NA Proactive news snapshot: Marrone Bio, Renforth Resources, Kintara Therapeutics, LexaGene Holdings, Empower Clinics UPDATE ...

Marrone Bio Innovations Inc (NASDAQ: MBII) has entered into a partnership with ATP Nutrition of Manitoba to distribute Stargus Biofungicide on Canadian broad-acre crops such as canola, dry beans, peas, soybeans, and sunflower. The company said these products represent more than 30 million acres in Canada where the biocontrol market is estimated to be growing at 12-15% compound annual growth rate. Renforth Resources Inc (CSE:RFR) (OTCPINK:RFHRF) (FRA:9RR) reported more favorable drill results from its Parbec open pit gold deposit in Quebec, including an intercept of 7 metres (m) at 7.11 grams per ton (g/t) gold in one hole.  As previously reported, the company's 2020/21 drill program at Parbec was designed to fill in gaps within the existing deposit model, to test for the downdip extension of mineralized zones and to twin holes drilled between 1986 and 1993.  Kintara Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:KTRA) (FRA:3DM) announced it has enrolled the final patient in the adjuvant arm of its ongoing Phase 2 clinical study of VAL-083 as a treatment for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a cancer that begins in the brain. The adjuvant arm of the study, conducted at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Austin, has patients receive VAL-083 in place of standard-of-care temozolomide (TMZ) following surgery and chemoradiation TMZ. The Phase 2 trial was designed to enroll up to 36 patients to determine whether treatment with VAL-083 improves overall survival. LexaGene Holdings Inc (CVE:LXG) (OTCMKTS:LXXGF) (FRA:5XS2) has partnered with Ethos Discovery to expand the test menu offerings that can be run on its MiQLab system.  Ethos Discovery was an early adopter of the MiQLab technology -- and it is now interested in expanding the use cases for the MiQLab to help in the diagnosis of other diseases.  LexaGene said it has decided to partner on prioritizing the development of panels specific for severe pneumonia, diarrhea, and effusions.  Empower Clinics Inc (CSE:CBDT) (OTCQB:EPWCF) (FRA:8EC) announced it is acquiring diabetes medical device manufacturer Medi + Sure Canada Inc (Medisure) in a C$3.5 million deal. Medisure manufactures products such as diabetic glucose meters and blood sugar tests that are found in over 4,000 pharmacies across Canada. The company says it has 50,000 end users and unaudited 12-month trailing revenues of C$1.9 million. For Vancouver-based Empower, the deal strengthens its direct-to-consumer testing products initiative and expands its overall service offerings to help support development of its KAI Care brand in North America. Esports Entertainment Group Inc (NASDAQ:GMBL) has closed on its acquisition of Helix eSports LLC and ggCircuit LLC, significantly strengthen the company's Play, Watch, Bet strategy. In addition, CEO Grant Johnson said the company is gaining state-of-the-art esports entertainment centers, an esports-focused vertical enterprise software business, a best-in-class esports analytics platform, and a player-vs-player (P2P) skill-based wagering platform. "With the completed acquisition of Helix and ggCircuit, we have created the most diversified, US-listed esports entertainment asset in the entire ecosystem," Johnson said in a statement.  Goldseek Resources Inc (CSE:GSK) (FRA:4KG) (OTCMKTS:GSKKF) announced it had started exploration at four targets at the Val D’Or North project in Quebec. A till sampling survey in 2020 generated the targets and now Goldseek is following up to better define anomalies associated with each. The program consists of a soil sampling survey for each target, followed by a short prospecting phase, the company told investors. NEXE Innovations Inc (CVE:NEXE) (OTCMKTS:NEXNF) (FRA:NX5) announced that its popular Xoma Superfoods product line is now available on both Amazon.com and Amazon.ca e-commerce marketplaces in the US and Canada. NEXE has engaged Orca Pacific, a full-service marketing agency specializing in Amazon sales strategies. Orca Pacific is an organization comprised of former Amazonians and top retail industry experts that use a combination of know-how and machine learning software to develop and implement custom Amazon strategies to drive sustainable top-line growth. MedX Health Corp (CVE:MDX) announced it has entered into an agreement to redeem an existing $500,000 secured loan by way of a non-brokered private placement of 10 convertible debenture loan notes, each with a face value of $50,000 to the same accredited