ascending dose clinical trial, in which it successfully identified a maximum tolerated dose MTD for development of AL001, as assessed by an independent safety review committee. This dose, providing lithium at a lithium carbonate equivalent dose of 240 mg 3-times daily, is designed to be unlikely to require lithium therapeutic drug monitoring TDM . Current FDA-approved lithium salts are limited by a narrow therapeutic window that requires regular TDM of plasma lithium levels and blood chemistry by a clinician to mitigate adverse events. Since conventional lithium salts are eliminated relatively quickly, multiple administrations throughout the day are required to safely reach therapeutic plasma concentrations. Existing lithium drugs suffer from chronic toxicity, poor physicochemical properties, and poor brain bioavailability. However, because lithium is so effective, it is still used clinically despite its narrow therapeutic index. "We are elated to partner with Massachusetts General Hospital and Dr. Andronesi in this pivotal study for our lead therapeutic candidate AL001," said Stephan Jackman, Chief Executive Officer of Alzamend. "If we can develop a next-generation lithium product AL001 with an improved safety profile and enhanced biodistribution in the brain that would not routinely require TDM, it would constitute a major improvement over current lithium-based treatments and positively impact the 9+ million Americans afflicted with PTSD. We look forward to providing more details regarding the study's timeline and market opportunity in the near future."

08:38 EDT CollPlant, Stratasys initiate 200cc commercial-sized regenerative implant study - CollPlant (CLGN) and Stratasys (SSYS) announced the initiation of a pre-clinical study with 200cc commercial-sized regenerative implants printed on a Stratasys Origin 3D printer. The collaboration between CollPlant and Stratasys is currently focused on the development of a bioprinting solution for CollPlant's breast implants, in addition to finding solutions to scale-up the implant's fabrication process. The study is intended to test the ability of the implants to promote the growth of natural breast tissue and completely degrade over time.

08:36 EDT Skyward Specialty launches aviation program in partnership with Acceleration - Skyward Specialty Insurance Group and Acceleration Aviation Underwriters have partnered to bring comprehensive coverage solutions to an array of aviation-related businesses. The partnership between Skyward Specialty and Acceleration Aviation introduces a robust program that extends coverage to commercial and general aviation aircraft, fixed based operators, flight schools, public and private airports and various other aviation enterprises.

08:36 EDT Lion Group announces investment in Agunua Technology - Lion Group Holding announced that it entered into a non-binding term sheet with Hong Kong Agunua Technology and plans to acquire a 60% post-investment equity stake in Agunua Technology. The investment, valued at $4.8M, will be executed using $2.88M worth of American Depositary Shares, or ADS, of the Company, priced at $1.2 per ADS. This strategic investment marks Lion Group's significant expansion in the global carbon finance market, further enhancing its core competitiveness in climate financing, green finance, transition finance, and climate AI application services. The closing of the investment is subject to the execution of a definitive agreement and certain closing conditions set forth in the definitive agreement. Carbon assets are the most promising strategic resource for international development over the next 30 years. Agunua Technology holds the exclusive technical mandate and 50-year operating rights for the only authorized carbon rights electronic trading platform in the Solomon Islands-the Solomon International Green Asset Exchange. Through this investment, This move will enhance Lion's efforts in building green financial infrastructure and expanding into emerging sectors focused on carbon neutrality services. By targeting key global markets, South-South cooperation countries, and the Greater China region, this move will not only diversify and enhance Lion's innovative product offerings, delivering more comprehensive and specialized carbon finance solutions to the Company's clients, but also open up substantial revenue opportunities, with SIGX's revenue expected to surpass $200M by 2029.

08:35 EDT Lixte Biotechnology provides update on recent activities, developments - LIXTE Biotechnology (LIXT) provided an update on the Company's recent activities. "We are encouraged by the growing interest shown by major pharmaceutical companies in our proprietary compound, LB-100, as demonstrated by their support in clinical trial collaborations," said Bas van der Baan, LIXTE's President and Chief Executive Officer. Recent Company Highlights: Collaboration with the Netherlands Cancer Institute, supported by Roche (RHHBY), to conduct a new clinical trial in immune therapy for unresponsive metastatic colorectal cancer. Jan Schellens, M.D., Ph.D., joined LIXTE as Chief Medical Officer effective August 1, 2024. New pre-clinical data in the journal EMBO Reports shows that LIXTE's lead compound, LB-100, can turn immunologically "cold" tumors "hot," potentially enhancing the benefit of immunotherapy. LIXTE will present at two upcoming investor conferences: the 2004 Summit Summer 2024 Virtual Conference, August 20, 2024, and the H.C. Wainwright 26th Annual Global Investor Conference, September 9-11, 2024.

