Author: News Direct

–News Direct–

By Jeremy Golden, Benzinga

Immunotherapy has transformed the way cancer is treated, but just 20% to 40% of patients typically respond to FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatments.

Poor ICI treatment response has been linked to the tumors ability to disguise antigen presentation and generate an immunosuppressive microenvironment. In addition, most conventional immunotherapies are not designed to educate the patients immune system on how to recognize a variety of tumor antigens and neoantigens.

Amid this landscape, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company has developed a new multimodal biological approach that leverages the ability of viral gene constructs to activate cancer-killing mechanisms, exposing multiple tumor antigens to the immune system, resulting in vaccination against the tumor while inhibiting the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Candel Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CADL) is developing a product candidate that is being studied in lung, pancreatic and prostate cancers. Candels most advanced viral immunotherapy candidate, CAN-2409, is an investigational off-the-shelf replication-defective adenovirus designed to induce an individualized, systemic immune response against the patients own tumor.

Part of the companys adenovirus platform, CAN-2409 is injected directly into the tumor or target tissue using a localized injection, akin to the standard approach for vaccination.

CAN-2409's adenoviral construct serves as a vector to transport the HSV-thymidine kinase gene into tumor cells at the site of injection. These tumor cells can then express HSV-thymidine kinase, which converts generic, FDA-approved anti-herpes drugs such as ganciclovir, acyclovir and valacyclovir into a toxic nucleotide analog that blocks DNA synthesis in dividing cells.

Cancer cells exposed to the toxic nucleotide analog in the tumor microenvironment have been observed to undergo immunogenic cell death. Simultaneously, the adenoviral serotype 5 capsid protein elicits a strong pro-inflammatory signal in the tumor microenvironment, creating the optimal conditions to induce a specific CD8+ T cell-mediated response against the injected tumor and uninjected distant metastases for broad and systemic anti-tumor activity.

CAN-2409 is currently being studied in an open-label, phase 2 clinical trial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in randomized, controlled, blinded phase 2b and phase 3 clinical trials in prostate cancer. The company has recently released very encouraging data for CAN-2409s ability to improve overall survival in non-metastatic pancreatic cancer, with topline overall survival data in non-small cell lung cancer planned for this quarter (Q2 2024) and results from the prostate clinical trials later this year (Q4 2024).

When it comes to NSCLC, the company previously presented data from the phase 2 clinical trial in which patients received two administrations of CAN-2409 plus prodrug. Those patients demonstrated the following:

1) Increased infiltration of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in the tumor microenvironment, systemic expansion of effector T cells and increased soluble granzyme B levels in peripheral blood;

2) Favorable changes in the trajectory of tumor progression;

3) Decreased tumor size of target lesions in most patients; and

4) Reduced size of uninjected tumor lesions.

The CAN-2409 immunotherapy antitumor strategy aims to increase the number of long survivors beyond 10 to 13 months.

As previous work has shown that progressive disease could be converted into stable disease in most patients with non-small cell lung cancer after CAN-2409 treatment, the hypothesis is that this will translate into improved survival.

When it comes to pancreatic cancer, the company reported notable improvements in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after experimental treatment with CAN-2409. The estimated overall survival rate was 71.4% at 24 months in CAN-2409-treated patients versus only 16.7% in the control arm after chemoradiation.

In 2023, CAN-2409 received Fast Track Designation for both non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer, a validation from the FDA on its potential. CAN-2409 plus valacyclovir in combination with continued PD-1/PD-L1 agents is being evaluated in an ongoing, open-label phase 2 clinical trial in patients with late-stage NSCLC and an inadequate response to anti-PD(L)-1 therapy. In 2024, CAN-2409 also received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for CAN-2409 in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

In the upcoming year, Candel plans to announce data readouts for the following:

1) Phase 2 topline overall survival (OS) data for CAN-2409 in NSCLC, expected in Q2 2024;

2) Phase 2 topline data for CAN-2409 in low-to-intermediate-risk, localized, non-metastatic prostate cancer, expected in Q4 2024;

3) Phase 3 topline data for CAN-2409 in localized intermediate/high-risk prostate cancer, expected in Q4 2024.