investor. The convertible notes, which have similar terms to the loan notes issued by the company in February 2021, bear interest at 6% per year, payable quarterly, and will mature on December 31, 2023. The notes may be converted into units at $0.14 per unit at any time until the maturity date. Each unit will be comprised of one fully paid share and one-half of one warrant exercisable at the price of $0.20, exercisable for a period expiring on the maturity date. Predictmedix Inc (CSE:PMED) (OTCQB:PMEDF) announced it will deploy the company’s Safe Entry Stations to rapidly screen patrons and staff at the Italian Contemporary Film Festival’s (ICFF) Lavazza Drive In to be held in Ontario from June 27 to July 17. Predictmedix’s Safe Entry Stations utilize a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to provide a rapid, robust, and non-invasive screening, including multi-symptom detection of infectious diseases, such as coronavirus (COVID-19). PlantX Life Inc (CSE:VEGA) (OTCQB:PLXTF) (FRA:WNT1) has announced a tie-up with MK Cuisine Global to open a new so-called 'ghost kitchen' to test the company's US meal delivery program, which is expected to launch in the third quarter of 2021. The 2,200-square-foot (sq ft) kitchen is in the centre of Los Angeles and the meals will be delivered using 100% biodegradable packaging. PlantX also aims that any leftover perishable ingredients will be repurposed and used in MKC restaurants. Cabral Gold Inc (CVE:CBR) (OTCPINK:CBGZF) has acquired the surface rights covering the oxide gold blanket and the underlying MG deposit in Brazil. Drilling at the MG deposit recently returned 60 metres (m) at 3.5 grams per ton (g/t) gold, according to a statement. Cabral nabbed the surface rights to 184.7 hectares on the property, which brings its total land holdings at both the MG and Machichie deposits to 256.5 hectares. Kenorland Minerals Ltd (CVE:KLD) (FRA:3WQ0) has commenced drilling at the Healy Project within Alaska's prolific Goodpaster mining district. The company said the maiden diamond drill program will consist of about 4,000 meters (m) over 10 holes, testing three target areas defined by strong gold in soil anomalism. The program is scheduled to last about two months and will be completed near the end of July. "We're thrilled to be back in Alaska and kicking off the maiden diamond drill program at Healy,” said CEO Zach Flood in a statement. Great Bear Resources Ltd (CVE:GBR) (OTCQX:GTABF) provided more high-grade gold drill results from the LP Fault on the two-year anniversary of the milestone discovery. Ongoing drilling at LP Fault outlined high-grade domain long sections adjacent to the north of the previously disclosed BR7 domain, the company said in a statement. Drill results from the most recent batch of 18 new holes include 50.05 grams per ton (g/t) gold over 2.3 metres, 61.2 g/t gold over 1.1 metres and 29.52 g/t gold over 2.5 metres, which occurred within a broader interval of 2.1 g/t gold over 49.25 metres. TechX Technologies Inc (CSE:TECX) (OTC:TECXF) (FRA:C0B1) announced that its portfolio company, Catalyx Exchange, achieved substantial growth in trading volume, revenue, transaction numbers and average daily active users in May. Catalyx.io, a cryptocurrency exchange, saw trading volume increase 73% from C$22 million in April to C$38 million in May and revenue nearly double from C$174,001.91 to C$343,367.15 over the same period. The number of transactions jumped 34% from 3,901 to 5,242, and daily average number of active users increased by 51%. Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd (CVE:NSP) (OTCPINK:NSPDF) (FRA:50N) has announced it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Australia's Flexitarian Foods Pty Ltd, in which Naturally Splendid will become Flexitarian’s exclusive manufacturer of an extensive line of plant-based, meat-alternative products for the Canadian market. Naturally Splendid said the exclusive manufacturing and distribution rights are granted for a 10-year term, renewable for an additional 10 years, and are effective upon completion of the definitive agreement, which is expected within 30 days. TPCO Holding Co (The Parent Company) (NEO:GRAM) (OTCQX:GRAMF) has selected Josephine & Billie’s, a Los Angeles-based cannabis brand and retail concept, as its first social equity corporate venture fund investment, the company announced. Founded and led by black women, Josephine & Billie’s was developed to create a welcoming and educational retail experience for women of color and to fill a void within the LA marketplace, the company said. With The Parent Company’s investment, Josephine & Billie’s is expected to open its first retail location before the end of the year.  