Nov 22, 2018 | News, SONA NanoTech
About Sona Nanotech Inc.
Sona Nanotech Inc. is a nanotechnology life sciences firm that has developed two proprietary methods for the manufacture of rod-shaped gold nanoparticles. The principal business carried out and intended to be continued by Sona is the development and application of its proprietary technology for use in multiplex diagnostic testing platforms that will improve performance over existing tests in the market.
Sona’s gold nanorod particles are CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium) free, eliminating the toxicity risks associated with the use of other gold nanorod technologies in medical applications. It is expected that Sona’s gold nanotechnologies may be adapted for use in applications, as a safe and effective delivery system for multiple medical treatments, pending the approval of various regulatory boards including Health Canada and the FDA.
Sona is a publicly listed company on the Canadian Securities Exchange existing under the laws of Nova Scotia, with its operations in Nova Scotia.
About Innovacorp
Innovacorp is Nova Scotia’s early stage venture capital organization. It works to find, fund and foster innovative Nova Scotia start-ups that strive to change the world. Target industries include information technology, life sciences, clean technology and ocean technology. In addition to risk capital, Innovacorp gives entrepreneurs access to world-class incubation facilities, expert advice and other support to help accelerate their companies.
For More Information
For more information about Sona, please contact:
Darren Rowles
President and Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: (902) 442-7192
Email: Darren Rowles [email protected]]]>
Nov 22, 2018 | News
TruLeaf’s purpose
To improve public health and the environment by growing nutritious food using multi-level indoor farming technology.
Greens for everyone
TruLeaf uses their proprietary indoor vertical farming technology to grow and sell pesticide-free, nutrient-rich leafy greens all year round. The company sells to major food retailers, food service and distributors in Atlantic Canada, and is expanding to Ontario this fall. Their produce is sold under the GoodLeaf brand, through a wholly owned subsidiary.
But Gregg Curwin, CEO and founder of TruLeaf, sees potential for the company beyond simply growing greens. In addition to owning and operating farms across North America, TruLeaf sees how their indoor farming technology could be used to improve food security around the world. “Think of the Caribbean and the devastation last year. Every one of those islands could use one of our farms,” he says.
TruLeaf grows produce without the use of pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. The growing system is designed to drastically reduce water usage compared to traditional farming methods, and because the farms are indoors and can be built anywhere, they offer local produce 365 days a year. As well as reducing the environmental costs of transporting food, TruLeaf is also supporting local employment throughout the year. “There’s nothing better for a provincial GDP than 12-month agricultural production,” says Curwin.
The company also sees significant potential for TruLeaf’s approach in Northern communities, giving access to locally grown nutritious food all year round and providing employment opportunities.
When your purpose is personal
Curwin believes that using vertical farming to develop a fairly priced nutritious product is the most effective way for him to make an impact on the public health crisis he witnessed during the decades he worked in the healthcare industry.
“I was deeply disturbed by what I was seeing – the incredible amount of inefficiency and the incredible acceleration of disease, our emergency rooms lined up with people in the hallways,” he says.
It was around this time that Curwin was introduced to the concept of vertical farming. He quickly became interested in the connection between nutrient-rich food, self care and health. “I couldn’t get it out of my head and I actually divested out of my other businesses. I think my wife thought I was bona fide crazy. She supported me fully and so I took a couple of years just researching it and I just deeply felt that this is the future.”
Curwin’s passion for TruLeaf’s purpose has seen him through the ups and downs of the business, and he’s seen this same motivation help his team members on hard days as well. It’s also played a role with their investors, who, says Curwin, might not have started out as impact investors but have turned into them after they’ve bought into TruLeaf’s social mission – and the company.
Competing on purpose
Their purpose has also given TruLeaf a strong competitive edge, enabling them to compete successfully against other well-known brands in the health and organic space.
TruLeaf’s customers – retailers and distributors – are responding to consumer demand for the types of products that TruLeaf offers, but that demand goes beyond a simple desire for lettuce. Curwin sees consumers making informed decisions about what they buy, attracted to the story told by TruLeaf about their purpose in their marketing.
“So I think the more we tell our story, the more the consumer understands it, it will directly affect our revenue,” says Curwin. “If we don’t tell the story well, if we don’t say that we’re doing all these great things, then shame on us and then it will probably have a negative effect on revenue.”
Getting the timing right
Curwin believes that the time is right for purpose-led businesses to prosper, and TruLeaf is benefiting from this. “The demand is incredible. And I think it’s a testament to our quality, but also to the market demographic and what’s going on socially. People want to care about their food.”
But it wasn’t always this way. He remembers in the early days of TruLeaf when discussions with a government department about his idea ended in ridicule. Thankfully, times have changed – be it conscious consumers creating a market demand, investors wanting to pursue a social purpose with their money, or employees searching for meaningful work that reflects their values.