Featured photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash.

Candel is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing off-the-shelf multimodal biological immunotherapies that elicit an individualized, systemic anti-tumor immune response to help patients fight cancer. Candel has established two clinical stage multimodal biological immunotherapy platforms based on novel, genetically modified adenovirus and herpes simplex virus (HSV) gene constructs, respectively. CAN-2409 is the lead product candidate from the adenovirus platform and is currently in ongoing clinical trials in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (phase 2), borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (phase 2), and localized, non-metastatic prostate cancer (phase 2 and phase 3). CAN-3110 is the lead product candidate from the HSV platform and is currently in an ongoing investigator-sponsored phase 1 clinical trial in recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG). Finally, Candels enLIGHTEN Discovery Platform is a systematic, iterative HSV-based discovery platform leveraging human biology and advanced analytics to create new viral immunotherapies for solid tumors.

This article includes certain disclosures that contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, express or implied statements regarding the timing and advancement of development programs, including the timing and availability of additional data, key data readout milestones, including CAN-3110 in HGG; expectations regarding the potential benefits conferred by Fast Track Designation; expectations regarding the therapeutic benefit of its programs, including the potential for its programs to extend patient survival; and expectations regarding cash runway and expenditures. The words may, will, could, would, should, expect, plan, anticipate, intend, believe, estimate, predict, project, potential, continue, target and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on managements current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties related to the timing and advancement of development programs; expectations regarding the therapeutic benefit of the Companys programs; that final data from our pre-clinical studies and completed clinical trials may differ materially from reported interim data from ongoing studies and trials; the Companys ability to efficiently discover and develop product candidates; the Companys ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of product candidates; the Companys ability to maintain its intellectual property; the implementation of the Companys business model, and strategic plans for the Companys business and product candidates, and other risks identified in the Companys SEC filings, including the Companys most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, and subsequent filings with the SEC. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent the Companys views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date.

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Candel Therapeutics

COMTEX_453480918/2655/2024-06-07T08:28:02

–News Direct–

By Gerelyn Terzo, Benzinga

Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR), a Bitcoin mining and AI cloud solutions company led by industry pioneer Jihan Wu, has received a potentially game-changing capital injection from one of the blockchain industrys earliest stablecoin projects.

Tether International Limited, a stablecoin backed by fiat currencies including the dollar, has purchased a $100 million position in Bitdeer. (Stablecoins are digital assets that are pegged or tied to more stable instruments, like the U.S. dollar, making them less volatile and more attractive for use cases like payments.)

The financing, which took the form of a private placement that closed in May, comprises 18,587,360 of Bitdeers Class A ordinary shares and a warrant to purchase up to 5,000,000 more at $10.00 per share. Cantor Fitzgerald served as the placement agent for the deal. In addition to the $100 million Bitdeer already received from the share issuance, the company could potentially see another $50 million if the warrant, which is exercisable at Tethers discretion for 12 months, is fully exercised.

While Tethers percentage equity stake in Bitdeer remains unclear, investors cheered the development, sending BTDR shares nearly 7% higher in response. Bitdeer Chief Business Officer Linghui Kong welcomed Tether as a significant investor in the company, saying:

This substantial investment demonstrates confidence in our vision and the strength of our extensive global operations. With Tether's support, we are poised to accelerate our growth and continue our leadership in sustainable and efficient Bitcoin mining.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino expressed his delight to be partnering with Bitdeer, as it catapults his company closer to its Bitcoin mining aspirations. Tether has reportedly earmarked $500 million in preparation for its own Bitcoin mining operations, having broken ground on the development of facilities in Uruguay, Paraguay and El Salvador.

We regard Bitdeer as one of the strongest vertically integrated operators in the Bitcoin mining industry, differentiated by its cutting-edge technologies, and a robust R&D organization, he said.

Bitdeer plans to direct the proceeds from the capital injection, which closed on May 30, toward powering its aggressive data center expansion and advancing the development of its ASIC-based Bitcoin mining rigsin a post-Bitcoin-halving environment, which might typically ushers in a bull market for Bitcoin.