08:34 EDT American Rebel says Matt Hagan's Funny Car reaches finals at NHRA Nationals - American Rebel celebrated reaching the finals as the primary sponsor of Matt Hagan's Dodge SRT Hellcat Funny Car at this past weekend's Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. Reaching the finals is the next best thing to winning it all, and American Rebel got plenty of exposure during the FOX broadcast as the Rebel Light car ran four races in the television window and Matt Hagan was very gracious during his post-race interviews, thanking American Rebel and American Rebel CEO Andy Ross for their support. American Rebel also got great coverage on FS1 for the Qualifying Shows on Friday and Sunday and Saturday's 2Fast2Tasty Challenge. There will also be multiple re-airings of the entire weekend through Thursday, August 22.

08:34 EDT LOBO EV launches solar-powered golf cart - LOBO EV Technologies launched its new solar-powered golf cart, with the initial production run of 33 units already sold to U.S. customers. This marks the third export of LOBO's golf carts to the U.S., reinforcing the Company's growing market presence and its commitment to providing high-quality, eco-friendly products. The new golf cart integrates cutting-edge solar technology, featuring high-efficiency solar panels with a 40V output and a power rating of 270W. These panels achieve a remarkable conversion efficiency of up to 22% and are designed with a 60-degree bending capability, ensuring durability and adaptability. The solar system enables up to 80% battery charge through sunlight alone, enhancing energy efficiency and promoting true green travel.

08:32 EDT Perrigo names David Ball as Chief Brand and Digital Officer - Perrigo Company announced the appointment of Dr. David Ball as Executive Vice President and Chief Brand and Digital Officer. In this newly created position, Dr. Ball will be responsible for an enterprise-wide marketing strategy that incorporates deep understanding of consumer needs and translates those into winning brand strategies, tactics, and actions. He will also evaluate untapped market opportunities and develop strategies to scale the company's brand-building efforts. Ball joins Perrigo from Bayer Consumer Healthcare, where he served as General Manager and Vice President of Marketing for the Digestive Health business in North America.

08:32 EDT VCI Global authorizes up to $10M share repurchase program - VCIG's Board of Directors has authorized the implementation of a share repurchase program for up to $10 million of the Company's outstanding ordinary shares over the next two years. Under the Repurchase Program, VCIG may repurchase for cash, from time to time, its ordinary shares through open market purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b-18 plan, in compliance with applicable securities laws and other legal requirements.

08:18 EDT LeddarTech announces up to $9M financing - LeddarTech Holdings entered into definitive agreements with certain of its principal shareholders, FS Investors and Investissement Quebec, and its senior lender, Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec, pursuant to which the Bridge Lenders make available to the Company bridge loans in an aggregate amount of up to US$9.0 million. Under the Bridge Financing, FS and IQ have the right, but not the obligation, to convert their respective Bridge Loan into common shares in the capital of the Company at an initial conversion price of US$5.00 per Common Share, subject to adjustment, representing a premium of 852% above the closing price of the Common Shares on August 16, 2024. In connection with the Bridge Financing, FS has agreed to convert US$1.5 million of its existing convertible notes into Common Shares at an above-market conversion price of US$2.00 per share, reducing the convertible note balance by US$1.5 million. The Bridge Financing is comprised of two tranches, with the first tranche of US$6.0 million funding immediately and the second tranche of US$3.0 million to be funded on or about October 15, 2024. The second tranche of the Bridge Financing is conditioned on the absence of a default under the Bridge Loans and the receipt by the Company of a commitment from a strategic investor to invest a minimum amount of US$5.0 million in a subsequent equity capital raise. The Bridge Loans from FS and IQ will be issued at a 25% original issue discount. Amounts outstanding under the Bridge Loans bear interest at the US base rate, plus 4.00%. Interest under the Bridge Loans is to be capitalized monthly and added to the outstanding principal amount of the Bridge Loans. The Bridge Loans have a maturity date of November 15, 2024 and will be due and payable earlier upon the occurrence of certain other events, such as a change in control. In connection with the Bridge Financing, the Company and Desjardins have also entered into a Thirteenth Amending Agreement to the Amended and Restated Financing Offer dated as of April 5, 2023 to harmonize the Desjardins Credit Facility with the terms and conditions set forth in the Bridge Loans, and to include an amendment fee in consideration of Desjardins' agreement to authorize the indebtedness under the Bridge Financing and that the security under the Bridge Financing will rank pari passu to the security of Desjardins under the Desjardins Credit Facility.

08:17 EDT SLB, Palo Alto Networks expand collaboration - SLB (SLB) and global cybersecurity leader Palo Alto Networks (PANW) announced they are expanding their collaboration to strengthen cybersecurity for the energy sector. The companies will combine SLB's cloud and edge technologies and domain expertise in the energy industry with Palo Alto Networks' cross-industry, platform-based cybersecurity solutions.

