Tissue Regenix unveils growth strategy and positive EBITDA milestone
Tissue Regenix Group PLC
Tissue Regenix Group PLC (AIM:TRX) CEO Danny Lee and CFO David Cocke discussed the company's 2023 operational and financial performance in an interview with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion. Tissue Regenix is a global leader in regenerative medicine, focusing on tissue-based scaffold technologies derived from both human and animal tissues. These technologies are critical for regenerative therapies, enhancing the body's natural healing processes across various surgical fields, including orthopaedics, sports medicine, general surgery, urogynecology, and ophthalmology. For the first time, the group reported a positive EBITDA, attributed to a 20% increase in sales revenue, reaching £29.5 million. Growth was primarily driven by the BioRinse and DermaPure divisions, with notable success in specialised bone and birth tissue products, particularly the ConCelltrate product for bone formation and the amniotic membrane product for wound care. The company outlined its strategic focus, known as the "four Ss": Supply, Sales, Revenue, Sustainability, and Scale, which form the foundation of its growth strategy. This strategy is further supported by four growth pillars: expanding the base business, enhancing tissue partnerships, evolving regulatory status to become a device company, and expanding market reach globally. Notably, Tissue Regenix has signed new distribution partnerships in Spain, Australia, and China, with plans to enter additional markets based on strategic opportunities. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com
March 21, 2024 11:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time
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Benevolent AI CEO discusses 2023 highlights and 2024 outlook as it pioneers AI in drug discovery
BenevolentAI
BenevolentAI (OTC:BAIVF) CEO Dr Joerg Moeller outlines the company's operational and corporate milestones for 2023, categorising achievements into five key areas: clinic operations, proprietary pipeline progress, platform enhancement, organisational growth, and financial management. Moeller noted that BAI secured a significant deal with Merck KGaA worth up to $594 million for developing three clinical drug candidates in immunology and oncology. Collaborations with AstraZeneca have also advanced, focusing on target selection for diseases such as systemic lupus. Progress was noted in Benevolent AI's proprietary pipeline, especially with a lead asset in ulcerative colitis expected to deliver Phase 1a study data. Additionally, advancements in glioblastoma treatment and ALS research were highlighted. Organisational developments included key executive appointments and an extended financial runway until mid-next year. Moeller underscored the validation of the BAI platform through collaborations with the major pharmaceutical companies, positioning the company as a leader in AI-augmented drug discovery. The imminent release of data for a leading program in ulcerative colitis aims to introduce a new treatment with fewer side effects. For 2024, the company plans to extend its financial runway, forge additional collaborations, and partner on pipeline assets, with expectations for another year of significant achievements. Contact Details Proactive North America +1 604-688-8158 NA-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com
March 21, 2024 11:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time
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NetScientific: Significant Advancement with Strategic Goals
NetScientific PLC
NetScientific PLC (AIM:NSCI) CEO Dr Ilian Iliev discusses the substantial progress made in achieving its strategic objectives for 2023, despite facing challenging market conditions. Iliev told Proactive's Stephen Gunnion the company, a listed deep tech investor, has capitalized on the growing interest in the deep tech sector, including industrial sustainability, AI, and medtech, maintaining the stability and marginal growth of its privately held portfolio's fair value while expanding its businesses and capital under advisory. NetScientific has focused on generating operating income through corporate finance and value creation services, covering significant portions of its operating costs and achieving sustainability without market placements. Significant achievements include the growth of its portfolio companies, such as Vortex, which saw a notable increase in valuation. The company now manages 23 portfolio companies, with a diversified fair value composition, reducing the impact of fluctuations in individual companies like PDS Biotechnology on its share price. NetScientific has also made strategic advancements in companies like ProAxsis and Glycotest, transitioning them from subsidiary to portfolio status and focusing on third-party investment for growth. Looking ahead, Iliev said NetScientific aims to further its fund management strategy, having achieved FCA authorisation, which will enhance its capacity to invest and manage funds, contributing to the company's financial sustainability and growth potential. The company anticipates continuing its growth strategy in 2024, focusing on increasing the value of its stakes in portfolio companies, scaling its strategy through fund management, facilitating effective exits, and strengthening its team for sustainable long-term success. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com
