NA Proactive news snapshot: Algernon Pharmaceuticals, BioPorto Diagnostics, Victory Square Technologies, Mirasol Resources, NexTech AR, Avalon GloboCare UPDATE...

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc (CSE:AGN) (OTCQB:AGNPF) provided a year end summary of key clinical activities that showed it had rapidly advanced Ifenprodil (NP-120), for multiple indications including as a potential COVID-19 treatment. The Vancouver-based drug re-purposing company has filed new intellectual property rights globally for Ifenprodil for the treatment of respiratory diseases and is working to develop a proprietary injectable and slow release formulation. In December, Algernon revealed that it had treated the last patient in the Phase 2b portion of its multinational Phase 2b/3 study of Ifenprodil.  BioPorto Diagnostics A/S (CPH:BIOPOR) has gained the CE mark in Europe for its NGALds test, the first based on the group's proprietary Generic Rapid Assay Device (gRAD) platform for the development of lateral flow assays. The NGALds test is designed to deliver a semi-quantitative NGAL (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) result in under 15 minutes, without the need for laboratory instrumentation or complex user training. This makes it ideal for near-patient settings such as physician offices and urgent care clinics, where a quick assessment of the risk of kidney injury can help clinicians to better triage patients. In parallel with the development of NGALds, BioPorto said it has also implemented an accelerated gRAD development process to create a rapid test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes coronavirus (COVID-19). Victory Square Technologies Inc (CSE:VST) (OTCMKTS:VSQTF) (FRA:6F6) provided a corporate update demonstrating that its portfolio companies posted “significant growth” in 2020, which the group touted as a “record year." The group has a portfolio of 20 global companies using artificial intelligence, augmented reality and blockchain to disrupt sectors as diverse as fintech, insurance, digital health, gaming, crypto, augmented reality, virtual reality, cloud computing and plant-based sciences. For the nine-month period ending September 30, Victory Square Technologies reported net income of $13.6 million and earnings per share of $0.18. The group recently completed an oversubscribed $6.1 million private placement. Mirasol Resources Ltd (CVE:MRZ) (OTCPINK:MRZLF) said it has entered into two non-binding letters of intent with an arm's length third party regarding potential transactions in respect of its Homenaje and Nico projects in the Santa Cruz province of Argentina. The Nico project was previously explored by Mirasol, while the Homenaje project, which is adjacent to two mining operations, holds targets that have yet to be drilled. Mirasol said it continues to rationalize its project portfolio in Santa Cruz to allow the company to focus exploration on other high potential targets. Nextech AR Solutions Corp (CSE:NTAR) (OTCQB:NEXCF), the augmented reality and virtual events company, will be delisted from the CSE at market close on January 4 and begin trading on the NEO exchange at market open on January 5, according to a CSE bulletin. Avalon GloboCare Corp (NASDAQ:AVCO) issued an update on its partnership with the Institute for Synthetic Bioarchitectures at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna, Austria. The collaboration brings together BOKU’s S-layer nanotechnology with Avalon’s expertise in biomanufacturing, cell therapy engineering and clinical development. Applied S-layer nanotechnology enables the creation of uniform matrices of certain proteins or molecules and is based on the repetitive protein structures that make up the outer surface of microbial cells LexaGene Holdings Inc (CVE:LXG) (OTCQB:LXXGF) said it has started a series of studies required by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) testing for its coronavirus (COVID-19) assay in a point-of-care (POC) environment using its fully automated MiQLab system. In a statement, Dr Jack Regan, LexaGene’s CEO and founder commented: “I’m excited we have progressed to the point where we have started our FDA study. Our open-access technology is unlike any other on the market today, as it could be configured quickly to detect new variants, such as the recent UK variant1 (aka SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01). "Since our system is capable of high multiplexing and is microfluidic in nature, it is easy to add newly developed Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests to detect variants that are either poor matches to the vaccines or are resistant to any developed therapies, which is critical to help get this pandemic under control.” Pure Gold Mining Inc. (CVE:PGM) (LON:PUR) has announced that first gold was poured at the company’s high-grade PureGold Mine, in Red Lake, Ontario on December 29, 2020, following the