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NRX’s (NASDAQ: NRXP) NMDA Modification Therapy And Its Multiple Applications From Mental Health To Chronic Pain

Benzinga

By Meg Flippin, Benzinga The nation may be in a mental health crisis, with many people from the young to the old suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD and suicidal ideation. The latter is particularly true for patients with bipolar depression. The disease, which afflicts 2.8% of the U.S. population, is marked by high highs and low lows. Thoughts of suicide accompany the depressive lows for nearly half of sufferers. Devastatingly, between 4% to 19% will commit suicide. There are medicines available to help manage the highs and lows of bipolar disorder, but not a single-dose treatment. Typically, it requires one to manage mania and another for depression. They may not work for everyone and come with their own set of side effects. Modifying The NMDA Receptor NRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: NRXP), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, believes it has the answer with NRX-101. It’s the biopharmaceutical company’s FDA-designated investigational Breakthrough Therapy for suicidal treatment-resistant bipolar depression and chronic pain. The company is targeting life-threatening diseases that often go untreated with NRX-101, which is a patented, oral fixed-dose combination of two FDA-approved drugs: D-cycloserine, an NMDA receptor modulator at certain dosage ranges; and Lurasidone, a 5-HT2a receptor antagonist. Combined, the drugs target the NMDA receptor which is critical for memory function and the formation of new thoughts in the brain. At excessive rates of NMDA activity, ideas including the creation of new ones are slowed down. People with bipolar disorder tend to ruminate on fewer and more negative thoughts in that state. When the NMDA channel is blocked, thoughts can flow rapidly and incoherently, leading to hallucinations and psychosis. The challenge is to strike a healthy balance between the two. By modulating the NMDA, NRx believes it can improve the function of the thought-forming cells in the brain and thus reduce suicidal ideation. If approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other health regulatory agencies, the company says it would be the first medicine regimen targeted to treat severe bipolar depression in patients with both acute and sub-acute suicidal ideation or behavior (ASIB and SSIB). Trial Over-Enrolled The company is taking steps to make that a reality, recently completing enrollment of a phase 2b/3 study of NRX-101 for 74 patients suffering from bipolar disorder. Enrollment exceeded the original target of 70 patients, to enhance the statistical power of the study, NRx said. Top-line data is expected later this month. "To our knowledge, NRX-101 is the first and only oral medication to have demonstrated reduced suicidal ideation in patients with bipolar depression,” said Dr. Jonathan Javitt, Founder, Chairman and Chief Scientist of NRx Pharmaceuticals. “On the basis of our previous trial, it was awarded Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA and we aim to confirm its effect on depression and suicidal ideation in this trial.” NRX teamed up with Alvogen Pharmaceuticals for the development and marketing of the combined therapy. During its fourth quarter, NRx said Alvogen advanced its first $5.1 million milestone payment. A successful readout from the phase 2b trial and FDA interaction will trigger an additional $4 million milestone payment together with the transfer of future development costs to Alvogen. The partnership provides for potential milestones of $329 million and a royalty reaching 15% on net sales, according to NRx. Beyond Bipolar Disorder It’s not just bipolar disorder that NRx is aiming to treat with its NMDA therapy platform. The company is making inroads in using its lead compound in chronic pain, betting results of a 200-person efficacy trial conducted by Northwestern University could create a multibillion-dollar opportunity for NRx. Chronic pain is another condition that plagues more than 50 million Americans in which the available treatments have mixed results. Then there’s its new drug application for IV ketamine in acute suicidality. NRx said it is building a specialty pharmaceutical business around ketamine it expects to yield positive cash flow by the end of 2024. Called HOPE Therapeutics, NRx plans to submit a new drug application with the FDA this year. In advance of FDA approval, HOPE partnered with national 503b and 503a pharmacies to address the ketamine shortage reported by the FDA since 2018. The goal is to spin HOPE out into a stand-alone company owned by NRx, current NRx shareholders via a tax-free dividend and new investors. NRx said prospective anchor investors offered $60 million in new investment dollars once HOPE is publicly listed. NRx said HOPE is presenting data from four randomized, prospective trials demonstrating safety and efficacy in 800 patients as the clinical basis for its new drug application (NDA) for HTX-100 (IV Ketamine). And if that’s not enough, NRx recently received Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and Fast Track designation from the FDA for NRX-101 in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) and pyelonephritis. It's a condition the company says affects 3 million people in the U.S. resulting in over 15,000 deaths annually. NRx is currently seeking partners with active involvement in urology, infectious disease and/or women's health for commercialization of NRX-101. "2023 was a pivotal year for NRx in which we advanced from a single clinical trial in a single indication to a dramatically streamlining operation with a 50% reduction in overhead costs, a 25% reduction in overall costs and a $0.20 per share improvement in negative earnings, while completing our clinical trial objectives,” says Stephen Willard, J.D., Chief Executive Officer and Director of NRx Pharmaceuticals. ‘We expect data from two key trials this month and predict our first commercial revenue by the end of 2024.” Featured photo by Fernando @cferdophotography on Unsplash. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

April 11, 2024 08:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Potential Supply-Demand Imbalance? The Growing Role Of Uranium And Copper Amid The Global Energy Transition

