WestKam Gold Corp. Announces Closing of Private Placement and Director Change

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WestKam Gold Corp. (TSX-V: WKG) (the “Company” orWestKam”), announces that it has completed the closing of its non-brokered $0.12/unit private placement previously announced on September 28, 2020, and has issued 8,125,331 units for gross proceeds of $975,039.72.   In connection with this private placement, the Company paid a total of $7,912.80 and issued a total of 65,940 warrants as finder’s fees. Each finder’s warrant is exercisable for one common share at a price of $0.20 for 5 years.   All securities issued under this financing are subject to a hold period expiring March 11, 2021, in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

WestKam is also very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Catalin Kilofliski to the Board of Directors of the Company as an independent director.   Mr. Kilofliski has over 25 years of senior leadership and extensive expertise in mining, senior management, capital markets and corporate development within several publicly listed junior exploration companies. Most recently, he has served as the Director Corporate Development for TSX.V listed Tudor Gold Corp and was instrumental in growing the company from $30 million to over $500 million in market capitalization. Prior to that, he was the CEO of TSX Listed Canarc Resource Corp. Before that position, he worked for TSX listed Aurcana Corporation and Selwyn Resources Ltd. as Director Corporate Development. In the last decade, Mr. Kilofliski helped raise over $300M in equity, debt and JV capital and was instrumental in creating significant shareholder value for various junior mining companies.   Mr. Kilofliski’s academic background includes earning a BA degree in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Economics, Bucharest, Romania.

The Company also announces that Mr. Peter Jensen has resigned as a director of the Company. The Company would like to thank Mr. Jensen for his contributions to the Company and wish him well in his future endeavours.


This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States of America.


The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined in the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available.

A
bout
WestKam
Gold Corp.

WestKam is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on developing the Bonaparte Gold Project near Kamloops, British Columbia. Additional information can be found on the Company’s website at www.westkamgold.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


“Matthew Wayrynen”
                        
Matthew Wayrynen, President & CEO

WestKam Gold Corp.

Suite 900, 570 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3P1
  Contact:   Investor Relations
[email protected]
www.westkamgold.com
         


Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the


TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.


Forward-looking information


All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company’s control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events

Freshii Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2020 Results

Generates positive free cash flow and maintains strong cash position through Q3
Strong system-wide sales recovery with more than 70% sequential increase vs Q2
Same store sales benefitted from average cheque growth vs prior year
Advancement of strategic agenda continues with North American launch of all-new Freshii app,
rollout of dinner plates in Canada and a new streamlined operating model in the US
Continued deployment of significant investment funds to support franchisees (as announced in Q2 2020)
CPG business completes successful Q3 launch with ONroute travel hubs

TORONTO, Nov. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Health and wellness brand Freshii Inc. (TSX: FRII) (“Freshii” or, the “Company”) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 27, 2020 (“Q3 2020”).

“Although the rolling phases of the COVID-19 pandemic have continued to present significant hurdles for the restaurant industry, we are pleased that our Freshii locations maintained the majority of their Q2 and early Q3 sales recovery through the balance of the third quarter,” said Matthew Corrin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Freshii. “Despite pandemic related challenges, we have continued to execute against our strategic agenda and make sound investments to support our franchisees, all while taking prudent steps to actively manage the Company’s cash position. We recently successfully introduced the North American market to our new Freshii ordering app, with future phases to include an enhanced loyalty program and a white-label delivery option for Freshii guests. We are encouraged by early download and digital sales trends and look forward to leveraging our new digital platform to continue to remove friction and increase personalization for our guests. We have also continued to invest in the expansion of our share of the dinner daypart, with the recent launch of chef-inspired Plates in Q4, including a selection of proteins and healthy sides, across our Canadian network. We remain optimistic about the opportunity to continue to grow our omnichannel health and wellness brand and are pleased by the results of our Q3 rollout with ONroute travel hubs and the subsequent extension of that partnership.”

Financial Highlights for the
Third
Quarter

  • Same-store sales growth was (26.8%) for Q3 2020;
  • Net closures of 10 locations during Q3 2020, comprised of 14 closures and 4 openings;
  • System-wide sales were $27.5 million in Q3 2020, compared to $49.2 million for the 13-week period ended September 29, 2019 (“Q3 2019”), representing a decrease of $21.7 million or 44%;
  • Royalty revenue and coordination fees totaled $3.0 million for Q3 2020, a decrease of $1.8 million or 37% compared to Q3 2019;
  • Net loss was $0.2 million for Q3 2020, compared to net loss of $0.4 million in Q3 2019;
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $0.4 million for Q3 2020, compared to $1.7 million for Q3 2019; and
  • Free cash flow was $0.3 million for Q3 2020, compared to $1.5 million for Q3 2019.

2020 Strategic Pillars

The Company has outlined 3 strategic pillars for 2020 to help accelerate its short-term recovery and position the brand for long-term growth:

  1. Focus on Core Business
  2. Digital and Delivery Acceleration
  3. Develop Dinner as a Second Daypart

Focus on
Core Business

In Q3 2020 and into the current quarter, the Company has continued to invest in the long-term success of its franchised restaurant network. Following on from the successful completion of a Canada-wide rollout of our new elevated chicken in the prior quarter, the Company has recently begun in-market testing of an all-new superfood smoothie lineup that includes brand new flavours like Banana Nut Crunch and Spurilina as well as a reimagination of Freshii classics like Tropical Mango and Strawberrii-Banana. We intend to continue to innovate, test and rollout new menu items that customer data indicates are of interest to our guests in the coming periods. Additionally, the Company has rolled out a streamlined menu in a number of its locations, as further discussed below.

Digital and Delivery Acceleration

Following on from the completion in the prior quarter of the rollout of both UberEats and Doordash partnerships across 90% of serviceable locations across North America, the Company has now also completed the phase 1 launch of its new, frictionless mobile app. In the coming periods, the Company plans to introduce a new loyalty program and white-label delivery functionality to the app, which we expect to further strengthen the online connection we have with our guests.

Develop Dinner as a Second Daypart

Freshii continues to see an increase in the dinner daypart as a percentage of sales as compared to pre-COVID-19 periods. In late October following a successful market test, Freshii has now completed a limited time only cross-Canada launch of the Company’s new dinner plates platform, complete with family meal options and sides and available for dine in, takeout or delivery. We remain excited about dinner as a second daypart opportunity and intend to continue to invest in this area.

Franchisee Incremental Investment Program

As the Company announced last quarter, Freshii is funding an investment program to help accelerate the sales recovery of our restaurants. Through this fund, we will be supporting our restaurant network in the following areas:

  • the launch and adoption of Freshii’s new mobile app;
  • incremental marketing and loyalty investments;
  • the implementation of an enhanced customer experience program; and
  • direct support for restaurants that have been more significantly impacted by COVID-19 by reducing their supply chain delivery costs.