Gatling Exploration Inc (CVE:GTR) (OTCQB:GATGF) (FRA:G28A) revealed it had received a drilling permit for its Kir Vit prospect at the flagship Larder gold project in Ontario and aims to begin exploring there in 3Q 2021. The firm also said it had acquired a 25% interest, by issuing 150,000 shares to the vendor, certain leases on the western portion of Larder known as the Swansea zone, which means it now holds a 100% interest in all leases and claims across the property.  Psyched Wellness Ltd (CSE:PSYC) (OTCQB:PSYCF) (FRA:5U9) said it has contracted dacs Marketing, a full-service ad agency, to build its brand and marketing strategy as it moves to commercialize its mushroom-derived products and associated consumer packaged goods.  Pacific Empire Minerals Corp (CVE:PEMC) (OTCQB:PEMSF) (FRA:1YK) said it has closed the second and final tranche of an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of around $289,999, taking the total proceeds from the first and second tranches to around $1.27 million.  CleanSpark Inc (NASDAQ:CLSK) said it has extended and expanded a contract manufacturing agreement with Pioneer Power Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:PPSI) through to the end of 2023. NexTech AR Solutions Corp (OTCQB:NEXCF) (CSE:NTAR) (NEO:NTAR) (FRA:N29) has launched EdTechX, a versatile virtual education solution built on Microsoft Azure. EdTechX combines enterprise-scale video streaming, integrated assessments, augmented reality holograms and data analytics, enabling educational institutions to transform traditional learning and event formats into valuable digital experiences.  Nano One Materials Corp (CVE:NNO) (OTCPINK:NNOMF) (FRA:LBMB) has strengthened its business relationship with materials and chemicals giant Johnson Matthey PLC (LON:JMAT) (OTCMKTS:JMPLF) (FRA:JMT2), signing a joint development deal to advance lithium-ion battery materials. Under the agreement, the companies will co-develop next-generation products and processes for Johnson Matthey's (JM) eLNO group of nickel-rich advanced cathode materials using Nano One's patented One-Pot process. The work will lead to a detailed commercialization study for pre-pilot, pilot and scaled-up manufacturing. Mindset Pharma Inc (CSE:MSET) (OTCQB:MSSTF) (FRA:9DF) has selected next-generation psychedelic compound MSP-1014 as its lead clinical candidate. In a statement, the company said the differentiated psilocybin-based compound will move forward into current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) compliant manufacturing and investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies. MSP-1014 demonstrated superior preclinical characteristics in a head-to-head comparison with psilocybin and its active metabolite psilocin, including increased safety and efficacy, which the company believes will potentially result in lower clinical doses.  Los Andes Copper Ltd (CVE:LA) (OTCMKTS:LSANF) (FRA:L41A) said the previously announced US$5 million convertible debenture investment from Queen's Road Capital Investment Ltd (CVE:QRC) was now complete. The proceeds will go towards completing the pre-feasibility study for the company's Vizcachitas copper project in Chile. The convertible debenture has a five-year term, carries an 8% coupon, and will be convertible into common shares in Los Andes at C$10.82 each. The interest is payable quarterly, 5% in cash and 3% in shares, at the 20-day volume-weighted average price prior to the interest payment date. Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc (CSE:AGN) (OTCQB:AGNPF) (FRA:AGW) is expanding its investigation into the use of Ifenprodil in pancreatic cancer with a new clinical research program. Previous studies have indicated that Idenprodil (NP-120) demonstrated a significant anti-tumour effect in a pancreatic cancer animal model. A recent research paper published in the Dove Press Journal, Clinical Pharmacology: Advances and Applications concluded that Ifenprodil “significantly and rapidly” reduced the average solid tumour size by nearly 50% after three days, and remained stable while on treatment in a murine model of pancreatic cancer. HempFusion Wellness Inc (TSE:CBD.U) (OTCQX:CBDHF) (FRA:8OO) announced it has officially launched its Private Label division after receiving a 10 stock keeping unit (SKU) private label deal with a publicly-traded US national grocery retailer. The company said the initial order is for about $250,000 and is scheduled to ship in July 2021.  