introduction of ore to the mill on December 15. “Today, the PureGold Mine has come to life. With our first gold pour, we have transitioned to producer, and delivered on our promise to build Canada’s newest gold mine in the heart of Red Lake Ontario, on budget and on schedule,” said Darin Labrenz, president and CEO of PureGold in a statement. NetCents Technology Inc (CSE:NC) (FRA:26N) (OTCQB:NTTCF), a cryptocurrency payments company, revealed on Wednesday that it continued to expand its merchant base in December with “rapid growth” in new sign-ups. The Vancouver-based company said it had signed up 330 merchants in the business-to-business (B2B), luxury retail, and high-ticket value retail industries that process large transactions frequently. “These merchants' categories have driven the company's growth this year, and their average transaction value ranges between $25,000 and $500,000 per transaction,” said the company.  Codebase Ventures Inc. (CSE:CODE) (FRA:C5B) (OTCQB:BKLLF) has said its investee company, Arcology, a cluster-computing powered AI blockchain ecosystem with unlimited scalability, is preparing to release the first version of its software development kit (SDK). An SDK is a collection of tools designed to help engineers and software developers access a specific platform, application or operating system. Arcology's SDK will help outside developers move their Ethereum applications over to Arcology, where they are expected to see improved performance in speed and scale. During an executive call last week, Codebase said that Arcology Founder and CEO Laurent Zhang informed the board that his team is planning to release their SDK before the end of February 2021. Biocept, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIOC) said that it has entered into laboratory services agreements with independent physician associations (IPAs) providing physicians and patients in-network access to the company's full array of Target Selector liquid biopsy oncology assays and services.  The group said both IPAs are headquartered in San Diego and combined serve more than 70,000 covered lives in the Southern California region. "We see a role for our Target Selector assays and services in value-based delivery health plans such as IPAs with goals to deliver cost-efficient and high-quality care," said Michael Nall, Biocept's president and CEO in a statement. KWESST Micro Systems Inc (CVE:KWE) announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a notice of allowance for a second patent covering KWESST's "Phantom" electronic decoy system. The Ottawa-based military and security technology company had previously announced on October 5, the allowance of a first patent covering 15 claims for a programmable multi-waveform radiofrequency generator capable of broadcasting and emulating all relevant military waveforms to create electronic battlefield decoys that deceive adversaries regarding the location of NATO friendly forces. The company said the second patent covers 11 additional claims for a programmable multi-waveform radio frequency generator plus associated tactics, techniques and procedures for deploying the Phantom system. Recruiter.com Group Inc (OTCQB: RCRT), a leading AI-powered hiring platform with the world's largest network of recruiters, unveiled a new program to help 100,000 unemployed people get back to work. "The pandemic has accelerated the use of technology in the hiring process for businesses of all sizes," said Recruiter.com CEO Evan Sohn. "Businesses have turned to platforms like Zoom and Skype to substitute for in-person meetings and live interviews. But changes in hiring practices are still leaving many capable workers behind. It's now time for new video platforms to be introduced earlier in the hiring process to better address the entire workforce." Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc. (TSX:TBP) (OTCQB:TBPMF), a leader in cannabinoid-derived drug discovery and development has announced that the New Drug Submission (NDS) for its Dronabinol Soft Gel capsules, has been filed with Health Canada. If successful, it will provide Tetra with its first Drug Identification Number (DIN) for a THC-based prescription drug. The new drug name, REDUVO, is pending approval by Health Canada. REDUVO will allow Tetra to establish a revenue stream based on a synthetic cannabinoid drug for major markets in Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV). T RACON Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:TCON) revealed that its corporate partners, Alphamab Oncology and 3D Medicines, received notification that the Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has accepted for review the new drug application (NDA) for envafolimab (KN035) in the indication of MSI-H/dMMR cancer. “We congratulate our partners on acceptance of the initial regulatory submission in China for approval of envafolimab in MSI-H/dMMR advanced solid tumors