The QualityStocks Daily Tuesday, June 20th, 2023

Today's Top 3 Investment Newsletters

MarketClub Analysis(VCIG) $7.2500 +156.18%

QualityStocks(EVLO) $0.1757 +46.42%

Schaeffer's(DICE) $46.4400 +37.19%

The QualityStocks Daily Stock List

Evelo Biosciences Inc. (EVLO)

MarketBeat, QualityStocks, StockMarketWatch, StockEarnings, BUYINS.NET, Trades Of The Day, StreetInsider, The Street, Money Wealth Matters, FreeRealTime and Daily Trade Alert reported earlier on Evelo Biosciences Inc. (EVLO), and today we highlight the Company, here at the QualityStocks Daily Newsletter.

Evelo Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: EVLO) is a biotechnology firm that is engaged in the discovery and development of oral biologics for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory ailments.

The firm has its headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts and was incorporated in 2014 by David A. Berry and Noubar B. Afeyan. It operates as part of the scientific research and development services industry, under the healthcare sector. It serves consumers in the United States and has two companies in its corporate family.

The company’s aim is to improve the lives of patients around the globe through the development of new therapies for various indications. It is pioneering the development of a new class of medications for the treatment of cancer, neuro-inflammatory, neurological, metabolic, immune-inflammatory and autoimmune ailments.

The enterprise’s product pipeline comprises of a formulation for oncology dubbed EDP1908; an extracellular vesicle investigational biologic dubbed EDP2939, which is indicated for the treatment of inflammatory ailments; and an inactivated oral biologic known as EDP1867 which has been developed to treat inflammatory ailments. In addition to this, the enterprise is involved in the development of a microbe candidate dubbed EDP1815, which is also indicated for the treatment of inflammatory illnesses. This formulation is currently undergoing a clinical development trial evaluating its effectiveness in treating atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, as well as the hyper-inflammatory response linked to the coronavirus.

The firm announced positive data from its EDP1815 clinical development trial for psoriasis, which brings them one step closer to addressing the unmet needs of millions of patients living with the ailment. The success and approval of this drug will help bring in more investors into the firm as well as boost its growth.

Evelo Biosciences Inc. (EVLO), closed Tuesday's trading session at $0.1757, up 46.4167%, on 122,919,083 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 200 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.0243/$3.29.

ASOS PLC (ASOMF)

Marketbeat.com, MarketBeat and InvestorPlace reported earlier on ASOS PLC (ASOMF), and today we highlight the Company, here at the QualityStocks Daily Newsletter.

ASOS PLC (OTC: ASOMF) (OTC: ASOMY) (LON: ASC) (FRA: DYQ) is an online fashion retailer engaged in the provision of fashion products.

The firm has its headquarters in London, the United Kingdom and was incorporated in 2000, on June 2nd by Quentin John Griffiths and Nicholas Jon Robertson. It operates as part of the internet retail industry, under the consumer cyclical sector. The firm serves consumers across the globe.

The company operates through the United Kingdom, United States and European Union geographical segments. Of its total revenue, 42% comes from its U.K. home market, 30% from other European Union countries, 12% from the United States, 16% from the rest of the world (with biggest exposure to Russia and Australia). Roughly 20% of revenue is generated by special-size categories such as tall, petite, curvy, and maternity, where competition tends to be more limited.

The enterprise provides womenswear and menswear products. It sells its products under the ASOS Edition, ASOS Design, ASOS Luxe, Collusion, ASOS 4505, Reclaimed Vintage, Topshop, Daysocial, Topman, Miss Selfridge, HIIT, AsYou, UNRVLLD/SPPLY, Dark Future, Crooked Tongues, Actual, and Weekend Collective brands, as well as through third-party brands. This is in addition to being involved in the employment of marketing staff and payment processing businesses. It offers over 85 000 products on its website from 950 third-party brands and its own labels (Asos Design, Collusion).

The firm remains committed to better meeting consumer needs through its products and improving its profitability, which will in turn create value for its shareholders. This is in addition to significantly improving its overall growth.

ASOS PLC (ASOMF), closed Tuesday's trading session at $4.88, even for the day. The average volume for the last 3 months is 1.496M and the stock's 52-week low/high is $4.88/$12.8371.

Arcos Dorados (ARCO)

InvestorPlace, Zacks, MarketBeat, StreetInsider, FivedollarMovers.net, MarketClub Analysis, The Online Investor, StreetAuthority Daily, Marketbeat.com, TopStockAnalysts, Daily Trade Alert, StocksEarning, The Motley Fool, The Street, StockMarketWatch, TradingAuthority Daily, The Trading Report, ProfitableTrading, The Stock Enthusiast, BUYINS.NET, YOLOTraderAlerts, DividendStocks, Wealth Insider Alert, Greenbackers, Investing Daily, Investopedia, Wealth Daily, TradersPro, Money Morning, Profit Confidential, Barchart, Trade of the Week, The Wealth Report and Trades Of The Day reported earlier on Arcos Dorados (ARCO), and today we highlight the Company, here at the QualityStocks Daily Newsletter.

Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ARCO) (BMV: ARCON) (FRA: AD8) is a franchisee for the American fast-food burger restaurant McDonald’s.

The firm has its headquarters in Montevideo, Uruguay and was incorporated in 2007, on August 3rd. It operates as part of the restaurants industry, under the consumer cyclical sector. The firm serves consumers in 20 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The company has the right to own, operate and grant franchises of restaurants in South and Central America and the Caribbean. It functions through two sources which include company-operated restaurants and franchised restaurants segment. Geographically, it operates through the following geographical segments: Brazil, Caribbean Division, North Latin America division (NOLAD), and South Latin America division (SLAD). The Caribbean Division segment is composed of Aruba, Curacao, Colombia, French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Croix, and St. Thomas and Venezuela. The SLAD segment consists of Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay. The NOLAD segment refers to Costa Rica, Mexico, and Panama.

The enterprise’s menus feature over three tiers of products: entry-level options, such as its Big Pleasures, Small Prices offerings and Almuerzos Colombianos (Colombian Lunches) in Colombia; core menu options, such as the Big Mac, Happy Meal and Quarter Pounder, and premium options, such as Big Tasty or Angus premium hamburgers and chicken sandwiches and low-calorie or low-sodium products.

The firm recently announced its latest financial results, which show increases in its sales and revenues. It remains committed to drive value creation, which will greatly benefit its stakeholders.

Arcos Dorados (ARCO), closed Tuesday's trading session at $9.46, up 4.0704%, on 1,499,358 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 5,500 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $6.23/$9.56.

Firefinch (EEYMF)

We reported earlier on Firefinch (EEYMF), and today we highlight the Company, here at the QualityStocks Daily Newsletter.

Firefinch Limited (OTC: EEYMF) (ASX: FFX) (FRA: N9F) is a gold mining firm that is focused on exploring for and acquiring lithium and gold projects in West Africa.

The firm has its headquarters in West Leederville, Australia and was incorporated in April 2005. Prior to its name change in November 2020, the firm was known as Mali Lithium Limited. It operates as part of the gold industry, under the basic materials sector. The firm serves consumers across the globe.

The company operates in three segments; Morila, which includes mining, development, and exploration activities at the Morila Gold Project; Mali Exploration segment is into Lithium and gold exploration and evaluation activities in Mali; and the Corporate segment. It holds interest in the Dankassa Gold and Massigui Gold mines and has an 80% interest in the Morila Gold Mine and 100% interest in the Goulamina Lithium project, both in Mali. The Morila gold mine is located in Mali, West Africa and has produced approximately 7.5 million ounces of gold. The Goulamina Lithium Project is in the Sankarani River catchment within the Niger River basin. The Goulamina Lithium project comprises a land holding of approximately 100 square kilometers covering highly prospective hard rock lithium pegmatites in the Bougouni Region of southern Mali, approximately 150 km by road from Mali’s capital, Bamako. It owns about 18% stake in Leo Lithium Limited.

The enterprise remains committed to generating value for its shareholders, a move that will greatly bolster its overall growth.

Firefinch (EEYMF), closed Tuesday's trading session at $0.05, even for the day. The average volume for the last 3 months is 1 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.0025/$0.2128.

Direct Communication Solutions (DCSX)

We reported earlier on Direct Communication Solutions (DCSX), and today we highlight the Company, here at the QualityStocks Daily Newsletter.

Direct Communication Solutions Inc. (OTCQX: DCSX) (CNSX: DCSI) (FRA: 7QU0) is a technology solutions firm engaged in the provision of solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT).

The firm has its headquarters in San Diego, California and was incorporated in 2006, on September 9th by Chris Bursey. It operates as part of the information technology services industry, under the technology sector. The firm serves consumers around the world.

The company operates through the United States and Canada geographical segments. It generates most of its revenue from the United States.

The enterprise’s range of products include mobile tracking machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, modems, GPS devices, embedded modules, routers, communications and applications software, and cloud services. Its M2M products and solutions enable devices to communicate with each other, and with server and cloud-based application infrastructures. It also provides Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, including MiSensors, which offers M2M device management and service enablement for wireless sensors; MiFleet, which provides fleet and vehicle SaaS telematics; and MiCOVID CAM, an automated temperature screening solution. In addition to this, the enterprise offers MiServices, a managed service that includes engineering, logistics, and wireless data services; and MiFailover, which provides high-speed wireless internet failover services to small and medium-sized businesses.

The firm recently entered into a partnership agreement with Teltonika Telematics. This will not only allow it to become a Master Partner of Teltonika in Canada and the U.S. and help extend its consumer reach but also bring in additional revenues into the firm.

Direct Communication Solutions (DCSX), closed Tuesday's trading session at $3.79, even for the day, on 1 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 26,326 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $2.4115/$9.80.

FAT Brands (FAT)

MarketBeat, InvestorPlace, StreetInsider, The Online Investor, TradersPro, AllPennyStocks, StockMarketWatch, Trades Of The Day, The Street and MarketClub Analysis reported earlier on FAT Brands (FAT), and today we highlight the Company, here at the QualityStocks Daily Newsletter.

FAT Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: FAT) (NASDAQ: FATW) (NASDAQ: FATBB) (FRA: 5PN) is a multi-brand restaurant firm that is focused on acquiring, developing, marketing and managing quick service, fast casual, casual dining and polished casual dining restaurant concepts globally.

The firm has its headquarters in Beverly Hills, California and was incorporated in 2017, on March 21st by Andrew A. Wiederhorn. It operates as part of the restaurants industry, under the consumer cyclical sector. The firm serves consumers around the globe.

The company operates as a subsidiary of Fog Cutter Holdings LLC. It operates as a franchisor of restaurants, where the company generally does not operate or own the restaurant locations but rather generates revenue by charging franchisees an initial franchise fee as well as ongoing royalties. For some of its brands, it also directly owns and operates restaurant locations. The primary sources of revenue are the sale of food and beverages at company restaurants and the collection of royalties, franchise fees and advertising revenue from sales of food and beverages at franchised restaurants.

The enterprise owns restaurant brands like Marble Slab Creamery, Round Table Pizza, Great American Cookies, Pretzelmaker, Hot Dog on a Stick, Fazoli's, Johnny Rockets, Fatburger, Elevation Burger, Buffalo's Cafe and Buffalo's Express, Yalla Mediterranean, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Ponderosa Steakhouse / Bonanza Steakhouse, Twin Peaks and Native Grill & Wings.

The firm recently appointed a new Chief Marketing Officer and Brand presidents, a move that aligns with its goal for growth and expansion. This will in turn help create value for its shareholders.

FAT Brands (FAT), closed Tuesday's trading session at $7.47, up 0.403226%, on 26,535 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 48,702 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $4.73/$10.00.

Astra Energy Inc. (ASRE)

We reported earlier on Astra Energy Inc. (ASRE), and today we highlight the Company, here at the QualityStocks Daily Newsletter.

Astra Energy (OTCQB: ASRE) today announced that it has successfully presented a feasibility report and executed documentation to secure 207 acres of land on a 33-year renewable lease with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar for Astra’s Zanzibar Clean and Renewable Energy Park project (“ZCREP”). Astra officials met with the president of Zanzibar, H.E. Dr. Hussein Mwinyi (“H.E.”), along with officials from Zanzibar Electricity Corporation (“ZECO”), the Ministry of Water, Energy and Minerals, and the Zanzibar Utilities Regulatory Authority, and presented the completed feasibility study for the project. H.E. restated his continued support for the ZCREP project and encouraged Astra and the government officials present to “start negotiations on a power purchase agreement immediately.” “This project will generate green, long-term, sustainable revenue for the company and deliver value to shareholders, while creating value for the residents of Zanzibar by providing a stable source of clean and renewable energy on the island,” said Tony Thompson, Astra’s VP of Electrical Power Generation.

To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/SdUPw

About Astra Energy Inc.

Astra is an integrated solutions provider investing in and developing renewable and clean energy projects in markets where demand is high, supply is limited and there is an opportunity to address other imminent market needs. Astra’s corporate strategy is rooted in securing technologies and assets; identifying viable market opportunities; and bringing together resources, expertise, technology and defined action plans to execute first-in-class projects that benefit communities, local economies, the planet and the company’s investors. Its goal is to create a more secure and sustainable power sector that supports the company’s purpose, mission and values to transform the economic, environmental and social landscape for generations to come. For more information on Astra Energy Inc., visit the company’s website at www.AstraEnergyinc.com.