08:16 EDT Palo Alto Networks and SLB expand their collaboration - Global energy technology company SLB (SLB) and global cybersecurity leader Palo Alto Networks (PANW) announced they are expanding their collaboration to strengthen cybersecurity for the energy sector. The companies will combine SLB's cloud and edge technologies and domain expertise in the energy industry with Palo Alto Networks cross-industry, platform-based cybersecurity solutions. This will not only help SLB remain on the forefront with its own security infrastructure, but also help drive future enhanced solutions to address evolving cyber threats as the industry's adoption of digital solutions and artificial intelligence accelerates. As part of the collaboration, SLB will adopt Palo Alto Networks Precision AI(TM)-powered cybersecurity platforms, including Prisma SASE, Prisma Cloud, and Cortex XSIAM in its technology stack. These platforms will enable SLB to achieve comprehensive security across its network, cloud and edge platforms, enabling thousands of domain and AI users on SLB's Delfi digital platform to collaborate in a safe and secure environment. The two companies also will develop and implement solutions for edge products and services, which will be critical as more energy customers move toward automated and autonomous operations.

08:13 EDT AFC Gamma provides new senior secured facility, expands existing facilities - AFC Gamma has closed a new senior secured credit facility for Private Company Q and expanded its existing senior secured credit facilities for BeLeaf Medical and Sunburn Cannabis. These transactions underscore Advanced Flower Capital's commitment to supporting the growth of its borrowers by providing timely, flexible and tailored financing solutions. AFC has committed $11 million, with $4.3 million funded at closing, in a senior secured credit facility to Private Company Q, a Georgia-based operator holding a Class 2 cannabis license. The funds will be utilized towards the buildout of a cultivation and processing facility and to establish two new dispensary locations in Georgia. This credit facility will support Private Company Q in expanding its operations within the state, furthering its ability to serve the growing medical cannabis market. AFC has committed an additional $5.5 million under the expansion of BeLeaf's facility and holds the entire $26.1 million expanded credit facility. The additional funds will be used to partially finance the acquisition of two dispensaries in Missouri, increasing the borrower's vertical integration in the state. The terms of the credit facility remain consistent with the original agreement. AFC has committed an additional $1.8 million under the expansion of Sunburn's credit facility and holds the entire $36.5 million expanded credit facility. The additional funds will partially finance the borrower's buildout of two new dispensaries and additional low-cost cultivation capacity in Florida. The terms of the credit facility remain consistent with the original agreement.

08:12 EDT Abacus Life, Lorisco Life announce launch of PREADISAN - Abacus Life and Lorisco Life announced a new partnership and product launch to revolutionize longevity-based health prediction and actuarial technology. "We are proud to be partnering with Abacus Life to enable how health predictions are customized for end users through proteomics and machine learning," said Howard Sams, Lorisco Life Chief Executive Officer. "The PREADISAN risk score enables the Abacus team to offer an unprecedented level of tailored solutions for their clients."

08:11 EDT Enovis introduces STAR Ankle, with e+ Polyethylene - Enovis unveils its Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement, STAR Ankle, now with new e+ Polyethylene. Recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, approval makes STAR Ankle the first and only mobile bearing ankle system with e+ Polyethylene in the United States. The implant's new vitamin E-blended e+ Polyethylene insert will offer improved durability, stability, and longevity.

08:11 EDT Assure Holdings announces further extension of exchange offer - Assure Holdings has extended the expiration date of its exchange offer relating to the Company's 9% Convertible Debentures due 2023 and 2024. As a result of the extension, the Exchange Offer is now scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., on August 23, 2024 unless further extended. The Offer was originally scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m. on July 19, 2024, and has been extended several times to now expire at 11:59 p.m, on August 23, 2024. Except for the extension of the Expiration Date, all of the other terms of the Offer remain as set forth in the Offer Letter dated June 21, 2024, as amended, and a Schedule TO related thereto, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2024, as amended. As of 11:59 p.m. on August 16, 2024, $2.0 million in principal face amount of Assure Convertible Debentures have been tendered into the Offer.

08:08 EDT Enphase launches IQ battery 5P, IQ Energy Management Software in Netherlands - Enphase Energy announced that it has started shipping its most powerful home battery to-date, the IQ Battery 5P, in the Netherlands. Enphase also introduced IQ(R) Energy Management, its new energy management software to enable support for dynamic electricity rates and the integration of third-party EV chargers and heat pumps in the Netherlands.

08:07 EDT Microchip announces family of LAN887x Ethernet PHY transceivers - Microchip Technology announces it has expanded its SPE solutions with its family of LAN887x Ethernet PHY transceivers supporting 100 Mbps to 1000 Mbps using 1000BASE-T1 network speeds and cable lengths up to 40m for extended reach. For interoperability across industries, Microchip's LAN887x PHYs are designed to be fully compliant with IEEE 802.3bp for the 1000BASE-T1 specification and IEEE 802bw-2015 for the 100BASE-T1 specification. Microchip has collaborated with the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory to create the development test platform for 1000BASE-T1 conformance. For many automotive and industrial applications that operate in harsh environments and need to withstand extreme temperatures, these devices are also designed to be ISO 26262 functional safety ready with ASIL B classification.

08:07 EDT Jadex to sell Lifoam Industries Altor Solutions for $137M in cash - Jadex announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Lifoam Industries to Altor Solutions, a subsidiary of Compass Diversified, for $137M in cash. Post-tax net proceeds from the sale are expected to be used to pay down debt and fund investment in the remaining business.

