$FNBC Clinton Group Issues Letter To Board Of Directors

NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2016  — Today, Clinton Group, Inc. (“Clinton Group”), a stockholder of First NBC Bank Holding Company (“First NBC” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: FNBC), issued an open letter to the board of directors of First NBC.  Clinton Group has proposed a set of initiatives aimed to enhance shareholder value of FNBC.

This communication is not a proxy solicitation, which may be done only pursuant to a definitive written proxy statement.

About Clinton Group, Inc.
Clinton Group, Inc. is a diversified asset management firm that is a Registered Investment Advisor. The firm has been investing in global markets since its inception in 1991 with expertise that spans a wide range of investment styles and asset classes.

[Clinton Group Letterhead]

November 9, 2016

First NBC Bank Holding Company (“First NBC or the “Company”)
210 Baronne Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

Attention:         Board of Directors

Gentlemen:

We were heartened to see your release of November 1, 2016 that showed continued profitability at First NBC Bank and your continued focus on returning all of the Bank’s regulatory ratios to well-capitalized levels.  Clinton Group is a shareholder and has recently accumulated additional stock as we believe it is currently undervalued.

We appreciate you listening to our views and look forward to providing additional shareholder perspectives in the future.  We are happy to see that you have engaged Sandler O’Neill & Partners LP and Piper Jaffray & Co. to explore strategic options for First NBC and are confident that they will work to a solution that creates value for all stakeholders.

We would encourage you to be as transparent as possible about your plans, your business model and your path forward. As Aristotle first postulated, “Nature abhors a vacuum” and his words apply equally to the marketplace and its view on information.  Give the investor community detailed information and let them make informed decisions, rather than allowing speculation and unfounded concerns drive the stock away from its fundamental value.

Our firm has had extensive experience successfully investing in, and serving on boards, of banks that required capital infusions.  We look forward to providing whatever expertise we can to help First NBC navigate its current situation.

With decisive leadership at this critical juncture, First NBC can improve its capital ratios, supplement its balance sheet and return to shareholder value creation.  We have set forth below in more fulsome detail a tactical plan with a variety of options that can be considered to best maximize shareholder value.

1.  Contraction of the Balance Sheet

We believe that First NBC should consider opportunistically reducing the balance sheet to reduce its capital need.

2.  Divestiture of Florida Assets

During 2015, the Company acquired $62 million in assets and 3 branches in the Florida panhandle through the purchase of First National Bank of Crestview.  We are in touch with a possible buyer of these assets and all of your Florida branches, and this potential buyer is extremely well capitalized and interested in making a cash acquisition.

3.  Divestiture of Impaired Assets

Consider selling the Company’s ethanol receivable.  For example, a divestiture of this asset at a 50% haircut of its value of approximately $70 million would allow the Company to create roughly $35 million in book equity with no dilution or punitive effects on existing shareholders.

4.  Divestiture of Tax Entities

We believe that opportunistically divesting some of the current investments in tax entities would be a positive step forward for the Company to both reduce the impairment expense moving forward and to create equity value.   Given the bank’s current earning profile and legacy deferred tax asset (“DTA”), the income generated by the tax credit will essentially roll into the DTA where it will be subject to the haircuts imposed by Basel III.  It is our understanding that often tax entities of this nature trade at or near face value.  For example, we believe, if First NBC were to sell investments in tax entities of $50 million at face value this could have the effect of essentially creating significant common equity tier one capital with no dilution to existing shareholders and no risk of impairment of the DTA.  This equity value creation would help in meeting First NBC’s capital requirements and would create flexibility in the creation of capital.  We are in touch with an institution that would be interested in possibly acquiring some of your investments in tax entities and would be happy to facilitate an introduction.

5.  Strategic Alternatives for the Company’s DTAs

Our institution has spent a lot of intellectual and financial capital in studying the protection of net operating losses (“NOLs”) and deferred tax assets.  We believe that First NBC has a number of transactions and opportunities available today to bring on pre-tax earnings without expending an abundance of its liquidity or equity.

6. Potential Stock Appreciation from Above Initiatives

Your stock currently trades around $6.50/share, despite trading at a level of $11/share just three weeks ago and a level of $16/share in early August.  Given this steep decline, we believe that a prudent application of the above initiatives could result in a significant increase in your stock price.  Subsequently, any capital raise based on this higher stock price will be less dilutive to the current shareholders.

7. Develop a Phased Approach for Raising Necessary Capital

Common equity and/or preferred equity needs to be brought into the Company from a continued position of strength and improvement rather than in a hasty, injudicious manner.  While the company needs to be cognizant of its Basel III exclusions on its DTA, the balance sheet in 2018 could be very different than the balance sheet today if our suggested tactics are implemented in an optimized manner.  Furthermore, the concomitant capital needs could also differ significantly as the company reduces its direct investment in tax credits and pursues a syndication strategy.

We appreciate your attention to our ideas on tactics going forward at this critical time, and we welcome the opportunity to evaluate a primary investment to help the cause.  We appreciate the open dialogue to date, and can be reached at (212) 825-0400 to further the discussion.

Very Truly Yours,

//ss//

Scott R. Arnold
Managing Director

$TANH Obtains Official #PRC Approval for Three #EV Models

LISHUI, China, Nov. 10, 2016  — Tantech Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ : TANH) (the “Company” or “TANH”) announced today that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China (MIIT) has included its three electric vehicle models in the “Announcement of Road Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Enterprises and Products” (No.284 and No. 285 New Product Catalog Announcement). The three vehicles are produced by the company’s subsidiary Suzhou E Motors Buses Co., Ltd.

So far, together with previous approvals from the MIIT (No.264, No. 269, No. 274, No. 275 New Product Catalog Announcement), the company has got approval for a total of 13 electric vehicle models. The MIIT’s green light is key for alternative-energy vehicle manufacturers to drive sales and gain market recognition. The company has obtained over 1000 orders for its medium-sized electric buses.

The new electric bus ZQK6810EV, one of the three latest models approved by the MIIT, is driven by a lithium iron phosphate battery. With a range of more than 250km (155 miles), the 8.1-meter-long bus can travel as fast as 100 km/h (62mph) and carry as many as 34 passengers. The bus is particularly suited for use as shuttle buses at tourist attractions and airports, or commuter buses run by companies.