Astra Energy Inc. (ASRE), closed Tuesday's trading session at $0.18195, off by 4.2368%, on 48,702 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 29.515M and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.0801/$6.1875.

IGEN Networks Corporation (IGEN)

QualityStocks, SmallCapVoice, RedChip, The Green Baron, StockGuru, Equities.com, equities Canada and MarketBeat reported earlier on IGEN Networks Corporation (IGEN), and today we highlight the Company, here at the QualityStocks Daily Newsletter.

IGEN (OTC: IGEN), a leading innovator of asset management and supply-chain solutions, together with its exclusive technology partner Prolog, announced the development of the industry's first artificial intelligence (“AI”)-based commercial fleet solutions. The companies have chosen four categories of software algorithms (including sensor data analysis, route optimization, predictive maintenance, and driver behavior analysis), the manufacture and development of low-cost AI video cameras, and finally the financing of these initiatives through the recently announced reverse-split of IGEN’s issued and outstanding shares. “Developing AI capabilities into our software platforms is an integral part of our patent portfolio, and we will be the first to deploy these capabilities in the commercial fleet industry,” said Neil G. Chan, CEO of IGEN. “The recent announcement for the 10:1 reverse-split of our issued and outstanding shares will be an important part of our ability to execute and claim industry leadership. The re-structuring of debt and capital will enable us to re-finance in a meaningful way on a non-dilutive basis.”

To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/XR7Jf

About IGEN Networks Corporation.

IGEN creates software services for the consumer automotive and commercial asset management industries enabling their customers to better manage their assets and protect their drivers. IGEN is a fully reporting company in the United States and publicly traded on the OTC Markets under the symbol IGEN. For more information, visit www.IGENNetworks.net.

IGEN Networks Corporation (IGEN), closed Tuesday's trading session at $0.0007, up 27.2727%, on 29,515,164 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 610,984 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.0004/$0.0042.

Stronghold Blockchain Mining Inc. (SDIG)

QualityStocks, RedChip, MarketBeat, SmallCapVoice, Real Pennies, InvestorPlace, The Online Investor, StocksEarning, StockPicksNYC, StockEarnings, OTC Markets Group, InsiderTrades and Early Bird reported earlier on Stronghold Blockchain Mining Inc. (SDIG), and today we highlight the Company, here at the QualityStocks Daily Newsletter.

The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commision (SEC) has requested more time to respond to Coinbase’s plea for regulatory certainty in the crypto space. The SEC stated in a June 13, 2023, letter that it would require an extra four months to address Coinbase’s request for the implementation of new regulations and improved comprehension of the regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies.

The letter was written in response to the court’s order from June 6, 2023, asking the SEC to make it clear if it was rejecting the rulemaking or just needing more time to think it through.

The SEC’s recent statement follows a series of legal filings from both Coinbase and the regulatory agency. Coinbase resorted to filing a writ of mandamus against the SEC after the agency indicated a lack of urgency in addressing Coinbase’s concerns about regulatory clarity. In its legal filing, Coinbase accused the SEC of purposefully disregarding its appeals for well-defined regulations within the cryptocurrency sector.

The petition was filed by Coinbase after the SEC made it clear that it would not entertain the exchange’s request for immediate clarification on cryptocurrency regulations. On May 15, 2023, the SEC responded to a previous petition from Coinbase and said that it was not prepared to comply with the exchange’s demands. The agency emphasized that it was under no obligation to meet the requirements outlined in Coinbase’s petition, asserting that the exchange had requested complex rulemaking within an unreasonably short timeframe.

The SEC’s rejection on May 15, 2023, was a response to a specific action taken by Coinbase in April, urging the agency to provide a definitive “yes or no” response to a petition submitted in July 2022. That 2022 petition consisted of a list of inquiries seeking clarification on the classification of securities and the SEC’s criteria for determining whether an asset qualifies as a security.

Coinbase had previously submitted a petition on March 20, 2023, requesting the exclusion of staking from the SEC’s list of securities.

In its most recent response, the SEC denied the exchange’s writ of mandamus as being without substance and said that it had not yet decided on the petition. However, the agency expected to be able to make a recommendation about Coinbase’s request for rulemaking within the following 120 days.

Paul Grewal, chief legal officer of Coinbase, commented on the SEC letter on Twitter, calling it a “fallacy” that the agency had not made any decisions about new laws. Grewal pointed out that the letter overlooked explicit statements from SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who had stated that the SEC had no intentions of issuing new rules.

Given the SEC’s hesitancy to establish a more precise and comprehensive regulatory framework, its actions raise concerns, particularly as the agency has also taken significant measures against Binance and Coinbase on allegations of securities violations.

The petition filed by Coinbase would help all industry actors, such as Stronghold Blockchain Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: SDIG), because the current regulatory uncertainty hampers innovation and growth within the industry.

Stronghold Blockchain Mining Inc. (SDIG), closed Tuesday's trading session at $4.13, up 3.25%, on 633,512 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 421,508 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $3.58/$37.90.

Mind Medicine Inc. (MNMD)

QualityStocks, InvestorPlace, Schaeffer's, The Wealth Report, The Street, MarketBeat, The Stock Dork, MarketClub Analysis, Daily Trade Alert and Trades Of The Day reported earlier on Mind Medicine Inc. (MNMD), and today we highlight the Company, here at the QualityStocks Daily Newsletter.

Psilocybin is one of several psychedelics that have exhibited therapeutic potential against various common mental disorders. Research has revealed that psilocybin (magic mushrooms) can deliver long-term benefits against mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance-abuse disorders.

However, psilocybin-assisted therapy usually involves undergoing a psychedelic trip that can last up to six hours.

Given that many people would prefer psychedelic treatments without the hours long trip, researchers have been working to develop psychedelic drugs that allow patients to derive the benefits without having to experience hallucinogenic effects for hours. In a recent study on the effects of trip-free psychedelics, researchers sought to understand the effects of psilocybin on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) after blocking the psychedelic effects.

The researchers found that taking trip-free psilocybin did not affect psilocybin’s ability to alleviate the symptoms of obsessive behaviors related to OCD. Findings of the study, which were reported in the “Translational Psychiatryjournal, add to the growing body of literature on the medical application of psychedelics in the psychiatric industry and, more specifically, the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in OCD treatment.

Psychedelics such as psilocybin have shown promise against normally debilitating conditions that rarely respond to conventional treatment, such as OCD. Characterized by repetitive behaviors and intrusive, uncontrollable thoughts, OCD affects roughly 2.3% of the American population. Treatment often involves cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressants, but a large number of OCD patients rarely respond to these treatments, underscoring the need for more effective OCD treatments.

Hebrew University psychiatry professor and study author Bernard Lerer explained that the research team was interested in the therapeutic potential of hallucinogenics against psychiatric disorders, especially in patients who typically don’t respond to standard medication (at least a third). Consequently, the team founded the Hadassah BrainLabs Center for Psychedelic Research to conduct scientific research on psychedelics.

Lerer said that preliminary results from psilocybin-OCD studies have shown that the drug can alleviate OCD symptoms in patients.  The team used a mouse model to study the effects of trip-free psilocybin against obsessive behaviors; the researchers found that blocking the psychedelic effects did not diminish psilocybin’s therapeutic effects.  They used a drug called buspirone to block specific serotonin receptors and keep the mice from experiencing the mind-bending effects associated with psychedelic use.

Lerer said their findings indicate that clinicians may be able to treat OCD without the psychedelic trip by combining psilocybin with buspirone. The research team noted that more research will be needed to fully understand the efficacy and safety of the combination of anti-OCD drugs.

There is plenty of psychedelics R&D being conducted by various enterprises such as Mind Medicine Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD) (NEO: MMED) (DE: MMQ). The coming years are therefore likely to make available several hallucinogenic-based treatments targeting various indications that have been afflicting patients.

Mind Medicine Inc. (MNMD), closed Tuesday's trading session at $3.61, off by 4.244%, on 422,985 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 338,897 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $2.12/$19.95.

Arch Resources Inc. (ARCH)

InvestorPlace, Zacks, MarketBeat, QualityStocks, The Online Investor, MarketClub Analysis, TradersPro, Kiplinger Today, Investors Alley, Schaeffer's, The Street, Daily Wealth, DividendStocks, StreetAuthority Daily, Cabot Wealth, Daily Trade Alert, Early Bird, FreeRealTime, Investing Daily, Uncommon Wisdom, StreetInsider, Barchart, Trades Of The Day, MiningNewsWire and InvestorGuide reported earlier on Arch Resources Inc. (ARCH), and today we highlight the Company, here at the QualityStocks Daily Newsletter.

East Asian nations have cranked up their use of coal in energy generation amid an unexpected heat wave that forced them to increase their energy production. South Korea, Japan, China and Taiwan are expected to increase coal use in their electricity generation as soaring temperatures increase power use by both households and businesses.

Asia has experienced record-breaking levels of heat for the past several months, with monitoring stations in Myanmar, Thailand, China, Laos and South Asia reporting record heat levels in April. The region has seen such high temperatures that schools were forced to close and authorities in some regions advised residents to stay indoors to avoid the heat. Japanese and Southern Chinese authorities even asked businesses and households to regulate their power use to help protect the electricity grid from the stress caused by overwhelming demand.

This uptick in temperature means that households and businesses are spending much more on air conditioning at a time when the majority of the region was experiencing a cost-of-living crisis.

To shore up their energy supplies amid this heat wave and increasing demand, East Asian countries are turning to coal to supplement their electricity generation. However, with the region already responsible for more than 60% of the world’s global carbon emissions, East Asia is poised to produce even more pollution through its coal-fired power plants.

According to weather forecast data from Refinitiv, areas around Taipei, Tokyo and areas of China will experience temperatures of 4% or higher over long-term averages through June, July and August. In fact, if they remain steady over the coming months, temperatures will be much higher than the already-high levels these nations have seen in recent years.

With temperatures in the region predicted to remain above average for the next few months, the pollution caused by firing up coal power plants again could be significant. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that China, Korea and Japan alone account for close to one-half of the air conditioning units in the entire world, making these countries the top users of air conditioners in Asia.

These units will likely experience significant use in the coming months as people in various East Asian countries struggle to cope with the unbearably high temperatures even if authorities ask them to keep their energy consumption down. The overall result will be an increase in carbon emissions across the region.

China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan all use coal for at least 30% of their electricity, with China relying on “dirty fuel” for close to 60% of its electricity needs.  However, with these countries experiencing an unprecedented heat wave amid a global energy crisis, a cost-of-living crisis and the threat of recession, they may have little choice but to rely on coal in the short-term.

These energy demand spikes without a commensurate rise in the supply of greener forms of energy show how hard it will be to pivot away from coal and extraction companies such as Arch Resources Inc. (NYSE: ARCH) in the near to medium term.

Arch Resources Inc. (ARCH), closed Tuesday's trading session at $115.22, up 2.073%, on 344,044 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 70.984M and the stock's 52-week low/high is $102.42/$173.90.

Nikola Corporation (NKLA)

Green Car Stocks, Schaeffer's, InvestorPlace, QualityStocks, StocksEarning, MarketClub Analysis, StockEarnings, MarketBeat, The Street, Kiplinger Today, Trades Of The Day, StreetInsider, Daily Trade Alert, Early Bird, The Online Investor, Zacks, Cabot Wealth, Louis Navellier, CNBC Breaking News, Wealth Insider Alert, Investopedia, MarketTamer, GreenCarStocks, StockMarketWatch, AllPennyStocks, Daily Profit, The Wealth Report, Outsider Club and Green Energy Stocks reported earlier on Nikola Corporation (NKLA), and today we highlight the Company, here at the QualityStocks Daily Newsletter.

The nascent electric vehicle industry has been at a crossroads regarding which charging system standard to follow. The recent decision by General Motors (GM) and Ford to team up with Tesla and use its Supercharger network for their vehicles looks to have tipped the scales decidedly in favor of the connector standard used by Tesla.

In recent years, there have been discussions about the adoption of a single standard so that all vehicles on North American roads can use any accessible charging point to top up battery power. Tesla has its own system, the NACS, and all its chargers adhere to this system. Other automakers in the EV space, such as GM, made chargers following another standard: the Combined Charging System (CCS).

The move to adopt one standard for the North American region makes plenty of sense. For one, establishing a charging infrastructure that conforms to one standard is more affordable than setting up charging units that have adaptors to enable different vehicle chargers to work at any charging point available. Additionally, consumers would be more willing to make the switch to EVs since issues of “being caught in the middle of nowhere” without a compatible charger wouldn’t arise.

Cognizant of the benefits of having one standard, the federal government threw its weight in support of the CCS standard since many automakers were using it for their vehicles. The government even went as far as mandating the use of this standard for those wanting to access some of the funding available through the Inflation Reduction Act to build out charging infrastructure.

However, CCS is not without its challenges, including technical glitches afflicting the chargers that use this standard as well as the limited availability of CCS charging stations. To put this in context, Tesla operates a network of approximately 19,400 charging stations within the United States, while all the other automakers following the CCS standard have a paltry 10,500 combined charging points. The CCS chargers aren’t only limited in number, but they are also plagued by technical challenges. In contrast, Tesla’s Superchargers are plentiful and offer a superior charging experience.

Now that GM as well as Ford have agreed to use Tesla’s chargers, the die seems to have been cast in favor of NACS, especially given that in this year’s Q1 report, the trio (Tesla, GM and Ford) accounted for 75% of EV sales countrywide. The federal government now faces a decision on whether to pivot to NACS or stick with the CCS standard, which seems to be falling out of favor given the recent industry development orchestrated by Tesla.