08:06 EDT Cuentas to close fintech division, move to digital content, product distribution - Cuentas recently filed an 8k disclosing the mutual sunsetting of its fintech processing agreement for the prepaid debit card with Interactive Communications International, on August 12, 2024 and InComm's issuance of a $475,000 credit to Cuentas to complete the closure. Cuentas is changing direction and is closing its fintech division while it maintains and develops its InComm relationship. Cuentas will continue its InComm Resale Agreement to supply digital content, digital transportation access, mobile top-ups, bodega access and cellular offerings. Cuentas is working to integrate the service offerings of World Mobile, Cuentas and a nationwide carrier that will revolutionize the digital and prepaid mobile telecommunications offerings in the US. This will include universal and Lifeline access to millions of households in the United States.

08:05 EDT Avnet boosts repurchase pact to $600M, hikes dividend 6% to 33c per share - Avnet announced that on August 15 its Board of Directors approved an increase in Avnet's share repurchase authorization, bringing the total amount available for share repurchases to $600M. The Board also approved a 6% increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend to 33c per share. The dividend will be paid on September 25, 2024, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 11. "The Board's actions underscore our commitment to providing consistent and dependable shareholder returns," said Phil Gallagher, Avnet's Chief Executive Officer. "Since the start of fiscal year 2019, we have returned nearly $2 billion to shareholders, including $1.4 billion in share repurchases and nearly $600 million in dividends. These actions reflect our continued confidence in Avnet's financial position and ability to achieve our longer-term growth goals."

08:04 EDT China Pharma subsidiary plans to launch dry eye treatment in Q1 of 2025 in China - China Pharma Holdings, an NYSE American-listed corporation with a fully-integrated specialty pharmaceuticals subsidiary based in China, announced that through Hainan Helpson Medical and Biotechnology, a wholly owned subsidiary, it expects to launch its Dry Eye Disease Therapeutic Device in the Q1 of 2025 in China. It is a medical treatment device for dry eye disease under patent protection. The Company, through Helpson, acquired the technology at the end of 2022 and has subsequently carried out the corresponding commercialization, as well as the registration and application process of the product. It has completed production commissioning and third-party testing by now. In China, the incidence of dry eye disease is about 21%-30%, second only to myopia. Treatments for dry eye-related indications include two forms of secretagogues, oral and topical, which are widely recommended for first-line and second-line treatments.

08:03 EDT Getty Images to capture visuals for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games - Getty Images announced its photographers, editors and operations staff will capture stunning imagery from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. As the Official Photographic Agency of the International Paralympic Committe, Getty Images will use innovative and proprietary technology to deliver thousands of images from the Opening Ceremony on August 28th to the Closing Ceremony on September 8th.

07:35 EDT Mira Pharmaceuticals provides update on preparing IND submission - MIRA Pharmaceuticals provides a comprehensive update on its recent achievements and scientific advancements as it nears a crucial milestone: the submission of its Investigational New Drug application by the end of the year. Recent Company Highlights: Leadership Enhancement with Dr. Itzchak Angel: MIRA has strengthened its leadership by appointing Dr. Itzchak Angel as Chief Scientific Advisor. MIRA has made significant strides with its novel oral ketamine analog, Ketamir-2. The Company has established a robust manufacturing process for the compound, which allows large-scale, high-quality synthesis with low cost of goods. Recent preclinical studies have demonstrated that Ketamir-2 offers a superior safety profile compared to traditional ketamine, notably avoiding hyper-locomotor activity-a behavior linked to psychotic symptoms-thereby positioning it as a potentially safer option for mental health treatments. The Company has further explored the pharmacological profile of the compound in animal models of anxiety and depression. Significant dose-depended effects were observed upon oral administration of the compound to mice in models such as Elevated Plus Maze, Open Filed and Forced Swim Tests. The Company's key discoveries include Ketamir-2's non-substrate status for P-glycoprotein, which allows for better oral absorption and improved passage through the blood-brain barrier, and potentially higher efficacy at lower doses. Further analysis has shown that Ketamir-2 selectively inhibits the NMDA receptor at the PCP-binding site with 30-50 times lower affinity than traditional ketamine, reducing the risk of side effects such as dissociation and hallucinations. In addition to these findings, MIRA recently unveiled new data on Ketamir-2's principal metabolite, Nor-Ketamir, which demonstrates a longer-acting, brain-penetrating profile. Nor-Ketamir has shown nearly 100% oral bioavailability, compared to intravenous Ketamir-2 and sustained plasma residence, leading to extended therapeutic efficacy. The development of a new salt form, Ketamir-2 Pamoate, with an improved formulation have further enhanced the pharmacokinetics of Ketamir-2, ensuring overall higher plasma and brain levels with a longer half-life. These advancements suggest that Ketamir-2 and Nor-Ketamir could offer effective, at-home treatment options for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, setting a new standard for patient care. The safety profile of Ketamir-2 has been further validated in toxicology studies in mice, rats and dogs, where minimal toxicity was observed at very high doses in animal models. This robust safety data, combined with its strong antidepressant and anxiolytic activities at lower doses, positions Ketamir-2 as a potentially transformative treatment for conditions such as depression, treatment-resistant depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. MIRA-55, the Company's novel oral pharmaceutical marijuana analog, continues to show promising results in preclinical studies, demonstrating significant advantages over THC. Recent tests confirmed that MIRA-55 exhibits higher efficacy at both the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors compared to THC, with a more pronounced and sustained increase in agonist activity. This indicates MIRA-55's potential for greater effectiveness in treating anxiety, cognitive decline, and other neurological conditions. Moreover, MIRA-55 maintains a consistent anxiolytic effect across a broader range of doses without losing effectiveness, unlike THC. The DEA's determination that MIRA-55 is not a controlled substance removes significant regulatory barriers, enabling the company to advance its development as a safer, more effective treatment for various neuropsychiatric disorders. MIRA Pharmaceuticals is finalizing its IND application for Ketamir-2, focusing on scaling up Good Manufacturing Practice processes and completing Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls documentation. Additionally, MIRA has initiated the final stage in its regulatory safety studies, a critical step towards ensuring the safety and efficacy of Ketamir-2 in preparation for clinical trials. The company is also exploring accelerated clinical trial pathways, such as orphan indications or cancer-related indications, which could provide faster access to clinical trials and bring Ketamir-2 to patients sooner. MIRA continues to work with research organizations like Pharmaseed and Biotrial to further validate Ketamir-2's efficacy and safety, with additional studies targeting conditions such as PTSD and neuropathic pain.