The ZQK5040X, another model approved by the MIIT, is an electric van for logistics transportation. The van, 5.8-meter long and powered by ternary lithium battery, is equipped with the electric motor made by Hunan CRRC Times. With a maximum gradeablilty of 20%, it can travel as fast as 100 km/h to a range of 350 km range on a single charge, which is sufficient enough to satisfy transport demand for big or small logistics companies, such as ZTO, SF Express, DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, EMS and Cainiao between cities and logistics hubs. The van has been put into trial operation by some logistics companies in the Chinese city of Hangzhou and was well received by clients in terms of gradeability, cruising range, maneuverability and overall performance.

“To seize the opportunity brought by China’s strategic policy of promoting new energy vehicles, we are utilizing our advantages, consolidating all the high-quality resources and increasing investment in research and development,” said Zhengyu Wang, chief executive of TANH. “We aim to launch ten new energy vehicles this year and will continue to improve in the NEV segment. Most customers are satisfied with our products and we are in talks to obtain more orders.”

About Tantech Holdings Ltd.

Established in 2001 and headquartered in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, China, Tantech Holdings Ltd. (“Tantech” or the “Company”), together with its subsidiaries, develops and manufactures bamboo-based charcoal products, including a variety of branded consumer products and electric double-layer capacitor (“EDLC”) carbon products for industrial energy applications. The Company is in the process of acquiring 100% interest in Suzhou E Motors Co., Ltd., a specialty electric vehicles and power batteries manufacturer based in Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu Province, and aims to transform itself from a bamboo-based charcoal products producer to a vertically integrated company along the EDLC Carbon –power battery – specialty new energy vehicle value chain. For more information about Tantech, please visit: http://www.tantech.cn/en/index.asp.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, product and service demand and acceptance, changes in technology, economic conditions, the impact of competition and pricing, government regulations, and other risks contained in reports filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Contact:

Ye Ren
Cell Number: +86-15888894015
Email: tantech@f0086.com

$OMER Single Dose #MASP3Inhibitor #OMS906 Shows Strong Results

Omeros Corporation (NASDAQ: OMER) today announced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data from the evaluation of OMS906 in non-human primates. OMS906 inhibits mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-3 (MASP-3), the protein critical to activation of the alternative pathway of complement (APC), a key component of the immune system. MASP-3 is responsible for the conversion of pro-factor D to factor D. Converted factor D is necessary for the activation of the APC. The APC is involved in a wide range of diseases, including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, age-related macular degeneration, arthritis, asthma and traumatic brain injury.

Single-dose administration of OMS906 to cynomolgus monkeys resulted in sustained ablation of systemic APC activity for approximately 16 days. The extent of APC ablation was comparable to that achieved by complete inhibition of factor D in vitro, indicating that OMS906 fully blocked the conversion of pro-factor D to factor D. Similar results were obtained with a number of the company’s other antibodies targeting MASP-3. No safety concerns were identified.

The primate data are consistent with recently reported results from well-established animal models in which OMS906 reduced the incidence and severity of arthritis by 86 percent (p < 0.005) and 90 percent (p < 0.01), respectively, and significantly improved the survival of PNH-like red blood cells approximately four-fold better (p = 0.029) than did a complement factor 5 (C5) inhibitor.

“The OMS906 primate data bode well for the antibody’s long-acting inhibition of MASP-3 in patients, and the unique mechanism of action of MASP-3 inhibition likely has significant clinical advantages over many other alternative pathway inhibitors,” said Sir Peter Lachmann, ScD FRCP FRCPath FRS FMedSci, Emeritus Sheila Joan Smith Professor of Immunology, University of Cambridge. “In PNH, the MASP-3 inhibitor OMS906 blocks not only intravascular hemolysis, as do C5 inhibitors, but also prevents extravascular hemolysis, a problem that C5 inhibition cannot address. Other alternative pathway targets, such as factor D or factor B, turn over at extremely high rates, making them difficult to drug. In contrast, MASP-3 circulates in the body at a relatively low concentration with a slow rate of turnover, enabling sustained inhibition by either MASP-3-targeting antibodies or small molecules.”

Omeros exclusively controls the use of MASP-3 inhibitors for the treatment of APC-related diseases and disorders. The company is initiating the manufacturing scale-up process for OMS906 in preparation for clinical trials.

About Omeros’ MASP-3 Inhibitor Program

The complement system plays a key role in inflammation and becomes activated as a result of tissue damage or microbial infection. Omeros’ MASP-3 inhibitor program includes potent molecules selectively inhibiting mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-3 (MASP-3), the protein responsible for processing Factor D, which is essential for activation of the alternative pathway of complement (APC). APC inhibitors are thought to have preventive or therapeutic effects across a broad range of diseases including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), atypical HUS, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, traumatic brain injury, arthritis, wet age-related macular degeneration, ischemia-reperfusion injury, transplant-related complications and other immune-related disorders. Omeros is developing both antibodies and small molecules to block MASP-3. Through its OMS906 and OMS721 programs and patents, Omeros exclusively controls inhibitors of MASP-3, the protein critical to the activation of the alternative pathway, and inhibitors of MASP-2, the effector enzyme of the lectin pathway. Collectively, the company is able to target, with unprecedented precision, diseases caused by dysregulation of one or both of these pathways.

About Omeros Corporation

Omeros is a biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing and commercializing both small-molecule and protein therapeutics for large-market as well as orphan indications targeting inflammation, coagulopathies and disorders of the central nervous system. Part of its proprietary PharmacoSurgery^® platform, the company’s first drug product, OMIDRIA^® (phenylephrine and ketorolac injection) 1%/0.3%, was broadly launched in the U.S. in April 2015. OMIDRIA is the first and only FDA-approved drug (1) for use during cataract surgery or intraocular lens (IOL) replacement to maintain pupil size by preventing intraoperative miosis (pupil constriction) and to reduce postoperative ocular pain and (2) that contains an NSAID for intraocular use. In the European Union, the European Commission has approved OMIDRIA for use in cataract surgery and lens replacement procedures to maintain mydriasis (pupil dilation), prevent miosis (pupil constriction), and to reduce postoperative eye pain. Omeros has clinical-stage development programs focused on: complement-associated thrombotic microangiopathies; complement-mediated glomerulonephropathies; Huntington’s disease and cognitive impairment; and addictive and compulsive disorders. In addition, Omeros has a proprietary G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) platform, which is making available an unprecedented number of new GPCR drug targets and corresponding compounds to the pharmaceutical industry for drug development, and a platform used to generate antibodies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections for such statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “look forward to,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions and variations thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information available to management only as of the date of this press release. Omeros’ actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including, without limitation, risks associated with product commercialization and commercial operations, unproven preclinical and clinical development activities, regulatory oversight, intellectual property claims, competitive developments, litigation, and the risks, uncertainties and other factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2016. Given these risks, uncertainties and other factors, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and the company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