The Company has begun to deploy these amounts, partially funded by the Company’s cost management initiatives to continue to support our franchise partners and enable our brand to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic with momentum.

Freshii CPG
Extends Partnership
with
ONroute

In addition to continuing to work with its current retail partners, including Walmart Canada, Shell, Air Canada and others, following a successful 23-site summer 2020 launch, Freshii and ONroute intend to extend their partnership going forward. The Company remains committed to investing-in and growing its CPG business line.

Cost Base Management
and Liquidity

We have maintained a strong stable cash position through the pandemic to date, with $31.2 million (C$41.8 million) on hand as at September 27, 2020. We are committed to maintaining adequate liquidity and financial flexibility throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, while also investing in strategic priorities across both our restaurant and CPG divisions. We intend to continue to make efforts in order to maintain our strong cash position in the coming quarters while continuing to reinvest for growth in our restaurant and CPG divisions.

The Company also continues to assist franchise partners in managing their restaurant level cost base. To that end, the Company has introduced to many of its franchise locations a limited, more streamlined, menu, that allows for improvement in food, labour and operational costs. Assisting our restaurants in managing costs, while still delivering the quality service and products that our guests have come to expect, is key to protecting franchise partner profitability as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge consumer traffic.

Investor Conference Call 

The Company will host an investor conference call and webcast at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 12, 2020, to review financial results for the third quarter ended September 27, 2020.

Date: Thursday November 12, 2020
Time: 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time
Dial-In #: 1-877-425-9470 U.S. & Canada
  1-201-389-0878 International

Alternatively, the conference call will be webcast on the investor relations section of Freshii’s corporate website at www.freshii.inc. For those unable to participate, an audio replay will be available from 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday November 12, 2020 through Thursday November 19, 2020. To access the replay, please call 1-844-512-2921 (U.S. & Canada) or 1-412-317-6671 (International) and enter confirmation code 13712435. A web-based archive of the conference call will also be available at the above website.

About Freshii

Eat. Energize. That’s the Freshii mantra. Freshii is a health and wellness brand on a mission to help citizens of the world live better by making healthy eating convenient and affordable. With a diverse and completely customizable menu of breakfast, soups, salads, wraps, bowls, burritos, frozen yogurt, juices, and smoothies served in an eco-friendly environment, Freshii caters to every taste and dietary preference.

Since it was founded in 2005, Freshii has grown to operate 420 restaurants in 15 countries around the world. Now, guests can energize with Freshii’s menu anywhere from cosmopolitan cities and fitness clubs to sports arenas and airplanes. 

Inquire about how to join the Freshii family: https://www.freshii.com/ca/en-ca/franchise
Learn more about investing in Freshii: http://www.freshii.inc.
Find your nearest Freshii: http://www.freshii.com.
Follow Freshii on Twitter and Instagram: @freshii

Non-IFRS Measures and Industry Metrics

This news release makes reference to certain non-IFRS measures including key performance indicators used by management and typically used by our competitors in the restaurant industry. These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of our results of operations from management’s perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS. We use non-IFRS measures including “EBITDA”, “Adjusted EBITDA”, “Adjusted EBITDA on a constant currency basis”, “free cash flow”, “free cash flow conversion” and “Adjusted Net Income”. This news release also makes reference to “system-wide sales”, “system-wide stores”, and “same-store sales growth” which are commonly used operating metrics in the restaurant industry but may be calculated differently by other companies in the restaurant industry. These non-IFRS measures and restaurant industry metrics are used to provide investors with supplemental measures of our operating performance and liquidity and thus highlight trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures. We also believe that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures, including restaurant industry metrics in the evaluation of companies in the restaurant industry. Our management also uses non-IFRS measures and restaurant industry metrics, in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, to prepare annual operating budgets and forecasts and to determine components of executive compensation. For a: (i) detailed definition of each of the non-IFRS measures and industry metrics referred to; and (ii) reconciliation of these non-IFRS measures refer to the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis dated November 11, 2020, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements which reflect the current view of management with respect to the Company’s objectives, plans, goals, strategies, outlook, results of operations, financial and operating performance, prospects and opportunities, including statements relating to store count, same-store sales growth, the recovery of the Company’s franchise system, that healthy eating trends will continue, the effectiveness of the Company’s 2020 strategic pillars, the timelines for and effectiveness of new menu rollouts (including streamlined menus), the rollout of the Company’s new app and any future phases of the rollout, the Company’s plans with respect to its Franchisee Incremental Investment Program, the ability of the Company to scale its new operating model, the ability of the Company to generally maintain its existing cash position and to reinvest, the growth of and investment in the dinner daypart, the Company’s plans with respect to its CPG business line and partnership with ONroute, and the extent of the expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated government regulation on Freshii’s business, operations and financial performance. Wherever used, the words “may”, “will”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “expect”, “plan”, “believe”, “lead”, “continue”, “plan”, “design”, “likely” and similar expressions identify forward-looking information and forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future events, performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at which, such events, performance or results will be achieved. All of the information in this news release containing forward-looking information or forward-looking statements is qualified by these cautionary statements. In particular, the Company notes that the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the events and circumstances resulting from or associated with that pandemic mean that management can offer no assurance such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements will occur or be accurate in the circumstances.

Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are based on information available to management at the time they are made, underlying estimates, opinions and assumptions made by management and management’s current belief with respect to future strategies, prospects, events, performance and results. These estimates, opinions and assumptions include that the COVID-19 pandemic and associated government regulation, expected consumer behaviour and other matters will not have a materially different impact on the business, operations or financial performance than currently anticipated by management, the continued availability of food commodities used by Freshii locations at stable prices, the availability and timely receipt of funds expected by management to be received in connection with applicable government relief programs, that Freshii will be able to continue to effectively assist its franchise partners , that the recovery and re-opening of the economies (including the dates upon which various regions are permitting restaurants to reopen for dine-in service) in Canada and the United States and elsewhere will occur in the manner and on the timelines anticipated by management, the continued access by the Company and its franchise partners to a pool of suitable workers at reasonable wage levels, that the foreign exchange rates may continue to fluctuate (in particular, that the value of the Canadian dollar will continue to fluctuate against the US dollar and other currencies), that the recovery of Freshii’s franchise system occurs on the timelines and in the manner anticipated, that healthy eating trends continue in the manner anticipated, that the Company’s 2020 strategic pillars, the timelines for new menu rollouts, the rollout of the Company’s new app and any future phases of the rollout, the Company’s partnership with ONroute and investment in its CPG business line, the implementation of the Company’s Franchisee Incremental Investment Program, the anticipated growth in the dinner daypart and the development of strategies to drive down costs with franchise partners and cost control activities at the corporate level will each have the anticipated effect on the Company’s business, operations and financial performance and will proceed on the timelines and in the manner currently anticipated by management, and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally, including that such estimates, opinions and assumptions may not be accurate, particularly given the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the events and circumstances resulting from or associated with that pandemic. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in “Forward-Looking Statements” which are described in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis dated November 11, 2020 and in the Company’s other filings, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information and statements. The Company does not undertake to update any such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