07:33 EDT Prairie Operating Co. announces warrant exercise for $24M in proceeds - Prairie Operating Co. announced that Watermill Capital Partners and its affiliates exercised Series E B Warrants to purchase 4,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company, generating $24 million in proceeds. This exercise follows Watermill Capital Partners' $12 million warrant exercise in November 2023, highlighting their continued confidence and support for Prairie's growth strategy. With the exercise of these Warrants, all Series E B Warrants have now been fully exercised. Additionally, all of the Company's Series E preferred stock was converted into common stock of the Company. This conversion of the Company's Series E preferred stock and the exercise of the Company's Series E B Warrants simplifies its capital structure, further enhancing Prairie's position for long-term growth.

07:32 EDT BridgeBio launches MyAchonJourney online resource - BridgeBio Pharma and QED Therapeutics announced the launch of the initial phase of MyAchonJourney, a new online resource to support individuals and families living with achondroplasia. The launch of MyAchonJourney marks the start of a multi-phase initiative designed to provide ongoing, evolving support tailored to the unique needs of families at every stage of their lives with achondroplasia. Developed in collaboration with members and leaders of the skeletal dysplasia community, MyAchonJourney intends to fulfill a significant need of providing education and awareness for families with achondroplasia.

07:20 EDT Largo provides update on cost reduction initiatives at Brazil vanadium operation - Largo highlighted its cash operating cost metrics, emphasizing the company's focus on cost reduction initiatives at the Maracas Menchen Mine in Brazil. The company has made continued progress in reducing costs at its vanadium operation in Brazil, which have started to yield results, excluding the impact of certain non-recurring items. During the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first and second quarter of 2024, the company's cash operating costs excluding royalties per pound were impacted by certain non-recurring items, mainly the impact of write-downs of the company's produced vanadium finished product inventories due to the declining price environment. These write-downs do not fully represent the company's ongoing operational efficiency or the success of its cost reduction initiatives, especially when presented on a cost per pound basis. When these adjustments are excluded, the underlying unit costs more accurately demonstrate Largo's sustained focus on optimizing its cost structure.

07:17 EDT CFIUS gives clearance for Identiv's sale of 'Physical Security Business' - Identiv announced that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States or CFIUS, has approved the company's transaction to sell its physical security, access card, and identity reader operations and assets to Vitaprotech, a security solutions provider. Identiv submitted notice of the proposed transaction to the U.S. government on May 9, 2024. Pursuant to Section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, CFIUS reviewed the transaction. On August 15, 2024, Identiv received notification of approval from the Department of Treasury, on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. CFIUS determined that there were no unresolved national security concerns; therefore, action under Section 721 with respect to the transaction was concluded. Having met all regulatory requirements and received shareholder approval of the transaction, all regulatory and statutory conditions for closing have been satisfied. Both parties are now proceeding to close the transaction promptly. Based on the anticipated time needed to complete the actions required to close, Identiv and Vitaprotech expect to close the transaction within 30 days following CFIUS approval. Upon closing of the transaction, Identiv will receive a cash payment of $145 M, subject to customary adjustments. The proceeds from the sale will significantly strengthen Identiv's financial position, providing capital to pursue growth opportunities for its specialty IoT solutions business.