$MVIS & $STM to Co-Market #MEMS Mirror-based #LaserBeamScanning Solutions

MicroVision, Inc. (NASDAQ:MVIS), a leader in innovative ultra-miniature projection display and sensing technology, and STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronic applications, today announced that they plan to work together to develop, sell, and market Laser Beam Scanning (LBS) technology.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161110005439/en/

The companies anticipate cooperating closely on market development efforts that will include joint sales and marketing activities for LBS solutions. In addition to the pico projection and heads-up display (HUD) markets that both companies are currently addressing with their LBS solutions, ST and MicroVision anticipate targeting emerging markets and applications including virtual and augmented reality (VR, AR), 3D sensing and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

In addition, MicroVision and ST anticipate exploring options to collaborate on future technology development including a joint LBS product roadmap. This cooperation would combine the process design and manufacturing expertise of ST with the LBS systems and solutions expertise of MicroVision.

“Working with MicroVision, our goal is to build on our matched skills, shared vision, and commitment to grow LBS-enabled markets to open up many opportunities for both companies,” said Benedetto Vigna, Executive Vice President of the Analog and MEMS Group of ST. “This relationship will position ST to pursue all of the growth opportunities for LBS and the complementary power, sensing, and control components.”

“Teaming up with ST, a world leader in its field, is important for MicroVision both for ST’s expertise in semiconductor technology and its global customer reach,” said Alexander Tokman, president and CEO of MicroVision. “Combining ST’s expertise in the development and manufacture of key components for LBS scanning engines with MicroVision’s proprietary system, engine, and applications knowledge, and intellectual property can be highly advantageous for marketing LBS solutions to a wide array of companies for numerous applications.”

The companies have an existing working relationship on production of MicroVision components. ST manufactures MicroVision’s current-generation MEMS die based on MicroVision’s design. ST also manufactures one of the ASICs sold by MicroVision.

About MicroVision

MicroVision is the creator of PicoP® scanning technology, an ultra-miniature laser projection and sensing solution based on the laser beam scanning methodology pioneered by the company. MicroVision’s platform approach for this advanced display and sensing solution means that it can be adapted to a wide array of applications and form factors. It is an advanced solution for a rapidly evolving, always-on world. Extensive research has led MicroVision to become an independently recognized leader in the development of intellectual property. MicroVision’s IP portfolio has been recognized by the Patent Board as a top 50 IP portfolio among global industrial companies and has been included in the Ocean Tomo 300 Patent Index. The company is based in Redmond, Wash.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.microvision.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MicroVisionInc or follow MicroVision on Twitter at @MicroVision.

MicroVision and PicoP are trademarks of MicroVision, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

About STMicroelectronics

ST is a global semiconductor leader delivering intelligent and energy-efficient products and solutions that power the electronics at the heart of everyday life. ST’s products are found everywhere today, and together with our customers, we are enabling smarter driving and smarter factories, cities and homes, along with the next generation of mobile and Internet of Things devices.

By getting more from technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.

In 2015, the Company’s net revenues were $6.90 billion, serving more than 100,000 customers worldwide. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release, including those relating to future product and product applications, cooperative development, sales and marketing activities, potential market opportunities, and goals, are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements related to MicroVision include the following: the risk that no business enhancements result from co-marketing efforts of the parties; MicroVision’s ability to raise additional capital when needed; products incorporating MicroVision’s PicoP® scanning technology may not achieve market acceptance, commercial partners may not perform under agreements as anticipated, MicroVision may be unsuccessful in identifying parties interested in paying any amount or amounts it deems desirable for the purchase or license of IP assets, MicroVision or its customers failure to perform under open purchase orders; MicroVision’s financial and technical resources relative to those of its competitors; MicroVision’s ability to keep up with rapid technological change; government regulation of its technologies; MicroVision’s ability to enforce intellectual property rights and protect its proprietary technologies; the ability to obtain additional contract awards; the timing of commercial product launches and delays in product development; the ability to achieve key technical milestones in key products; dependence on third parties to develop, manufacture, sell and market its products; potential product liability claims; and other risk factors identified from time to time in MicroVision’s SEC reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Except as expressly required by federal securities laws, MicroVision undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in circumstances or any other reason.

$MTBC Posts #Q3 2016 #FinancialResults; Discusses Quarterly Achievements

Company reports sequential quarterly revenue growth and discusses MediGain Acquisition

SOMERSET, NJ–(Nov 10, 2016) –

• Revenue of $5.3 million for the quarter and $15.7 million year-to-date
• GAAP net loss of $1.5 million, or $0.17 per share for the quarter
• Non-GAAP adjusted net income of ($208,000), or ($0.02) per share for the quarter
• Adjusted EBITDA of $130,000 for the quarter and $209,000 year-to-date

Medical Transcription Billing, Corp. (NASDAQ: MTBC) (NASDAQ: MTBCP), a leading provider of proprietary, cloud-based electronic health records, practice management and mHealth solutions, today announces financial and operational results for third quarter 2016 and provides a review of its largest acquisition to-date and its upcoming offering of additional shares of its non-convertible Series A Preferred Stock.

“We are pleased to announce another quarter of quarter-over-quarter revenue growth,” says Mahmud Haq, MTBC’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Even though we continue to report a GAAP net loss, which is largely a result of non-cash amortization and depreciation expense, we are proud to report four consecutive quarters of positive adjusted EBITDA.”

As previously announced, on October 3, MTBC closed its largest acquisition to date as it acquired substantially all of the assets of MediGain, LLC, a Texas-based medical billing company, and its subsidiary, Millennium Practice Management, LLC, a New Jersey-based medical billing company. Expected to be accretive to shareholders in 2017, the acquisition reflects the strategic nature of MTBC’s acquisition-based growth strategy.

“We are greatly encouraged by the growth opportunities provided by our recent acquisition of MediGain. The successful closing of this transaction has positioned MTBC to experience exponential growth through access to new, untapped markets,” says Haq. “In turn, we expect to expand our client base and deliver significant revenue growth in 2017.”

Acquisition Highlights

• The acquired accounts in good standing have annual revenues of more than $10 million, which will contribute to MTBC’s overall revenue growth in 2017;
• MediGain was purchased for $7 million, which will be financed primarily through sale of additional Series A Preferred Stock, which is not dilutive to shareholders;
• The incremental profits from this acquisition are expected to greatly exceed our cost of capital; it is expected that this acquisition will be accretive to MTBC shareholders in 2017;
• MTBC added experienced team members in North America, and expanded its Asia-based team to additional countries with talented, cost-effective workforces.