The same decision will also have to be pondered over by other startups such as Nikola Corporation (NASDAQ: NKLA) since their impact on the market could depend on the charging stations that consumers are able to use.

Nikola Corporation (NKLA), closed Tuesday's trading session at $1.32, up 10.9244%, on 71,793,590 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 132,906 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.521/$8.97.

The QualityStocks Company Corner

CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP).

Of the more than 120 types of brain tumors that affect humans, glioblastomas are undoubtedly one of the deadliest. This is a type of cancer that originates from the spinal cord or brain cells before swiftly infiltrating and destroying healthy tissues. Glioblastoma patients have an average life expectancy of 14 to 16 months after diagnosis, and only 1% of them manage to live for at least 10 years after receiving their diagnosis. Given the extremely deadly nature of the condition, researchers have spent decades working on better and more efficient ways to diagnose, treat the condition and prevent glioblastomas from regrowing after treatment. A new experimental vaccine currently being studied at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center may be able to increase the life expectancy of glioblastoma patients. Developed by New York-based pharmaceutical company MimiVax, SurVaxM exhibited positive results in preliminary studies, managing to increase the survival time of brain cancer patients by an average of 26 months. With conditions such as glioblastoma known to have an extremely low survival rate, extending survival time by more than two years is a huge win. This research team isn't the only one focusing its attention on brain tumors. Enterprises such as CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) are also pouring research dollars into developing better therapeutics for patients afflicted by different forms of brain cancer so that their clinical outcomes can be improved.

CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) is a clinical stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of novel treatments for primary and metastatic cancers of the brain and central nervous system.

The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Organ Targeted Therapeutics

The company’s lead drug candidate, Berubicin, is proposed for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (“GBM”), an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. Berubicin also has potential to treat other central nervous system malignancies. Based on limited clinical data, Berubicin appears to be the first anthracycline to cross the blood brain barrier in the adult brain, and it was the subject of a successful Phase 1 study which found the MDT and produced efficacy data as well.

CNS holds a worldwide exclusive license to the Berubicin chemical compound. The company has acquired all requisite data and know-how from Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc. related to a completed Phase I clinical trial of Berubicin in malignant brain tumors. In this trial, 44% of patients experienced a statistically significant improvement in clinical benefit. In 2017, CNS entered into a collaboration and asset purchase agreement with Reata.

CNS intends to explore the potential of Berubicin to treat other diseases, including pancreatic and ovarian cancers and lymphoma. The company is also examining plans to develop combination therapies that include Berubicin.

CNS estimates that more than $25 million in private capital and grants were invested in Berubicin prior to the company’s $9.8 million IPO in November 2019.

CNS intends to submit an IND for Berubicin during the fourth quarter of 2020 and expects to commence a Phase II clinical trial of Berubicin for the treatment of GBM in the U.S. in Q1 2021. A sub-licensee partner was awarded a $6 million EU/Polish National Center for Research and Development grant to undertake a Phase II trial of Berubicin in adults and a first-ever Phase I trial in pediatric GBM patients in Poland in 2021.

The company’s second drug candidate, WP1244, is a novel DNA binding agent licensed from the MD Anderson Cancer Center. In preclinical studies, WP1244 proved to be 500-times more potent than the chemotherapeutic agent, daunorubicin, in inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. The company has entered into a sponsored research agreement with the MD Anderson Cancer Center to further the development of WP1244.

CNS Pharmaceuticals recently engaged U.S.-based Pharmaceutics International Inc. and Italian BSP Pharmaceuticals SpA for the production of the Berubicin drug product. The company has implemented a dual-track manufacturing strategy to mitigate COVID-19-related risks, diversify its supply chain and provide for localized availability of Berubicin. CNS has already completed synthesis of Berubicin’s active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and has shipped the API to both manufacturers in order to prepare an injectable form of Berubicin for clinical use.

Global Brain Tumor Therapeutics Market

The high recurrence rate of malignant brain tumors is due to reappearance of focal masses, indicating that a sub-population of tumor cells in these cancers may be insensitive to current therapies and may be responsible for reinitiating tumor growth. This necessitates the development of newer drugs in the market that demonstrate greater efficacy in treating such aggressive cancers.

A global increase in neurological disorders has placed increased attention on cancers of the brain over the past decade. Neurological disorders are becoming one of the most prevalent types of disorders, due to longer life expectancy, greater exposure to infection and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Because few treatments for primary and metastatic cancers of the brain exist, costs are high and have acted as a restraint for the brain tumor therapeutics market.

Despite progress in surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapeutic strategies, effective treatments for brain cancer are limited by a lack of specific therapies for the brain and the difficulty in transporting therapeutic compounds across the blood brain barrier. Therefore, there is a significant need for novel and effective therapeutic drugs and strategies that prolong survival and improve quality of life for brain tumor patients.

Several companies are making significant investments into R&D, which is expected to bring more treatment options to the market in the near future. Industry reports consistently project continued growth in the market.

One report estimates that the global brain tumor therapeutics market will reach a valuation of $2.74 billion in 2023, with the market expected to register a CAGR of 11% during the forecast period from 2018 to 2023. Another report projects that the global brain tumor therapeutics market will reach $3.4 billion by 2025, up from $2.25 billion in 2019 (http://nnw.fm/eDUjp).

Management Team

John M. Climaco is the CEO of CNS Pharmaceuticals. For 15 years, Climaco has served in leadership roles for a variety of health care companies. Recently, Climaco served as the Executive Vice President of Perma-Fix Medical S.A, where he managed the development of a novel method to produce Technitium-99. Climaco also served as President and CEO of Axial Biotech Inc., a DNA diagnostics company. In the process of taking Axial from inception to product development to commercialization, Climaco forged strategic partnerships with Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson and Smith & Nephew.

Christopher Downs, CPA, is the company’s Chief Financial Officer. Downs previously served as Interim Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of InfuSystem Holdings Inc. (NYSE: INFU), a supplier of infusion services to oncologists in the United States. Downs holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point, an MBA from Columbia Business School and a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Dr. Donald Picker is the Chief Scientific Officer of CNS. Picker has over 35 years of drug development experience. Prior to joining CNS, Picker worked at Johnson Matthey, where he was responsible for the development of Carboplatin, one of the world’s leading cancer drugs, which was acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb with annual sales of over $500 million. In addition, he oversaw the development of Satraplatin and Picoplatin, third-generation platinum drugs currently in late-stage clinical development.

Sandra L. Silberman, M.D., Ph.D., is the Chief Medical Officer of CNS Pharmaceuticals. Silberman is a hematologist/oncologist who earned her B.A., Sc.M. and Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Arts and Sciences, School of Public Health and School of Medicine, respectively, and her M.D. from Cornell University Medical College. She then completed both a clinical fellowship in hematology/oncology and a research fellowship in tumor immunology at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. Silberman has played key roles in the development of many drugs, including Gleevec(TM), for which she led the global clinical development at Novartis. Silberman advanced several original, proprietary compounds into Phases I through III during her work with leading biopharmaceutical companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Imclone and Roche.

CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP), closed Tuesday's trading session at $2.31, up 6.9444%, on 134,138 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 109,189 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.6105/$11.304.

Recent News

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX).

Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX, LEXXW), a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, today announced its receipt of four newly granted patents. The company secured two new Canadian patents, its 18th in its patent family No. 1: Food and Beverage Compositions Infused with Lipophilic Active Agents and Methods of Use Thereof, and No. 8 in its: Compositions Infused with Nicotine Compounds and Methods of Use Thereof. Lexaria was also granted two new U.S. patents under its patent family No. 21.  The first being for Pharmaceutical Compositions and Methods for Treating Hypertension, as well as the second being for Compositions and Methods for Treating Hypertension. Lexaria believes these two hypertension-related patents could be of particular importance related to its pursuit of utilizing DehydraTECH-CBD in relation to its expected upcoming FDA Investigational New Drug application.

To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/ixuDr

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX) is a global innovator in drug delivery platforms. The company’s patented technology, DehydraTECH™, improves the way active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) enter the bloodstream by promoting healthier oral ingestion methods and increasing the effectiveness of fat-soluble active molecules. DehydraTECH promotes fast-acting, less expensive and more effective oral drug delivery and has been thoroughly evaluated through in vivo, in vitro and human clinical testing.

DehydraTECH is covered by 21 issued and more than 50 pending patents in over 40 countries around the world. Lexaria’s first patent was issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in October 2016 (US 9,474,725 B1), providing 20 years of patent protection expiring June 2034. Multiple patents have been awarded since then and are expected in the future.

Lexaria has a collaborative research agreement with the National Research Council (NRC), the Canadian government’s premier research and technology organization. The company has filed for patent protection for specific delivery of nicotine, vitamins, NSAIDs, testosterone, estrogen, cannabinoids, terpenes, PDE5 inhibitors (with brand names like Viagra), tobacco and more.

Lexaria began developing DehydraTECH in 2014 and has since continued to strengthen and broaden the technology. The company has no plans to create or sell Lexaria-branded products containing controlled substances. Instead, Lexaria licenses its technology to other companies around the world to offer consumers the best possible performance across an array of ingestible product formats.

The company’s technology is best thought of as an additional layer that providers of consumer supplements, prescription and non-prescription drugs, nicotine and CBD products can utilize to improve the effectiveness of their own existing or planned new offerings. Lexaria has licensed DehydraTECH to multiple companies, including a world-leading tobacco producer for the research and development of smokeless, oral-based nicotine products, and for use in industries that produce cannabinoid beverages, edibles and oral products.

DehydraTECH is suitable for use with a wide range of product formats including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, consumer packaged goods and over-the-counter capsules, pills, tablets and oral suspensions.

DehydraTECH Technology

Lexaria’s DehydraTECH is designed specifically for formulating and delivering lipophilic (fat-soluble) drugs and active ingredients. DehydraTECH increases their effectiveness and improves the way active pharmaceutical ingredients enter the bloodstream. The major benefits to a subject ingesting a DehydraTECH-enabled drug or consumer product can be summarized by the following:

  • Speeds up delivery – the effects of the product are felt by the subject in just minutes.
  • Increases bioavailability – the technology is much more effective at delivering a drug or product into the bloodstream.
  • Increases brain absorption – animal testing suggests significant improvement in the quantity of drug delivered across the blood-brain barrier.
  • Improves drug potency – more of the ingested product is made available to the body, so lower doses are required to achieve the desired effect.
  • Reduces drug administration cost – lower doses mean lower overall drug costs.
  • Masks unwanted taste – the technology eliminates or reduces the need for sweeteners.

Lexaria has demonstrated in animal studies a propensity for DehydraTECH technology to elevate the quantity of drug delivered across the blood-brain barrier by as much as 1,900 percent, initiating additional new patent applications and opening possibilities for improved drug delivery.

Since 2016, DehydraTECH has repeatedly demonstrated, with cannabinoids and nicotine, the ability to increase bio-absorption by up to five to 10 times, reduce time of onset from one to two hours to just minutes, and mask unwanted tastes. The technology is to be further evaluated for additional orally administered bioactive molecules, including antivirals, cannabinoids, vitamins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and nicotine.

Market Outlook

Lexaria’s ongoing research and development efforts are mainly focused on development of product candidates across several key segments:

  • Oral Cannabinoids – a market estimated to be worth $18.4 billion in 2021 and expected to reach $46.2 billion by 2025.
  • Antivirals – an estimated $52.1 billion market in 2021 that’s expected to grow to $66.7 billion by 2025.
  • Oral Mucosal Nicotine – smokeless tobacco products, a $13.6 billion market in 2018, is forecast to grow at 7.2 percent annually through 2025.
  • Human Hormones – estrogen and testosterone replacement therapies represented a $21.9 billion market in 2019, with a forecast CAGR of 7.7 percent through 2027.
  • Ibuprofen and Naproxen – NSAID sales totaled $15.6 billion globally in 2019 and are projected to reach $24.4 billion by 2027.
  • Vitamin D3 – the global market size was $1.1 billion in 2021, growing at 7 percent per year and expected to reach $1.7 billion in 2026.

Management Team

Chris Bunka is Chairman and CEO of Lexaria Bioscience Corp. He is a serial entrepreneur who has been involved in several private and public companies since the late 1980s. He has extensive experience in the capital markets, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, as well as corporate finance. He is named as an inventor on multiple patent innovations.

John Docherty, M.Sc., is the President of Lexaria. He is a pharmacologist and toxicologist, and a specialist in the development of drug delivery technologies. He is the former president and COO of Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX: HBP). He is named as an inventor on multiple issued and pending patents.

Greg Downey is Lexaria’s CFO. He has more than 35 years of diverse financial experience in the mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, and construction industries, and in the public sector. He served for eight years as CFO for several public companies and has provided business advisory and financial accounting services to many large organizations.

Gregg Smith is a strategic advisor to Lexaria. He is a founder and private investor with Evolution VC Partners. He is a member of the Sand Hill Angels and held previous investment banking roles with Cowen and Company and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Dr. Philip Ainslie serves as a scientific and medical advisor to Lexaria. He is co-director for the Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, Canada. He is also Research Chair in Cerebrovascular Physiology and Professor at the School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Development at the University of British Columbia.

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (LEXX), closed Tuesday's trading session at $0.731, up 4.4286%, on 109,226 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is and the stock's 52-week low/high is $11.304/$.