Benzinga

By Austin DeNoce, Benzinga The global renewable energy landscape, spurred by the green transition, is marked by growing demand for a number of commodities. Among those, two critical materials in particular are gaining traction: uranium and copper. This trend is intricately linked to the worldwide shift toward zero-carbon emissions and the pursuit of more reliable and efficient energy sources. The projected 86 % increase in electricity demand by 2050, underscores the critical need for energy-related commodities in the energy transition. Uranium, vital for nuclear energy, and copper, essential for any kind of electrical transmission, are at the forefront of this shift, presenting potential investment opportunities as their demand likely outpaces supply in the coming years. Uranium’s Role In The Energy Industry And Green Transition One uranium fuel pellet can produce energy equivalent to 149 gallons of oil or one ton of coal, yet the commodity still managed to take a back seat to fossil fuels over the last several decades – despite being a much cleaner energy source. However, uranium seems to finally be claiming its pivotal role in the energy sector, primarily driven by the resurgence of nuclear power as a reliable and low-carbon energy source. The global expansion of nuclear energy, highlighted by numerous new reactor constructions in countries like China, reflects a global commitment to diversifying energy sources and minimizing carbon footprints. Nuclear energy's density, reliability and efficiency make it an attractive option for powering high-demand sectors, such as data centers and computationally demanding AI models that require massive amounts of baseload power. Unlike wind, solar and many other renewables, nuclear power can more easily supply energy around the clock. And unlike fossil fuels, it doesn’t produce direct carbon dioxide emissions. In other words, nuclear power could potentially offer the best of both worlds. The only catch is that nuclear power plants take a long time to be built and brought online, and there currently seems to be an undersupply of uranium due to underinvestment in mining. However, uranium miners are working to catch up. Copper’s Role In The Energy Industry And Transition to Cleaner Energy Copper is another metal that often flies under the radar in regard to the energy transition, but it is fundamental to the energy sector's evolution, especially in the upgrade and expansion of energy grids and the global shift toward the electrification of vehicles. Copper’s high electrical conductivity positions it as an essential commodity used in construction, power generation and increasingly in the electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy sectors. As the world strives to meet its net-zero emission goals, the demand for copper looks poised to soar, driven not only by its traditional roles but also by its critical function in renewable energy technologies and electricity networks. This anticipated surge in demand juxtaposes a looming supply challenge, with projections suggesting that existing mines and projects under construction may only meet 80% of the copper requirements by 2030. This scenario, similar to that of uranium, underscores the urgency for strategic investments in copper mining and production to bridge the potential supply-demand gap. For copper to play its indispensable role in facilitating a sustainable, electrified future, it is likely going to take a lot more investment to bring more supply to market. Sprott’s Uranium And Copper ETFs For investors looking to tap into the burgeoning markets of uranium and copper, Sprott Asset Management offers targeted investment solutions through its specialized exchange-traded funds (ETFs). For those interested in uranium investments, Sprott’s offerings include the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust (OTCMKTS: SRUUF), the Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (NYSE: Arca: URNM) and the Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (NASDAQ: URNJ). These funds aim to provide investors with diversified exposure to the uranium sector through physical uranium and uranium mining companies. Similarly, the Sprott Copper Miners ETF (NASDAQ: COPP) and the Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF (NASDAQ: COPJ) offer investment avenues in the copper industry, focusing on pure-play mining companies that stand to benefit from copper's critical role in the energy transition. Pure-play means that the companies in the holdings earn more than 50% of their revenue from the mining and production of copper. Together, Sprott's ETFs represent a possible strategic opportunity for investors to engage with the essential materials driving the global shift toward renewable energy and sustainability. Investment Insights In A Clean Energy Future Uranium's resurgence in the nuclear sector and copper's critical function in electricity transmission and renewable technologies highlight their growing roles in the global energy landscape. Sprott says its specialized ETFs provide investors with opportunities to gain exposure to these vital sectors, and a way to participate in the growth potential of the energy transition. As the demand for clean and efficient energy sources continues to rise, uranium and copper could potentially drive significant returns in the pursuit of a greener future. Featured photo by Riccardo Annandale on Unsplash. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

April 11, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Elicio Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ELTX) Makes Strides In Growing Cancer Vaccination Industry

Benzinga

By Jeremy Golden, Benzinga Founded in 2011, Elicio Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: ELTX) has made several significant strides in the last 13 years. The immunotherapy company has completed multiple successful preclinical trials and has been featured in publications like Nature Medicine and Cancer Immunology Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). With promising potential treatments in its pipeline, Elicio Therapeutics’ future seems even brighter than the achievements it made in its past. AMP Platform For Cancer Immunotherapies Elicio Therapeutics is working to re-engineer the body’s immune response to defeat cancer and infectious diseases with potent lymph node-targeted immunotherapies and vaccines. This approach differentiates Elicio from its competitors and could be highly promising for enhancing anti-tumor immune responses and improving therapeutic efficacy. Elicio’s proprietary Amphiphile or “AMP” platform is being used in the development of cancer immunotherapies for patients facing limited treatment options and often poor outcomes. The platform combines expertise in materials science and immunology to develop novel immunotherapies, including cell therapy activators, immunomodulators, adjuvants and vaccines for an array of aggressive cancers and infectious diseases. Key immune cells are located in the lymph nodes – critical sites that are not engaged by conventional immunotherapies. AMP is built for targeted delivery of payloads to the lymph nodes, guiding the payloads into the lymphatics. This approach is intended to harness the natural ability of the lymph nodes to enhance the magnitude, potency and durability of immune responses to drive antitumor activity. Through this platform, Elicio Therapeutics has developed an innovative pipeline of cancer immunotherapies with the potential to address critical unmet needs, with three vaccine candidates currently in its pipeline: ELI-002, ELI-007 and ELI-008. ELI-002 is Elicio’s lead investigational asset, targeting Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) driven cancers caused by a mutation of the KRAS gene designed to stimulate an immune response against the seven KRAS mutations driving 25% of solid tumors. While early mKRAS-targeting efforts in the clinical setting show promise, there remains a considerable unmet need for the development of effective therapies. Many traditional vaccines and immunotherapies do not target the lymph nodes. Small molecule-based immunomodulators easily pass through the blood vessel walls at the injection site. As a result, they are rapidly flushed away into the systemic circulation, limiting access to the lymph nodes. Often, this results in a failure to realize the full potential of the immune response. Worse yet, it can lead to the development of dangerous toxicities at other sites in the body. This is where ELI-002 stands out from previous methods. A structurally novel AMP therapeutic vaccine, ELI-002 is comprised of AMP-modified mutant KRAS peptide antigens and AMP-modified immune-stimulatory oligonucleotide CpG adjuvant. The AMP mKRAS peptides and AMP CpG are targeted to the lymph nodes to enhance the action of key immune cells and educate T cells on how to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. Early clinical studies have shown encouraging results. In a preliminary phase 1 ( AMPLIFY-201 ) study involving patients with pancreatic and colorectal cancers, the vaccine elicited strong T cell responses, with most patients having reduced tumor biomarkers and some having complete clearance following treatment with ELI-002 monotherapy. Increased Awareness Of Cancer Vaccines Is Leading To Market Growth The global cancer vaccine market size was estimated at $7.31 billion in 2022, Grand View Research reports. It’s expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.04% by 2030. With the rising prevalence of cancer and increased awareness about cancer vaccination, the market is growing amid a rise in government funding and investments. In January, Elicio presented a Trial in Progress poster on the design of the AMPLIFY-7P trial at the ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in San Francisco, California. The poster describes the phase 1 and randomized phase 2 study of ELI-002 7P, an investigational therapeutic cancer vaccine administered as an adjuvant monotherapy treatment for patients with KRAS-mutated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (“PDAC”). In addition, the company announced that the first patient had been dosed as part of the randomized phase 2 ( AMPLIFY-7P ) study of ELI-002 7P. Initial interim data on ELI-002 7P monotherapy from the phase 1A arm is expected to be shared in the second quarter of 2024, the company said. Featured photo by Louis Reed on Unsplash. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