“We are excited by the opportunities presented with this acquisition and privileged to be able to support the team members formerly with MediGain as they continue to provide world-class practice management support to healthcare providers throughout the United States,” says Stephen Snyder, MTBC’s President. “We look forward to leveraging our combined team of professionals and proprietary technology to help healthcare providers increase their revenues and reduce operating costs. There are significant synergies between the two companies. Our global team of professionals and proprietary technology will allow us to continue improving operating margins while delivering outstanding service to our clients.”

Three and Nine Months Financial Results

“We are pleased to report consecutive quarterly revenue growth during each quarter of 2016 so far, and expect this trend will continue through year-end,” says MTBC Chief Financial Officer Bill Korn. “While our revenue on a year over year basis was down, this was principally due to the loss of clients during 2015 from the companies we purchased in the third quarter of 2014.”

Revenues for third quarter 2016 were $5.3 million, compared to $5.6 million in the same period last year, and $5.2 million for second quarter 2016.

The third quarter GAAP net loss was $1.5 million, 28% of net revenue, or $0.17 per share, compared to a GAAP net loss of $1.2 million in the same period last year. The GAAP net loss is largely a result of non-cash amortization and depreciation expense of $1.1 million. The increase in net loss compared to 2015 is partly the result of lower revenues, as well as increasing selling and marketing expense from $59,000 to $275,000. Direct operating costs were reduced by 5%, from $2.8 million in the third quarter of 2015 to $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2016, while general and administrative expenses declined 17% from $3.1 million to $2.6 million.

Non-GAAP adjusted net income for the third quarter was ($208,000), or ($0.02) per share, compared to the non-GAAP adjusted net Income of ($397,000) in the same period last year. Non-GAAP adjusted net income per share is calculated using the end-of-period common shares outstanding, including shares which are part of contingent consideration.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $130,000, or 2.4% of revenue, compared to adjusted EBITDA of ($184,000), or (3.3%) of revenue, in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA has been positive each quarter since the fourth quarter of 2015.

MTBC’s revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, were $15.7 million, compared to $17.7 million in the same period last year.

The nine-month GAAP net loss was $4.8 million, or 30% of net revenue, compared to a GAAP net loss of $3.9 million for the same period last year. The GAAP net loss is largely a result of non-cash amortization and depreciation expense of $3.5 million. The increase in net loss is partly the result of lower revenues. Direct operating costs were reduced by 21%, from $9.3 million in the first nine months of 2015 to $7.3 million in first nine months of 2016, while general and administrative expenses declined from $9.4 million to $8.2 million. The GAAP net loss was $0.53 per share, calculated using the net loss attributable to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

Non-GAAP adjusted net income was ($724,000), or ($0.07) per share, compared to the non-GAAP adjusted net income of ($1.5 million) in the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA for the nine-month period was $209,000 or 1.3% of revenue, compared to adjusted EBITDA of ($989,000), or (5.6%) of revenue, in the same period last year The improvement in adjusted EBITDA is primarily the result of our reduction in direct operating costs and general and administrative expenses.

“The difference of $5.0 million between adjusted EBITDA and the GAAP net loss in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, reflects $3.5 million of non-cash amortization and depreciation expense, $3.1 million of which results from amortization of intangibles resulting from our acquisitions. The remaining difference is based on $816,000 of stock-based compensation, $609,000 of integration and transaction costs related to recent acquisitions, $126,000 of provision for taxes, and $461,000 of net interest expense, offset by a $608,000 decrease in the contingent consideration liability,” says Korn.

MTBC is preparing to file a Registration Statement on Form S-1 to sell 400,000 additional shares of its 11% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Non-Convertible Preferred Stock at a price of $25.00 per share. If all 400,000 shares are sold, this would result in net proceeds of approximately $9 million, of which $5 million will be used for the remaining payment of the MediGain acquisition. The Series A Preferred Stock is identical to the $7.4 million of Series A Preferred Stock issued in November 2015 and July 2016. It carries an 11% annual dividend payable monthly and a $25.00 liquidation preference. The shares are not convertible, have no stated maturity, and are not subject to a sinking fund or mandatory redemption. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock will remain outstanding indefinitely unless we decide to redeem the shares, which can occur at the Company’s option at any time after five years or within 120 days of a change of control. The Board of Directors has declared monthly dividends on the Preferred Stock payable through March, 2017. The proposed offering will be made only by means of a written prospectus forming a part of the S-1 Registration Statement to be filed.

Conference Call Information

MTBC management will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, November 10, 2016, to discuss the third quarter 2016 results. The conference call will be accessible by dialing 844-802-2438, or 412-317-5131 for international callers, and referencing “MTBC Third Quarter 2016 Earnings Call.” An audio webcast of the call will be available live and archived on MTBC’s investor relations website at ir.mtbc.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available approximately one hour after conclusion of the call and will be accessible through December 31, 2016. The replay can be accessed by dialing 877-344-7529, or 412-317-0088 for international callers, and providing access code 10095250.

About MTBC

MTBC is a healthcare information technology company that provides a fully integrated suite of proprietary web-based solutions, together with related business services, to healthcare providers practicing in ambulatory care settings. Our integrated Software-as-a-Service (or SaaS) platform helps our customers increase revenues, streamline workflows and make better business and clinical decisions, while reducing administrative burdens and operating costs. MTBC’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol “MTBC,” and its Series A Preferred Stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol “MTBCP.”

For additional information, please visit our website at www.mtbc.com.

Follow MTBC on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In our earnings releases, prepared remarks, conference calls, slide presentations, and webcasts, we may use or discuss non-GAAP financial measures, as defined by SEC Regulation G. The GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to each non-GAAP financial measure used or discussed, and a reconciliation of the differences between each non-GAAP financial measure and the comparable GAAP financial measure, are included in this press release after the condensed consolidated financial statements. Our earnings press releases containing such non-GAAP reconciliations can be found in the Investor Relations section of our web site at ir.mtbc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements relate to anticipated future events, future results of operations or future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “goals,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

Our operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect our results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements reflecting management’s expectations for future financial performance and operating expenditures, expected growth, profitability and business outlook, increased sales and marketing expenses, and the expected results from the integration of our acquisitions.