March 21, 2024 11:48 AM Eastern Daylight Time
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MP Evans reports significant growth and sustainable advances in 2023
MP Evans Group PLC
MP Evans Group PLC (AIM:MPE) CEO Matthew Coulson discusses the company's 2023 achievements and future outlook in an interview with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion. In 2023, MP Evans notably increased its planted area by over 10,000 hectares and inaugurated its sixth mill at the Musi Rawas plantation, enhancing production capabilities significantly. It surpassed its initial planting target at Musi Rawas, reaching 10,300 hectares, with aspirations to expand to 11,000 hectares in 2024. MP Evans also opened its sixth mill, contributing to a more than 22% increase in production from its own mills with 95% of the company's crop now processed in-house. Despite reduced crude palm oil prices affecting revenue, Coulson noted that MP Evans maintained strong cash generation, leading to an increase in dividends and the extension of a share buyback programme. The strategic priorities remain focused on responsibility, excellence, growth, and yield. Early 2024 saw stable, if not slightly stronger, palm oil prices, with early March prices reaching over $800 per tonne. Coulson said MP Evans continues to seek sustainable development opportunities and aims to further increase planted acreage, focusing on delivering sustainable crop production and enhanced shareholder returns. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com
March 21, 2024 11:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time
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Coinsilium CEO Eddy Travia discusses Byzant and the future of Web3 social media
Coinsilium Group Ltd
Coinsilium Group Limited (AQSE:COIN, OTCQB:CINGF) Eddy Travia provides an update on Byzance, a Web3 social network ecosystem project, in an interview with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion. Travia explained that Web3 represents the next stage of the internet, aiming to decentralise social media, offering users control over their content and private data, differing from the centralised nature of current Web2 platforms. Byzant focuses on enhancing user control and monetisation methods for content creators. Travia said Coinsilium is collaboratively actively with portfolio company Indorse, a blockchain technology studio, and A-ADS, a pioneering crypto advertising network, to address the challenges of Web2 and transition to Web3. The project includes Adbazaar, a platform concentrating on smart contract-powered advertising, enabling more user benefits. Adbazaar aims to facilitate on-chain targeting, an innovative approach in advertising that utilises publicly visible wallet assets to tailor advertisements. This collaboration extends to Singapore-based company, Linkko, highlighting Byzant as an ecosystem comprising various applications to support Web3 companies. Advertising, pivotal in Web2's social media industry, is seen as underdeveloped in Web3, with platforms like Adbazaar positioned to pioneer this sector. Travia also touched on the progression of Byzant, mentioning that several applications are in development or test mode, with a focus on Adbazaar as the next significant phase. Contact Details Proactive UK +44 20 7989 0813 UKEditorial@proactiveinvestors.com
March 21, 2024 11:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time
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HANetf founder and co-CEO discusses shift to active management in ETF market
HANetf Holdings Limited
HANetf founder and co-CEO Hector McNeil tells Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about shifting trends in the exchange-traded fund (ETF) market in the United States, indicating a big move towards active management within ETFs. Despite the European market lagging behind the US by three to five years, with a significant gap in market size—$2 trillion in Europe versus $8 trillion in the US—there is a notable increase in the proportion of active ETFs. In the US, approximately 75% of new ETFs are active, issued by major firms and new players like Ark's Cathy Wood, marking a significant growth area. This shift towards active ETFs is also reflected in the flow of investments, with active ETFs accounting for 25% of the flows over the last 18 months. McNeil highlighted the evolution of ETFs from passive instruments to including smart beta and now fully active management, especially within the fixed income sector. The trend towards transparency, despite initial concerns, has become more accepted, leading to increased interest from asset managers in active ETFs. He said HANetf's white label ETF service has seen a rise in enquiries from active managers, indicating a broader acceptance and integration of active strategies within the ETF framework. Examples of strategies for these new active ETFs range from global equity with specific screens, like Shariah compliance, to niche areas such as convertible bonds and thematic investments. The discussion also touched on defined outcome ETFs and options-based strategies, showcasing the diversity and innovation within the ETF space. McNeil argues that ETFs offer advantages over mutual funds in terms of technology, liquidity, and access, suggesting a continued shift towards ETFs for a variety of investment strategies. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com