April 11, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Kartoon Studios (AMEX: TOON) Is Keeping Stan Lee's Legacy Alive With Its Brand New Stan Lee Store On Amazon And YouTube Channel

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga In 1941, a little-known editorial assistant at Timely Comics published his first comic, ‘Captain America Foils the Traitor's Revenge’. That someone then went on to gain fame as Stan “The Man” Lee – and the world of comics and superheroes was forever changed. Stan Lee was a towering figure in the industry, creating classics like Spiderman, Iron Man, Black Panther and many others. His legacy is everywhere and central to the world of superheroes. As of November 2023, the Marvel Cinematic Universe had earned more than $29 billion, making it the biggest movie franchise ever. While Stan Lee has passed, the world he created is long-lasting and is showing no signs of slowing down. Kartoon Studios (AMEX: TOON) is one of the global companies working hard to keep Stan Lee’s vision alive. It is a global company specializing in creating, producing, distributing, marketing and licensing entertainment brands. With a diverse portfolio of original animated content, including popular shows such as Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten, Shaq's Garage, Rainbow Rangers and Llama Llama, Kartoon Studios seems to have established itself as a prominent player in the entertainment industry. Kartoon Studios, which is the controlling partner of "Stan Lee Universe, LLC," has recently unveiled a new dedicated storefront on Amazon, exclusively featuring products related to Stan Lee. This Stan Lee storefront, powered by Meteor, offers a wide range of branded apparel and merchandise adorned with graphics that pay homage to the legendary "Godfather of Comics." This new storefront further enhances the brand's connection with its digital community of passionate fans. “The launch of our first Stan Lee dedicated storefront with Amazon and Meteor is game-changing for our brand because it offers an incredible, far-reaching, and trusted e-commerce store to provide Stan’s legion of tens of millions of devoted fans globally, access for the first time to Stan Lee merchandise,” shared Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO of Kartoon Studios. “In building an engaged community, we are also providing the framework for recurring revenue and growth opportunities. We are confident this program has the capacity to significantly grow Stan Lee Universe both in the U.S. and globally.” In a divided world, Stan Lee’s pen often brought communities together. Stan Lee is well-known throughout the industry as someone who not only created amazing stories of heroes triumphing over evil but as someone who decried injustices in real life. The legend spent a lifetime condemning racism and creating characters that every little boy and girl could relate to, regardless of their background and heritage. Kartoon Studios is firmly intent on keeping Stan Lee’s legacy alive. The company has also announced the launch of the " Stan Lee Presents " channel on YouTube. With a subscriber count of already over 300,000, this newly rebranded channel, previously known as "Cinematica," will be managed by Frederator Networks, a subsidiary of Kartoon Studios and one of YouTube's largest animation networks. “Stan Lee’s immense creativity, his relatable characters, and his groundbreaking storytelling style had a significant global influence on the world of entertainment and pop culture, from Star Wars to The Simpsons. To honor his incredible legacy, we are launching ‘Stan Lee Presents’ to continue to share his vision of storytelling to his millions of fans around the world,” shared Heyward. Dedicated to everything Stan Lee, "Stan Lee Presents" will feature a diverse range of content sourced from Stan's personal archives, digital Stan Lee comic books, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, seldom-seen historical materials as well as sneak peeks of upcoming projects from the Stan Lee Universe. The channel will be an exclusive destination for clips, trailers, interviews and more related to Stan Lee. “Stan Lee’s popularity and fan base continue to grow with new generations of fans discovering his talent and magic, and we will continue to create opportunities for fans to engage whether it be through the Amazon storefront or new products and experiences we have in the pipeline,” shared Lloyd Mintz, SVP of Global Consumer Products, Kartoon Studios. Featured photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

April 11, 2024 08:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Meet VantagePoint, Inventor Of The World’s First AI-Powered Software For Independent Traders That Launched In 1991