ASICs or application-specific integrated circuits are chips that are specifically made for Bitcoin mining as opposed to CPUs and GPUs, whose design is more general in nature. Bitdeers Wu has been instrumental in ASIC miner innovation, leading to higher performance and greater efficiency in the Bitcoin mining process.

Bitdeer Strategically Positioning Itself For Next Bitcoin Mining Wave

Bitcoin mining is the process by which the Bitcoin blockchain is secured and new bitcoins are created. The process mimics that of physically mining for resources like gold from the ground, explaining how it earned its name. With the Bitcoin price hovering near $70,000, the next wave of Bitcoin mining is starting to ramp up as obsolete and inefficient equipment is replaced with the latest technology.

As one of the biggest publicly traded Bitcoin miners on the planet, Bitdeer boasts six Bitcoin mining facilities globally, including U.S. facilities in the states of Washington, Tennessee and Texas. Bitdeer was on track to begin construction of its 221MW data center in Ohio in April. The company is also in the midst of a 175MW expansion at its Tydal, Norway, immersion cooling data center, the construction of which is expected to be completed by mid-2025. Additionally, Bitdeer is expanding its operations in Bhutan, where its focused on the development of greenfield operations, including carbon-free digital asset mining.

Considering the massive amounts of computing power involved in mining Bitcoin, Bitdeer is dedicated to renewable, carbon-free and stable energy sources setting an example for other mining companies to emulate.

The financing from Tether marks the beginning of what the management teams expect will become a close collaboration across multiple key infrastructure areas for the foreseeable future. Investors who are bullish on the future of sustainable Bitcoin mining might want to keep an eye on the leaders in this industry.

Featured photo by Randgruppe on Pixabay.

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Benzinga

COMTEX_453480919/2655/2024-06-07T08:28:04

–News Direct–

By Mangeet Kaur Bouns

Lung cancer remains the top cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., accounting for approximately 20% of all cancer fatalities. The American Cancer Society's projections for 2024 highlight the gravity of this issue, with an estimated 234,580 new lung cancer cases and about 125,070 deaths anticipated in the U.S. Of these, nearly 80% to 85% are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatments.

MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. (AMEX: MAIA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing telomere-targeting immunotherapies for cancer treatment, has unveiled promising new clinical data showcasing the efficacy of its lead product candidate, THIO, in treating NSCLC. This data emerges from a phase 2 clinical trial evaluating THIO in combination with the immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) cemiplimab (Libtayo), targeting patients with advanced NSCLC who have not responded to at least two standard-of-care therapies.

In the context of NSCLC, where traditional treatments often fall short, THIO's potential as a first-in-class telomere-targeting agent raises hope. Its ability to disrupt cancer cell telomeres and stimulate immune responses marks a significant advancement in the fight against this devastating disease.

MAIAs Lead Candidate: THIO

THIO is a groundbreaking telomere-targeting agent, currently undergoing phase 2 clinical trials aimed at treating NSCLC with telomerase-positive cancer cells. Telomerase, present in over 85% of human cancers, plays a crucial role in the immortality and proliferation of cancer cells. THIO integrates into telomeres within these cells, disrupting their structure and function leading to rapid tumor cell death.

By inducing telomerase-dependent DNA modification and damage, THIO triggers selective cancer cell death. This process accumulates telomeric damage in cytosolic micronuclei, which then activates both innate (cGAS/STING) and adaptive (T-cell) immune responses. In in vivo cancer models, sequential treatment with THIO followed by PD-(L)1 inhibitors resulted in significant and sustained tumor regression, fostering cancer-specific immune memory.

Key Findings From The Phase 2 THIO-101 Clinical Trial

The phase 2 THIO-101 trial primarily focuses on assessing the safety and tolerability of THIO both as an anticancer agent and as an immune system activator, alongside evaluating its clinical efficacy through overall response rate (ORR).

The trial results are noteworthy. The disease control rate (DCR) for THIO in combination with CPI was 85%, far exceeding the 25-35% DCR typically seen with chemotherapy in third-line treatments. Additionally, 65% of patients surpassed the 5.8-month overall survival (OS) threshold, and 85% exceeded the 2.5-month progression-free survival (PFS) threshold, demonstrating significant clinical benefits. The median survival follow-up time stood at 9.1 months for the cohort of 20 patients.