“Don’t be afraid of purpose-led. Embrace it and back it with a sound business case and then you’re going to have a lot of fun,” says Curwin. “Never has there been a better time to start a purpose-led business.”]]>
Nov 21, 2018 | News, Panag Pharma Inc.
Read the original press release here.
The Proposed Transaction is expected to provide Tetra:
- With the most robust Pharmaceutical and Natural Health Products (NHP) pipeline of any Cannabinoid company;
- With more pharmaceutical and natural health products;
- The ability to sell these products worldwide; and
- Access to Panag’s NHP portfolio which is not included in the present in-licensing agreement with Panag.
ORLEANS, Ontario, Nov. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc., (“Tetra” or the “Company“), a leader in cannabinoid-based drug discovery and development (TSX VENTURE: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF), today announced it has entered into a non-binding proposal (the “Proposal“) with the shareholders (the “Vendors“) of Panag Pharma Inc. (“Panag“) for the acquisition by Tetra of all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Panag (the “Proposed Transaction“). Panag is a Canadian-based life sciences company focused on the development of novel cannabinoid-based formulations for the treatment of pain and inflammation. Panag has developed innovative and patented formulations for the treatment of ocular diseases and other pain conditions such as general neuropathic pain. Their significant formulation expertise in the wellness market will allow Tetra to expand its commercial operations.
Dr. Guy Chamberland, CEO and CSO of Tetra stated, “We are very pleased to announce this news to our shareholders. We have been working with Panag for over a year and as a combined entity we will have a robust product pipeline of cannabinoid derived drugs for development as prescription or OTC drugs. Tetra is not just acquiring assets and intellectual property, we are joining a group of world-renowned cannabinoid experts that will help take Tetra to the next level as a pharmaceutical company.”
Panag will remain a separate subsidiary owned 100% by Tetra and will provide Tetra with additional discovery and early phase drug development capacity. With this robust product pipeline, Tetra intends to continue to implement its out-licensing program to generate additional revenues via upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties and actively pursue the clinical development of lead products.
“Panag will bring Tetra Natural Health a unique pipeline of products, thereby strengthening our role as a key player in the cannabinoid wellness market,” said Richard Giguere, CEO of Tetra Natural Health. “We look forward to working with Panag to commercialize these products globally and expect to generate revenues from these products by Q4 2019 following completion of the acquisition.”
According to Dr. Orlando Hung, a co-founder of Panag, “We are very excited to have the opportunity to continue our decades of cannabinoid research work and partner for commercialization with Tetra Bio-Pharma. The timing is perfect as there is an urgent need for non-opioid medications to treat pain and inflammation. We expect the Panag-Tetra Bio-Pharma combined portfolio of cannabinoid products to play a significant role in the management of pain and inflammation. We are particularly pleased to have the support of Tetra Bio-Pharma to advance the development and research of Panag cannabinoid products.”
Pursuant to the Proposal, Tetra would acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Panag for an aggregate consideration of $12,000,000, on a debt-free basis and subject to customary post-closing adjustments. The purchase price would be payable by Tetra delivering to the Vendors, on the closing date of the Proposed Transaction, (i) $3,000,000 in cash and (ii) $9,000,000 payable in common shares of Tetra. The Proposal also contemplates the payment by Tetra to the Vendors of an aggregate amount of up to $15,000,000 in cash in milestone payments upon the achievement of operational targets associated with marketing approvals and commercialization of both human and veterinary drug products by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The milestone payments would be accelerated in the event of a bankruptcy, insolvency, change of control or sale of all of the assets of Tetra.
Two of the Vendors, Bill Cheliak and Gregory Drohan, are non-arm’s length parties to Tetra within the meaning of the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange. Mr. Cheliak is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and Mr. Drohan is a Director of the Company. The Proposed Transaction will not result in the issuance of securities to non-arm’s length parties as a group as payment of the purchase price exceeding 10% of the number of outstanding shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis.
The Company expects that the Proposed Transaction will be completed by the end of the 2018 calendar year. 100% of the shareholders of Panag have signed the term sheet. Completion of the Proposed Transaction remains subject to a number of conditions, including the completion of a satisfactory due diligence investigation by Tetra, the negotiation of a definitive purchase agreement, the approval by Panag’s shareholders in accordance with the shareholders’ agreement of Panag, the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including that of the TSX Venture Exchange and such other closing conditions as are customary in transactions of this nature. There can be no assurance that such conditions will be satisfied and that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as described or at all.
About Tetra Bio-Pharma:
Tetra Bio-Pharma (TSX-V: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) is a biopharmaceutical leader in cannabinoid-based drug discovery and development with a Health Canada approved, and FDA reviewed, clinical program aimed at bringing novel prescription drugs and treatments to patients and their healthcare providers. The Company has several subsidiaries engaged in the development of an advanced and growing pipeline of Bio Pharmaceuticals, Natural Health and Veterinary Products containing cannabis and other medicinal plant-based elements. With patients at the core of what we do, Tetra Bio-Pharma is focused on providing rigorous scientific validation and safety data required for inclusion into the existing bio pharma industry by regulators, physicians and insurance companies.