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm, from healthcare to Big Tech and everything in between. According to data obtained by Finbold, the AI industry's estimated market size was $207.9 billion in 2023 and is expected to increase dramatically by 788.64% to reach $1.87 trillion by 2030. While AI is being integrated into society with great vigor today, unbeknownst to many, AI is not a new concept. With the recent attention on AI, many traders are looking for platforms that include AI – but one company has been using it all along. Lane Mendelsohn, president of VantagePoint, is here to explain how the company was one of the first to embrace AI in the 20th century and its journey along the way. Benzinga: It seems like AI is just now becoming popular and mainstream, but it's not new. Who first came up with AI and when was that? Lane Mendelsohn: Artificial intelligence was invented and created back in the 1950s at Carnegie Mellon. That's where my father went to college and in the 1960s [Lou Mendelsohn] had the opportunity to work with AI on the mainframes. He saw that it had capabilities, but at that time, he didn't have a real application for it. Fast forward to the 1980s, he had developed the first commercial trading software in the world that did historical backtesting and simulations, and he was in who's who in the financial world for that invention. Then in the late 1980s, my father began implementing AI to financial market forecasting and introduced to the world in 1991 the first-ever AI forecasting trading software for individual traders, and that was the introduction of VantagePoint. Benzinga: VantagePoint has been using and offering AI since 1991. How has it been able to stay at the forefront of this technology for so long? Lane Mendelsohn: It’s a matter of continuing to develop and refine the technology consistently. We’ve been forecasting the markets with AI for over 3 decades, so that’s a lot of historical data that’s all in the AI’s learning. We all know the markets are constantly changing and, honestly, AI and technology are constantly changing. For us to ensure that we're continuing to provide that cutting-edge technology, we have to stay vigilant. We must persist in further developing the technology and refining it. That's a commitment that we've made and continue to make. We forecast for over 2,300 stocks, ETFs, Futures, Forex Pairs, commodities, and cryptocurrencies every single day. Each one uses anywhere up to 90 input values to calculate daily predictive indicators. Each input uses up to seven values to be calculated. That makes up to 630 data points per market or 1,450,000 for all supported markets daily. But then you add in our forecasts for Options traders, and you’re looking at over 1 billion data points per day. That’s something no human could handle in a day, let alone years, and VantagePoint can handle it through the research, development, innovation, and training we’ve devoted to it over the years. Over the last ten years, we've invested over $10 million into research and development. And we’re never done. We continue to work on training and accuracy every day. That commitment to constant innovation gives VantagePoint traders a tremendous advantage in the markets. And our goal is to continue to provide that edge every trading day. Benzinga: What differentiates VantagePoint from the recent surge of AI for traders that have emerged in this market? Lane Mendelsohn: [VantagePoint has] three key elements – proven accuracy, longevity, and patents. No one else in this space has third-party verified accuracy up to 87.4%. No one has been around for 45 years as a company while providing AI for traders since 1991 like VantagePoint has. And lastly, no one has two proprietary U.S. patents on performing intermarket analysis using neural networks and calculating predictive technical indicators. [VantagePoint’s] neural network has three different parts to it. There's the input layer, hidden layer, and output layer. The input layer is ingesting all of the raw data it's fed; millions and millions of data points go in the hidden layer. The neural networks are made of individual nodes, these individual neurons that are built to simulate a human brain, but obviously much more powerful and can do a lot more. Each one of those neurons has its own specific role, its own specific function, in the neural network. Each one on its own is not capable of coming up with the answer, but what happens is they all have a very specific job that they're trained on, and they're trained to do one specific thing very well. And then the findings from each of those individual neurons and nodes are pushed to the output layer where they're reassembled together to give you the answer. In the case of market forecasting, the answer is, ‘Here’s what the price of Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) or Meta (NASDAQ: META) is going to do tomorrow.’ Benzinga: You mentioned two patents. Can you elaborate on those two U.S. patents VantagePoint holds in the AI domain and how they contribute to the software's forecasting reliability and proven accuracy? Lane Mendelsohn: Certainly. To start, each patent on their own stands on its own two legs. It’s when you have both combined that the unparalleled edge is found. One of those patents is for intermarket analysis and analyzing global market data. So, it's identifying for Nvidia stock, for example … It's going to look at the 30 most closely related markets that drive impact and influence the price of Nvidia. Now, if you want to know where Nvidia's going to go or any stock for that matter, you should look at what factors are driving and pushing that particular market. VantagePoint identifies what those individual markets are, and then through this proprietary process, we're weighing those, because it's not like every one of those 30 markets drives, impacts and influences Nvidia to the same degree. They're all weighted, and those weightings adjust over time. So, the patent identifies the markets, weighs them, and then uses that information for pattern recognition, forecasting what's going to happen next. The second patent takes traditional lagging indicators, for example Bollinger Bands, MACD, Stochastics, and so on, which only give you past data, and turns them into leading indicators. And that's the second patent, Calculating Predictive Technical Indicators. So, when you combine those two proprietary advancements together, that's what really stacks the odds in the favor of independent traders and they're now able to do something that on their own would've been humanly impossible. Benzinga: What advice do you have for traders who are considering adopting AI for their trading strategies? Lane Mendelsohn: You've got to do your due diligence. You've got to make sure the AI is doing something that makes sense for a trader, that it serves a purpose, that it’s doing something you couldn't have done on your own, and that it's consistently highly accurate. It needs to be proprietary AI that has gone through deep learning, specifically for predicting the markets and considering global market analysis. You don’t want some open-source code licensed from a new AI company with a pretty bow slapped on it. So far, VantagePoint is the only AI for traders I’m aware of that checks those must-have boxes. For traders and investors looking to get an edge in the markets, VantagePoint could be a solution with its long history, dual-patented technology, and a commitment to continuing innovation. Visit them at www.vantagepointsoftware.com Featured photo by Igor Omilaev on Unsplash Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

April 11, 2024 08:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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BacTech Environmental (BAC.C) Files Patent on Zero-Waste Metal Recovery System, as global ESG Investment Hits $30 Trillion