Optimal dose selection yielded even more impressive outcomes. Patients in third-line receiving 180mg of THIO exhibited a median PFS of 5.5 months, a 75% OS rate at six months and an ORR of 38%, compared to the standard 6-10% ORR for chemotherapy. Notably, 75% of these patients crossed the 5.8-month OS threshold and 88% surpassed the 2.5-month PFS threshold, with a median survival follow-up time of 9.1 months among the eight patients assessed.

Implications And Future Directions

Dr. Vlad Vitoc, chairman and CEO of MAIA, expressed enthusiasm about the trial outcomes, noting, "All exceptional measures of efficacy in our trial to date have exceeded our own expectations and outperformed standard-of-care treatments." He emphasized THIOs potential as a robust, safe and highly effective alternative for patients who have not benefited from chemotherapy and other treatments.

The THIO-101 trial, which completed enrollment ahead of schedule in February, reached its target of 41 patients for the 180 mg dose. This data, which indicates promising disease control and overall response rates, paves the way for further investigation and potential redefinition of cancer treatment protocols.

As THIO-101 data continues to demonstrate favorable disease control and response rates, with full efficacy data anticipated in the latter half of this year, MAIA Biotechnology stands poised to redefine cancer treatment. THIOs promise to transform the standard of care in oncology offers new hope to patients with advanced NSCLC, potentially establishing a new benchmark in cancer therapy.

Featured photo by CI Photos at Shutterstock.

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.

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Benzinga

COMTEX_453480766/2655/2024-06-07T08:20:02

–News Direct–

By Anthony Termini, Benzinga

Brand Engagement Network (BEN) (NASDAQ: BNAI), creator of a conversational AI technology that develops human-like AI and AI Avatars for personalized customer engagement, recently announced the completion of a private placement from an investor group comprised of exiting investors that raised nearly $5 million in new funding.

The deal also lines up more than $3 million in additional commitments from the investor group. According to the chairman of BENs board of directors, Chris Gaertner, the new investment will help the company execute on its growth and revenue strategies.

Gaertner went on to say that this represent[s] a powerful vote of confidence in our strategy from our board, executive team, and our existing investors.

BENs Executive Team Expands With Addition Of Co-CEO

The new investment comes at the same time that BEN announced the promotion of Paul Chang to Co-CEO. Chang had previously held the title of global president at BEN. He brings decades of experience creating new markets for emerging technologies at IBM and multiple start-ups.

Chang led the expansion of various AI, blockchain, analytics and IoT solutions into new global markets and has key industry relationships within the life science, industrial and retail sectors.

I am thrilled to take on the role of Co-CEO, said Chang. He added that as we transition into delivering value to our customers by commercializing our safe and comprehensive Gen AI Platform, BEN is well positioned both financially and technologically to execute our plans.

BENs technology seeks to humanize experiences between people and machines through human-like AI avatars. This is a deliberate philosophy of its management. Its board includes former military officers and a former chairperson of the Federal Trade Commission.

Why Should Investors Care About Conversational AI?

Conversational AI has the ability to recognize, translate, predict, and respond to a given customers written or spoken input. Personalized customer engagement improves a companys efficiency and productivity.

More importantly, when the customer service experience makes people feel connected to a company they do business with, it improves customer loyalty, brand perception and overall satisfaction.

According to Co-CEO Michael Zacharski, Now is a pivotal time for the AI industry. Markets and Markets has also reported that the conversational AI sector is expected to grow to nearly $50 billion by 2030.

Zacharski says that the company is excited about the prospect of partnering with organizations that complement its vision and capabilities. Their technology is targeted at consumer products and services companies, automotive dealers and manufacturers, financial institutions, healthcare providers and retailers.

While BEN is not the only provider of conversational AI solutions, it is unique in its approach. Personalizing human-machine interaction with the use of friendly AI assistants that can mimic human gestures could be significantly disruptive in a segment of AI that is experiencing rapid adoption. And today, BEN is a leader in creating more empathetic AI experiences.