These forward-looking statements are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our (or our industry’s) actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to: the Company’s ability to manage growth; integrate acquisitions; effectively migrate and keep newly acquired customers and other important risks and uncertainties referenced and discussed under the heading titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not assume any obligations to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION BILLING, CORP.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
TO COMPARABLE GAAP MEASURES (UNAUDITED)

The following is a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures used by us to describe our financial results determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading “Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

While management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the underlying performance of our business operations, investors are reminded to consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not as a substitute for, financial performance measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, it should be noted that these non-GAAP financial measures may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies, and management may utilize other measures to illustrate performance in the future. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA

Set forth below is a reconciliation of our “adjusted EBITDA” and “adjusted EBITDA Margin,” which represents adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenue, to our GAAP net loss.

Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income

Set forth below is a reconciliation of our non-GAAP “adjusted net income” and non-GAAP “adjusted net income per share” to our GAAP net loss and GAAP net loss per share.

For purposes of determining non-GAAP adjusted net income per share, we used the number of common shares outstanding at the end of the period on September 30, 2016 and 2015 including the shares which were issued but are considered contingent consideration, in order to provide insight into results considering the total number of shares which were issued at the time of the acquisitions.

Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. However, management believes that, in order to properly understand our short-term and long-term financial and operational trends, investors may wish to consider the impact of certain non-cash or non-recurring items, when used as a supplement to financial performance measures in accordance with GAAP. These items result from facts and circumstances that vary in frequency and impact on continuing operations. Management also uses results of operations before such items to evaluate the operating performance of MTBC and compare it against past periods, make operating decisions, and serve as a basis for strategic planning. These non-GAAP financial measures provide management with additional means to understand and evaluate the operating results and trends in our ongoing business by eliminating certain non-cash expenses and other items that management believes might otherwise make comparisons of our ongoing business with prior periods more difficult, obscure trends in ongoing operations, or reduce management’s ability to make useful forecasts. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional means of evaluating period-over-period operating performance. In addition, management understands that some investors and financial analysts find this information helpful in analyzing our financial and operational performance and comparing this performance to our peers and competitors.

Management uses adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP adjusted net income to provide an understanding of aspects of operating results before the impact of investing and financing charges and income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA may be useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance and liquidity because this measure excludes non-cash expenses as well as expenses pertaining to investing or financing transactions. Management defines “adjusted EBITDA” as the sum of GAAP net income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes, net interest expense, other (income) expense, stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, amortization of purchased intangible assets, integration costs, transaction costs, and changes in contingent consideration, and “adjusted EBITDA Margin” as adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenue.

Management defines “non-GAAP adjusted net income” as the sum of GAAP net income (loss) before stock-based compensation expense, amortization of purchased intangible assets, other (income) expense, transaction costs, integration costs, changes in contingent consideration, any tax impact related to these preceding items and income tax expense related to goodwill, and “non-GAAP adjusted net income per share” as non-GAAP adjusted net Income divided by common shares outstanding at the end of the period, including the shares which were issued but are subject to forfeiture and considered contingent consideration. Management considers all of these non-GAAP financial measures to be important indicators of our operational strength and performance of our business and a good measure of our historical operating trends, in particular the extent to which ongoing operations impact our overall financial performance.

In addition to items routinely excluded from non-GAAP EBITDA, management excludes or adjusts each of the items identified below from the applicable non-GAAP financial measure referenced above for the reasons set forth with respect to that excluded item:

Other (income) expense – net. Other (income) expense is excluded because foreign currency gains and losses, whether realized or unrealized, and other non-operating expenses are non-cash expenditures that management does not consider part of ongoing operating results when assessing the performance of our business, and also because the total amount of the expense is partially outside of our control. Foreign currency gains and losses are based on global market factors which are unrelated to our performance during the period in which the gains and losses are realized.

Stock-based compensation expense. Stock-based compensation expense is excluded because this is primarily a non-cash expenditure that management does not consider part of ongoing operating results when assessing the performance of our business, and also because the total amount of the expenditure is partially outside of our control because it is based on factors such as stock price, volatility, and interest rates, which may be unrelated to our performance during the period in which the expenses are incurred.

Amortization of purchased intangible assets. Purchased intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives and generally cannot be changed or influenced by management after the acquisition. Accordingly, this item is not considered by management in making operating decisions. Management does not believe such charges accurately reflect the performance of our ongoing operations for the period in which such charges are incurred.

Transaction costs. Transaction costs are upfront costs related to acquisitions and related transactions, such as brokerage fees, pre-acquisition accounting costs and legal fees, and other upfront costs related to specific transactions. Management believes that such expenses do not have a direct correlation to future business operations, and therefore, these costs are not considered by management in making operating decisions. Management does not believe such charges accurately reflect the performance of our ongoing operations for the period in which such charges are incurred.

Integration costs. Integration costs are severance payments for certain employees relating to our acquisitions and exit costs related to terminating leases and other contractual agreements. Accordingly, management believes that such expenses do not have a direct correlation to future business operations, and therefore, these costs are not considered by management in making operating decisions. Management does not believe such charges accurately reflect the performance of our ongoing operations for the period in which such charges are incurred.

Changes in contingent consideration. Contingent consideration represents the amount payable to the sellers of the acquired businesses based on the achievement of defined performance measures contained in the purchase agreements. Contingent consideration is adjusted to fair value at the end of each reporting period, and changes arise from changes in MTBC’s stock price as well as changes in the forecasted revenues of the acquired businesses.

Tax expense related to goodwill. Income tax expense resulting from the amortization of goodwill related to our acquisitions represents a charge to record the tax expense resulting from amortizing goodwill over 15 years for tax purposes. Goodwill is not amortized for GAAP reporting. This expense is not anticipated to result in a cash payment.

Disclaimer:

This press release is for information purposes only, and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

SOURCE: MTBC

$LTS Taps #AdvisoryServices Industry Veteran #MaryFlatley

Experienced Leader to Leverage Deep Understanding of Advisors’ Needs to Facilitate Expansion of Fee-Based Business

ATLANTA, Nov. 9, 2016  — Triad Advisors, Inc., the hybrid advisor-focused independent broker-dealer, today announced that respected industry executive Mary Flatley has joined the company as Vice President, Advisory Services. Ms. Flatley will work directly with Triad’s independent financial advisors to help them leverage the company’s fee-based advisory platform and grow this segment of their business with enhanced efficiency. She will also be responsible for driving continued refinements to the platform based on feedback from financial advisors, among other duties.

Ms. Flatley brings a diverse and extensive background in the financial services industry to her new position. Prior to joining Triad, she served as Director of Partner Development at Lakeview Capital Partners, and before that was Vice President, Institutional Research Sales at The Interstate Group, a division of Morgan Keegan. Previously, she served as Director, Soft Dollar Sales and Vice President, Corporate Syndicate at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey.