BacTech Environmental Corporation

April 11, 2024 – TheNewsWire – Global Stocks News – On April 5, 2024 BacTech Environmental (CSE: BAC) (US-OTC: BCCEF) announced that it has filed an expanded patent application for industry’s first zero-waste bioleach process using green technology for metals recovery and fertilizer and steel production from sulphide minerals. BacTech has developed an eco-friendly bioleaching process to recover metals like gold, silver, cobalt, nickel, and copper, while removing harmful contaminants like arsenic. The proprietary process uses bacteria to neutralize toxic concentrates and tailings while creating revenue streams from precious and base metals. BAC’s technology is in sync with the mining industry’s desire to attract younger environmentally conscious investors. “Global ESG assets are $30 trillion, and on track to surpass $40 trillion by 2030,” reports a January 2024 ESG report from Bloomberg Intelligence. "Investors' desire to have more control and align their investments with their personal views is a major long-term shift that is still in the early innings,” states David Botset, at Schwab Asset Management. “ BacTech’s IP development path specifically aligns with broader trends across mining and steel industry operations, consistent with continued public and policymaker calls to shift processes and reduce carbon emissions,” confirms Ross Orr, President, and CEO of BacTech. Click Image To View Full Size Key April 5, 2024 BacTech Highlights: Company files expanded Provisional Patent Application for zero-waste bioleach process Intellectual Property (IP).  Engineered for eco-friendly nickel, copper and cobalt recovery from pyrrhotite and pyrite tailings, new zero-waste IP introduces novel methods for transforming remaining waste compounds into valuable, alternative green commodities.  Zero-waste IP now optimized to convert soluble iron into iron metal (produced on-site or as a feedstock to green steel making) and to create ammonium sulphate fertilizer from bioleach acid (sold as organic fertilizer).  Independent estimates suggest approximately 80 to 100 million tonnes of pyrrhotite tailings in the Sudbury, Ontario region alone (pyrrhotite and pyrite waste is common to many mining operations).  Testing and Collaboration with MIRARCO (Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation, and Applied Research Corporation) continues for pilot-scale bioleach circuit testing in Sudbury.  “The proprietary technology is appropriate to the commercial interests of non-ferrous metal production, steel making and fertilizer production which are all traditionally siloed as separate industries,” stated CEO Ross Orr. “We believe our zero-waste metals recovery IP will emerge as a defining solution,” continued Orr. “By diversifying the range of products derived from these projects, BacTech aims to reduce dependence on long-term metal prices as the primary drivers for investment in remediation efforts while treating pyrrhotite and pyrite waste streams from current operations.” BacTech plans to capitalize on fostering both sustainability and profitability in the industry by creating land value previously occupied by a legacy of mining industry waste. Applicable to the treatment of existing pyrrhotite or pyrite tailings or streams from current operations, the primary products delivered through the new zero-waste, low-carbon bioleach processes specifically include: Mixed nickel/cobalt precipitate.  Copper precipitate.  On-site iron metal production via electrowinning or iron pellets for off-site conventional iron manufacturing or green steel making.  Ammonium sulphate fertilizer.  Additional minor by-products such as magnetite powder and geopolymers silica for construction material or mine backfill.  The technology can also be adapted to recover precious metals and platinum group elements present in low grade pyrite feedstocks. BacTech is confident that the new IP enhances project value by enabling the production of multiple products previously unattainable through conventional bioleach processing. Zero or minimal waste from remediation operations also converts previously unusable land into valued assets. The core BacTech technology is described here: “We have a strong shareholder base,” Orr told Guy Bennett, CEO of Global Stocks (GSN) News. “One gentleman contacted me about nine years ago. He believes in our our vision and subsequently purchased 10 million shares.  He has a network that he calls ‘The Millionaires Club’. About 60 of them purchased another 1 million plus shares.  Some of those shares are in TFSA accounts for their grandkids. We are fortunate to have loyal long-term share-holders.” Click Image To View Full Size In November, 2023 BAC was granted its Consultation Permit. This approval allowed BacTech to move forward with plans to develop a bioleach processing facility in Tenguel, Ecuador. “With all major permits now secured and in place, BacTech will finalize the terms with Analytica Securities to launch the previously announced $US20M Green/Social bond issue to finance the construction of the bioleach plant at Tenguel,” reported BAC. “Of the total funds raised, approximately $17 million will be allocated to the capital portion of the bioleaching facility construction, with the remaining $3 million dedicated to financing the purchase of concentrates from local miners and supporting the local economy.” Click Image To View Full Size To ensure transparency and adhere to global best practices, BacTech launched its Sustainable Bond Framework for issuing Green and Social bonds, aligning with the International Capital Market Association’s (ICMA) Green Bond Principles (GBP) 2021 and Social Bond Principles (SBP) 2023. The company also received an independent Second Party Opinion (SPO) from Moody’s Investors Service, granting BacTech a Sustainability Quality Score of SQS2 (Very Good), recognizing the company’s significant contribution to sustainability. BAC intends to build a 50 tonne/day bioleach plant capable of treating high gold/arsenic material. Such a plant, processing feed with 1.75 ounces of gold per tonne, similar to what local miners provide, would yield approximately 31,000 ounces per year. The modular plant designs allow for expansion without disrupting ongoing production. BacTech has also signed an International Protection Agreement (“IPA”) with the government for a Phase 2 plant that would add 150-200 tpd of capacity, producing more than 100,000 ounces per annum. Part of the agreement calls for BacTech to be non-taxable for 12 years. Click Image To View Full Size “We have agreements in place with four Ecuadorian miners,” Orr told GSN. “These are not tiny artisanal miners. One of them has 400 employees.  They currently sell to the Chinese, getting about 45-50 cents on the dollar for their gold content in the concentrates, depending on the arsenic levels.” “We think we can offer the local miners a much better deal, treating the concentrates domestically, removing the arsenic before it leaves Ecuador.” “The financial metrics on the Ecuador project are robust,” continued Orr. “We have a 12-year tax holiday.  The feasibility study projects that, at $2,200/ounce gold, the annual profit will be equal to the capex of $17 million. Every $100/ounce rise in the price of gold adds a million dollars to the to the bottom line.” This area of Ecuador hosts over 100 small mines, and BacTech is actively exploring the possibility of establishing modern bioleaching facilities in other regions of Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. The Accenture Global Institutional Investor Study of ESG in Mining surveyed decision-makers at 200 public and private institutional investment firms with mining assets in their portfolio valued at approximately US$847 billion. The survey revealed that 59% of investors want miners to aggressively pursue ESG initiatives, and 63% of investors would be willing to divest or avoid investing in mining companies that fail to meet ESG and decarbonization targets. MIRARCO (Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation, and Applied Research Corporation), has set up a pilot-scale bioleach circuit in Sudbury to conduct test work on BacTech’s technology. BacTech presents an opportunity for ESG investors to buy shares in an innovative mining-related company that is positioned to do good things for the environment while generating a profit. Contact: guy.bennett@globalstocksnews.com Full Disclaimer

April 11, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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kevin. triumphiert mit der ersten NFC-Transaktion von Konto zu Konto auf dem iPhone

kevin.