 

Selected Quarterly
Consolidated Information

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the 13 and 39 week periods ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively:

  For the 13 weeks ended  
(in thousands) September 27, 2020     September 29, 2019  
    Amount     Percent of

Total
Revenue
    Amount     Percent of

Total
Revenue
 
Revenue                                
Franchise revenue   $ 3,324       93 %   $ 5,178       88 %
Company-owned store revenue     233       7       679       12  
Total revenue     3,557       100       5,857       100  
                                 
Costs and expenses                                
Cost of sales     249       7       599       10  
Selling, general and administrative     2,930       82       3,561       62  
Depreciation and amortization     693       19       1,243       21  
Share based compensation expense     507       14       498       9  
Total costs and expenses     4,379       122       5,901       102  
                                 
Income before interest, foreign exchange & income taxes     (822 )     (22 )     (44 )     (2 )
Interest income, net     32       1       (33 )     (1 )
Foreign exchange loss (gain)     158       4       (71 )     (1 )
Income before income tax expense     (1,012 )     (27 )     60        
Income tax expense     (820 )     (23 )     475       8  
Net loss     (192 )     (5 )     (415 )     (8 )
                                 
Currency translation adjustment     642       18       (413 )     (7 )
Comprehensive income (loss)   $ 450       13 %   $ (828 )     (14 %)

  For the 39 weeks ended  
(in thousands) September 27, 2020     September 29, 2019  
    Amount     Percent of

Total
Revenue
    Amount     Percent of

Total
Revenue
 
Revenue                                
Franchise revenue   $ 9,848       92 %   $ 14,826       88 %
Company-owned store revenue     852       8       1,952       12  
Total revenue     10,700       100       16,778       100  
                                 
Costs and expenses                                
Cost of sales     788       7       1,743       10  
Selling, general and administrative     10,110       94       10,735       65  
Depreciation and amortization     2,906       27       2,182       13  
Share based compensation expense     1,636       15       1,157       7  
Total costs and expenses     15,440       143       15,817       95  
                                 
Income before interest, foreign exchange & income taxes     (4,740 )     (43 )     961       5  
Interest income, net     (8 )           (117 )     (1 )
Foreign exchange loss (gain)     (169 )     (2 )     155       1  
Income before income tax expense     (4,563 )     (41 )     923       5  
Income tax expense     (1,360 )     (13 )     802       5  
Net loss     (3,203 )     (30 )     121        
                                 
Currency translation adjustment     (869 )     (8 )     860       5  
Comprehensive income (loss)   $ (4,072 )     (38 %)   $ 981       6 %

The following table summarizes our Consolidated Statement of Balance Sheet Information as at September 27, 2020 and December 29, 2019:

(in thousands)   As at

September
27, 2020
    As at

December
29, 2019
 
Cash   $ 31,234     $ 31,615  
Total assets     49,258       53,046  
Equity     31,324       33,921  

The following table shows our cash flows information for the 39 week periods ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively:

  For the 39 weeks ended  
(in thousands)   September
27, 2020
    September
29, 2019
 
Net cash provided by operations   $ 808     $ 3,484  
Net cash used in investing     (356 )     (755 )
Net cash used in financing     (246 )     (368 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash   $ 206     $ 2,361  

The following table reconciles EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, free cash flow conversion, Adjusted Net Income to the most directly comparable IFRS financial performance measure:

                                 
  For the 13 weeks ended   For the 39 weeks ended  
(in thousands)   September
27, 2020
    September
29, 2019
    September
27, 2020
    September
29, 2019
 
Net loss   $ (192 )   $ (415 )   $ (3,203 )   $ 121  
Interest income, net     32       (33 )     (8 )     (117 )
Income tax expense     (820 )     475       (1,360 )     802  
Depreciation and amortization     693       1,243       2,906       2,182  
EBITDA     (287 )     1,270       (1,665 )     2,988  
Adjustments:                                
Share-based compensation expense(1)     507       498       1,636       1,157  
Foreign exchange (gain) loss     158       (71 )     (169 )     155  
Other costs(2)                 1,577       412  
Adjusted EBITDA     378       1,697       1,379       4,712  
Constant currency remeasurement           (4 )           (34 )
Adjusted EBITDA on a constant currency basis   $ 378     $ 1,693     $ 1,379     $ 4,678  
Less capital expenditures     55       148       393       515  
Free cash flow   $ 323     $ 1,549     $ 986     $ 4,197  
Free cash flow conversion     85.4 %     91.3 %     71.5 %     89.1 %
                                 
Net loss     (192 )     (415 )     (3,203 )     121  
Adjustments:                                
Share-based compensation expense(1)     507       498       1,636       1,157  
Foreign exchange (gain) loss     158       (71 )     (169 )     155  
Other costs(2)                 1,577       412  
Related tax effects(3)     (176 )     (113 )     (807 )     (457 )
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)   $ 297     $ (101 )   $ (966 )   $ 1,388  

Notes:
(1)     In the 39 week periods ended September 27, 2020 and September 29, 2019, the Company granted RSUs to executive officers, management, employees, and non-management directors of the Company in conjunction with an annual employee grant.
(2)     For the 39 week period ended September 27, 2020, represents an accrual for accounting purposes of certain professional fees associated with one-time investments in the Company’s growth strategy. See also “Selling, General and Administrative” in “Results of Operations” section in the Company’s related Management Discussion and Analysis, available on www.sedar.com. For the 39 week period ended September 29, 2019, represents expenses related to severance costs to employees previously employed by the Company.
(3)     Related tax effects are calculated at statutory rates in Canada or U.S. depending on adjustment.

The Company’s condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the 13 and 39 week periods ended September 27, 2020 and the relevant Management’s Discussion and Analysis documents, are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

For further information contact:
Investor Relations
[email protected]
1.866.337.4265

Source: Freshii Inc.

 

Greenbrier to webcast presentation at the Stephens Annual Investment Conference

PR Newswire

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Nov. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (NYSE: GBX) will be presenting on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at the Stephens Annual Investment Conference to be held virtually.

The presentation will be webcast live, beginning at 11:00 am EST, on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.  Listeners can access the webcast at the Greenbrier website at www.gbrx.com.  To register for or access the webcast, click on the announcement shown on the home page of the Greenbrier website.  The webcast will be archived for 30 days.