Recent News

Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX).

Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren are advocating for cannabis reform that gives priority to areas that have suffered the most from the drug war and prevent monopolization by large corporations such as Amazon and major tobacco companies. During a dedicated event focused on fostering an inclusive cannabis industry, the senators expressed gratitude to activists for their unwavering support of minority-owned marijuana businesses. They also committed to championing policies that align with the intention of promoting equity. In a recorded video aired during the ceremony, Warren stressed that legalization by itself is insufficient. She emphasized the significance of ensuring that the communities hardest afflicted by the drug war receive priority access to the advantages of legalization. She also argued in favor of legalization that does not give dominant organizations such as Big Alcohol and Tobacco or massive retail chains control over the market. The senator expressed skepticism about Amazon's lobbying efforts for marijuana legalization, viewing those efforts as potentially self-serving attempts to monopolize another market. Warren voiced concern that such actions could impede Latino and Black entrepreneurs from thriving in the emerging cannabis industry. It is encouraging that as discussions about what form federal marijuana legalization should take, emphasis is being placed on including as many people as possible in the industry. Such an approach could help to spread the benefits of legalization to a wider section of the population, and that could in turn make it easier for different companies such as Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) to deepen their reach in different markets around the country, given that more growers will be participating in the industry.

Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) is in the business of selling and distributing self-contained, automated, indoor “micro-farms” called Grow Pods, along with related equipment and supplies. Additionally, the company designs and sells patented proprietary medical-grade plastic containers, known as the Medtainer®, that store and grind pharmaceuticals, herbs, teas and other solids or liquids.

ACTX is the leading distributor of Grow Pods. With a controlled environment, food and herbs can be grown without pesticides, harmful chemicals or risk of pathogen contamination, and with low energy consumption. Restaurants, grocery stores, non-profits, MSOs and entrepreneurs can use Grow Pods to ensure a fresh supply of ultra-clean produce year-round.

The company entered the Grow Pod business in October 2020 with its acquisition of all shares of Advanced Container Technologies Inc., a California corporation. As of February 28, 2022, ACTX is exploring the acquisition of the assets and the assumption of some or all of the liabilities of GP Solutions Inc., the developer and manufacturer of Grow Pods, for which ACTX is currently the sole U.S. distributor.

Because Grow Pods can be located almost anywhere, produce can be grown closer to the point of consumption and harvested at its peak, providing nutritious fruits and vegetables where needed. Indoor micro-farms, utilizing a practice known as vertical farming, have attracted the attention of governments and universities, which are now promoting vertical farming as a way to combat food insecurity and inequities.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has stated that vertical farming “is no longer a futuristic concept.” The department is enthusiastic about vertical farming, particularly those utilizing repurposed shipping containers, such as Grow Pods. Arizona State University reports that vertical farming reduces water use by 90 percent compared to conventional farming but produces 10 times the crop yield.

Products

Grow Pods

One of the company’s main business units is focused on selling advanced, self-contained hydroponic containers called Grow Pods. These unique and innovative automated systems are essentially micro-farms that can be placed virtually anywhere and, with their controlled and specially filtered environment, allow cultivation of a wide variety of crops, 365 days a year. The Grow Pod controlled environment offers major advantages for the production of high-value crops. The ability to grow year-round and the ability to cultivate in a smaller footprint using less water and power are some of the primary advantages of the system. Grow Pods offer constant temperature, humidity and airflow control, as well as automated watering and lighting schedules for optimal growth and minimal labor requirements, regardless of crop.

Containers

ACTX meets the needs of the pharmaceutical and medical markets, including the cannabis and hemp industries, with patented packaging systems. The company designs, customizes, brands and sells proprietary medical grade plastic containers that can store pharmaceuticals, herbs, teas and other solids or liquids, with a special built-in feature that can grind solids and shred herbs. The company’s flagship container product is the patented Medtainer®, a child resistant, medical-grade herb container and grinder that is water-tight, air-tight and smell proof. Packaging in the cannabis industry is critical, with numerous stringent regulations about how cannabis products must be packaged and labeled. ACTX also offers custom-branded, compliant vacuum seal bags and other retail container solutions.

Equipment and Supplies

ACTX markets and sells two principal products: Grow Pods, which are specially modified insulated shipping containers manufactured by GP Solutions Inc., in which plants, herbs and spices may be grown hydroponically in a controlled environment, and Medtainers®, which may be used to store pharmaceuticals, herbs, teas and other solids or liquids and can grind solids and shred herbs. The company also markets and sells various products related to Grow Pods and the Medtainer®, as well as providing private labeling and branding services for purchasers of Medtainers® and certain related products.

GP Solutions manufactures and sells other products, such as humidity controllers and LED lighting systems for vertical farming. The company’s specially designed lighting panels are programmed to emit the exact wavelength of light that each crop requires. The system has a daybreak-to-nightfall feature that gives plants the proper chromatic signals to grow rapidly and fruitfully. High efficiency LED light strips supply the crops with a red and blue light spectrum required for photosynthesis in the spectrum that plants need most.

Market Overview

The global vertical farming market is expected to reach $33.02 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research. The market is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 25.5 percent from 2022 to 2030, according to Grand View. Escalating production of biopharmaceutical products, including cannabis, is anticipated to drive the market. The building-based segment of the market is expected to register a significant CAGR of 27.8 percent over the projected period. In addition, the climate control segment is expected to see high growth.

The global cannabis packaging market is expected to reach $14.34 billion by 2028, according to analysis by Reports and Data. The analysis forecasts 1,700 percent growth in cannabis users by the end of 2026, with packaging likely observing a whopping 26.42 percent growth in the forecast period. There are significant barriers to entry in the cannabis packaging market, giving an advantage to companies already established in the sector. These barriers include developing a thorough knowledge of the myriad regulations that govern cannabis packaging (which differ in each state), and child-resistance requirements.

Management Team

Douglas P. Heldoorn is the Founder and Chairman of Advanced Container Technologies Inc. He also holds the positions of President, CEO and COO at the company. Mr. Heldoorn has served on the Board of Directors since its inception in 2013. He has also previously held the position of Executive General Manager at Nissan Motor Corp.

Jeffory A. Carlson is CFO and Treasurer of ACTX. Mr. Carlson has also served as the company’s Corporate Controller since 2014.

Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX), closed Tuesday's trading session at $0.26725, up 16.1957%, on 300 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.0141/$0.95.

Recent News

GolfLync Inc.

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight GolfLync Inc.

GolfLync just received over 200 5-star reviews on the Apple App Store, performing exceptionally well in a space where sports apps averaged 3.97 and social networking apps posted a mere 3.73 in Q2 2022

The platform matches golfers of all skill levels looking for a game through its smartphone app, becoming the go-to social network for golfers

The app's warm reception is seen as a reflection of its exceptional user experience, made possible by the built-in logic that allows users to get the perfect match with whomever they share similar interests and on-course preferences

GolfLync, offering a platform through its smartphone app that matches golfers of all skill levels looking for a game, just affirmed its status as the go-to "social network for golfers" with over 200 5-star ratings on the Apple App Store. The ratings reflect the warm reception the app has received thus far, the level of thoughtfulness and detail that went into its development, and the real user value that GolfLync delivers to the growing community of golf enthusiasts around the country.

GolfLync Inc. matches golfers looking for a game through the company’s smartphone app, GolfLync. The company bills GolfLync as “the social network for golfers,” matching golf games and players similar to the way a dating app matches those looking for romance.

The app allows like-minded golfers to connect for a game simply by logging in. GolfLync helps golfers who are looking to grow their golf network find other players with similar interests and on course preferences. Whether you have recently moved to a new area and are looking for new golfing buddies, travel frequently and would like to play a round of golf while on the road, or just want to meet new golfers in your area, GolfLync is your answer. Spouses who enjoy golfing together can find other golfing couples to tee it up with. For a regular group that finds itself unexpectedly down a player, GolfLync can help find that last-minute addition to complete the foursome.

The company is based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

GolfLync App

GolfLync was created for golfers of all skill levels and preferences to connect with compatible players of similar skill. Golfers can find a tee time through GolfLync, join existing tee times and create new leagues. The app allows golfers to meet fellow players before committing to spend four hours on the course with them. GolfLync allows users to find new golf friends based on their preferences, such as walking or riding a cart, listening to music, friendly wagering, imbibing a favorite beverage at the 19th Hole and more. GolfLync is available for both Android and iOS as a free download.

Download on Apple App Store   Get it on Google Play

Market Opportunity

According to a report by Statista, a leading provider of market and consumer data, in 2022, the number of people participating in golf in the United States reached 25.6 million, with 15.5 million additional players participating in off-course activities like driving ranges. In 2020, over 502 million rounds of golf were played in the U.S. alone. The game, traditionally dominated by male players, is changing, with increased interest from women golfers driven by social media influencers around the game.

Lumen Sports puts the total number of golf courses in the U.S. at more than 16,700. According to Lumen, about 75% of those are public courses open to all golfers, with the rest considered private golf clubs that require a membership.

 

Management Team

Noah DiPasquale is a co-founder and CEO of GolfLync Inc., leading the marketing and operations of the platform. He is also the founder and CEO of Epic Golf Club, a premier national membership and private golf society which partners with hundreds of top tier private golf clubs allowing Epic members access to their courses and recently founded the Epic Foundation, a Scottsdale-based 501c3. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration, Management and Operations from the W.A. Franke College of Business at Northern Arizona University and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix.

Michael Quiel is a co-founder of GolfLync Inc. and the President of the organization. He leads the application development and research teams. Michael understands how to build successful companies. His deep knowledge of investment banking, finance and building successful business partnerships is unparalleled. He’s an expert at capital formation and growth hacking companies. He has raised over $250 million in capital and taken multiple companies public.

Recent News

chart

Starco Brands Inc. (OTCQB: STCB)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Starco Brands Inc. (OTCQB: STCB).

Starco Brands (OTCQB: STCB), a modern-day ‘invention factory' that invents or acquires novel products and advances them using behavior-changing technologies, recently launched Lime Whipshots, its latest addition to its vodka-infused whipped cream product line featuring global icon Cardi B. "Whipshots Lime joins other flavors in the product line, including vanilla, caramel and mocha – all infused with a 10% premium vodka kick. Starco Brands launched the product in December 2021, achieved its first million can sales after ten months and sold another million cans only four months later. Whipshots has also gained widespread industry recognition with several awards, including the ‘Rising Star' award at the Beverage Dynamics' 2023 Growth Brands Awards and four medals at the 2023 DB&SB Spring Blind Tasting segment of the Global Spirits Masters Competition," a recent article reads. "We are thrilled to dive headfirst into the ‘Summer of Whipshots(R)' with Lime as the latest flavor of our Whipshots family," Starco Brands CEO Ross Sklar is quoted as saying. "Having recently surpassed two million cans sold, Whipshots continues to offer consumers a fun and innovative way to celebrate all year."

To view the full article, visit https://ibn.fm/fRPNO

Starco Brands Inc. (OTCQB: STCB) is a modern-day invention factory. The company’s unwavering mission is to invent and acquire consumer products and brands with behavior-changing technologies that spark excitement in the everyday.

This consumer product company has grown from a few million dollars in revenue to a current run rate of approximately $67 million in annual revenue in one year.

The company has succeeded by identifying whitespaces in eight core consumer categories and then either: 1) leveraging its internal R&D capabilities and dedicated manufacturing network to invent new technologies and brands or 2) utilizing the management team’s extensive M&A experience to acquire brands that fill the industry void, delighting consumers and retailers alike.

Whether the brand is developed internally or acquired, the company employs a modern marketing playbook to ensure its brands are at the forefront of culture; garnering unprecedented media attention and engagement that supports a robust sales network.

Starco Brands’ core competencies are inventing technologies, acquiring companies, marketing, building trends, pushing awareness, penetrating media (social and otherwise) and executing cutting edge pull-through strategies with a roster of globally recognized celebrities, influencers and media and distribution partners.

A commitment to changing the way people approach everyday activities is innate in the company’s corporate DNA.

The company is based in Santa Monica, California.

Brands

Whereas other consumer products companies are content with evolution, Starco Brands has its mind set on creating a revolution across the industry. From disrupting the spirits industry with Whipshots, the world’s only vodka-infused whipped cream, to Soylent, the original food tech company, Starco Brands is putting the CPG world on notice. Its portfolio of brands includes:

  • Whipshots is a first-of-its-kind alcoholic whipped cream launched in 2021 with celebrity partner Cardi B. Consumers have embraced this boozy concoction, putting it on top of cocktails, coffees and desserts, or enjoying it straight from the can. In just over a year, the brand has sold over 2 MILLION cans, making it one of the fastest growing spirits in history.
  • Winona Pure gives consumers movie theatre popcorn in the comfort of their own homes. All the flavor and none of the additives is the story behind these all-natural, non-GMO popcorn seasoning sprays. A simple spray is all it takes to add the perfect pop of flavor to the classic theatre treat.
  • Art of Sport, co-founded by the great Kobe Bryant, is the number one body care brand for athletes. With a growing line of personal care products tested by the world’s greatest athletes, these daily skin essentials give consumers everything they need to feel fresh, stay protected and confident and perform at their peak every day.
  • Skylar is the first and only line of perfumes on the market that are hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. With the strong support of industry titan Sephora, the brand has quickly attracted a loyal following.
  • Soylent is a technological feat. Originally funded by Google Ventures and Andreessen Horwitz, Soylent is dubbed as the world’s most perfect food. Made from sustainably grown plant-based ingredients, Soylent’s line of products is scientifically developed to provide all the functional ingredients, vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates and protein that the body needs – all in convenient, delicious and affordable packages. Soylent’s innovative product line-up includes complete nutrition powders, ready-to-drink shakes, 100-calorie snack bars, high protein nutrition shakes and energy boosting nutrition shakes. Soylent was also the recipient of the 2023 Product of the Year Award by Kantar, a global leader in consumer research.