For more information visit: www.tetrabiopharma.com
About Panag Pharma:
Panag Pharma Inc. is a Canadian based bio-tech company focused on the development of novel cannabinoid-based formulations for the treatment of pain and inflammation. Panag believes that pain relief should be safe, non-addictive and above all; effective. The Panag Pharma team of PhD scientists and medical doctors are among the world’s leading researchers and clinicians in pain treatment and management. They bring a combined experience of over 100 years in research and clinical care of people dealing with chronic pain and inflammatory conditions. Panag’s current pipeline of pain relief products include formulations for the topical application to the skin, the eye and other mucous membranes. Recently approved by Health Canada and currently undergoing clinical trials, Panag Pharma’s Topical AOTC provides a new approach to the treatment of chronic pain and inflammation.
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Nov 21, 2018 | News, Panag Pharma Inc.
Read the original article here.
Halifax-based Panag Pharma, which is making pain-relief products from natural compounds found in cannabis plants, has agreed to be bought for as much as $27 million by Ontario’s Tetra Bio-Pharma.
Based in the Ottawa suburb of Orleans, Tetra is a drug discovery company that specializes in developing treatments based on such compounds – known as cannabinoid-based drug discovery. The company, which is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, said in a press release that the acquisition will allow Tetra to develop more natural healthcare products and sell them world wide.
The Panag Team – which is led by healthcare professionals Mary Lynch, Melanie Kelly and Orlando Hung – will continue to conduct research into cannabinoid-based treatments for Tetra, and receive extra payments for hitting specific milestones. The buyer said it believes it will gain revenues from Panag’s products by late 2019.
Continue reading]]>
Nov 13, 2018 | Densitas Inc., News
PRNewswire/ – Densitas, Inc., a breast imaging analytics innovator based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, today announced the signing of a new Alliance Partner Agreement with Blackford. This agreement gives Blackford the right to promote, market, sell, distribute, and license densitasdensity™ directly via integration with the Blackford Platform™. Work will now commence to integrate densitasdensity™ with the Blackford Platform.
“The platform approach will help us bring new products to market more quickly, support our scaling activities, and simplify integration for our customers” says Mohamed Abdolell, CEO of Densitas. “We expect the Blackford Platform to reduce our time to market and shorten our sales cycle as we will be incorporated as an extension of the Blackford Platform infrastructure.”
The densitasdensity™ software provides an automated mechanism for quantifying and recording percent breast tissue density, and making it readily available to the radiologist. Beyond speeding and simplifying the process of quantifying breast density, densitasdensity™ standardizes the density measurement which enables uniform application of risk-based stratification of screen eligible women aimed at ensuring those who need more aggressive follow-up receive it, while those who do not need aggressive follow-up do not receive unnecessary imaging. Densitas software is unique in that it assesses breast density using the routinely archived processed DICOM images that radiologists normally review, and therefore supports prospective and retrospective breast density measurement for clinical care and for research.
Blackford CEO, Ben Panter said this of the alliance:
“We are delighted to add densitasdensity™ to the curated marketplace of applications available through Blackford Platform. We look forward to working with Densitas to provide our customers and channel partners multiple imaging applications that can be easily deployed and maintained.”
densitasdensity™ will be demonstrated at the upcoming Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2018 annual meeting in Chicago. Densitas personnel will be available to discuss the benefits and capabilities of density in Booth #3274 – South Hall at RSNA and in the machine learning pavilion, Kiosk #7367W – North Hall.
To learn more about Blackford Platform applications including densitasdensity™, book a demo at RSNA or visit Blackford at Booth #7364.
About Densitas:
Densitas’ vision is to move the needle in breast cancer screening through tailored patient management for sustainable healthcare service delivery and improved outcomes. Densitas develops advanced breast imaging analytics technologies powered by machine learning with the goal to deliver on-demand actionable insights that improve the quality of breast health management. Our products tackle the key challenges facing women’s imaging today, including mammography quality, workflow efficiencies, compliance with national guidelines, and delivery of appropriate care at sustainable costs. Learn more at www.densitas.health and in our virtual press kit.
About Blackford
Blackford provide a single platform to quickly access and manage a curated marketplace of regulatory approved medical image analysis applications and AI algorithms that add clinical value. Easily integrated into existing workflows, the platform provides actionable information that allows healthcare providers to use imaging information smartly and reduce the cost of care, while improving diagnostic confidence and patient outcomes. Founded in 2010, and with operations in the United Kingdom and the United States, Blackford Analysis is backed by TRI Cap, Old College Capital, and Archangel Investors, one of the UK’s leading business angel syndicates. For more information, visit www.blackfordanalysis.com
Contact Information:
Media Contact Densitas:
Alex Morris
[email protected]
647-470-4363
Media Contact Blackford:
Greg Kingston
[email protected]
+44 131 6688 411]]>