07:13 EDT Northern Dynasty granted motion to add USACE to existing EPA complaint - Northern Dynasty and its 100%-owned U.S.-based subsidiary Pebble Partnership report that the U.S. Federal District Court in Alaska has granted the motion to modify the existing complaint against the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, by adding the US Army Corps of Engineers as another defendant. On June 10, Northern Dynasty and PLP filed a motion for leave to file an amended complaint with the Court to reverse the USACE decision to deny the project a permit.

07:12 EDT RedHill Biopharma announces results from opaganib in vivo studies - RedHill Biopharma announced positive results from multiple in vivo studies, undertaken by RedHill's partner, Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, showing the impact of opaganib on weight gain and glucose tolerance in a high fat diet,or HFD model, supporting the potential clinical use of opaganib for the prevention and therapy of Type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related disorders. The studies were designed to examine some of the most fundamental aspects of diabetes and obesity-related disease. The encouraging outcomes showed the benefit of opaganib therapy in suppression of HFD-induced body weight gain, loss of glucose tolerance and fat deposition. Additionally, opaganib treatment reduced weight gain and restored glucose tolerance in an already obese HFD model, suggesting its potential for treating, not just preventing, obesity-related disorders. The global obesity-diabetes drugs market is projected to be worth around $100B by 2034 - largely driven by Glucagon-like peptide-1 inhibitors like Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy and Eli Lilly's (LLY) Trulicity and Mounjaro and sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors such as Boehringer Ingelheim's Jardiance. Opaganib has also shown positive preclinical results in renal fibrosis, and has the potential to target multiple oncology, radioprotection, viral, inflammatory, and gastrointestinal indications.

07:11 EDT NanoViricides provides update on NV-387 pathway - NanoViricides is providing an update on its clinical program activities. Anil Diwan, the company's president, and executive chairman, is currently visiting with various expert professionals with the objective of developing a Phase II clinical trial plan and corresponding clinical protocol for a Phase II clinical trial of the drug candidate NV-387. The company believes NV-387 is poised to become a broad-spectrum antiviral treatment for infections from a number of viruses including RSV, COVID, and Influenzas, based on several animal studies. A Phase II clinical trial is expected to provide results demonstrating an effectiveness of NV-387 against different human pathogenic viruses, consistent with the strong effectiveness parameters found for NV-387 treatment of lethal virus challenge in various non-clinical animal model studies for RSV, COVID, Influenza, as well as Smallpox/Mpox. With advice and opinions of experts, the company is exploring the design of an adaptive Phase II clinical trial wherein the effectiveness of the single drug NV-387 can be assessed for the treatment of a number of naturally occurring virus infections in humans in a single clinical trial. In particular, the company plans on exploring the effectiveness of NV-387 for the treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections caused by Viruses. Most of such infections are caused by Influenza, RSV, and Coronaviruses, with a small extent of such infections being caused by other viruses including Adenoviruses, hMPV, and others. The company said, "If successful in such a clinical trial, NV-387 could become the very first drug that could be indicated as a first line treatment of any respiratory viral infections without having to wait for the results of testing for the type of virus, in a manner similar to how antibiotics can be prescribed by physicians at present."

07:10 EDT Euro Manganese announces offtake term sheet with Wildcat Discovery - Euro Manganese has entered an offtake term sheet dated August 15, 2024 with Wildcat Discovery Technologies, for the sale of high-purity manganese product from the Company's Chvaletice Manganese Project in the Czech Republic. Highlights: Based in San Diego, California, Wildcat partners with global leaders throughout the battery industry to align and integrate all elements of the full battery cell for optimal performance. Consistent and significant progress in Wildcat's technology has led to a focus exclusively on nickel and cobalt free cathode production. Wildcat has announced the building of a U.S.-based plant expected 2026 - 2027 to produce a portfolio of safe sustainable, and cobalt/nickel-free cathode materials for electric vehicle battery cells and other markets including stationary storage. Pursuant to the Term sheet, deliveries are to commence from first production, for an initial term of seven years with potential for renewal. The commencement of the initial term shall be subject to successful qualification by Wildcat of the Company's high-purity manganese product from the Chvaletice Demonstration Plant. The offtake tonnages increase over the seven-year term and the average annual tonnage represents a significant percentage of the Company's annual high-purity manganese product production. It is expected that pricing will be subject to market indicators, with mechanisms for increase/decrease tied to certain benchmarks. The Term Sheet is non-binding and contingent on Wildcat building its U.S plant, however the parties intend to enter a binding offtake agreement, in which the pricing mechanism and tonnages will be finalised, together with any other agreements necessary.