About Greenbrier
Greenbrier, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets. Greenbrier designs, builds and markets freight railcars and marine barges in North America. Greenbrier Europe is an end-to-end freight railcar manufacturing, engineering and repair business with operations in Poland, Romania and Turkey that serves customers across Europe and in other geographies as opportunities arise. Greenbrier builds freight railcars and rail castings in Brazil through two separate strategic partnerships. We are a leading provider of freight railcar wheel services, parts, repair, refurbishment and retrofitting services in North America through our wheels, repair & parts business unit.  Greenbrier offers railcar management, regulatory compliance services and leasing services to railroads and related transportation industries in North America. Through unconsolidated joint ventures, we produce industrial and rail castings, tank heads and other components. Greenbrier owns a lease fleet of 8,300 railcars and performs management services for 393,000 railcars. Learn more about Greenbrier at www.gbrx.com.

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/greenbrier-to-webcast-presentation-at-the-stephens-annual-investment-conference-301171415.html

SOURCE The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.

Frontdoor’s Rich Cacioppo to Discuss AR’s Role in Unlocking the Power of AI in Homes at CONNECTIONS Conference

Frontdoor’s Rich Cacioppo to Discuss AR’s Role in Unlocking the Power of AI in Homes at CONNECTIONS Conference

MEMPHIS, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Rich Cacioppo, vice president of product at Frontdoor (NASDAQ: FTDR), will serve as a visionary speaker at CONNECTIONS: The Premier Connected Home Conference on Thursday, Nov. 12. The conference, hosted by Parks Associates, showcases emerging business models that will engage consumers and grow revenues in the converging IoT industries.

Cacioppo will give attendees a view into the not-so-distant future and how technology will play an increasingly transformative role in the lives of homeowners. “We’re at an inflection point, where AR is becoming the user interface for consuming AI in and around the home,” said Cacioppo. “Imagine a world where your wearable technology could tell you if your dishwasher needed attention based on the sounds it made, or if your fence was leaning a certain number of degrees due to a recent storm. The possibilities are endless.”

His presentation is part of the “AI and the Smart Home: Proactive and Predictive Intelligence” session, which examines services that are enabled by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data analytics technologies that are transforming the smart home experience into one that is increasingly more personalized, predictive and proactive.

Cacioppo is an executive with Frontdoor, the nation’s leading provider of home service plans, which acquired the technology start-up Streem in December 2019. Streem’s award-winning platform uses augmented reality (AR), spatial mapping and AI to create a secure one-way video and two-way audio session between the host and homeowner to connect remotely. Streem’s proprietary technology is leveraged by leading brands in the home services industry, such as American Home Shield, as well as international retailers such as Lowes’s and Best Buy, and consumer brands such as Traeger. Streem recently announced the release of its cross-platform (iOS, Android, Web) software development kits (SDKs) and was featured in Apple’s Augmented Reality Guide for Business on Apple.com as an ideal use case for AR tools and technology in business.

Cacioppo has a unique background in technology, product management, and business development. Before joining Frontdoor, he led strategic initiatives in the health and wellness vertical at Amazon and was responsible for developing or bringing to market products including EU mobile devices, Prime Exclusive Phones and Amazon Go – the first store where you leave without checking out. Prior to this, he served as a product manager with Apple.

About Frontdoor

Frontdoor is a company that’s obsessed with taking the hassle out of owning a home. With services powered by people and enabled by technology, it is the parent company of four home service plan brands: American Home Shield, HSA, Landmark and OneGuard, as well as ProConnect, an on-demand membership service for home repairs and maintenance, and Streem, a technology company that enables businesses to serve customers through an enhanced augmented reality, computer vision and machine learning platform. Frontdoor serves 2.2 million customers across the U.S. through a network of approximately 17,000 pre-qualified contractor firms that employ approximately 60,000 technicians. The company’s customizable home service plans help customers protect and maintain their homes from costly and unexpected breakdowns of essential home systems and appliances. With nearly 50 years of experience, the company responds to over four million service requests annually. For details, visit frontdoorhome.com.

About Streem

Streem’s mission is to make the world’s expertise more accessible. Using augmented reality (AR), computer vision, and machine learning, Streem makes communication between consumers and brands more efficient, more accurate, and more convenient – all while providing contextual insights to the brand. Streem provides a full multi-platform (SDK and Web) that enables remote video collaboration, offers simple AR tools to make that experience as valuable as being on-site, and automatically captures relevant project or product data to better arm experts with the information they need. Streem is part of the Frontdoor (NASDAQ: FTDR) portfolio.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements because actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied. The reports filed by Frontdoor pursuant to United States securities laws contain discussions of these risks and uncertainties. Frontdoor assumes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are advised to review Frontdoor’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (which are available on the SEC’s EDGAR database atwww.sec.govand via Frontdoor’s website atinvestors.frontdoorhome.com).

Investor Relations: Matt Davis | 901-701-5199 | [email protected]

Media: Nicole Ritchie | 901-701-5198 | [email protected]

KEYWORDS: Tennessee United States North America

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

MEDIA:

Logo
Logo

MultiPlan Corporation Announces Earnings Call Time Change; Third Quarter 2020 Earnings Call on November 12, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)

MultiPlan Corporation Announces Earnings Call Time Change; Third Quarter 2020 Earnings Call on November 12, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
MultiPlan Corporation (NYSE:MPLN) (“MultiPlan” or the “Company”), today announced that it has changed the timing of its previously announced earnings call in part to address market concerns that recently affected stock trading. MultiPlan will release its third quarter 2020 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, November 12, 2020, and hold its conference call that morning at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time).

To access the live conference call, please dial (833) 423-1182 (domestic) or (236) 714-2584 (international). The conference ID for the live call is 6454654. Interested investors and other parties can also listen to a webcast of the live conference call by logging onto the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at investors.multiplan.us/events-and-presentations. A supplementary slide presentation will also be available on such website.

For those unable to listen to the live conference call, a replay will be available approximately two hours after the call through the archived webcast on the MultiPlan website or by dialing (800) 585-8367 or (416) 621-4642. The conference ID for the replay is 6454654. The replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on December 11, 2020.