Featured photo by Steve Johnson 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.

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Benzinga

COMTEX_453480765/2655/2024-06-07T08:20:00

–News Direct–

Geneva, Switzerland, June 7, 2024 TRON DAO proudly marked its significant presence at Consensus 2024, held in Austin, Texas, as a 3 Block Sponsor. This premier blockchain and digital asset event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to engage in crucial discussions shaping the future of the blockchain ecosystem.

Consensus 2024: Highlighting TRONs Innovations

Consensus 2024, renowned for its influential role in the blockchain and crypto space, provided TRON DAO with a platform to showcase its latest advancements and strategic initiatives. As a 3 Block Sponsor, TRON DAO actively participated in various sessions, contributing to the dynamic discourse and networking opportunities that the event facilitated.

TRON Whale Night 2024: A Stellar Evening of Networking and Innovation

Coinciding with Consensus 2024, TRON DAO hosted the exclusive TRON Whale Night 2024 on May 29, 2024, at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Austin. This invite-only event got signed up with more than 400+ guests, including top web3 industry leaders and innovators, for an evening of elegance and networking.

TRON Whale Night 2024 featured a dinner buffet with TRON signature cocktails, accompanied by a live DJ set, creating a perfect blend of luxury and innovation. With nearly 100 participants in attendance, the event offered an exceptional platform for guests to engage in meaningful discussions and forge valuable connections within the blockchain community.

Looking Forward

TRON DAOs participation in Consensus 2024 and the success of TRON Whale Night underscore its commitment to driving blockchain innovation and fostering a robust community. These events provided valuable opportunities to share insights, collaborate with industry peers, and continue the momentum towards a decentralized internet.

As TRON DAO continues to lead the way in blockchain technology, stay tuned for more updates on our initiatives and future engagements within the global blockchain community.

About TRON DAO

TRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps.

Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized Web3 services boasting over 100 million monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years. As of June 2024, it has over 233.71 million total user accounts on the blockchain, more than 7.75 billion total transactions, and over $21.82 billion in total value locked (TVL), as reported on TRONSCAN.

In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum since April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in December 2021 and is now a community-governed DAO. Most recently in October 2022, TRON was designated as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, which marks the first time a major public blockchain partnered with a sovereign nation to develop its national blockchain infrastructure. On top of the governments endorsement to issue Dominica Coin (DMC), a blockchain-based fan token to help promote Dominicas global fanfare, seven existing TRON-based tokens – TRX, BTT, NFT, JST, USDD, USDT, TUSD, have been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country.

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Hayward Wong

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TRON DAO

COMTEX_453473166/2655/2024-06-07T04:11:25

–News Direct–

Singapore / June 3, 2024 In a move that underscores its commitment to broadening the reach and usability of Web3 technologies, HTX Ventures, the global investment arm of the cryptocurrency exchange HTX, has announced a strategic investment in NexGami, a pioneering Web3 gaming platform.

NexGami is a Web3 gaming platform aiming to be the prime venue for hosting competitive gaming events across various titles. Their recently raised $2.5 million seed round will be instrumental in advancing NexGamis platform. NexGamis mission is to integrate traditional gamers into the Web3 ecosystem, providing tangible benefits through tokenomics. The platform will offer seamless integration for game developers, enabling users to organize tournaments, players to compete for rewards, and content creators to share their gaming experiences.

"HTX Ventures is always looking for innovative projects that lower the gateway of Web3 entrance, not only for the retail user but also for businesses. By releasing games like MetaMyth and onboarding traditional gaming projects on-chain, NexGami is introducing more people into Web3 through gaming. HTX Ventures is excited to support their journey in transforming the gaming landscape through Web3," said Edward, Managing Partner of HTX Ventures.

"We are immensely grateful for the support from our investors, which will enable us to accelerate our development and bring our vision of a revolutionary Web3 gaming platform to life," said Brice Bian, Founder and CEO of NexGami.

NexGami debuted its $NEXG token recently at the end of May, with the token listing coming up on HTX along with this seed round announcement.