With award-winning marketing talent, Starco Brands develops robust, integrated marketing plans for every brand in its portfolio, ensuring an impactful presence across all verticals.

Market Outlook

Starco Brands’ varied brand portfolio gives it access to the growth of numerous product categories that are ripe for innovation.

Through its February 2023 acquisition of complete nutrition pioneer Soylent, Starco Brands is positioned to capitalize on the projected growth of the plant-based nutrition space. Research firm Statista valued the plant-based nutrition market at $29.4 billion in 2020 and forecasts its value at nearly $162 billion by 2030, representing a CAGR of 18.7% for the period.

Likewise, Starco Brands gained improved access to the global fragrance market through its December 2022 acquisition of Skylar. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global perfume market was valued at $50.85 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to a value of nearly $80 billion by 2030, achieving a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period.

The company is primed to expand its access to other growth verticals as it advances on its path to invent and acquire behavior-changing technologies and brands.

Management Team

Ross Sklar is the CEO of Starco Brands. A chemical formulator by trade, he started his first company while still in college. Since 2004, he has made over a dozen acquisitions with multiple exits and controls an eclectic collection of industrial, household, personal care and food and beverage manufacturers covering many consumer-packaged goods categories.

Darin Brown is the Chief Operating Officer of Starco Brands. With over 20 years of experience in chemical manufacturing, business development, finance and mergers and acquisitions, he has scaled the company from the ground up. He oversees all internal operations for Starco Brands and is an integral liaison between the company and Mr. Sklar’s manufacturing facilities.

David Dreyer is Chief Marketing Officer of Starco Brands. With over 25 years of experience working with blue chip and startup brands, he oversees all marketing initiatives for the company. Mr. Dreyer comes to Starco having worked with such standout brands as Apple, Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Dr Pepper, Snapple, Infiniti, The GRAMMY’s, Honda and Stamps.com. He is also a Professor of Advertising at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication.

Starco Brands Inc. (STCB), closed Tuesday's trading session at $0.135, even for the day. The average volume for the last 3 months is and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.0725/$0.265.

Recent News

Mullen Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Mullen Automotive Inc. (MULN).

Mullen Automotive (NASDAQ: MULN), an emerging electric vehicle ("EV") manufacturer, today announced the integration of AI-powered PERSONA vehicle technology into its overall commercial and consumer vehicle lineups. Originally developed for the Mullen FIVE, PERSONA is an advanced interactive AI camera/sensor and video monitoring system that utilizes facial recognition technology to unlock/lock vehicles and completely personalize the overall vehicle experience for the driver. "Right from the beginning, when we first introduced PERSONA at the 2021 LA Auto Show, the amount of positive feedback we've received has been far beyond anything we imagined; so, of course, we had to expand it for additional use cases," said David Michery, CEO and chairman of Mullen Automotive. "We are actively working on the broad commercialization of this AI-based proprietary technology."

To view the full news release, visit https://ibn.fm/19Cq5

Mullen Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN) is a Southern California-based automotive company that owns and partners with several synergistic businesses working toward the unified goal of creating clean and scalable energy solutions. Mullen has evolved over the past decade in sync with consumers and technology trends. Today, the company is working diligently to provide exciting EV options built entirely in the United States and made to fit perfectly into the American consumer’s life. Mullen strives to make EVs more accessible than ever by building an end-to-end ecosystem that takes care of all aspects of EV ownership.

Commencement of Trading on Nasdaq

On November 5, 2021, Mullen announced its commencement of trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

“Today is a monumental day for Mullen Automotive. I am especially proud of our team, investors and all who have believed in Mullen and taken us to this point as a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq Capital Market,” David Michery, CEO and Chairman of Mullen Automotive, stated in the news release. “Trading on Nasdaq now opens us up to new investors, both institutional and retail shareholders, and broadens our awareness and company profile, while increasing awareness of Mullen and our technology platform and opening new opportunities in EV and beyond. The road ahead has never been brighter for Mullen, and I am proud to lead us into the future.”

The milestone came in the wake of the company’s stock-for-stock merger with Net Element Inc.

The Mullen FIVE

The Mullen FIVE EV Crossover, debuting at the Los Angeles International Auto Show (LAIAS) on November 17, 2021, embodies Mullen’s Southern California roots with an inspired design focused on two complementary Golden State themes – California landscape and California urban.

The FIVE is built on an EV Crossover skateboard platform that offers multiple powertrain configurations and trim levels in a svelte design that is Strikingly Different™ and exciting to experience in person.

Prior to the start of LAIAS, the Mullen FIVE was selected as a finalist by the LA Auto Show for Top EV SUV in the ZEVA “People’s Choice” Awards.

LAIAS provides Mullen an opportunity to display multiple variants of the FIVE model while also showcasing its powertrain, battery and charging technology. The company intends to bring the FIVE to market in 2024, and reservations are currently open here.

Mullen’s development portfolio also includes EV Fleet Vans, which it intends to bring to market in Q2 2022, and the pure electric, high performance Mullen DragonFLY.

Expansion of Manufacturing Capacity

On November 2, 2021, Mullen announced plans to expand its facility in Robinsonville, Mississippi.

Mullen’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Facility (AMEC) currently occupies 124,000 square feet of manufacturing space. The total available land on the property is over 100 acres, and Mullen is moving ahead with plans to build out another 1.2 million square feet of manufacturing space to support class 1 and class 2 EV cargo vans and the Mullen FIVE EV Crossover.

On the expanded site, Mullen plans to build a body shop, a fully automated paint shop and a general assembly shop.

EV Market Outlook

The global EV market was reported to consist of 3,269,671 units in 2019, a figure that is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.1% through 2030 to a total of 26,951,318 units worldwide. This market’s monetary value was estimated at $162.34 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.6%, resulting in an approximate value of $802.81 billion by 2027. The primary driver for this exponential growth is a worldwide increase in vehicle emissions regulations.

Management Team

David Michery is the CEO and Founder of Mullen and has been leading the company and its divisions since inception in 2014. With over 25 years of executive management, marketing, distressed assets, and business restructuring experience, Mr. Michery brings a wealth of relevant knowledge and expertise to the Mullen brand. He has notably created 12 trademarks so far to develop the company brand and vision.

Mr. Michery is working toward a sustainable future accessible to all by creating a suite of clean-energy electric vehicles at varied price points. With entirely U.S.-based manufacturing and operations, he is also determined to have Mullen Technologies play a role in shaping a self-sustaining local economy by creating more jobs in America.

Mr. Michery manages risks and company expectations as a pathway to success and has personally overseen several businesses that totaled over $1 billion in transactions. His key strength is the ability to be fiscally responsible and lead teams to complete projects on time and within budget. As a seasoned professional in this space, Mr. Michery has demonstrated skill in building businesses from the ground up and into successful entities that subsequently sold for hundreds of millions of dollars.

Mullen Automotive Inc. (MULN), closed Tuesday's trading session at $0.1605, off by 29.9127%, on 342,482,950 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.155/$42.75.

Recent News

McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX).

McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX) today provided results of the updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "2023 PEA") on the Los Azules Copper Project in San Juan Argentina (the "project"). The project is 100% owned by McEwen Copper Inc., which is 52% owned by McEwen Mining. According to the announcement, the PEA includes an updated independent mineral resource estimate, which increased to 10.9 billion ("B") lbs. copper ("Cu") (indicated, grade 0.40% ) and 26.7 B lbs. Cu (inferred, grade 0.31% ). Among the base highlights, the company reported total Cu recoverable to cathode of 8.68 billion lbs. (3.94 million tonnes), based on the life-of-mine ("LOM") extraction of mineralized material containing approximately 11.90 billion lbs. of total Cu (5.40 million tonnes), and average copper recovery of 72.8%. The study is preliminary in nature and includes 26% inferred mineral resources in the conceptual mine plan. There is no certainty that the estimates in the PEA will be realized.

To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/itYQq

McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX) is an asset rich diversified gold and silver producer in the Americas and has a large exposure to copper through its subsidiary, McEwen Copper, owner of the Los Azules copper deposit in Argentina, believed to be the 9th largest undeveloped copper resource in the world.

Led by a management team with a track record of success, MUX owns and operates mines in some of the most prolific gold producing regions in the Americas. In recent months, the company has undertaken strong actions to lower production costs and increase production across its portfolio of gold assets, driving some costs below the industry average. Gold and copper prices are forecast to enter a major uptrend over the next couple years. McEwen Mining is laying the groundwork to capitalize on this opportunity now.

Seldom is management so aligned with investors’ interests with a commitment to the company’s success. CEO Rob McEwen maintains a 17% ownership stake in McEwen Mining and a 13.8% ownership in McEwen Copper with a combined cost base of roughly $220 million. McEwen founded Goldcorp, where he took the company from a market capitalization of $50 million to over $8 billion, and that same vision led MUX to create McEwen Copper.

For McEwen Mining shareholders, the company’s 51.9% stake in McEwen Copper is expected to be a gamechanger, turbocharging MUX by creating the world’s next copper unicorn.

McEwen Copper

Most mined copper is currently used in infrastructure, with new critical demand emerging for use in the electrification of transportation and the global energy transformation. The price of copper rose from a low of about $2 per pound two years ago to over $4 per pound today, and strong demand is expected to continue to soar. A study by S&P Global, titled The Future of Copper: Will the Looming Supply Gap Short-circuit the Energy Transition?, projects global copper demand to nearly double over the next decade, from 25 million metric tons today to about 50 million metric tons by 2035. Based on current trends, S&P Global projects annual supply shortfalls to reach nearly 10 million metric tons in 2035.

McEwen Mining is a 51.9% shareholder in McEwen Copper, holder of a 100% interest in the Los Azules copper project in San Juan, Argentina, which was ranked the 9th largest undeveloped copper deposit in the world by Mining Intelligence (2022). Its current copper resources are estimated at 10.2 billion pounds at a grade of 0.48% Cu (Indicated category) and an additional 19.3 billion pounds at a grade of 0.33% Cu (Inferred category). McEwen Copper also owns a copper exploration project in Nevada, called Elder Creek.

In a 2017 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), Los Azules was estimated to have a 36-year life, but indications are that the project could ultimately become an even larger mine, with a longer life, since in the assessment, only 55% of the known copper resources are to be mined. Numerous drill holes have shown strong copper mineralization extending below the PEA pit bottom. Its average annual production for its first 13 years was pegged at 415 million pounds of copper in the 2017 PEA – enough copper to supply 2.2 million electric vehicles per year.

In August 2022, McEwen Copper closed its non-brokered, private placement offering of $82 million, after securing a $25 million investment from mining giant Rio Tinto’s technology arm, Nuton LLC. In February 2023, Nuton agreed to invest an additional $30 million into McEwen Copper. Its current stake in the copper subsidiary is 14.2%.

“We are extremely pleased to have Nuton’s strong continued participation in McEwen Copper,” Rob McEwen stated in a news release. “Together we are exploring new technologies that save energy, water, time and capital in the pursuit of delivering green copper to Argentina and the world, a product that will contribute to the electrification of transportation and the protection of our atmosphere.”

Also in February 2023, FCA Argentina S.A., a subsidiary of Stellantis N.V., one of the world’s leading automakers, invested ARS $30 billion in McEwen Copper to advance development of the Los Azules copper project and for general corporate purposes. Its current stake in McEwen Copper is 14.2%.

“We are delighted to have Stellantis as a partner in the future development of our Los Azules copper project,” Rob McEwen said of the investment. “Together, we share a vision to build a mine for the future based on regenerative principles that can achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2038.”

Another of Rio Tinto’s subsidiaries, Kennecott Exploration, signed an option to earn a 60% interest in McEwen Copper’s other copper project, Elder Creek, by spending $18 million on exploration. The Elder Creek project is prospective for porphyry copper and gold mineralization and is well situated in a district hosting several large copper and gold mines, including Marigold, Lone Tree and Phoenix. Kennecott Exploration will be the operator of the exploration program. McEwen Mining holds a 1.25% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on the Elder Creek property.

Following the capital raise, McEwen Copper is well-funded to advance its Los Azules Project. Publication of an updated PEA on the Los Azules copper project is planned for Q2 2023. A Feasibility Study and IPO are planned for 2024. MUX is strategically reducing its interest to increase its treasury, in order to reduce debt and fund the further development of its gold and silver mines. In May 2023, the company decreased its senior secured debt by $25 million through the secondary sale of McEwen Copper shares.

When McEwen Copper’s Los Azules copper project is compared with other recent transactions and market valuations of copper projects in the same region, it appears very undervalued.

MUX’s management believes its ownership stake in McEwen Copper is not currently reflected in the share price of the company. In fact, it is management’s belief that the combined value of its 51.9% interest in McEwen Copper, plus its gold mines and portfolio of mineral royalties, represents a share value ranging from a low of $8 to a high of $34 per share, as detailed in the company’s latest corporate presentation.