About MultiPlan

MultiPlan is committed to helping healthcare payors manage the cost of care, improve their competitiveness and inspire positive change. Leveraging sophisticated technology, data analytics and a team rich with industry experience, MultiPlan interprets clients’ needs and customizes innovative solutions that combine its payment integrity, network-based and analytics-based services. MultiPlan is a trusted partner to over 700 healthcare payors in the commercial health, dental, government and property and casualty markets. For more information, visit multiplan.com

Investor Relations Contact

Shawna Gasik

AVP, Investor Relations

MultiPlan

866-909-7427

[email protected]

Media Contact

Pamela Walker

Senior Director, Marketing & Communication

MultiPlan

781-895-3118

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: New York United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Hospitals Health Other Health

MEDIA:

Acreage Holdings Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acreage Holdings, Inc. (“Acreage”) (CSE: ACRG.A.U, ACRG.B.U), (OTC: ACRHF, ACRDF) today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2020.

THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)

  • Reported revenue was $31.7 million, a 42% increase compared to the same period in 2019, and a 17% increase compared to the second quarter of 2020. 
  • Partner revenue was $17.0 million, a 79% increase compared to the same period in 2019, and a 2% increase compared to the second quarter of 2020.
  • Company-owned same store sales growth was 36%, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit same store sales comparisons.
  • Same store sales growth for our managed entities was 22%.
  • Gross margin was 42.5%, an 80 basis point decrease compared to the same period in 2019, and a 110 basis point increase compared to the second quarter of 2020.  The year over year gross margin decline was in large part due to a one-time significant wholesale opportunity in Massachusetts, which did not repeat this year.
  • Net loss attributable to Acreage was $35.7 million, while adjusted net loss* attributable to Acreage was $14.3 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA* was a loss of $6.9 million compared to a loss of $11.7 million  in the same period in 2019. 
  • Managed Entities’ EBITDA* was $4.7 million compared to a loss of $0.6 million in the same period in 2019.

“I am pleased with another solid quarter of improving fundamentals,” said Bill Van Faasen, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Acreage.  “Our refocused strategy continues to work.  Operational excellence  led to improved financials and a stronger balance sheet.  Our core profitability is in sight in the first half of 2021. Much work remains, but we are absolutely on the right path both short and long-term, with a team that’s as energized and results-focused as it’s ever been.”

EARNINGS CALL DETAILS

Acreage will host a conference call with management on Thursday, November 12th at 8:30 A.M. EST. The call will be webcast and can be accessed at investors.acreageholdings.com. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

ABOUT ACREAGE HOLDINGS, INC.

Headquartered in New York City, Acreage is a multi-state operator of cannabis ‎cultivation and retailing facilities in the U.S., including the company’s national retail store ‎brand, The Botanist. Acreage’s wide range of national and regionally available cannabis products include the award-winning Botanist brand, the highly recognizable Tweed brand, the Prime medical brand in Pennsylvania, the Innocent edibles brand in Illinois and others. Acreage also owns Universal Hemp, LLC, a hemp subsidiary dedicated to the distribution, marketing and sale of CBD products throughout the U.S. Since its founding in 2011, Acreage has focused on building and scaling operations to create a ‎seamless, consumer-focused, branded experience. More information is available at www.acreageholdings.com.

On June 27, 2019, Acreage implemented an arrangement under section 288 of the Business Corporations ‎Act (British Columbia) with Canopy Growth Corporation (“Canopy Growth”), which was subsequently amended on September 23, 2020 (the “Amended Arrangement”)‎. Pursuant to the Amended Arrangement, ‎upon ‎the occurrence (or waiver by Canopy Growth) of changes in federal laws in the United States to permit the general cultivation, distribution and possession of marijuana (as defined in the relevant legislation) or to remove the regulation of such activities from the federal laws of the United States (the “Triggering Event”), Canopy Growth will, subject to the ‎satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions, acquire ‎all of the issued and outstanding Class E subordinate voting shares (the “Fixed Shares”) on the basis of 0.3048 of a Canopy Growth share per ‎Fixed Share (following the automatic conversion of the Class F multiple voting shares and subject to adjustment ‎in accordance with the terms of the arrangement agreement entered into between Acreage and Canopy Growth on April 18, 2019, as amended on May 15, 2019 and on September 23, 2020).

In addition, Canopy Growth holds an option, exercisable at the discretion of Canopy Growth, to acquire all of the ‎issued and outstanding Class D subordinate voting shares (the “Floating Shares”) at the time that Canopy Growth acquires the Fixed Shares, for ‎cash or Canopy Growth shares, as Canopy Growth may determine, at a price per Floating Share based ‎upon the 30-day volume-weighted average trading price of the Floating Shares on the CSE relative to the trading price of the Canopy Growth shares at the time of the ‎occurrence or waiver of the Triggering Event, subject to a minimum price of US$6.41 per Floating Share.

For more information about the Amended Arrangement please see the Acreage proxy statement and management information circular dated August 17, 2020 (the “Circular”) and the respective ‎information circulars of each of Acreage and Canopy Growth dated May 17, 2019, which are available on ‎Acreage’s and Canopy Growth’s respective profiles on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and filed with the SEC on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. For additional information regarding ‎Canopy Growth, please see Canopy Growth’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

*NON-GAAP MEASURES, RECONCILIATION AND DISCUSSION (UNAUDITED)

This release contains tables that reconcile our results of operations reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) to adjusted results that exclude the impact of certain items identified as affecting comparability (non-GAAP). We use EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net loss attributable to Acreage, among other measures, to evaluate our actual operating performance and for planning and forecasting future periods. We believe the adjusted results presented provide relevant and useful information for investors because they clarify our actual operating performance, make it easier to compare our results with those of other companies and allow investors to review performance in the same way as our management. Since these measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, our reported results as indicators of our performance, and they may not be comparable to similarly named measures from other companies. The tables below reconcile our results of operations in accordance with GAAP to the adjusted results mentioned above:

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
US$ (thousands, except per share amounts)   Q3’20   Q3’19   FY’20   FY’19
Net loss (GAAP)   $ (42,036 )   $ (49,502 )   $ (308,635 )   $ (129,571 )
Income tax expense (benefit)   3,826     2,327     (21,633 )   6,125  
Interest expense (income), net   4,541     (1,094 )   6,023     (2,576 )
Depreciation and amortization   1,396     2,182     4,888     5,313  
EBITDA (non-GAAP)*   $ (32,273 )   $ (46,087 )   $ (319,357 )   $ (120,709 )
Adjusting items:                
(Income) loss from investments, net   433     1,696     195     (294 )
Loss on impairment of intangible assets           187,775      
Loss on notes receivable           8,161      
Write down of assets held-for-sale   2,893         11,003      
Equity-based compensation expense – Plan   7,607     13,673     33,388     48,228  
Equity-based compensation expense – Plan (Plan of Arrangement Awards)   2,688     10,772     14,680     11,086  
Equity-based compensation expense – other   150     3,729     17,301     8,530  
Transaction costs   3,114     1,330     3,114     7,580  
Other non-recurring expenses   8,505     3,147     17,755     9,180  
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)*   $ (6,883 )   $ (11,740 )   $ (25,985 )   $ (36,399 )