In einem bahnbrechenden Ereignis, das die Zahlungslandschaft in Geschäften durcheinanderbringen wird, hat kevin., ein Pionier in der Zahlungstechnologie, die erste jemals durchgeführte NFC-Transaktion von Konto zu Konto auf einem iPhone erfolgreich abgewickelt. Video der Transaktion: Link In einer finanziellen Welt, in der Bequemlichkeit und Sicherheit von größter Bedeutung sind, hat kevin. einen neuen Höhepunkt erreicht, indem er die erste nicht-Apple-Pay NFC-Zahlung von Konto zu Konto auf einem iPhone ausgeführt hat. Dieser technologische Sprung nach vorne folgt dem Druck der Europäischen Kommission auf Apple, den NFC-Zugang zu demokratisieren. Es kommt nach Jahren, in denen Apples strenge Kontrolle über die NFC-Technologie in iOS-Geräten den Wettbewerb Dritter gedrosselt hatte. Pavel Sokolovas, Mitbegründer von kevin., drückt die Tragweite dieses Moments aus: „Der Durchbruch der letzten Barrieren von NFC-Zahlungen auf iOS-Geräten stellt einen wahren Wendepunkt dar. Wir sind ungemein stolz, die Ersten zu sein, die Transaktionen von Konto zu Konto unter Verwendung von Apples NFC ermöglichen, und geben den Verbrauchern damit die Macht zu wählen, wie sie bezahlen.“ Im Januar 2022 sorgte kevin. für Aufsehen, indem diese innovative Zahlungsmethode für Android-Nutzer ermöglicht wurde, ein Schritt, der für seine Originalität und seinen Antrieb hin zu einem offenen Zahlungsökosystem gelobt wurde. Jetzt, mit den regulatorischen Änderungen im Gleichschritt, erlangte kevin. schnell die Autorisierung unter Apples NFC-Berechtigungsprogramm und begann mit der Entwicklung in ihrer kontrollierten Umgebung. Nur sechs Wochen nach dem Start von Apples Programm feierte kevin. die erfolgreiche Durchführung der experimentellen Transaktion im Entwicklungsmodus und ebnete damit den Weg für eine Revolution der Interaktionen am Point of Sale (POS). Sokolovas umriss die technische Reise: „Wir haben rigoros innerhalb von Apples Architekturrahmen entwickelt. Unser Team arbeitete unermüdlich daran, unsere technische Lösung von kevin. in die Host-Card-Emulation (HCE) von Apple zu integrieren, einschließlich Sicherheitsstandards, Transaktionsvalidierung und so vielem mehr, um ein nahtloses Erlebnis zu schaffen, das Benutzern Transaktionen innerhalb ihrer Bank- oder Wallet-Apps ermöglicht.“ Die Europäische Kommission setzt die Überwachung des Feedbacks von Frühentwicklern wie kevin. fort, während sie den offiziellen Beginn einer breiteren NFC-Implementierung erwartet. Diese Prüfung unterstreicht das Engagement der Kommission, Innovation und gerechten Wettbewerb im Bereich mobiler Zahlungen zu fördern. Mit Blick auf die Zukunft erwartet die Branche einen Anstieg ähnlicher Zahlungslösungen nach diesem anfänglichen Erfolg. kevin. hat tatsächlich einen dominierenden Präzedenzfall gesetzt, der ein offenes Marktversprechen macht, in dem Verbraucher nicht länger auf plattformspezifische Zahlungssysteme beschränkt sind – eine grundlegende Umgestaltung der Art und Weise, wie Transaktionen weltweit durchgeführt werden. kevin. ist ein visionäres Technologieunternehmen, das Zahlungssysteme für die Bedürfnisse von morgen neu gestaltet. Von ihrem globalen Hauptsitz in Europa bis zur jüngsten Expansion in den pulsierenden Finanzknotenpunkt Dubai, kevins Mission war stets konsequent: zuverlässige End-to-End-Technologie und signifikante Einsparungen bei Transaktionsgebühren anzubieten, ohne die Art und Weise zu ändern, wie Menschen bezahlen. Die Einführung ihres mandantenfähigen, markenagnostischen Netzwerks zur Zahlungsannahme markiert eine bedeutende Verschiebung für Verbraucher und Unternehmen gleichermaßen und gewährt Autonomie und Wert, unbeeinträchtigt durch die Beschränkungen überkommener Technologie. Download: Kevin-Logo, Bild von Pavel Sokolovas und iOS-Transaktionsvideo: Link - ende - Über kevin. kevin. ist ein wegweisendes Technologieunternehmen mit der Mission, veraltete Zahlungssysteme zu revolutionieren. Mit einer neu errichteten Infrastruktur macht kevin. Transaktionen effizienter, sicherer und bequemer für digitale und physische Verkäufe. Das mandantenfähige Zahlungsannahmenetzwerk des Unternehmens ist markenneutral, weiß beschriftet und ohne Vermittler und bietet Partnern die vollständige Kontrolle über ihre Zahlungsprozesse im Geschäft. Dies befähigt sie, durch neue Dienste, verbesserte Konversionsraten und gestärkte Kundenloyalität größeren Wert freizuschalten. Das kevin.-Netzwerk definiert internationale Zahlungen neu und gewährleistet eine nahtlose, sichere NFC-Zahlungsinfrastruktur von Konto zu Konto für POS-Terminals weltweit. Diese Innovation bietet ein „Tap and Go“-Erlebnis, kompatibel mit Android- und iOS-Geräten, und macht internationale Zahlungen ebenso vertraut wie lokale. kevin. wird von Accel, Eurazeo und anderen Investoren unterstützt, einschließlich OTB Ventures, Speedinvest, Open Ocean und Global Paytech Venture. Engagement für das Ökosystem Das Ziel von kevin. ist es, alle Akteure im Zahlungsökosystem zu stärken, einschließlich Banken, digitalen Wallets, Einzelhändlern und anderen. Das Unternehmen ermöglicht es diesen Entitäten, ihre eigenen unabhängigen Nicht-Karten-Schemata zu starten oder ihre Dienste durch Verbindung mit einem bestehenden Netzwerk auf der kevin.-Plattform zu erweitern. Contact Details NettResults Public Relations Nick Leighton +1 949-478-5880 nick.leighton@nettresultsLLC.com Company Website https://www.kevin.eu/