Gold & Silver Projects

The Fox Complex

McEwen Mining owns a 100% stake in the Fox Complex in the heart of a prolific gold district in Timmins, Canada.

“When MUX bought the Fox Complex, in late 2017, it was a distressed asset with a history of high operating cost/oz. While it has taken longer than I expected, the cost to produce an ounce of gold is significantly lower,” CEO Rob McEwen stated in a news release.

In Q1 2023, McEwen Mining reported cash cost/oz at the Fox Complex of $1,088 on quarterly production of 12,700 GEOs. This was in line with the company’s guidance and marked a significant improvement from Q1 2022, when the mine struggled with effects of the pandemic and equipment failures.

Located in one of the most prolific gold production areas in the world, along the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, the Fox Complex includes the Black Fox mine and Froome mine which together have, so far, produced in excess of 1,000,000 ounces of gold. Also, it includes the Grey Fox and Stock deposits that have an estimated additional 1,600,000 ounces in reserves and resources. The 2.7-billion-year-old Abitibi Greenstone Belt, formed by ancient volcanic activity, has proved to be one of the world’s richest and most abundant gold regions, boasting total gold content of over 300 million ounces.

Full year 2023 guidance for The Fox Complex puts production estimates at 45,000 GEOs, 28% of MUX’s total production.

The Gold Bar Mine

McEwen Mining owns a 100% stake in the Gold Bar mine located in an area well known for gold production, the southern Roberts Mountains of the Battle Mountain-Eureka-Cortez gold trend in Eureka County, Central Nevada. The Gold Bar mine is on the same geological structure some 25 miles south of Nevada Gold Mines, a joint venture of Barrick and Newmont. This Cortez-Goldrush complex contains estimated reserves and resources of greater than 50 million gold ounces. Its annual gold production is 1,000,000 ounces.

Gold Bar had been previously mined, between 1991 and 1994, producing 134,000 gold ounces. MUX built a new facility in 2019. The open pit mine was expected to be a large contributor to MUX’s revenue and gold production, however operating challenges arose that reduced gold production and drove cost/oz unacceptably high. Mining activities have shifted recently to a nearby, satellite deposit called Gold Bar South (GBS). Going forward the expectations are higher gold production and lower operating cost/oz as a result of mining a higher ore grade (concentration of gold per ton) and having to move half the amount of material to capture an ounce of gold.

Gold Bar continued to ramp-up mining from the Gold Bar South deposit in Q1 2023, and successfully placed 15,000 contained gold ounces on the heap leach pad. Following delays due to extreme snow and rainfall, mining resumed at the site in April, which will continue to add gold inventory to the heap leach pad, contributing to the increase of production in the balance of the year.

The Gold Bar Mine will account for approximately 28% of McEwen Mining’s 2023 total attributable production, with guidance pegged at 45,000 GEOs. Most of Gold Bar production in 2023 will be from GBS.

El Gallo/Fenix

Project Fenix is the proposed redevelopment plan for McEwen Mining’s El Gallo Complex in Mexico. There is a long history of mining in this region. MUX’s involvement began in 2013 operating it as an open pit, heap leach mine which produced 281,000 gold equivalent ounces at average cash cost of $655 per ounce. However, due to the transition to deeper sulfide mineralization that is not amenable to heap leaching, mining activities ceased in the second quarter of 2018. The redevelopment envisions constructing a mill at the existing mine site that will initially reprocess the existing heap leach material then transition to open pit mining and processing the sulphide mineralization. The company recently acquired a complete process plant on very advantageous terms that has considerably reduced the projected capital requirements for the project.

CEO Rob McEwen stated in a news release, “This acquisition has made Fenix more attractive to build and could provide a new long life mine for McEwen Mining.”

The initial development approach is to build a mill to reprocess the material on the heap leach pad and produce approximately 17,000 oz of gold annually for eight years. Construction of the Fenix project is expected to be completed by early 2024.

Mine San José

McEwen Mining is a 49% owner and non-operator of the San José gold and silver mine located in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. This high-grade underground mine has been operating since 2007 and currently has an expected life of six years with a reserve grade of 342 gpt silver and 5.7 gpt gold and a resource grade of 427 gpt silver and 7.0 g/t gold.

Exploration is continuing to extend high-grade veins and discover new veins at the complex. San José’s drilling programs to define additional resources and reserves have a long history of success due to a high vein density, aided by good geophysical response from hidden veins. Drilling at the Telken target in the South of the property, and adjacent to Newmont’s Cerro Negro mine, is planned for Q3.

Production guidance for 2023 for MUX’s 49% is 70,000 GEOs, 44% of MUX’s total production. As a minority shareholder in the mine, MUX equity accounts for its investment in San Jose, and it receives 49% of the dividends from the mine’s free cash flow.

Market Outlook

Mining stocks took a beating in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that could change, as many analysts are now forecasting a gold bull market in 2023.

“The operating challenges we faced in recent years have severely damaged our credibility with our shareholders and the market. As a result, few investors have taken a close look recently at our assets,” Rob McEwen said in a news release. “If they did, I believe some would see the potential value that I see today… I believe there is considerable potential value in MUX, and that is a big reason why I have a personal financial commitment of $220 million in MUX and McEwen Copper.”

Management Team

Robert R. McEwen is Chairman, CEO and Chief Owner of McEwen Mining. He has been associated with the gold industry all his career, with his first 18 years in the investment industry and, since 1990, as CEO of several gold mining companies. He founded Goldcorp and took that company from a $50 million market capitalization to more than $8 billion. He owns 17% of McEwen Mining and is in complete alignment with investors – the cost of his investment in MUX and McEwen Copper is $220 million and he takes an annual salary of only $1. He was awarded the Order of Canada and the Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Award, was inducted into the Mining Hall of Fame, was named an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year and has Honorary Doctor of Law degrees from York University and Western University.

William Shaver is interim COO and a Director of McEwen Mining. He has decades of management and executive experience in mine design, construction and operations. He was a founder of Dynatec Corporation, which became one of the leading contracting and mine operating groups in North America. In 2013, he was recognized as Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Most recently, he served as COO of INV Metals. He is a Professional Engineer with a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering from Queens University.

Perry Ing is interim CFO at McEwen Mining. He has 25 years of experience in the Canadian mining industry. Over the past 15 years, he has held positions as CFO of Mountain Province Diamonds, Kirkland Lake Gold and McEwen Mining. Prior to that, he worked at Barrick Gold and Goldcorp and started his career in the mining practice at PwC. He has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto and is a Chartered Professional Accountant in Canada and Certified Professional Accountant in the U.S.

Adrian Blanco S. is the company’s Director – America and Mexico Operations. He has extensive international experience in several industrial sectors and has held executive positions in Mexico, the United States, Peru and Argentina. He joined the McEwen Mining team in 2015 and has led a successful business transformation toward operational discipline, best business practices and financial profitability at subsidiaries Compañia Minera Pangea and McEwen Mining Nevada. He graduated from an Executive Management Program at IPADE and Harvard Business School.

Michael Meding is Vice President and General Manager of McEwen Copper. He has over 20 years of international experience, primarily with major mining companies such as Barrick Gold and Trafigura, including extensive experience with project development and operations in Argentina. While at Barrick Gold’s Veladero mine in Argentina, Mr. Meding played a key role in the turnaround, extension of the mine life and subsequent strategic partnering with Shandong Gold. He holds an MBA from Indiana University in Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Leipzig Graduate School of Management in Germany.

McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX), closed Tuesday's trading session at $6.93, off by 4.9383%, on 302,506 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is and the stock's 52-week low/high is $2.81/$10.00.

Recent News

Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. (CSE: RFLX) (OTCQB: RFLXF)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. (CSE: RFLX) (OTCQB: RFLXF).

Reflex (CSE: RFLX) (OTC: RFLXF) (FSE: HF2) today announced the successful completion of a TDEM and magnetic helicopter survey on its Ruby Graphite property (the "project") located in Montana, USA. Prospectair, an industry leader in technological innovation for airborne geophysical survey mapping, interpretation and analysis, completed the TDEM survey via helicopter to identify potential graphite mineralization targets and gather valuable geophysical data. "The completion of the TDEM helicopter survey is an important step in our exploration program for the Ruby Graphite property before commencing our planned summer 2023 drill program," said Paul Gorman, CEO at Reflex Advanced Materials. "The survey has provided us with a wealth of valuable geophysical information, allowing us to refine our understanding of the subsurface geological features and priority areas that have high graphite mineralization potential. These results will guide our future exploration activities as we work towards unlocking the property's full potential."

To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/ZBJNv

Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. (CSE: RFLX) (OTCQB: RFLXF) is a strategic minerals company focused on locating and developing economic properties in the strategic metals and advanced materials space. The company aims to improve domestic specialty mineral infrastructure efficiencies to meet surging national demand from North American manufacturers, effectively positioning itself as one of the only North American suppliers of high purity natural graphite for hi-tech applications.

Reflex Advanced Materials is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Its project portfolio includes the Ruby Graphite Deposit in Montana and the ZigZag Lithium Property in Ontario.

Projects

Ruby Graphite Project

Located in a mining-friendly jurisdiction in southwest Montana, the Ruby Graphite Deposit is a low cost, rapid re-entry opportunity that produced roughly 2,400 tons of graphite from 1902 to 1948. Reflex Advanced Materials holds mining rights for 755 hectares at the Ruby Graphite Project, with 96 federal lode mining claims. Recent samples assay at 95.8% to 98.4% total carbon.

The site is notable as the only combined U.S. graphite flake and vein graphite source. Vein graphite is ideal for energy storage applications, because it requires fewer steps to achieve purity than synthetic alternatives and is therefore far less environmentally damaging. This is expected to play a key role in the project’s development as demand for electric vehicles continues to surge.

In March 2023, the company announced its submittal of permit applications to the Bureau of Land Management in respect of its exploration of the Ruby Graphite Project. Its initial drill program, expected to take place in the summer of 2023, includes plans for 3,500 total meters of drilling, cored to an average depth of 130 meters. The targets for this drill program have been identified using historical data from original mine operations and data gathered for the initial 43-101 technical report on the project, dated January 31, 2023.

ZigZag Lithium Property

Located in the Thunder Bay Mining Division of Ontario, the ZigZag Lithium Property consists of eight mining claims spanning roughly 2,710 hectares. Mineralization at the property, most notably lithium, is based in pegmatite dikes and concentrated in spodumene crystals, which are consistent throughout the entire unit.

Spodumene is readily observable in outcrops and in drill cores, with crystal sizes ranging from 3-15cm, on average.

Reflex Advanced Materials and American Energy Technologies Company Metallurgical Partnership

Reflex Advanced Materials has entered into a material processing agreement with American Energy Technologies Co., which is based in Arlington Heights, Illinois, to conduct metallurgical testwork with the goal of creating a technical support data package for Reflex’s target customer base, U.S. Federal agencies and qualification programs with hi-tech customers in the battery and battery storage business.

The resulting coated, spherionized, purified graphite (CSPG) material that is expected to be created from the aforementioned tests will be used to provide potential customers of CSPG with samples so that they can begin the material qualification process.

Market Opportunity

Graphite is an ideal battery anode and has dominated the market since the proliferation of lithium-ion batteries. Despite this demand, there is currently no significant production of lithium-ion battery anode material in North America.

Instead, most graphite sold in North America today is sourced from Chinese producers. U.S. President Joe Biden highlighted this sourcing disparity in a 2022 address:

“The United Stated depends on unreliable foreign sources for many of the strategic and critical materials necessary for the clean energy transition – such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and manganese for large-capacity batteries,” he said. “Demand for such materials is projected to increase exponentially as the world transitions to a clean energy economy.”

The U.S. Department of Energy is in the process of awarding $2.8 billion to expand domestic manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles and combat this foreign dependency. Reflex Advanced Materials has identified its Ruby Graphite Project as a prime candidate for U.S.-sponsored initiatives due to the rarity and scarcity of natural graphite deposits in the country.

Processing graphite domestically in the U.S. is expected to provide Reflex Advanced Materials a competitive advantage as manufacturers begin to seek out American supply in the face of increased diplomatic tension. This is critical, as a rise in anode demand is expected to fuel a shortage of 8 million tonnes of graphite by 2040. World Bank Group projects 494% growth in total graphite demand by 2050.

Leadership Team

Paul Gorman is the CEO and a Director of Reflex Advanced Materials. He brings to the company over 25 years of experience in junior mining finance, public listings, viability assessment and operational rationalization. For 18 years, Mr. Gorman served as president and managing partner of Riverbank Capital, where he played an instrumental role in raising more than $85 million for small-cap companies. In 2008, he funded Industrial Minerals Inc. (later Northern Graphite) and served in an advisory role for four other graphite companies, contributing significantly to the revitalization of the junior graphite space in North America. Mr. Gorman founded Mega Graphite Inc. in 2009 and has served as chief executive for three other companies.

Tasheel Jeerh, CPA, is the company’s CFO. He is a finance and accounting professional with over a decade of experience spanning both public and private sectors. Prior to joining Reflex Advanced Materials, Mr. Jeerh played a pivotal role in the growth of a private upstream oil and gas firm, dealing with over $2 billion in M&A activity and $1 billion in financing activities. He gained his designation at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he worked as a manager in the assurance practice.

Greg Bell is Project Manager for Reflex Advanced Materials. He is a multi-disciplined engineering management professional with more than 40 years of experience in the natural resources sector. Mr. Bell has successfully built and managed several start-up operations in various capacities. He has been active in graphite and lithium exploration for the past seven years.