About HTX Ventures

HTX Ventures, the global investment division of HTX, integrates investment, incubation, and research to identify the best and brightest teams worldwide. With a decade-long history as an industry pioneer, HTX Ventures excels at identifying cutting-edge technologies and emerging business models within the sector. To foster growth within the blockchain ecosystem, we provide comprehensive support to projects, including financing, resources, and strategic advice.

HTX Ventures currently backs over 200 projects spanning multiple blockchain sectors, with select high-quality initiatives already trading on the HTX exchange. Furthermore, as one of the most active Fund of Funds (FOF) investors, HTX Ventures collaboratively forges the blockchain ecosystem alongside premier global blockchain funds, including IVC, Shima, and Animoca.

Contact Details

Michael Wang

glo-media@htx-inc.com

Company Website

https://www.htx.com/en-us/ventures

About HTX Ventures

HTX Ventures, the global investment division of HTX, integrates investment, incubation, and research to identify the best and brightest teams worldwide.

With a decade-long history as an industry pioneer, HTX Ventures excels at identifying cutting-edge technologies and emerging business models within the sector. To foster growth within the blockchain ecosystem, we provide comprehensive support to projects, including financing, resources, and strategic advice.

HTX Ventures presently backs over 200 projects spanning multiple blockchain sectors, with select high-quality initiatives already trading on the HTX exchange. Furthermore, as one of the most vigorous Fund of Funds (FOF) investors, HTX Ventures collaboratively forges the blockchain ecosystem alongside premier global blockchain funds, including IVC, Shima, and Animoca.

Contact Details

Michael Wang

glo-media@htx-inc.com

Company Website

https://www.htx.com/en-us/ventures

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HTX Ventures

COMTEX_453469984/2655/2024-06-07T01:23:04

–News Direct–

Black Radiance, one of the first inclusive beauty brands, is excited to launch its first augmented reality app, Beyond Radiant. Available now in all app stores, Beyond Radiant empowers women of color with the confidence to be their best selves by seeing the unlimited possibilities in the avatars.

Beyond Radiant stands at the intersection of augmented reality technology, beauty, and empowerment. Unlike traditional beauty apps that focus solely on makeup application, Beyond Radiant offers an immersive experience surrounding four diverse avatars, each with unique personalities and professions, to inspire women of color and foster a community of confident, empowered women who see themselves in the achievements and aspirations of the apps avatar.

Black Radiance has always stood on the cutting-edge of the intersection between beauty and race, said Sherry West, Brand Marketing Manager at Black Radiance. We know the way of the future is to embrace technology in new and unique ways, especially with the increasing presence of AI in the beauty industry. Were excited to step into the future in an inclusive way that holds true to Black Radiances long-standing mission of empowering women of color.

Beyond Radiant Augmented Reality avatars are inspired by history-making women who have blazed new paths for Black women, like NASA Astronaut Jessica Watkins, and record-breaking ice skater Starr Andrews. Jessica Watkins is the first Black woman to complete an International Space Station long-term mission, while Starr Andrews is the first African American woman to win a Grand Prix medal in the singles discipline. The dedication, creativity, imagination, and fortitude of these women can be seen in the four avatars: The Boss Babe, The Champ, The Content Creator, and The Innovator.

In a world where beauty standards often feel limiting, Black Radiance dares to redefine what beauty can mean for women of color, said K. Parris MacDonald, Vice President of Marketing at Black Radiance. The Beyond Radiant App feels like a natural progression to further offering space to women of color to be their authentic selves and see themselves reflected in the narratives of achievement and success.

The Beyond Radiant app is available to download in all app stores now and at www.blackradiancebeauty.com. For more information and updates, visit www.blackradiancebeauty.com/beyondradiant and follow @blackradiancebeauty on social media. Hi-res images and interviews are available upon request.

About Black Radiance:

For over 30 years, Black Radiance has recognized, represented, and celebrated the diversity of darker complexions by offering affordable, high-quality cosmetics with uncompromising color, trusted coverage, and formula innovation. Black Radiance empowers and inspires women of color through cosmetics, beauty, and lifestyles. Our mission to enable Black women worldwide to be even more beautiful. We promise to create both products and experiences that encourage women of color worldwide to embrace, enhance, define, and love their shade of beauty.