Jeff Rosenthal, President and CEO of Triad Advisors, said, “We are very pleased that Mary Flatley has joined Triad Advisors as Vice President, Advisory Services. Triad is committed to providing independent financial advisors with the industry-leading tools and resources they need to expand their fee-based business, both in response to rising client demand and broad industry trends, including regulatory changes. Mary has a demonstrated track record of working successfully with financial advisors and strategic partners alike, and has a profound understanding of advisors’ needs, based on her extensive and distinguished career in this industry. We welcome Mary to Triad and look forward to all that she will accomplish as part of our team.”

In her new role, Ms. Flatley will provide daily consultative support to Triad advisors to help them grow their fee-based business. She will also serve as a liaison to strategic partners in order to expand advisor access to money managers and other key third parties. In addition, Ms. Flatley will play an essential role in advisor business development by providing support for operational best practices and growth strategies, among other responsibilities.

Ms. Flatley will report directly to Michael Bryan, Senior Vice President of Advisory Services. She fills the position previously held by Kiliaen Ludlow, who has transitioned to the role of Senior Vice President of Relationship Management.

Mary Flatley said, “I am very excited to join Triad Advisors – one of the fastest-growing firms in the independent financial services space and a leader in supporting hybrid advisors – and I am enthusiastic about helping its advisors expand their fee-based business. My experience in the financial services sector has given me a powerful appreciation for what advisors need in order to continue to grow their business, and I look forward to leveraging that expertise to help further refine Triad’s fee-based platform and services and serve as a liaison to both our advisors and strategic partners.”

About Triad Advisors
Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Triad Advisors, Inc. is a national, independent broker-dealer and multi-custodial SEC-Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) that is an early pioneer and continued leader in the Hybrid RIA marketplace. The company provides a comprehensive platform of products, trading and technology systems, as well as customized wealth management solutions. Recognized as one of the most successful and fastest-growing independent broker-dealers in the industry (including being named the leading broker-dealer for Hybrid RIAs seven years in a row by Investment Advisor Magazine), Triad Advisors is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE MKT: LTS). For more information, please visit www.triad-advisors.com.

Media Contact:
Chris Clemens / Matthew Griffes
Haven Tower Group LLC
424 652 6520 ext. 102 / 424 652 6520 ext. 103
cclemens@haventower.com or mgriffes@haventower.com

$CBAY New #Patent #MBX8025 in #PBC

NEWARK, Calif., Nov. 09, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CBAY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for indications with high unmet medical need including rare and orphan diseases, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 9,486,428. This patent provides coverage to at least 2035 and claims a method for the treatment of PBC with MBX-8025.

“Obtaining patent protection for MBX-8025 for the treatment of PBC is an important step forward in our effort to develop MBX-8025 for PBC, a severe disease for which patients need new therapies,” said Harold Van Wart, CymaBay’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

About MBX-8025

MBX-8025 is a potent and selective agonist of PPARδ, a nuclear receptor important for lipid transport, storage and metabolism in liver and muscle. In a Phase 2 study in subjects with mixed dyslipidemia, MBX-8025 decreased LDL-C, triglycerides and high sensitivity CRP, a biomarker of inflammation. MBX-8025 also decreased alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase, two key markers of cholestasis. In a recently completed Phase 2 study in subjects with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), MBX-8025 decreased markers of cholestasis and inflammation without appearing to cause pruritus while also lowering LDL-C. CymaBay has also completed a pilot Phase 2 clinical study showing that MBX-8025 lowers LDL-C in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted CymaBay orphan drug designation for MBX-8025 as a treatment for HoFH and Fredrickson types I and V hyperlipoproteinemia.

About PBC

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), formerly known as primary biliary cholestasis, is a serious and potentially life threatening autoimmune disease of the liver characterized by impaired bile flow (cholestasis) and accumulation of toxic bile acids. There is an accompanying inflammation and destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts which can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver failure. Other clinical symptoms of PBC include fatigue and pruritus, which can be quite disabling in some patients. PBC is primarily a disease of women, afflicting approximately one in 1,000 over the age of 40.

About CymaBay

CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. (CBAY) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies to treat metabolic diseases with high unmet medical need, including serious rare and orphan disorders. MBX-8025 is a potent, selective, orally active PPARδ agonist. A Phase 2 study of MBX-8025 in patients with mixed dyslipidemia established that it has an anti-atherogenic lipid profile. CymaBay has completed Phase 2 studies for MBX-8025 in subjects with primary biliary cholangitis and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, establishing proof-of-concept in both indications. Arhalofenate, CymaBay’s other product candidate, is a potential Urate-Lowering Anti-Flare Therapy that has completed five Phase 2 studies in subjects with gout. Arhalofenate has been found to reduce painful flares in joints while at the same time lowering serum uric acid by promoting excretion of uric acid by the kidney. This dual action addresses both the signs and symptoms of gout while managing the underlying pathophysiology of hyperuricemia.

Cautionary Statements

The statements in this press release regarding the potential use of MBX-8025 for the treatment of NASH and the potential future performance of CymaBay’s product candidates, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events regarding the further development of CymaBay’s product candidates could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to: the success, cost and timing of any of CymaBay’s product development activities, including clinical trials of MBX-8025 and arhalofenate; effects observed in trials to date which may not be repeated in the future; any delays or inability to obtain or maintain regulatory approval of CymaBay’s product candidates in the United States or worldwide; and the ability of CymaBay to obtain sufficient financing to complete development, regulatory approval and commercialization of its product candidates in the United States and worldwide. Additional risks relating to CymaBay are contained in CymaBay’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. CymaBay disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

For additional information about CymaBay visit www.cymabay.com.

Contacts:

Sujal Shah
CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc.
(510) 293-8800
sshah@cymabay.com 
or
Hans Vitzthum
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
(212) 915-2568
Hans@LifeSciAdvisors.com

$ADAP Removal of Partial Clinical Hold in #MRCLS

PHILADELPHIA and OXFORD, United Kingdom, Nov. 09, 2016  — Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq:ADAP), a leader in T-cell therapy to treat cancer, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has removed the partial clinical hold on the planned study of its NY‑ESO SPEAR™ (Specific Peptide Enhanced Affinity Receptor) T-cell therapy in MRCLS.

Under a revised protocol, Adaptimmune will initiate a study in up to 15 MRCLS patients. Patient screening is expected to begin in 4Q 2016. Results from this study will inform a potential future registration trial.