*  Due to the Company’s transition from IFRS to U.S. GAAP, certain expenses related to leased assets formerly classified as depreciation and interest expense are now included in EBITDA as a general and administrative expense. The Company’s lease expenses associated with non-finance leases were $2,499 and $1,935 in Q3’20 and Q3’19, respectively. The Company’s lease expenses associated with non-finance leases were $7,620 and $4,317 for FY’20 and FY’19, respectively.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
US$ (thousands, except per share amounts)   Q3’20   Q3’19   FY’20   FY’19
Net loss attributable to Acreage Holdings, Inc. (GAAP)   $ (35,748 )     $ (38,716 )     $ (244,894 )     $ (99,634 )  
Net loss per share attributable to Acreage Holdings, Inc. (GAAP)   $ (0.35 )     $ (0.43 )     $ (2.49 )     $ (1.17 )  
Adjusting items:(1)                
(Income) loss from investments, net   $ 363       $ 1,313       $ 156       $ (223 )  
Loss on impairment of intangible assets               150,220          
Loss on notes receivable               6,529          
Write down of assets held-for-sale   2,427             8,802          
Equity-based compensation expense – Plan   6,382       10,585       26,710       36,658    
Equity-based compensation expense – Plan (Plan of Arrangement Awards)   2,255       8,340       11,744       8,426    
Equity-based compensation expense – other   126       2,887       13,841       6,484    
Transaction costs   2,613       1,030       2,491       5,762    
Other non-recurring expenses   7,136       2,436       14,204       6,978    
Tax impact of adjustments above   130       (264 )     (24,648 )     86    
Total adjustments   $ 21,432       $ 26,327       $ 210,049       $ 64,171    
Adjusted net loss attributable to Acreage Holdings, Inc. (non-GAAP)*   $ (14,316 )     $ (12,389 )     $ (34,845 )     $ (35,463 )  
Adjusted net loss per share attributable to Acreage Holdings, Inc. (non-GAAP)*   $ (0.14 )     $ (0.14 )     $ (0.35 )     $ (0.42 )  
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted   103,450       89,262       98,304       84,817    
Weighted average NCI ownership %   16.10   %   22.59   %   20.00   %   23.99   %

(1) Adjusting items have been reduced by the respective non-controlling interest percentage for the period.

MANAGED ENTITIES SELECTED FINANCIAL RESULTS

This release contains tables that display the results of entities which we have management or consulting agreements with, whom we earn a management fee from. These figures are not included within our consolidated results.

Managed Entity Net Sales
US$ (thousands)     Q3’20   Q3’19   FY’20   FY’19
  New England   $ 6,754     $ 4,515     $ 16,960     $ 12,783  
  Mid-Atlantic*       2,157     7,515     5,479  
  Midwest   8,377     2,121     18,402     5,353  
  West   1,887     707     4,216     1,623  
Revenue from Entities under Management or Consulting Agreements   $ 17,018      $ 9,500      $ 47,093      $ 25,238   

Managed Entity EBITDA
US$ (thousands)     Q3’20   Q3’19   FY’20   FY’19
  New England   $ 2,007     $ 627     $ 3,866     $ 1,870  
  Mid-Atlantic*       (373 )   (165 )   (752 )
  Midwest   2,549     (671 )   3,628     (2,250 )
  West   184     (148 )   (367 )   (976 )
EBITDA from Entities under Management or Consulting Agreements   $ 4,740      $ (565 )   $ 6,962      $ (2,108 )

*  Following the acquisition of Compassionate Care Foundation, Inc. on June 26, 2020, figures for the Mid-Atlantic region are reported in consolidated results. 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release and each of the documents referred to herein contains “forward-looking information” and ‎‎“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, ‎respectively. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking ‎information, including, for greater certainty, statements regarding the Amended Arrangement, including the likelihood of completion thereof, the ‎occurrence or waiver of the Triggering Event, the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions set out in the ‎Arrangement Agreement and other statements with respect to the proposed transactions with Canopy Growth. ‎Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as ‎‎“plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, ‎or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, ‎‎‎“would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. ‎

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other ‎factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Acreage or its ‎subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or ‎implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking ‎information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ ‎materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, but not ‎limited to financing and liquidity risks, and the risks disclosed in the Circular, Acreage’s ‎management information circular dated May 17, 2019 filed on May 23, 2019, Acreage’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended ‎December 31, 2019 ‎dated May 29, 2020 and the amendment thereto on Form 10-K/A ‎dated August 14, 2020, and Acreage’s other public filings, in each case filed with the SEC on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov and with ‎Canadian securities regulators ‎and available on the issuer profile of Acreage on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Acreage has attempted to identify ‎important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking ‎information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. ‎

Although Acreage believes that the ‎assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking ‎statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information ‎and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The ‎forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of ‎the date of this news release and Acreage does not undertake any obligation to publicly update such ‎forward-looking information or forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events ‎or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider has reviewed and does not accept ‎responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.‎

Media Contact: Investor Contact:
Howard Schacter Steve West
Vice President of Communications Vice President, Investor Relations
[email protected] [email protected]
917-893-5300 917-893-5300

 

Nonhuman Rights Project Presents Oral Arguments in Landmark Elephant Rights Case

Live stream from New York Appeals Court open to media

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

WHAT:   Oral arguments in the landmark elephant rights case filed by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) on behalf of Happy, a 49-year-old Asian elephant held alone in captivity at the Bronx Zoo. In November, the exhibit closes for the winter, with Happy held in an industrial cement structure lined with windowless, barred cages (the zoo’s “elephant barn”) until the exhibit reopens in May.
     
WHEN:   Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020
     
    Oral Arguments

Between 2-5 pm Eastern
(NhRP will receive 10-minute advance notice; will then notify all confirmed press)

    Press Conference
starts 15 minutes after conclusion of Oral Arguments
     
WHERE:   Links to Oral Arguments and Press Conference will be provided upon RSVP to [email protected]
     
WHO:   Nonhuman Rights Project Founder and President Steven M. Wise, and Elizabeth Stein, New York legal counsel for NhRP, will argue on Happy’s behalf. The Nonhuman Rights Project is the only civil rights organization in the United States working through litigation, legislation, and education to secure fundamental rights for nonhuman animals.

Attorneys with Phillips Lytle LLP will argue for the Wildlife Conservation Society (which manages the Bronx Zoo) and James Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo.

A panel of three judges will hear the case. They are not expected to rule from the bench on the 19th.