Contact Details

Cami Carlson

camryn@six-one.com

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Black Radiance

COMTEX_453433919/2655/2024-06-06T08:08:45

–News Direct–

Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust (the Trust) has filed a Form 8-K containing its monthly report for the period ended May 31, 2024. An aggregate total distribution of $7.86 million or $0.104766 per trust certificate will be paid on June 10, 2024, to certificateholders of record as of June 7, 2024.

Additional information, including the Trusts Monthly and Quarterly Reports, as well as other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) can be accessed via the Trusts website at www.ctltrust.net.

About Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust

Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust (the Trust) was established to acquire 160 retail properties and 6 warehouse distribution centers (the Properties) from J.C. Penney as part of its Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. The Trusts operations consist solely of owning, leasing and selling the Properties. The Trusts objective is to sell the Properties to third-party purchasers as promptly as practicable. The Trustee of the trust is GLAS Trust Company LLC. The Trust is externally managed by an affiliate of Hilco Real Estate LLC. The Trust is intended to be treated, for tax purposes, as a liquidating trust within the meaning of United States Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-4(d). For more information, please visit https://www.ctltrust.net/.

Forward Looking Statement

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, might, our vision, plan, potential, preliminary, predict, should, will, or would or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology and include, but are not limited to, the Trusts expectations or beliefs concerning future events and stock price performance. The Trust has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While the Trust believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond its control. These factors, including those discussed in the Trusts Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), may cause its actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to the Trusts filings with the SEC that are available at www.sec.gov. The Trust cautions you that the list of important factors included in the Trusts SEC filings may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release may not in fact occur. The Trust undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Contact Details

Jessica Cummins – Investor Relations

+1 847-313-4755

jcummins@hilcoglobal.com

Company Website

https://ctltrust.net/about/default.aspx

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/copper-property-ctl-pass-through-trust-issues-monthly-reporting-package-for-may-2024-528187560

Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust

COMTEX_453453639/2655/2024-06-06T16:17:52

–News Direct–

As part of its ongoing commitment to digital inclusion and accessibility, Comcast today announced the availability of live American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services at eight Xfinity Store Locations in the Greater Bay Area.

Customers who need ASL support can stop into any of the select Bay Area Xfinity Stores, where representatives will utilize ASL Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) to access a live interpreter provided by partner, Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD). The Retail Associate simply taps the app on the store iPad and is connected in moments via video to a live interpreter who can translate from ASL to English and vice versa as the customer and Associate converse.

Were proud to deliver an inclusive service solution that will help more customers better interact and engage with Retail Associates representing our Xfinity Products and Services, to provide them with a much better in-store experience, said Thomas Wlodkowski, Comcast Vice President for Accessibility. Im also grateful to our partners in California who are helping to close the digital divide for more members of our disabled community by working with us on a variety of digital equity initiatives.

Comcast launched the ASL VRI service as a pilot in select stores last year; it is the first telecommunications retailer in the country to offer live, on-demand, remote ASL interpreting services in stores to better serve customers. The company is expanding the service to additional stores across the country this year.

The eight Xfinity Greater Bay Area stores that offer ASL VRI service include:

• San Jose: 1068 E. Brokaw Rd. # 50, San Jose, CA 95131

• Sunnyvale: 301 W. McKinley Ave. Suite 140, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

• San Jose: 1566 Monterey Hwy #20, San Jose, CA 95110

• San Jose: 1600 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA 95129

• Palo Alto: 2825 El Camino Real #100, Palo Alto, CA 94306

• Fremont: 43325 Christy St., Fremont, CA 94538

• Oakland: 3070 E. 9^th St., Oakland, CA 94601

• Dublin: 4104 Grafton St., Dublin, CA 94568

As part of California School for the Deafs mission, we are deeply committed to providing a language rich environment that maximizes communication access in order for our students to lead fulfilling lives, said Amy Novotny, Superintendent, California School for the Deaf. Access to technology and connectivity builds confidence and independence, and thats why we are excited to partner with Comcast on opportunities to close the digital divide for members of our Deaf and hard of hearing community.