The Company will provide an overview of the removal of the partial clinical hold during its conference call to discuss the third quarter ended September 30, 2016, scheduled for 8:00 a.m. EST (1:00 p.m. GMT) on Thursday November 10, 2016. The live webcast of the conference call will be available via the events page of Adaptimmune’s corporate website at www.adaptimmune.com. An archive will be available after the call at the same address. To participate in the live conference call, if preferred, please dial (877) 280-2296 (U.S.) or +44(0)20 3427 1906 or 0800 279 4977 (United Kingdom).  After placing the call, please ask to be joined into the Adaptimmune conference call and provide the confirmation code (3960227).

About Adaptimmune
Adaptimmune is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on novel cancer immunotherapy products based on its SPEAR (Specific Peptide Enhanced Affinity Receptor) T-cell platform. Established in 2008, the Company aims to utilize the body’s own machinery – the T-cell – to target and destroy cancer cells by using engineered, increased affinity TCRs as a means of strengthening natural patient T-cell responses. Adaptimmune’s lead program is a SPEAR T-cell therapy targeting the NY-ESO cancer antigen. Its NY-ESO SPEAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated signs of efficacy and tolerability in Phase 1/2 trials in solid tumors and in hematologic cancer types, including synovial sarcoma and multiple myeloma. Adaptimmune has a strategic collaboration and licensing agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for the development and commercialization of the NY-ESO TCR program. In addition, Adaptimmune has a number of proprietary programs. These include SPEAR T-cell therapies targeting the MAGE-A10 and AFP cancer antigens, which both have open INDs, and a further SPEAR T-cell therapy targeting the MAGE-A4 cancer antigen that is in pre-clinical phase with IND acceptance targeted for 2017. The Company has identified over 30 intracellular target peptides preferentially expressed in cancer cells and is currently progressing 12 through unpartnered research programs. Adaptimmune has over 250 employees and is located in Oxfordshire, U.K. and Philadelphia, USA. For more information: http://www.adaptimmune.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA). These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, and include, without limitation: the success, cost and timing of our product development activities and clinical trials and our ability to successfully advance our TCR therapeutic candidates through the regulatory and commercialization processes. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to our business in general, we refer you to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 8, 2016, and our other SEC filings. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made and we do not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Adaptimmune Contacts

Investor Relations
Will Roberts
T:  (215) 825-9306  
E: will.roberts@adaptimmune.com

Juli P. Miller, Ph.D.
T: (215) 825-9310
E: juli.miller@adaptimmune.com

Media Relations
Margaret Henry 
T: +44 (0)1235 430036 
Mobile: +44 (0)7710 304249 
E: margaret.henry@adaptimmune.com

$ARIA Phase 1/2 Trial Data on #Brigatinib in @TheLancet

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA) today announced clinical data on its investigational anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor, brigatinib, were published in The Lancet Oncology (Gettinger, S.; ed al. The Lancet Onc. 2016, DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(16)30392-8 Published 8 November 2016). ARIAD has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for brigatinib to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seeking U.S. marketing approval for patients with metastatic ALK-positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are resistant or intolerant to crizotinib.

“The publication reports the results of the first clinical evaluation of brigatinib in patients with advanced malignancies, including ALK+ NSCLC,” stated Scott N. Gettinger, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Yale Cancer Center and lead author. “Brigatinib yielded responses in the majority of patients with crizotinib-treated ALK+ NSCLC, with median progression free survival of over one year. Additionally, responses in the brain were achieved in this crizotinib refractory population. Early onset pulmonary adverse events, which occurred in eight percent of patients, generally within 48 hours of first dose, appeared to be related to starting dose.”

The data published this week include safety analyses on all patients in the trial (N=137) and efficacy analyses on all patients with ALK+ NSCLC (n=79). Of the 79 ALK+ NSCLC patients, all but eight had previously been treated with crizotinib. With patient data as of June 2015, the median time on treatment for ALK+ NSCLC patients was 15.4 months (range, 0.03 – 39.4 months, ongoing).

The confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 62% (44/71) in ALK+ NSCLC patients with prior crizotinib treatment. The median progression free survival (PFS) of ALK+ NSCLC patients previously treated with crizotinib was 13.2 months. Eight ALK+ NSCLC patients in the trial were crizotinib-naive. Of these, all eight achieved a confirmed objective response, including three complete responses. At the time of analysis, median PFS was not reached in these patients. Brain metastases were identified in 63% of ALK+ NSCLC patients (50/79) at baseline. The intracranial ORR was 53% (8/15) among evaluable patients with measurable brain metastases.

The most common grade 3–4 treatment-emergent adverse events across all doses were increased lipase (9%; 12/137), dyspnea (6%; 8/137), and hypertension (5%; 7/137). Serious treatment-emergent adverse events (excluding neoplasm progression) reported in ≥5% of all patients were dyspnea (7%; 10/137), pneumonia (7%; 9/137), and hypoxia (5%; 7/137). Eight percent of patients (11/137) experienced a subset of pulmonary adverse events with early onset, most occurring within 48 hours of dosing. The frequency of these events appeared dose-related. Among patients who started at 90 mg once daily and continued at this dose or escalated to 180 mg once daily after seven days, 2% (1/50) had such events.

Data from the Phase 1/2 trial and pivotal ALTA trial of brigatinib have been included in the NDA submitted to the FDA. The FDA has granted ARIAD’s request for Priority Review and has set an action date of April 29, 2017 under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). ARIAD is seeking accelerated U.S. marketing approval for brigatinib in patients with metastatic ALK+ NSCLC who are resistant or intolerant to crizotinib and plans to submit a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for brigatinib to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in early 2017.

“This in-depth publication provides a thorough review of the Phase 1/2 trial of brigatinib, ARIAD’s internally developed targeted cancer candidate under regulatory review,” stated Timothy P. Clackson, Ph.D., president of research and development and chief scientific officer at ARIAD. “We are excited to continue to work with academic collaborators to provide additional clinical detail on the brigatinib trials, including upcoming presentations at the World Conference on Lung Cancer in December.”

About Brigatinib

Brigatinib is an investigational, targeted cancer medicine discovered internally at ARIAD. It is in development for the treatment of patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The global Phase 2 ALTA trial, in patients with locally advanced or metastatic ALK+ NSCLC who were previously treated with crizotinib, is the primary basis for brigatinib’s initial regulatory review. ARIAD has also initiated the Phase 3 ALTA 1L trial to assess the efficacy and safety of brigatinib in comparison to crizotinib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic ALK+ NSCLC who have not received prior treatment with an ALK inhibitor. More information on brigatinib clinical trials, including the expanded access program (EAP) for ALK+ NSCLC can be found here.