Christopher W. Hill leads the company’s Corporate Development initiatives. He is an investor and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the capital markets. Mr. Hill began his career as an investment advisor and then began to consult and advise private companies on their paths to becoming publicly traded. He specializes in corporate development and strategic financing utilizing his large network in the capital markets.

Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. (RFLXF), closed Tuesday's trading session at $0.2771, off by 1.0357%, on 310,394 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.15/$0.765.

Recent News

BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: BVXV)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: BVXV).

Biotechnology company BiondVax has entered into a collaboration with Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences ("MPG") and the University Medical Center Göttingen ("UMG") to develop innovative NanoAbs

BiondVax enjoys an exclusive option for an exclusive worldwide license agreement at pre-agreed financial terms for additional NanoAbs discovered and characterized thereunder the RCA

The company recently announced intent to develop innovative NanoAbs targeting immune system cytokines such as IL-17 for the potential treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Analysts at Zacks Small-Cap Research laud the shift in focus to anti-IL-17 and have pegged the stock to reach $8 per share from current levels of below $2 per share

Last September, a joint steering committee comprising professionals from BiondVax Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: BVXV), the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences ("MPG"), and the University Medical Center Göttingen ("UMG"), made a decision. Established to guide the BVXV-MPG-UMG NanoAb collaboration, the committee decided to focus the nanosized antibody ("NanoAb") development on other therapeutic indications in addition to COVID-19. This renewed focus would begin with the development of NanoAbs targeting immune system cytokines such as IL-17 (IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-17A/F) for the potential treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and IL-13 for the potential treatment of asthma (https://ibn.fm/AFw7N).

BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: BVXV) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative products for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and other illnesses.

In collaboration with the prestigious Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences (MPG) and the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), both in Germany, BiondVax is developing a pipeline of innovative nanosized antibody (NanoAb) therapies addressing diseases underserved by current treatments and with large and growing markets, such as COVID-19, asthma and psoriasis.

NanoAbs, also known as VHH-antibodies or Nanobodies, are alpaca-derived nanosized antibodies that exhibit multiple significant competitive advantages over existing antibody therapies, including stability at high temperatures, superior binding affinity, more effective and convenient routes of administration and efficient production. BiondVax is uniquely positioned to advance nanosized antibody innovation from R&D through commercialization.

The company’s highly experienced and successful pharmaceutical industry leadership team includes former senior executives from Novartis, GSK and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Since its founding, BiondVax has executed eight clinical trials, including a seven-country, 12,400-participant Phase 3 trial of a prior influenza vaccine candidate, and it built, owns and operates a 20,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art GMP biologics manufacturing facility housing its laboratories, production facilities and offices.

Lead Candidate: Inhaled COVID-19 NanoAb

In December 2021, BiondVax signed definitive agreements with the Max Planck Society – parent organization of the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences– and the UMG to enter a strategic collaboration for the development and commercialization of innovative COVID-19 NanoAbs.

The company is planning a rapid development path that leverages its expertise and capabilities in biological drug development and manufacturing. BiondVax anticipates preclinical proof-of-concept results for an inhaled COVID-19 NanoAb by the end of 2022, with initial Phase 1/2a human clinical trial results expected in 2023.

The intended inhaled mechanism of delivery of BiondVax’s COVID-19 NanoAb formulation may serve as a significant differentiator when compared to approved monoclonal antibodies, which are injected. Inhaled delivery has shown to be cheaper, more convenient and likely safer for patients and providers.

NanoAb Pipeline: Psoriasis, Asthma and More

The COVID-19 NanoAb development agreement is part of a broader five-year research collaboration agreement signed in March 2022 covering discovery, development and commercialization of NanoAbs for several other disease indications with large market medical needs, including asthma, psoriasis, macular degeneration and psoriatic arthritis.

BiondVax has an exclusive worldwide license for development and commercialization of COVID-19 NanoAbs and exclusive options for similar worldwide licenses for NanoAbs for the above mentioned additional large market disorders currently underserved by approved therapeutic antibodies.

Academic research teams from MPG and UMG have verified strong affinity by the new NanoAbs to their biological target molecules and high thermostability. They have also demonstrated strong neutralization by several NanoAb candidates of their respective target molecules. Neutralization studies of the other NanoAbs are expected to begin later in 2022.

Based on the promising results, BiondVax will focus development efforts beginning with the following NanoAbs:

  • NanoAbs targeting IL-17 as drug candidates for the potential treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
  • NanoAbs targeting IL-13 and NanoAbs targeting TSLP as drug candidates for the potential treatment of asthma

These are conditions for which the antibody target is validated by existing treatments and the mechanism of action is well understood. Both represent large medical needs and growing markets. BiondVax anticipates preclinical proof-of-concept for at least one of these NanoAbs in 2023. This is in addition to the aforementioned human clinical Phase 1/2a for the inhaled COVID-19 NanoAb therapy, which is also anticipated in 2023.

Market Opportunity

COVID-19 treatment, target of the company’s lead NanoAb therapy candidate, had an estimated market size of $22 billion in 2021.

Future BiondVax drug candidates will target conditions with large markets growing at attractive CAGRs.

The global asthma treatment market was valued at $18.08 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $26.01 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period, according to Fortune Business Insights. The research firm predicts that the global psoriasis treatment market will grow from $26.37 billion in 2022 to $47.24 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.7% over the forecast period.

Management Team

Amir Reichman is BiondVax’s CEO. He previously was Head of Global Vaccines Engineering Core Technologies at GSK Vaccines in Belgium. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at Novartis Vaccines’ Global Vaccines Supply Chain Management organization. He was the first employee of NeuroDerm Ltd., a company focused on transdermal drug delivery, and served as Chief Engineer and Senior Scientist until his departure in 2009. He earned a M.Sc. in Biotechnology Engineering from Ben-Gurion University and an MBA in Finance and Health Care Management from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

Tamar Ben-Yedidia, Ph.D., is Chief Science Officer at BiondVax. She has more than 30 years of experience in immunology, with specific expertise in the development of vaccines. She began her career with Biotechnology General Ltd., working on development of a recombinant Hepatitis-B vaccine. She later joined the Weizmann Institute of Science, working on the design of a peptide-based vaccine against several pathogens. She is widely published, with numerous refereed articles and invited reviews in various scientific journals. She received her Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute.

Elad Mark is COO at BiondVax. He has over 15 years of biotechnology industry experience encompassing diverse project stages including feasibility studies, conceptual and detailed design, commissioning, qualification and process validation. Prior to joining BiondVax, he led Novartis’s $800 million investment in a biologics facility in Singapore. With Biopharmax and Antero, both global pharmaceutical engineering companies, he successfully led projects in Israel, China and Singapore. He holds a BSc. in Engineering from the Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering and an MBA from the Open University of Israel.

Uri Ben-Or is CFO at BiondVax. He has served as CFO with public life science companies traded on the TASE, OTC and Nasdaq. Ben-Or provides his services to BiondVax through CFO Direct, a company he founded and for which he serves as CEO. He served as the VP of Finance of Glycominds, a leading biotechnology company, and as CFO of a spin-off from Telrad Networks. He also served as a Corporate Controller at Menorah Capital Markets and as an Auditor at PWC. He holds a B.A. in Business from the College of Administration, an MBA from Bar-Ilan University, and is a CPA.

BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: BVXV), closed Tuesday's trading session at $1.42, off by 2.7397%, on 30,351 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is and the stock's 52-week low/high is $1.29/$13.50.

Recent News

Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX).

U.S.-based gene therapy developer Genprex, Inc. is dedicated to finding more effective and novel solutions for battling cancer (particularly lung cancers) and diabetes

Genprex utilizes a propriety platform that encapsulates tumor-suppressing genes within lipid nanoparticles that are injected intravenously

The company has received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for its two non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC") programs using its drug candidate, REQORSA(R)

Genprex also expects to begin a third trial using its REQORSA therapy against small cell lung cancer ("SCLC") later this year

The company recently used its proprietary nanoparticle delivery system, Oncoprex(R), in pre-clinical testing against immunotherapy-resistant tumors, reporting success with a different gene than the one in use for the Fast Tracked programs, thus showing early viability for the use of the Oncoprex platform with a second tumor suppressor gene

Genprex's chief medical officer discusses the developments in a new video released by the company May 23

Clinical-stage gene therapy developer Genprex (NASDAQ: GNPX) is expanding the breadth of its drug candidate potential with positive results from a preclinical study that examines the anti-tumor immune response of a gene believed to play a key role in suppressing certain tumors.

Genprex Inc. (GNPX) is a clinical-stage gene therapy company developing potentially life-changing technologies for cancer patients based upon a unique proprietary technology platform, including Genprex’s initial product candidate, Oncoprex™ immunogene therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Genprex’s platform technologies are designed to administer cancer-fighting genes by encapsulating them into nanoscale hollow spheres called nanovesicles, which are then administered intravenously and taken up by tumor cells where they express proteins that are missing or found in low quantities.

Research and Development

Genprex holds a portfolio of 30 issued and two pending patents covering its technologies and targeted molecular therapies. The company’s research and development program is focused on identifying and developing leading-edge gene therapies that can be used alone or in combination with other therapies for treatment of cancer.

Genprex’s initial product candidate is Oncoprex™, an immunogene therapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Oncoprex works by interrupting cell signaling pathways that cause replication and proliferation of cancer cells, re-establishes pathways for apoptosis (or programmed cell death) in cancer cells, and modulates the immune response against cancer cells. Oncoprex has also been shown to block mechanisms that create drug resistance.

Preclinical research is being conducted with the goal of developing Oncoprex to be administered with targeted therapies in other solid tumors, and with immunotherapies in NSCLC and other solid tumors. In addition, Genprex has conducted and plans to continue research into other tumor suppressor genes associated with chromosome 3p21.3, as well as other potential applications of the company’s immunogene therapy platform.

Clinical Trials

Genprex is currently conducting the second phase of a phase I/II clinical trial at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The company plans to expand its clinical program by adding a new clinical study evaluating Oncoprex™ in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor for treatment of Stage IV or recurrent NSCLC. In research presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research in Washington, D.C., Genprex’s collaborators showed that TUSC2 in combination with PD-1 checkpoint inhibition has a significantly greater anti-tumor effect in lung cancer than either agent alone. The research also shows that TUSC2 in combination with PD-1 blockade has synergistic activity in upregulating natural killer (NK) cells, correlating with prolonged survival in mice.

TUSC2 (Tumor Suppressor Candidate 2) is a tumor suppressor gene that is absent or deficient in cancer cells of many different cancer types.

The Market

Genprex technologies seek to bridge a critical gap by combining with targeted therapies and immunotherapies to provide treatments to large patient populations who would otherwise not be candidates for those therapies or who have become resistant to them. Genprex technologies are being developed to overcome genomic limitations which are inherent in targeted therapies and immunotherapies in order to provide new treatment solutions to large cancer populations, such as those with lung cancer.

Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for about 85 percent of all lung cancers, according to the American Cancer Society (“ACS”). Despite radical advances in drug development and novel therapeutic standards, survival for late stage lung cancer has not improved significantly in the past 25 years.

Senior Management

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer J. Rodney Varner, JD, is a co-founder of Genprex and has served in these roles since August 2012. He has more than 35 years of legal experience with large and small law firms and as outside general counsel of a Nasdaq-listed company. Varner has served as counsel in company formation, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, other business transactions, protection of trade secrets and other intellectual property, real estate, and business litigation. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Court and the U.S. Tax Court.

Julien L. Pham, M.D., MPH, is president and chief operating officer of Genprex. In March 2013, Dr. Pham co-founded RubiconMD, a healthcare IT company that connects primary care providers to specialists for additional guidance and opinions on medical cases and served as its chief medical officer. He has served on the faculty at Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital and is a board-certified internal medicine doctor and nephrologist.

Ryan M. Confer, MS, has served as Genprex chief financial officer since September 2016. Confer has more than 10 years of executive experience in planning, launching, developing, and growing emerging technology companies and has served in the chief operating and chief financial roles for non-profit and for-profit entities since 2008. Confer has also served as an international business development consultant for the University of Texas at Austin’s IC2 Institute, where he focused on evaluating the commercialization potential of nascent technologies in domestic and international markets applicable to technology incubator programs associated with the University. Confer holds a BS in finance and legal studies from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and an MS in technology commercialization from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

Jan Stevens, RN, is vice president of Clinical Operations. Stevens has nearly 20 years of comprehensive clinical operations experience in the biopharma industry and a specialization in early-to-late stage oncology companies. Stevens joined the company to help support the various clinical development programs for Oncoprex™.

Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX), closed Tuesday's trading session at $0.8001, off by 2.8769%, on 154,307 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 154,233 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.7225/$2.67.

Recent News

FuelPositive Corp. (TSX.V: NHHH) (OTC: NHHHF)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight FuelPositive Corp. (NHHHF).

FuelPositive (TSX.V: NHHH) (OTCQB: NHHHF) is committed to providing commercially viable and sustainable clean technology solutions, including an on-farm/onsite, containerized green ammonia ("NH3") production system that eliminates carbon emissions from the production of NH3. The company's board chair and CEO Ian Clifford recently sat down with Mario Toneguzzi, the managing editor of Canada's podcast. In the interview, Clifford discussed FuelPositive's business model and innovative technology that will play a role in the massive global decarbonization movement in multiple sectors. "You can be part of a multibillion-dollar, 100-year-old industry that needs disrupting," Clifford said, when asked by Toneguzzi why he should invest in FuelPositive. "And you can do it as a proud investor in a Canadian brand and Canadian company that will make that kind of fundamental change globally."