     
WHY:   The question of whether an autonomous nonhuman animal is a legal person with the fundamental right to liberty is, in the words of Court of Appeals Judge Eugene Fahey regarding the NhRP’s chimpanzee rights cases, “a deep dilemma of ethics and policy that demands our attention.” The NhRP will argue that the First Judicial Department “can and should now put an end to the injustice of Happy’s decades-long imprisonment at the Bronx Zoo and grant her freedom.” As world-renowned elephant expert Dr. Joyce Poole has written in support of Happy’s elephant rights case, “Simply put, the Bronx Zoo’s exhibit is too small to meet the needs of Happy or any elephant. Happy deserves to live the rest of her life at [a sanctuary] where the utmost care will be given to her individual needs and she’ll have the space and conditions needed to heal and to form psychologically necessary bonds with other elephants.”

The case has also received support from world-renowned legal scholar and Harvard Law School Professor Laurence H. Tribe. In July 2020, Professor Tribe requested leave to file an amicus brief in support of a habeas corpus petition filed by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) on behalf of Happy.

     
MORE
ON HAPPY
CASE:
  Happy made history in 2005 as the first elephant to demonstrate self-awareness via the mirror test, and in December of 2018 she became the first elephant in the world to have a habeas corpus hearing after the Orleans Supreme Court issued the NhRP’s requested habeas corpus order. In early 2019, the Orleans Supreme Court transferred her case to the Bronx.

For over 10 hours spread across two days in September and October of 2019, the NhRP argued in Bronx Supreme Court for recognition of Happy’s right to liberty and release to a sanctuary. Both the duration and substance of these hearings were unique for arguments on preliminary motions. Justice Alison Y. Tuitt scheduled a third court date in Jan. 2020 to provide ample time to delve into the most pressing issues in Happy’s case, such as who counts as a legal person with rights and why Happy must be released to a sanctuary.

Alongside the NhRP’s litigation, its grassroots advocacy campaign on behalf of Happy has gained significant momentum, drawing the support of influential public figures such as Queen guitarist Brian May, elected officials such as New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, and animal advocates in New York and around the world. A Change.org petition calling for Happy’s release from solitary confinement has over a million signatures and continues to grow. In October 2019, Mayor Bill de Blasio commented on Happy’s plight, telling WNYC “something doesn’t feel right” about keeping Happy in the Bronx Zoo.

The NhRP expects to further address the core merits of Happy’s habeas corpus petition—that she is a legal person with the fundamental right to liberty who must be released to either The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee or the Performing Animal Welfare Society sanctuary in California. For details about the appeal, see this press release.

     
MORE ON
NhRP:
  The Nonhuman Rights Project is the only civil rights organization in the United States working through litigation, legislation, and education to secure fundamental rights for nonhuman animals.

In 2015, the NhRP secured the world’s first habeas corpus hearing on behalf of a nonhuman animal in its chimpanzee rights case on behalf of Hercules and Leo, who were used in locomotion research at Stony Brook University.

     
CASE NO./
NAME:
  THE NONHUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT, INC. on behalf of HAPPY, Petitioner, v. JAMES J. BREHENY, in his official capacity as Executive Vice President and General Director of Zoos and Aquariums of the Wildlife Conservation Society and Director of the Bronx Zoo, and WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY (Appellate Case No. 2020-02581)
     
PRESS
CONTACTS:
  Stacey Doss
Sagon-Phior
[email protected]        
949-285-2362

Lauren Choplin
Nonhuman Rights Project
[email protected]
856-381-9447

Multi-Center Evaluation of Bionano Optical Genome Mapping by Cytogenetics Thought Leaders in the US Leads to Recommendation for Bionano’s Saphyr to Replace Karyotyping as First-Line Test for Detection and Identification of Structural and Copy Number Variants in Leukemia Patients

  • Saphyr
    detected
    all clinically relevant
    structural variants (
    SVs
    )
    and
    copy number variants
    (
    CNVs
    )
    in 100 AML samples
    making it 100% concordant with standard of care

  • Saphyr
    also
    detect
    ed additional
    clinically relevant SVs
    above and beyond standard of care
    in
    11% of cases and
    refined the
    genomic structure
    analysis
    in
    another
    13%
    of cases
    , which
    means
    Optical Genome Mapping
    (OGM)
    with Saphyr has the potential
    to
    change
    prognosis and
    patient management

  • Study
    a
    uthors
    are from leading institutions in the United States
    ,
    including
    Augusta University, Columbia University, Fred Hutchinson Cancer
    Research
    Center,
    Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson
    Cancer Center
    and
    ,
    Penn State University

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bionano Genomics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BNGO) announced the publication of a study led by cytogenetics experts from the nation’s top clinical and cancer centers in which they recommended that optical genome mapping (OGM) using Bionano’s Saphyr System be considered as a first-line test for detection and identification of clinically relevant structural variants and copy number variants in leukemias. The paper, published this week in medRxiv, describes detection and identification of structural variants and copy number variants in 100 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study is the largest to-date in leukemia for Bionano and the first published study from the United States comparing Bionano’s OGM to karyotyping, the current standard of care in leukemia testing.

The authors, who are cytogenetic leaders from prestigious institutions including Augusta University, Columbia University, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson and Penn State University, reported that Saphyr detected 100% of all clinically relevant SVs and CNVs previously detected by standard of care methods and that Saphyr provided additional actionable data in 24% of the cases.

Karyotyping, which provides a whole genome analysis of single cells, has been the standard of care for AML patients for decades. This study demonstrated several advantages of OGM over karyotyping with no obvious deficiencies in performance. The authors reported that the performance of OGM surpassed even the performance of karyotyping combined with other tests, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and chromosomal microarray, in a more refined and simplified workflow that was more cost effective than current methods.

Erik Holmlin, Ph.D., CEO of Bionano Genomics commented, “This study is our flagship study in the United States. The authors come from leading institutions across the country and belong to the groups that influence what technologies are included in medical guidelines. While their finding of 100% concordance with standard of care is an important benchmark, the finding of incremental diagnostic information above and beyond the standard of care is what makes Saphyr compelling as a potential new standard in testing leukemia patients. We believe the authors’ recommendation to make Saphyr a first-line test for the detection and identification of clinically relevant genomic variants in AML and other leukemias indicates that Saphyr is ready for broad clinical adoption. We further believe that this study and others published like it form the basis of an important dossier that shows the clinical utility and validity of Bionano optical genome mapping, which we will be able use in connection with assays developed through our Lineagen business to outline a potential path to reimbursement of laboratory developed tests that are performed on Saphyr.”