Fobi AI Inc (CVE:MTRX) (OTCQB:RACMF) announced that the TSX Venture Exchange has approved its proposed name change from Loop Insights Inc and trading symbol change from MTRX to FOBI. Trading under the new symbol will start at the opening of the market on Friday, the company said. Biocept Inc (NASDAQ:BIOC) (FRA:B003) said Michael Nall, president and CEO, will present at the LD Micro Virtual Invitational XI Conference on June 9, 2021 at 3pm EST (12pm PT). "We look forward to providing investors with an update on CNSide, our novel assay that provides physicians with a significantly improved tool to diagnose and manage patients with tumors that have metastasized to the central nervous system," said Nall. “CNSide’s full commercial launch is now underway with the potential to provide critical information for the approximately 200,000 patients in the U.S. each year who have progression of their cancer to the central nervous system." The company said investors and other interested parties can register before Biocept’s presentation HERE. Following the presentation, the webcast will be available on the company's website for 90 days. Pacific Empire Minerals Corp (CVE:PEMC) (OTCQB:PEMSF) (FRA:1YK) said it has closed the second and final tranche of an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of around $289,999, taking the total proceeds from the first and second tranches to around $1.27 million. The copper explorer said it issued around 4.83 million units at a price of $0.06 each in the second tranche, each of which consists of one share and one share purchase warrant with an exercise price of $0.10 each for 24 months from the closing of the offering.  Psyched Wellness Ltd (CSE:PSYC) (OTCQB:PSYCF) (FRA:5U9) said it has contracted dacs Marketing, a full-service ad agency, to build its brand and marketing strategy as it moves to commercialize its mushroom-derived products and associated consumer packaged goods. "This is an important step for the company as we initiate plans to commercialize our products in the first half of 2022. Identifying dacs as an agency that understands the health and wellness category, as well as the alternative categories including psychedelics and cannabis, is key to helping Psyched build a fulsome go-to-market strategy," Psyched chief executive Jeff Stevens said in a statement.  CleanSpark Inc (NASDAQ:CLSK) said it has extended and expanded a contract manufacturing agreement with Pioneer Power Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:PPSI) through to the end of 2023. The software, services, and clean Bitcoin mining firm said as part of the new agreement, Pioneer Power has been granted expanded rights to utilize CleanSpark’s proprietary software products, including mPulse and GridFabric’s OpenADR solutions. The company added that Pioneer plans to bundle the solutions with PowerBloc, PPSI’s integrated charging and power solution for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. CleanSpark also said it has been granted expanded rights and opportunities to serve as a preferred distributor of the PowerBloc solution. Canntab Therapeutics Limited (CSE:PILL) (OTCQB:CTABF) (FRA:TBF1), the biopharma focused on hard pill cannabis formulations, said it had received C$1,259,250 gross from the early exercise of warrants. The 1,679,000 warrants were issued in the final week of May and were each exercised into one common company share at C$0.75. The warrants had been set to expire in late February or early March of 2022. "We are pleased to receive this vote of confidence from our longstanding loyal shareholders, who have voluntarily exercised their warrants long before expiry to further solidify the company's treasury as we continue to press forward on our sales, production and delivery of product. We would like to thank those shareholders that continue to believe and support Canntab," said Canntab's CEO Larry Latowsky in a statement. Mydecine Innovations Group (NEO:MYCO) (OTCMKTS:MYCOF)(FRA:0NFA), the biotech and life sciences group, said its CEO Josh Bartch will participate in the H.C. Wainwright Psychedelics in Psychiatry and Beyond Conference to be hosted virtually on Thursday, June 17, 2021. Bartch’s corporate presentation will be available on-demand starting at 7AM ET. Organic Garage Ltd (CVE:OG) (OTCQX:OGGFF) (FRA: 9CW1) said its webcast and conference call recording from its fiscal 2021 year end results discussion are available for playback on the company’s Investors page on its website. The company also agreed to issue 134,434 shares as settlement of payments of interest equal to $71,250 accrued between February 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021.