To view the full video, visit https://ibn.fm/eZlu5

FuelPositive Corp. (TSX.V: NHHH) (OTC: NHHHF) is a growth stage company focused on licensing, partnership and acquisition opportunities building upon various technological achievements. The company is committed to providing commercially viable and sustainable clean energy solutions, including carbon-free ammonia (NH3), for use across a broad spectrum of industries and applications.

FuelPositive is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Hydrogen Economy Problems and FuelPositive’s Carbon-Free Technology

The hydrogen economy is currently facing many challenges. Traditional NH3 manufacturing exists on a massive scale, but centralized facilities result in some of the world’s most concentrated CO2 emissions. In total, an estimated 200 million metric tonnes of NH3 are consumed each year, with greater than 80% utilized by the agricultural sector. NH3 is also being positioned as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

FuelPositive’s flagship carbon-free ammonia technology provides an innovative solution to these environmental concerns. Developed by Dr. Ibrahim Dincer and his team, the company’s platform allows for the in-situ production of NH3 in an entirely sustainable manner, using only water, air and sustainable electricity.

The production of hydrogen is energy intensive, but it is just one variable hindering the growth of the hydrogen economy. Other hurdles include:

  • Storage – The storage of hydrogen by compression or liquification are both cost prohibitive and unsustainable.
  • Distribution – The distribution network for effective hydrogen deployment has yet to be developed, as the extreme high-pressure distribution requirements to transport hydrogen would result in enormous infrastructure costs.
  • End Use – R&D on the transportation-related end use applications for hydrogen is in its infancy, but almost any vehicle on the road today can be easily converted to run on NH3 at a considerably lower cost per mile traveled when compared to traditional fossil fuels.

A key benefit of FuelPositive’s patent-pending, first-of-its-kind carbon-free NH3 technology is its flexibility. The process allows for small, medium or large-scale production of NH3 on location, minimizing or even eliminating the challenges and volatility associated with storage and transportation to end use. As such, with an appropriately sized FuelPositive system and access to renewable energy, the end use applications for the company’s platform are nearly infinite.

Manufacturing Partnership

On May 19, 2021, FuelPositive announced its selection of National Compressed Air Canada Ltd. (“NCA”) to undertake manufacturing of the company’s Phase 2 hydrogen-ammonia synthesizer commercial prototype systems for carbon-free ammonia production.

In a news release detailing the partnership, FuelPositive CEO Ian Clifford noted, “This critical milestone for FuelPositive will confirm the broad application potential for our technology and is the backbone of our Carbon-Free Hydrogen-NH3 offering. Partnering with the knowledgeable and experienced team at NCA on this commercialization project will bring our development-stage program to life.”

Global Ammonia Market Outlook

The global ammonia market was valued at $52.71 billion in 2017 and is forecast to reach $81.42 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 5.59%, according to data from Fior Markets (https://ibn.fm/1OfOB).

The agricultural industry consumes more than 80% of global NH3. Smaller percentages can be attributed to the waste, water treatment, refrigerants, antiseptic, textile, mining and pharmaceutical industries.

One of the most polluting industries on the planet consists of conventional agribusinesses. These polluters are responsible for more greenhouse emissions per year than transportation. This is where FuelPositive’s technology is expected to be extremely beneficial.

Management Team

Ian Clifford is Director, CEO and Founder of FuelPositive Corp. He has over 25 years of experience in the fields of technology and marketing and has successfully led the company to global brand recognition through its unique energy solutions. Since 2006, Mr. Clifford has raised over $50 million in equity financing for FuelPositive. He also co-founded digIT Interactive, a full-service internet marketing company serving Fortune 500 clients, which he sold at the peak of the market in 2000.

Greg Gooch serves as a Director and President of FuelPositive. His multifaceted career in the electronics and finance industries has positioned him as a key advisor and funding partner to start-ups and new technology companies for over 40 years. Mr. Gooch has been involved with FuelPositive since its early days and has remained a significant supporter and consultant to the company over the years. He has a bachelor’s from McGill University and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario.

Dr. Ibrahim Dincer is a scientific advisor to FuelPositive and is recognized as a pioneer and international leader in the area of sustainable energy technologies. Along with his team, Dr. Dincer invented the modular carbon-free ammonia (NH3) production technology that FuelPositive is commercializing. His area of specialty covers various topics including ammonia, hydrogen energy and fuel cells; renewable energy systems; energy storage systems and applications; carbon capturing technologies, and integrated and hybrid energy systems He is currently managing an exemplary team of researchers in this commercialization project.

Marek Warunkiewicz is the company’s Communications & Branding Specialist. He brings more than 40 years of entrepreneurial expertise to the FuelPositive team, having held marketing, branding, advertising, project management and graphic design positions with various companies. Mr. Warunkiewicz has successfully created business-to-business marketing and advertising campaigns for a diverse group of clients ranging from high-tech to agriculture. He co-founded digIT Interactive and ZENN Motor Company alongside Ian Clifford.

Luna Clifford is the Director of Communications for FuelPositive. She has over 10 years of experience as a business owner and advisor, helping build and operate several successful start-up enterprises while managing complex stakeholder relationships. Ms. Clifford excels in strategic planning and team building, and she has completed extensive studies in the fields of communications and health care.

FuelPositive Corp. (NHHHF), closed Tuesday's trading session at $0.0615, off by 12.1429%, on 3,727,450 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 3.727M and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.051/$0.17.

Recent News

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF).

Ucore Rare Metals (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) was featured in a new interview released by The Power Play by The Market Herald. The company's CEO Pat Ryan joined host Coreena Robertson to discuss Ucore's latest news. "Ucore Rare Metals Inc. has entered into an engagement letter with Research Capital Corporation, on behalf of a syndicate of agents, including Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Echelon Wealth Partners Inc., in connection with a ‘best efforts' agency basis private placement of units of the company at a price of $1.00 per unit for minimum gross proceeds of $4.0 million and maximum gross proceeds of $5.35 million," the announcement reads. "Each unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share for a period of 36 months following the closing date of the offering at an exercise price of $1.25."

To view the full interview, visit https://ibn.fm/7Lcug

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) is a critical metals (“CM”) separation technology company executing an ESG-centered plan toward establishing a comprehensive North American critical metals supply chain. The company has developed a transformative commercial-ready technology, RapidSX™, for separating and purifying critical metals. Ucore intends to deploy this technology in pursuit of a CM supply chain independent of China for Western original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), most notably in the automotive and renewable energy industries.

Ucore’s vision is to become a leading advanced technology company providing best-in-class metal separation products and services to the mining and mineral extraction industry. Its initial focus is on processing heavy and light rare earth elements (“REEs”), disrupting a supply chain that is dominated by China.

China currently controls about 80% of the world’s access to REE mining projects and over 90% of the world’s REE processing capabilities, and it produces about 95% of the goods containing REE components.

 

Ucore is working to scale Western supply needs by establishing REE separation and rare earth oxide (“REO”) production capabilities in cooperation with strategic upstream supply and downstream offtake partnerships. The company, along with its industry partners, aims to unlock access to Western REEs for current consumer, energy, manufacturing and military sectors.

By 2025, Ucore expects to commercially separate U.S.-friendly sources of REEs and supply OEMs with REOs required to produce rare earth permanent magnets (“REPMs”) – the essential component of electric motors and generators required to support the world’s transition to electrification and sustainable energy sources.

The company intends to contribute to this initiative through the near-term development of a heavy and light rare-earth processing facility in Louisiana and subsequent development of Strategic Metals Complexes (SMCs) in Alaska and Canada, as well as through the longer-term development of its 100%-owned Heavy Rare Earth Element (HREE) mineral resource property at Bokan Mountain on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska.

Ucore is headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Projects & Technology

RapidSX™ Demonstration Plant

The Kingston, Ontario, RapidSX™ Demonstration Plant commissioning process is underway. Once commissioned, the plant is designed to demonstrate the commercial capabilities of the RapidSX technology platform.

The RapidSX demo plant will show:

  • The techno-economic advantages of the RapidSX technology platform
  • The processing of tens of tons of heavy and light mixed rare earth element concentrates in a simulated production environment
  • The platform’s ability to operate for thousands of semi-continuous run-time hours
  • Production of high-purity NdPr, praseodymium, neodymium, terbium and dysprosium rare earth elements for early OEM product qualification trials

The demo plant is located within Ucore’s 5,000-square-foot RapidSX Commercialization and Demonstration Facility and is run by its laboratory partner, Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. (“KPM”).

RapidSX™ Technology

Innovation Metals Corp., acquired by the company in 2020, developed the RapidSX separation technology platform with early-stage assistance from the United States Department of Defense, later resulting in the production of commercial-grade, separated rare earth elements at pilot scale.

RapidSX combines the time-proven chemistry of conventional solvent extraction (SX) with a new column-based platform that significantly reduces time to completion and plant footprint, as well as potentially lowering capital and operating costs. SX is the international REE industry’s standard commercial separation technology and is currently used by all REE producers worldwide for bulk commercial separation of both heavy and light REEs.

Utilizing similar chemistry to conventional SX, RapidSX is not a “new” technology, but it represents a significant improvement on the well-established, well-understood, proven conventional SX separation technology preferred by REE producers.

Strategic Metals Complex

Ucore, engineering partner Mech-Chem Associates Inc. and KPM are developing the full-scale engineering for the company’s first Strategic Metals Complex (SMC). The SMC is a planned REE separation and rare earth oxide production plant slated to commence construction in Louisiana in 2023. It is scheduled to initially process 2,000 tons of total rare earth oxides by the end of 2024, increasing to 5,000 tons in 2026.

The company has three initial U.S.-friendly feedstock agreements in place for the Louisiana complex, along with multiple developing offtake agreements. It received a C$16 million+ incentive package offer from Louisiana Economic Development to support construction of the SMC.

Bokan-Dotson Ridge REE Deposit

Ucore has invested over C$35 million to establish and validate the Bokan-Dotson Ridge resource in preparation for mine design and permitting. Initial drilling is complete, and a Preliminary Economic Assessment has been issued. Next steps for the project include a feasibility study, detailed mine design and permit acquisition. The project can be “near shovel ready” for construction in less than 30 months after receipt of the next stage of development funding.

Market Opportunity

According to a report by Grand View Research, the global rare earth elements market was valued at $2.8 billion in 2018 and is forecast to reach a value of $5.6 billion by 2025, achieving a CAGR of 10.4% during the period. Market growth is driven by increasing demand for these elements in the manufacturing of magnets and catalysts for the automotive industry. Rising demand for electric vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions is expected to propel the use of permanent magnets in the production of EV batteries.

China is the major producer and consumer of REEs. To maintain self-sufficiency and to meet future demand, China has been raising the export tariffs on rare earth elements shipped to various countries, including the U.S., Japan, India, Brazil and the European Union. This led to the current supply-demand gap in these countries, as they rely on imports from China.

China reduced the exports of REEs by 72% in the second half of 2010 to preserve its reserves of these elements and continues to export REEs at reduced levels, thereby affecting industries such as automotive, oil and gas, and electronics, which require an ample amount of rare earth elements.

Management Team

Pat Ryan, P.Eng., is Chairman and CEO of Ucore Rare Metals. He began as a director with the company when he developed a heightened interest in critical metals. Before joining Ucore, he founded and led a multimillion-dollar automotive OEM design and lean manufacturing company. His understanding of complex supply chains across international markets has led to a prime positioning as the global auto industry transitions to vehicle electrification. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Dalhousie University.

Peter Manuel is Vice President and CFO of Ucore. Prior to joining the company, he practiced as a Chartered Accountant for more than 17 years, providing consulting services to companies in a range of industries, with a focus on the financial services and resource sectors. He spent 10 years in England and Ireland providing assurance, strategic planning, corporate finance and other consulting services to a portfolio of both public and private entities. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Dalhousie University.

Michael Schrider, MEng, P.E., is Vice President and COO of Ucore. He is a multidisciplinary engineer who has been involved in manufacturing, engineering and managing complex structural and mechanical systems projects since 1989. He was the Founder, President and Chief Engineer of Schrider & Associates and Alton Bay Design, both engineering services firms. He holds a bachelor’s degree in naval architecture and marine engineering from the University of New Orleans and a master’s degree in mining, geological and geophysical engineering from the University of Arizona.

Mark MacDonald is Vice President of Investor Relations at Ucore. He has over 25 years of experience implementing award winning business development and marketing programs at regional and national levels. As Vice President of Sales, he was responsible for Mediapro Communication’s growth as AT&T Canada’s leading B2B sales partner. He subsequently became Atlantic Regional Vice President of AT&T Canada Corp. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University.

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (UURAF), closed Tuesday's trading session at $0.7408, off by 1.2267%, on 64,967 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 64,967 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.40/$1.15.

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Why do we spotlight companies for Free?
We Want To bring our subscribers the top movers in an unbiased setting.

"Homework Eliminates Mistakes"
Please never invest in a company anyone profiles unless you do the proper research and due diligence.

QualityStocks is compensated by the companies in The QS Company Corner. These companies will include a disclaimer with the amount and term of compensation.

Please consult the QualityStocks Market Basics Section on our site.

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