The publication is available at: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.11.07.20227728v1

About Bionano Genomics

Bionano is a genome analysis company providing tools and services based on its Saphyr system to scientists and clinicians conducting genetic research and patient testing, and providing diagnostic testing for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disabilities through its Lineagen business. Bionano’s Saphyr system is a platform for ultra-sensitive and ultra-specific structural variation detection that enables researchers and clinicians to accelerate the search for new diagnostics and therapeutic targets and to streamline the study of changes in chromosomes, which is known as cytogenetics. The Saphyr system is comprised of an instrument, chip consumables, reagents and a suite of data analysis tools, and genome analysis services to provide access to data generated by the Saphyr system for researchers who prefer not to adopt the Saphyr system in their labs. Lineagen has been providing genetic testing services to families and their healthcare providers for over nine years and has performed over 65,000 tests for those with neurodevelopmental concerns. For more information, visit www.bionanogenomics.com or www.lineagen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes and are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things: the contribution of Bionano’s OGM technology to the improved detection of diagnostic information in patients with leukemia and other genetic diseases; the capabilities of Bionano’s OGM technology in comparison to other genome analysis technologies; Bionano’s beliefs regarding Saphyr’s readiness for broad clinical adoption; the ability of this study’s authors to influence what technologies are included in medical guidelines; our expectations regarding the utilization of Bionano OGM technology with assays developed through our Lineagen business; and Bionano’s strategic plans. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include the risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the global economy; general market conditions; changes in the competitive landscape and the introduction of competitive products; changes in our strategic and commercial plans; our ability to obtain sufficient financing to fund our strategic plans and commercialization efforts; the ability of medical and research institutions to obtain funding to support adoption or continued use of our technologies; the loss of key members of management and our commercial team; and the risks and uncertainties associated with our business and financial condition in general, including the risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in other filings subsequently made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.

CONTACTS

Company Contact:
Erik Holmlin, CEO
Bionano Genomics, Inc.
+1 (858) 888-7610
[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:

Ashley R. Robinson
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
+1 (617) 430-7577
[email protected]

Media Contact:

Darren Opland, PhD
LifeSci Communications
+1 (617) 733-7668
[email protected]

ROSEN, LEADING INVESTOR COUNSEL, Reminds Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. Investors of Important December 14 Deadline in Securities Class Action – TRQ

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. (NYSE: TRQ) between July 17, 2018 and July 31, 2019, inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important December 14, 2020 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action. The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for Turquoise Hill investors under the federal securities laws.

To join the Turquoise Hill class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-1971.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period and regarding the development of the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the stability issues were much more severe than represented and called into question the design of the mine, the projected cost and timing of production; (2) the publicly disclosed estimates of the cost, date of completion and dates for production from the underground mine were not achievable; (3) the “challenging ground conditions” were much more severe than defendants represented, and in fact made it impossible for Turquoise Hill and Rio Tinto to achieve those estimates; (4) the development capital required for the underground development of Oyu Tolgoi would cost substantially more than a billion dollars over what Turquoise Hill and Rio Tinto had represented; (5) Turquoise Hill would require additional financing and/or equity to complete the project; (6) the progress of underground development and of Oyu Tolgoi was not proceeding as planned; and (7) the “key risks” had not been “well understood and managed” but had placed the project schedule and cost into severe jeopardy. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 14, 2020. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. If you wish to join the litigation, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-1971.html or to discuss your rights or interests regarding this class action, please contact Phillip Kim, Esq. of Rosen Law Firm toll free at 866-767-3653 or via e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected].

NO CLASS HAS YET BEEN CERTIFIED IN THE ABOVE ACTION. UNTIL A CLASS IS CERTIFIED, YOU ARE NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL UNLESS YOU RETAIN ONE. YOU MAY RETAIN COUNSEL OF YOUR CHOICE. YOU MAY ALSO REMAIN AN ABSENT CLASS MEMBER AND DO NOTHING AT THIS POINT. AN INVESTOR’S ABILITY TO SHARE IN ANY POTENTIAL FUTURE RECOVERY IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON SERVING AS LEAD PLAINTIFF.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 3 each year since 2013. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm’s attorneys are ranked and recognized by numerous independent and respected sources. Rosen Law Firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

        Laurence Rosen, Esq.
        Phillip Kim, Esq.
        The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
        275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
        New York, NY 10016
        Tel: (212) 686-1060
        Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
        Fax: (212) 202-3827
        [email protected]
        [email protected]
        [email protected]
        www.rosenlegal.com

ALIANSCE SONAE: High occupancy rate of 94.8%

PR Newswire

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Aliansce Sonae Shopping Centers S.A. (B3: ALSO3), one of the largest shopping mall owners and operators in Brazil, announces its results for the third quarter of 2020 (3Q20).

3Q20 Highlights

All malls reopened. During the 3Q20, Aliansce Sonae’s entire portfolio resumed its operations and remained open for around 70% of regular hours.

Consistent sales recovery. Aliansce Sonae’s total sales reached 69.3% of the 3Q19 sales level, while in September, sales were already 18.3% lower. In October, there was a greater recovery of this indicator, with a drop of only 12.1%. The Company’s SSS in 3Q20 was -25.1%, while the SAS was -24.9%, showing a steady sales performance.

High occupancy rate. As highlighted at the beginning of the pandemic, the Company’s primary goal, from a commercial standpoint, was to reopen the assets with a high occupancy rate to allow malls to continue delivering a unique experience to consumers. At the end of the quarter, occupancy reached approximately 95%.

Strong NOI recovery. Aliansce Sonae reached R$98.7 million in NOI, already accounting for a higher PDA and excluding the straight-line rent adjustment, reflecting a gradual and consistent recovery and efficiency in controlling costs.

Cash management winning strategy. Aliansce Sonae ended 3Q20 with a solid cash position of R$1.3 billion and Net Debt/Ebitda of 1.3x. In 2020, operational cash generation remained strong enough to cover interests and financing amortizations, though still extraordinarily affected by the adverse business conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aliansce Sonae innovates with PEG. In line with its omnichannel approach and reinforcing the digital strategy of integrating physical points with online platforms, the Company developed an innovation that aims to reduce friction for collecting and exchanging goods. PEGs are structures located in the parking lots and inside the malls to organize and facilitate the delivery and pick-up of goods sold through the most diverse channels.

For a full version of 3Q20 Earnings Release, please, refer to https://ri.alianscesonae.com.br/en

Aliansce Sonae will hold its conference call and webcast on November 12th, at 09:00 a.m. US ET (in portuguese) / 10:00 a.m. US ET (in english). To access the call, dial +1 (412) 717-9627 / +55 11 3181-8565 / +55 11 4210-1803, code “Aliansce Sonae”. Webcast is available at https://ri.alianscesonae.com.br/en

For more information, please, contact Daniella Guanabara, IRO, at + 55 21 2176-7272 or [email protected]

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aliansce-sonae-high-occupancy-rate-of-94-8-301171399.html

SOURCE Aliansce Shopping Centers S.A.