The American Community Survey (ACS) estimates that 3.6% of the U.S. population is deaf or have serious difficulty hearing. Additionally, according to Pew Research Center, 23% of people with disabilities say they never go online, with 57% saying they do not have a home broadband connection. Thats why, through its Project UP initiative, Comcast is working to address and eliminate the unique barriers to connectivity through a series of efforts, including Internet Essentials, Lift Zones, and skill development and training.

In addition to announcing this inclusive retail experience for customers, Comcast donated $60,000 in digital equity grants to community partners, San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, California School for the Deaf, and the World Institute on Disability. These grants aim to broaden the scope of digital inclusion and accessibility to students, families, seniors, and community members.

Assistive technologies are opening doors to greater independence for folks with a range of disabilities, said Sharon Giovinazzo Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco LightHouse of the Blind and Visually Impaired. These innovations truly can level the playing field. Comcast has been a valued partner in delivering technologies and supporting our efforts to promote independence, community, and equity for blind and low vision people.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are the guiding stars of what we do here at the World Institute on Disability, and it is gratifying to see partners, such as Comcast, who also believe that equity and accessibility go hand-in-hand, said Marcie Roth, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, World Institute on Disability. Technology continues to evolve rapidly, and we must continue to work together to invest in solutions, which will help support people with disabilities having equal and greater access to products and services in todays world as well as laying the foundation for greater accessibility for future generations.

About Comcasts Accessibility Program:

For more than a decade, Comcast has invested in making its products, technology, and experiences accessible to the widest possible audience while opening new doors to independence for people with disabilities. These innovations include the Large Button Voice Remote, voted USA Todays Best Accessible Design remote in 2023, and the Xfinity Adaptive Web Remote. To learn more about Comcasts groundbreaking accessibility work, visit corporate.comcast.com/accessibility.

About Comcast Corporation:

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms, we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

Contact Details

Comcast Calfornia

Jon Koriel

+1 925-315-2690

jon_koriel@comcast.com

Company Website

https://california.comcast.com/

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/comcast-announces-live-american-sign-language-interpreting-services-at-eight-bay-area-xfinity-store-locations-672416242

Comcast California

COMTEX_453447532/2655/2024-06-06T13:13:27

–News Direct–

BioHarvest Sciences CEO Ilan Sobel joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce a significant achievement: VINIA, the first commercialized product developed on the Botanical Synthesis platform, set a new record for monthly sales orders in May, reaching 1.98 million. This represents a remarkable 101% increase compared to May 2023.

During the interview, Sobel explained that the sales growth in BioHarvest's Products division was primarily driven by strong subscription rates for VINIA. The company's core nutraceutical capsule business saw significant growth, bolstered by additional "VINIA Inside" products, such as VINIA Superfood Coffee, part of the Hot Beverage lineup. This impressive sales performance underscores BioHarvest's successful Direct-to-Consumer sales strategy, which has consistently increased both the number of new customers and total subscribers.

Looking ahead, the company is planning several new marketing programs set to launch in early June. These initiatives, combined with additional VINIA products in the near-term pipeline and the ramp-up of its CDMO Services Business Unit, position BioHarvest for a robust second quarter in 2024. Revenue for this period is projected to be in the range of $5.7-6.0 million. Sobel expressed confidence in the company's growth trajectory, highlighting the expansion of their product offerings and the ongoing success of their strategic marketing efforts.

Furthermore, BioHarvest's investment in research and development continues to yield promising results, with new product innovations expected to further drive revenue and market penetration. The company's commitment to leveraging its unique Botanical Synthesis technology positions it as a leader in the nutraceutical space, offering high-quality, scientifically-backed products to a growing consumer base.

Sobel also touched on the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility in BioHarvest's operations. The company's production methods are designed to be eco-friendly, minimizing waste and reducing the carbon footprint, aligning with the increasing consumer demand for sustainable and ethically produced products.

Contact Details

Proactive North America

+1 604-688-8158

NA-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/bioharvest-sciences-hits-major-sales-milestone-with-vinia-seeing-sales-records-133242608

BioHarvest Sciences Inc

COMTEX_453445220/2655/2024-06-06T12:01:17