April 11, 2024 07:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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kevin. trionfa con la prima transazione NFC da conto a conto su iPhone

kevin.

In un evento all'avanguardia destinato a sconvolgere il panorama dei pagamenti in negozio, kevin., pioniere nella tecnologia dei pagamenti, ha condotto con successo la prima transazione NFC da conto a conto su un iPhone. Video della transazione: link In un mondo finanziario dove la comodità e la sicurezza sono fondamentali, kevin. ha stabilito un nuovo apice eseguendo il primo pagamento NFC da conto a conto non-Apple Pay su un iPhone. Questo salto tecnologico segue la pressione della Commissione Europea su Apple per democratizzare l'accesso al NFC. Ciò avviene dopo anni in cui il controllo rigido di Apple sulla tecnologia NFC nei dispositivi iOS aveva soffocato la concorrenza di terze parti. Pavel Sokolovas, cofondatore di kevin., esprime l'importanza di questo momento: "Superare le ultime barriere dei pagamenti NFC su dispositivi iOS rappresenta un vero momento di svolta. Siamo immensamente orgogliosi di essere i primi a fornire transazioni da conto a conto utilizzando il NFC di Apple, dando ai consumatori il potere di scegliere come pagare." Nel gennaio 2022, kevin. ha fatto parlare di sé abilitando questo metodo di pagamento innovativo per gli utenti Android, una mossa lodata per la sua originalità e il suo impulso verso un ecosistema di pagamento aperto. Ora, con i cambiamenti normativi in corso, kevin. ha rapidamente ottenuto l'autorizzazione nell'ambito del Programma di NFC di Apple e si è impegnato nello sviluppo nel loro ambiente controllato. A solo sei settimane dal lancio del programma di Apple, kevin. ha festeggiato l'esecuzione riuscita della transazione sperimentale in modalità di sviluppo, preparando il terreno per ciò che potrebbe rivoluzionare le interazioni al punto vendita (POS). Sokolovas ha delineato il percorso tecnico: "Abbiamo sviluppato rigorosamente all'interno del quadro architettonico di Apple. Il nostro team ha lavorato incessantemente per integrare la nostra soluzione tecnica kevin. nell'emulazione di carta host (HCE) di Apple, inclusi standard di sicurezza, validazione delle transazioni e molto altro per creare un'esperienza senza soluzione di continuità consentendo transazioni agli utenti direttamente dalle loro app bancarie o di portafoglio." La Commissione Europea continua a monitorare i feedback dagli sviluppatori precoci come kevin. mentre prevede l'inizio ufficiale di una più ampia implementazione del NFC. Questo controllo sottolinea l'impegno della Commissione a nutrire l'innovazione e la competizione equa nel settore dei pagamenti mobili. Guardando avanti, si prevede un aumento dei pagamenti simili a seguito di questo successo iniziale. kevin. ha effettivamente stabilito un precedente dominante, promettendo un mercato aperto dove i consumatori non sono più limitati da piattaforme di pagamento specifiche per dispositivo – una riformulazione fondamentale di come vengono condotte le transazioni in tutto il mondo. kevin. è un'azienda di tecnologia visionaria che sta rimodellando i sistemi di pagamento per le esigenze di domani. Dalla loro sede globale in Europa all'espansione recente nel fervente centro finanziario di Dubai, la missione di kevin. è stata coerente: offrire tecnologia affidabile end-to-end e significativi risparmi sulle commissioni di transazione senza cambiare il modo in cui le persone pagano. L'introduzione della loro rete di accettazione di pagamenti multitenant e agnostica al marchio segna un cambio significativo per consumatori e imprese, concedendo autonomia e valore senza gli impedimenti della tecnologia ereditata. Download: logo Kevin, immagine di Pavel Sokolovas e video della transazione iOS: collegamento - fine - Informazioni su kevin. kevin. è un'impresa tecnologica pionieristica con la missione di rivoluzionare i sistemi di pagamenti obsoleti. Con un'infrastruttura di recente costruzione, kevin. rende le transazioni più efficienti, sicure e comode sia per le vendite digitali che fisiche. La loro rete di accettazione dei pagamenti multitenant è white-label, agnostica al marchio e priva di intermediari, offrendo ai partner il controllo completo dei loro processi di pagamento in negozio. Ciò li rende capaci di sbloccare un valore maggiore attraverso nuovi servizi, tassi di conversione migliorati e una lealtà del cliente rafforzata. La rete di kevin. ridefinisce i pagamenti internazionali, garantendo un'infrastruttura di pagamento NFC da conto a conto sicura e senza soluzione di continuità per i terminali POS in tutto il mondo. Questa innovazione offre un'esperienza di "tap and go", compatibile sia con dispositivi Android che iOS, rendendo i pagamenti internazionali familiari come quelli locali. kevin. è supportata da Accel, Eurazeo e altri investitori, tra cui OTB Ventures, Speedinvest, Open Ocean e Global Paytech Venture. Impegno per l'Ecosistema L'obiettivo di kevin. è potenziare tutti i giocatori nell'ecosistema dei pagamenti, incluse banche, portafogli digitali, rivenditori e altri. L'azienda consente a queste entità di avviare i propri schemi indipendenti non a carta o di espandere i loro servizi connettendosi con una rete esistente sulla piattaforma kevin. Contact Details NettResults Relazioni Pubbliche Nick Leighton +1 949-478-5880 nick.leighton@nettresultsLLC.com Company Website https://www.kevin.eu/

April 11, 2024 07:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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kevin. triunfa con la primera transacción NFC de cuenta a cuenta en iPhone

kevin.