including colorectal and gastric cancer, which marks another important milestone in the development and potential commercialization of the program,” said TRACON CEO Charles Theuer. “The acceptance of the NDA for review by Chinese regulators highlights the advanced status of envafolimab product development.” Elys Game Technology, Corp. (NASDAQ:ELYS) (NEO:ELYS) announced on Wednesday that it has commenced trading on the NEO Exchange under the symbol 'ELYS.' The interactive gaming and sports betting technology company, which has been listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market since December 27, 2019, also trading under the same symbol, said today’s launch marks the first dual-listing of a publicly-traded technology company from the NASDAQ Capital Market to the NEO Exchange. “Our listing on the NEO Exchange is an important milestone on many levels for Elys, particularly as we build on our initial go-to-market strategy in the rapidly growing U.S. market and develop our foothold in the Canadian market,” said Elys' chairman and CEO, Michele Ciavarella in a statement. Atlas Engineered Products Ltd. (CVE:AEP) (OTCMKTS:APEUF) has announced the appointment of Paul Andreola to the company's board of directors. The group noted that Andreola has over 20 years of business development and financial markets experience including senior management, marketing, and communications roles for early-stage companies. Previously in his career, he was a licensed investment advisor for over 10 years and has facilitated multiple early-stage private and public companies in the resource and technology sectors. Andreola is currently the CEO and director of Brisio Innovations Inc. and Ironwood Capital Corp., and is a director of ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd. 1933 Industries Inc. (CSE:TGIF) (OTCQB:TGIFF), a vertically integrated cannabis consumer packaged goods company, has announced the launch of a new e-commerce website for its Canna Hemp brand of hemp and CBD wellness products. With the goal of enhancing the user-experience, the group said the new website features more intuitive navigation and improved education to assist consumers select wellness products that suit their individual lifestyles and needs. Featuring a large selection of high-quality hemp and CBD products with specific outcomes and delivery formats, Canna Hemp aims to bring natural wellness to consumers across the United States. "Our new website reflects an immersive approach to online shopping. We aim to deliver the power of CBD to our consumers via an elevated experience, educating our visitors about the benefits of terpenes and adding a number of new features aimed at making the overall experience more impactful and user-friendly", Eugene Ruiz, president of 1933 Industries said in a statement Goldcore Resources Ltd (CVE:GEM) said it has granted stock options to its directors, officers and consultants in the aggregate amount of 2.1 million common shares, exercisable at 11 cents for five years. The option agreements are granted according to the company's stock option plan. Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc (CVE:AGN) said it has elected to exercise its acceleration right for the common share purchase warrants of the company issued on November 1, 2019. Under the terms of the warrant indenture, the company may accelerate the expiry date of the November warrants when the daily volume-weighted average trading price (VWAP) of its common shares exceeds 35 cents for the preceding 20 consecutive trading days on the Canadian Securities Exchange. As of the close of markets on December 11, 2020, the VWAP of the common shares on the CSE for 20 consecutive trading days has exceeded 35 cents. Accordingly, the expiry date of the November warrants is accelerated to January 21, 2021. There are approximately 6.5 million November warrants that have not yet been exercised, as of Tuesday, December 29, 2020. CytoDyn Inc. (OTCQB:CYDY) has announced that Nader Pourhassan, its president and chief executive officer, Scott Kelly, the group's chairman, chief medical officer and head of Business Development, and Mahboob Rahman, its chief scientific officer, will host an investment community webcast on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at 1.00pm PT / 4.00pm ET. The group said its management will provide an update on recent clinical and regulatory developments regarding COVID-19 clinical trials, along with other strategic priorities. They will also provide approximately 30-45 minutes to address questions submitted online by analysts and investors to cydy_team@cytodyn.com. During the webcast, questions can be submitted through the webcast link: https://78449.themediaframe.com/dataconf/productusers/cydy/mediaframe/42723/indexl.html. A replay will be available approximately 60 minutes after the conclusion of the webcast and can be accessed via the above link until February 6, 2021.