07:09 EDT Marti:Turkey's MTF issues rule enabling ride haililing drivers to pay taxes - Turkiye's leading mobility super app, Marti Technologies announced that Turkiye's Department of Revenue Management within the Ministry of Treasury and Finance MTF has issued a ruling that enables the Company's ride-hailing drivers to pay income taxes on the ride-hailing revenue that they earn on its app. The ruling, which requires that ride-hailing drivers set up corporate entities in compliance with Turkiye's tax code in order to pay taxes on their income, is a positive step towards clarifying the legality of ride-hailing driver income.Founder and CEO of Marti, Oguz Alper Oktem, said, "We launched our ride-hailing business twenty two months ago to fulfill the need for affordable, fast, and safe transportation solutions in Turkiye's largest cities. Demand, and the growth of the service, has exceeded our original optimistic expectations - signalling to us that ride-hailing will be an integral part of urban planning moving forward. We view this ruling as a significant step towards confirmation of those expectations, as government authorities also begin to recognize the ancillary benefits to the broader economy and national budget that would come with fulsome regulation." The ruling enables Marti to digitally collect and transmit information regarding rides completed, income earned, and the resulting tax obligations of its ride-hailing drivers to the MTF. In order to facilitate the collection and transmission of this information to the MTF in line with Turkiye's tax code and the ruling, Marti has begun offering legal guidance and financial support to its ride-hailing drivers to set up corporate entities.

07:07 EDT Fulcrum appoints Isabel Kalofonos as CCO - Fulcrum Therapeutics (FULC) announced the appointment of Isabel Kalofonos as chief commercial officer and Heather Faulds as chief regulatory affairs & quality assurance officer. Together, Ms. Kalofonos and Ms. Faulds will be instrumental in advancing losmapimod towards a New Drug Application submission and preparing for commercial launch. Ms. Kalofonos joins Fulcrum from ImmunoGen where she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Most recently, Ms. Faulds served as SVP, Regulatory Affairs at Alkermes (ALKS)

07:05 EDT Dover acquires Criteria Labs, terms not disclosed - Dover announced that it has acquired Criteria Labs, a company in radio frequency "RF" device and microelectronic engineering solutions tailored for high-reliability applications in the space, aerospace, defense, commercial semiconductor, automotive, and medical industries. Criteria Labs is now part of the Microwave Products Group within Dover's Engineered Products segment.

07:03 EDT Tiziana Life Sciences appoints Elrifi as CEO - Tiziana Life Sciences announced the appointment of Ivor Elrifi as its Chief Executive Officer, CEO, effective immediately. Ivor was formerly the global head of the Patent Group at Cooley since 2014.

07:03 EDT Next Hydrogen Solutions awarded contract by University of Minnesota - Next Hydrogen Solutions has been awarded a contract by the University of Minnesota for its latest generation electrolysis technology to be installed at the UMN West Central Research and Outreach Center. The WCROC project is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Project Agency as well as other partners including RTI International and will include technologies from Casale, RTI and UMN to demonstrate the production of ammonia from renewable energy targeting emerging energy markets and existing agricultural markets. Next Hydrogen will be supplying its latest third-generation Alkaline Water Electrolyzers featuring improvements in energy efficiency, current density and operating pressure. Next Hydrogen electrolyzers provide complete and responsive renewable energy load following capability needed to produce hydrogen from intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar. The system is scheduled to be operational in 2025.

07:01 EDT Bristol Myers announces EMA validation to expand Brevanzi indication - Bristol Myers Squibb announced that the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, has validated its Type II variation application to expand the indication for Breyanzi, or lisocabtagene maraleucel; liso-cel, a CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR, T cell therapy, to include the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, or FL, who have received two or more prior lines of systemic therapy. Validation of the application confirms the submission is complete and allows the scientific review to begin under the EMA's centralized review procedure. The application is supported by data from the Phase 2 TRANSCEND FL study, the largest clinical trial to date to evaluate a CAR T cell therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including FL. The study enrolled adults with relapsed or refractory FL treated with Breyanzi in the high-risk second-line and third-line plus setting. In the study, Breyanzi demonstrated a high overall response rate, the study's primary endpoint, with responses being deep and durable. The safety of Breyanzi in FL is consistent with the well-established and manageable safety profile of Breyanzi observed across clinical trials. Follicular lymphoma is the second most common form of NHL, accounting for 20%-30% of all NHL cases. FL has historically been considered an incurable disease with patients frequently relapsing following front-line therapy and prognosis worsening after each subsequent relapse.

06:56 EDT Freightos acquires Shipsta for EUR 4.5M, 640,000 shares - Freightos announced the acquisition of Shipsta, a freight-tender procurement platform. Shipsta, headquartered in Luxembourg, supports the freight procurement of global companies by streamlining the tender management and procurement processes across air, ocean, road, and rail, enabling companies to easily solicit tenders from their freight forwarders and carriers. The acquisition will be financed through a combination of cash and equity. The consideration includes a cash payment of approximately EUR 4.5M from existing reserves and the issuance of approximately 640,000 Freightos shares to a key Shipsta shareholder, subject to adjustment for working capital, and customary holdbacks. This investment reinforces the company's confidence in having adequate cash on hand to achieve positive cash flow. Shipsta is expected to contribute approximately $800,000 to Freightos' revenue during the last four months of 2024, with a moderate negative impact on Adjusted EBITDA. Revenue contribution in 2025 is expected to be between $4M-5M.