March 21, 2024 11:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time
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Awale Resources reports more significant assay results at Odienné project in Côte d'Ivoire
Awalé Resources Ltd
Awale Resources Ltd (TSX-V:ARIC) CEO Andrew Chubb shares positive assay results from follow-up drilling at the new gold-copper discovery at the BBM Target within the Odienné Project in Côte d'Ivoire with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion. Initially discovered in January with four initial drill holes spaced 500 metres apart, subsequent drilling improved results, tracking down a plunge with broader intercepts. The most notable result was 75 metres at 2.4 grams per tonne equivalent, among other similarly promising findings. The company now plans to pursue further drilling to explore the shear zone-hosted target's potential, aiming to scope out grade and geology continuity in preparation for resource drilling later in the year at BBM, as well as the Charger and Sceptre targets, promising an exciting year ahead. In addition to BBM, 4,000 metres were drilled in the current programme, with results from Charger and Sceptre pending. Chubb announced a significant drilling plan of 25,000 metres for the year, which will focus on both advancing current discoveries and exploring new targets. This ambitious drilling programme is fully funded by Awalé's joint venture partner, Newmont, allowing the company to progress without needing to raise additional funds from the market. Contact Details Proactive +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com
March 21, 2024 11:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time
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Immunic secures key patent, boosting MS drug exclusivity and global IP strategy
Immunic Inc
Immunic Inc CEO Dr Daniel Vitt joins Proactive's Stephen Gunnion with news the company has received a Notice of Allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office for a new patent application, marking a significant step in the company's intellectual property (IP) strategy. This latest patent is distinct from two others granted last year, focusing on the composition of matter protecting a specific polymorph of vidofludimus calcium. The company aims to ensure broad protection and exclusivity for vidofludimus calcium, especially as it approaches the final development stage. Vitt highlighted Immunic's global patent strategy, aiming to cover all important territories and build multiple protection layers around their inventions. The strategy includes securing patents not only for the medical use of their discoveries but also for the materials themselves. The newly allowed patent extends until 2039, with potential for extension. For the use of vidofludimus calcium in MS, Vitt estimates exclusivity extending into 2041, Vitt estimates exclusivity extending into 2041, ensuring a significant period for exclusive marketing in major markets, particularly the US. Immunic now has eight families of patents in the US, with three major patents granted or allowed in the past three months, significantly enhancing their IP portfolio for vidofludimus calcium. Contact Details Proactive North America +1 604-688-8158 NA-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com
March 21, 2024 11:37 AM Eastern Daylight Time
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Versarien advances in global graphene market with strategic asset sale and partnerships
Versarien PLC
Versarien PLC (AIM:VRS, OTC:VRSRF) CEO Stephen Hodge speaks to Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the significant steps the company has taken to refine its business strategy and focus on its core technologies and intellectual properties (IP). In a notable move, the company has sold its Korean assets, including equipment and IP related to graphene manufacturing by chemical vapour deposition (CVD), to MCK Tech, a South Korean graphene company. This sale, valued at approximately £604,000, includes the equipment and exclusive licensing of five patents to MCK Tech, alongside future royalties. Hodge emphasized the company's shift towards a manufacturing-light operation, seeking to monetize its developed IP and know-how by collaborating with strategic partners globally, leveraging local resources to produce graphene sustainably. Hodge said a just-announced five-year licensing deal with Brazilian-headquartered multinational business Montana Quimica for Versarien's Graphinks branded goods will help the company capitalise on Brazil's abundant natural graphite, circumventing Brazil's high import restrictions and utilising local materials cost-effectively. The company's global strategy includes expanding its licensing and royalty agreements with various partners across the UK, USA, Middle East, and Asia, with current agreements including companies like Graphene Lab and MCK Tech in South Korea, and Flux Footwear in the USA. Additionally, Ben Harries returns to Versarien as head of 3D Construction Printing, bringing valuable experience from the water sector to bolster the company's sales and business development efforts. Contact Details Proactive UK Proactive UK +44 20 7989 0813 UKEditorial@proactiveinvestors.com
March 21, 2024 11:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time
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