En un evento innovador destinado a trastornar el panorama de los pagos en tiendas, kevin., pionero en tecnología de pagos, ha realizado con éxito la primera transacción NFC de cuenta a cuenta en un iPhone. Vídeo de la transacción: enlace En un mundo financiero donde la conveniencia y la seguridad son primordiales, kevin. ha establecido un nuevo pináculo al ejecutar el primer pago NFC de cuenta a cuenta que no es Apple Pay en un iPhone. Este salto tecnológico sigue la presión de la Comisión Europea sobre Apple para democratizar el acceso a NFC. Esto llega después de años en los que el estricto control de Apple sobre la tecnología NFC en dispositivos iOS había sofocado la competencia de terceros. Pavel Sokolovas, cofundador de kevin., articula la magnitud de este momento: “Superar las barreras finales de los pagos NFC en dispositivos iOS representa un verdadero momento trascendental. Estamos inmensamente orgullosos de ser los primeros en proporcionar transacciones de cuenta a cuenta utilizando NFC de Apple, dando a los consumidores el poder de elegir cómo pagan.” En enero de 2022, kevin. hizo olas al habilitar este método de pago innovador para los usuarios de Android, un movimiento elogiado por su originalidad y empuje hacia un ecosistema de pagos abierto. Ahora, con los cambios regulatorios en marcha, kevin. obtuvo rápidamente la autorización bajo el Programa de Derechos NFC de Apple y se embarcó en el desarrollo en su entorno controlado. Justamente seis semanas después del lanzamiento del programa de Apple, kevin. celebró la ejecución exitosa de la transacción experimental en modo de desarrollo, preparando el escenario para lo que podría revolucionar las interacciones en el punto de venta (POS). Sokolovas delineó el viaje técnico: “Hemos estado desarrollando rigurosamente dentro del marco arquitectónico de Apple. Nuestro equipo trabajó incansablemente para integrar nuestra solución técnica de kevin. dentro de la emulación de tarjeta anfitrión (HCE) de Apple, incluyendo estándares de seguridad, validación de transacciones y mucho más para crear una experiencia sin fisuras que permita a los usuarios realizar transacciones desde sus aplicaciones bancarias o de billetera.” La Comisión Europea continúa monitoreando los comentarios de los primeros desarrolladores como kevin. mientras anticipa el inicio oficial de una implementación más amplia de NFC. Este escrutinio subraya la dedicación de la Comisión para fomentar la innovación y la competencia equitativa en la esfera de pagos móviles. Mirando hacia el futuro, la industria anticipa un aumento en soluciones de pago similares tras este éxito inicial. kevin. de hecho ha establecido un precedente dominante, prometiendo un mercado abierto donde los consumidores ya no están limitados por plataformas de pago específicas del dispositivo — una reconfiguración fundamental de cómo se realizan transacciones en todo el mundo. kevin. es una empresa de tecnología visionaria que está reformando los sistemas de pagos para las necesidades del mañana. Desde sus oficinas centrales en Europa hasta la reciente expansión en el bullicioso centro financiero de Dubái, la misión de kevin. ha sido consistente: ofrecer tecnología de punta a punta confiable y ahorros significativos en tarifas por transacción sin cambiar la forma en que las personas pagan. La introducción de su red de aceptación de pagos multiarrendataria y agnóstica de la marca marca un cambio significativo para consumidores y empresas por igual, otorgando autonomía y valor sin los impedimentos de la tecnología heredada. Descargar: logotipo de Kevin, imagen de Pavel Sokolovas y vídeo de la transacción de iOS: enlace - termina - Acerca de kevin. kevin. es una empresa de tecnología pionera con la misión de revolucionar los sistemas de pagos heredados. Con una infraestructura recién construida, kevin. hace que las transacciones sean más eficientes, seguras y convenientes tanto para ventas digitales como físicas. La red de aceptación de pagos multiarrendataria de la compañía es de etiqueta blanca, agnóstica de la marca y sin intermediarios, ofreciendo a los socios el control completo de sus procesos de pago en tienda. Esto les permite desbloquear un valor mayor a través de nuevos servicios, tasas de conversión mejoradas y lealtad de clientes reforzada. La red de kevin. redefine los pagos internacionales, asegurando una infraestructura de pago NFC de cuenta a cuenta segura y sin fisuras para terminales POS en todo el mundo. Esta innovación ofrece una experiencia de 'tap and go', compatible con dispositivos Android y iOS, haciendo los pagos internacionales tan familiares como los locales. kevin. cuenta con el respaldo de Accel, Eurazeo y otros inversores, incluyendo OTB Ventures, Speedinvest, Open Ocean y Global Paytech Venture. Compromiso con el Ecosistema El objetivo de kevin. es empoderar a todos los jugadores en el ecosistema de pago, incluyendo bancos, billeteras digitales, minoristas y otros. La compañía permite a estas entidades lanzar sus propios esquemas independientes no tarjetas o expandir sus servicios conectándose con una red existente en la plataforma de kevin. Contact Details NettResults Relaciones Públicas Nick Leighton +1 949-478-5880 nick.leighton@nettresultsLLC.com Company Website https://www.kevin.eu/

April 11, 2024 07:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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