06:53 EDT Estee Lauder sees FY25 CapEx 5%-5.5% of projected sales

06:33 EDT Terran Orbital selected by Space Development Agency to produce 10 satellites - Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Irvine, California announced it has been chosen by the Space Development Agency, or SDA, to produce 10 satellites for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer, or T2TL, Gamma contract. Terran Orbital will undertake the comprehensive design, construction, integration, testing, and delivery of 10 T2TL Gamma satellites based on its Ambassador platform. This will also include the integration of the associated ground control system and the execution of Launch and Early Operations, or LEOPs. These satellites will be equipped with payloads specifically designed to enhance future kill chain capabilities through the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, or PWSA. The PWSA envisions a constellation of hundreds of satellites in low-Earth orbit, featuring advanced satellite communications, data transport, missile warning, and missile-tracking functionalities. Gamma will maintain several core characteristics shared with other T2TL variants, including Beta. In addition to Gamma and as previously announced, Terran Orbital is collaborating with Lockheed Martin to produce 36 space vehicles for T2TL Beta and 18 for the T2 Tracking Layer. The Company has already successfully delivered 10 buses for the Tranche 0 Transport Layer and is now manufacturing 42 buses for the Tranche 1 Transport Layer, with launches planned for late 2024 and 2025.

06:04 EDT Liquidia says FDA grants tentative approval of YUTREPIA - Liquidia announced that the U.S. FDA has granted tentative approval of YUTREPIA inhalation powder to treat adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease. Tentative approval indicates that YUTREPIA has met all regulatory standards for quality, safety and efficacy required for approval in the United States but must await the expiration of regulatory exclusivity of a competing product before final approval can be granted.

06:02 EDT AMD to acquire ZT Systems for $4.9B in cash and stock - AMD announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire ZT Systems, a provider of AI infrastructure for the world's largest hyperscale computing companies. The strategic transaction marks the next major step in AMD's AI strategy to deliver leadership AI training and inferencing solutions based on innovating across silicon, software and systems. ZT Systems' extensive experience designing and optimizing cloud computing solutions will also help cloud and enterprise customers significantly accelerate the deployment of AMD-powered AI infrastructure at scale. AMD has agreed to acquire ZT Systems in a cash and stock transaction valued at $4.9B, inclusive of a contingent payment of up to $400M based on certain post-closing milestones. AMD expects the transaction to be accretive on a non-GAAP basis by the end of 2025. Following transaction close, ZT Systems will join the AMD Data Center Solutions Business Group. ZT CEO Frank Zhang will lead the manufacturing business and ZT President Doug Huang will lead the design and customer enablement teams, both reporting to AMD Executive Vice President and General Manager Forrest Norrod. AMD will seek a strategic partner to acquire ZT Systems' industry-leading U.S.-based data center infrastructure manufacturing business. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the AMD Board of Directors. The acquisition is currently expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

06:00 EDT AMD to acquire ZT Systems for $4.9B in cash and stock

05:22 EDT Canadian National issues lockout notice to Teamsters Canada Rail Conference - Canadian National has issued notice to the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, or TCRC, formally advising them of its intention to lockout Canadian TCRC-represented employees on August 22 at 00:01 ET unless an agreement or binding arbitration is achieved before that time. Despite negotiations over the weekend, no meaningful progress has occurred, and the parties remain very far apart. Unless there is an immediate and definite resolution to the labor conflict, CN will continue the phased and progressive shutdown of its network which would culminate in a lockout. The company said, "CN must continue with the progressive and planned shutdown of its network, as we remain under the threat of an unpredictable strike notice. This planned shut down helps to ensure the safety of the communities in which we operate and the safety of our customers' goods, and to optimize the network's recovery following a labour disruption. Additional embargoes will be issued on Monday August 19th."

05:16 EDT AstraZeneca announces Enhertu granted breakthrough therapy designation - Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca's Enhertu has been granted breakthrough therapy designation, or BTD, in the U.S. for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic hormone receptor positive HER2 low or HER2 ultralow breast cancer patients who have received either two lines of endocrine therapy in the metastatic setting, or one line of endocrine therapy if they had demonstrated disease progression within six months of starting first-line treatment with endocrine therapy in combination with a CDK4/6 inhibitor or within 24 months of the start of adjuvant endocrine therapy.

05:08 EDT Nokia selected by TIM Brasil to expand 5G radio access network coverage - Nokia announced that it has been selected by TIM Brasil to expand its 5G radio access network coverage across 15 Brazilian states from January 2025. This partnership will increase the number of municipalities with access to 5G, bringing the benefits of secure, ultra-high-speed connectivity to a wider population. The expansion will also enable enterprises in these regions to digitalize their operations, fostering innovation and driving economic growth. Under the deal, Nokia will supply a range of equipment from its 5G AirScale portfolio, including baseband, Massive MIMO radios, and Remote Radio Head products. TIM will utilize Nokia's intelligent MantaRay Networks Management system, which incorporates AI functionalities, for improved network monitoring and management. Nokia will also provide services, including digital deployment, optimization, and technical support services.