Brigatinib received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA for the treatment of patients with ALK+ NSCLC whose tumors are resistant to crizotinib, and was granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for the treatment of ALK+ NSCLC.

About ALK+ NSCLC

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85 percent of the estimated 228,190 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed each year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) was first identified as a chromosomal rearrangement in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). Genetic studies indicate that chromosomal rearrangements in ALK are key drivers in a subset of NSCLC patients as well. Approximately three to eight percent of patients with NSCLC have a rearrangement in the ALK gene.

About ARIAD

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts is focused on discovering, developing and commercializing precision therapies for patients with rare cancers. ARIAD is working on new medicines to advance the treatment of rare forms of chronic and acute leukemia, lung cancer and other rare cancers. ARIAD utilizes computational and structural approaches to design small-molecule drugs that overcome resistance to existing cancer medicines. For additional information, visit http://www.ariad.com or follow ARIAD on Twitter (@ARIADPharm).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Any statements contained herein which do not describe historical facts, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: regulatory filings for brigatinib and the therapeutic potential of brigatinib are forward-looking statements which are based on management’s expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, outcome of events, timing and performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties include, among others: early-stage clinical data may not be replicated in later-stage clinical studies; the costs associated with our research, development, manufacturing and other activities; the adequacy of our capital resources and the availability of additional funding; our ongoing and additional clinical trials of brigatinib may not be successful or initiated, enrolled or conducted in a timely manner; our ability to meet anticipated regulatory filing and approval dates for brigatinib; regulatory developments and safety issues, including difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory and pricing and reimbursement approvals for brigatinib; competitive risks; manufacturing issues and those additional factors detailed in our public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Except as otherwise noted, these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this press release. We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. All forward‐looking statements in this press release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

$VRML #OVA1 Achieves #LevelB #ACOG Clinical Management Guidelines

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 9, 2016  — ASPiRA LABS, a Vermillion company (NASDAQ: VRML), today announced the inclusion of the OVA1 /”Multivariate Index Assay” in The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Practice Bulletin Number 174, dated November 2016. This bulletin outlines ACOG’s “new” clinical management guidelines for adnexal mass management.

These new clinical management guidelines replace the July 2007 version, Practice Bulletin 83. According to the ACOG website, “Practice Bulletins summarize current information on techniques and clinical management issues for the practice of obstetrics and gynecology. Practice Bulletins are evidence-based documents, and recommendations are based on the evidence.”  This is also the only clinical management tool used for Adnexal Masses. Guidelines DO NOT exist for Adnexal Masses, only Practice Bulletins. Please note Guidelines do exist however for Ovarian Cancer management.

The new guidelines now recommend that all obstetricians and gynecologists, in evaluating women with adnexal masses when the mass does not fulfill Level A criteria of a low risk transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS), should proceed with Level B clinical guidelines.  Level B guidelines state that the physician should use risk assessment tools such as OVA1 (“Multivariate Index Assay”) as listed in the bulletin. Based on this, OVA1 has now achieved parity with CA125 as a Level B recommendation for the management of adnexal masses, but it is the only recommended Level B tool with FDA clearance for use in assessing ovarian cancer risk in adnexal masses. CA125 does not have FDA clearance for use in assessing ovarian cancer risk in adnexal masses. The new guidelines suggest that if an elevated risk of malignancy does exist, then the provider must consult with or refer to a gynecologic oncologist. This is in direct relationship to the OVA1 FDA cleared label.

“These new guidelines will raise overall physician awareness of the importance of using a proactive risk assessment such as OVA1 when the TVUS does not meet Level A criteria,” stated Valerie Palmieri, President and CEO of Vermillion, Inc.  “Having OVA1 as a Level B recommendation is a milestone event for saving women and properly assessing the risk of ovarian cancer from the onset of disease.”

About Vermillion
Vermillion, Inc. is dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel high-value diagnostic and bio-analytical solutions that help physicians diagnose, treat and improve gynecologic health outcomes for women. Vermillion, along with its prestigious scientific collaborators, discovers, develops, and delivers innovative diagnostic and technology tools that help women with debilitating diseases.  The company’s initial in vitro diagnostic test, OVA1®, was the first FDA-cleared, protein-based In Vitro Diagnostic Multivariate Index Assay, and represented a new class of software-based liquid biopsy in vitro diagnostics. In March 2016, Vermillion received FDA clearance for Overa™, a second generation OVA1 test with significantly improved specificity and ease of use. For additional information, including published clinical trials, visit www.vermillion.com.

About OVA1®

• OVA1 is a proprietary FDA-cleared blood test designed to help physicians assess the risk of ovarian cancer prior to surgery, facilitating more effective referral of high risk patients to a specialist (gynecologic oncologist) for surgical treatment.
• The OvaCalc® proprietary algorithm combines five biomarker results into a single numerical “risk score” that stratifies patients into “higher risk” and “lower risk” when combined with clinical assessment.
• In two pivotal clinical trials, OVA1 plus clinical impression detected 96% of all malignancies vs. 75% for clinical impression alone. As a result, false negatives were reduced from 25% for clinical impression alone, to 4% with OVA1 plus clinical impression, a reduction of 83%.
• In a study focused on early-stage ovarian cancer detection, 31% of cases were missed by clinical impression alone. This was reduced to 5% when OVA1 was added to clinical impression, a reduction of 85%.
• OVA1 has shown clinical utility in increasing the rate of referrals of malignant adnexal masses to gynecologic oncologists. The increased involvement of specialists may lead to increased National Comprehensive Cancer Network-adherent cancer care, which is associated with improved cancer outcomes, including overall survival. In a study focused on specialist involvement in ovarian cancer treatment, 94% of patients with an elevated-risk OVA1 result who had primary ovarian malignancies were appropriately referred to a gynecologic oncologist.

Investor Relations Contact:
Michael Wood
LifeSci Advisors LLC
Tel 1-646-597-6983
mwood@lifesciadvisors.com

$FARM Executing the Right Plan with the Right Board and Management Team

Farmer Bros. Sets the Record Straight on Corporate Relocation, Capital Allocation and Independent Board Members The Waite Group is Misleading Farmer Bros. Stockholders and Offering No Plan to Create Value The Board Urges Stockholders to Protect Their Investment by Voting “FOR” Each of Farmer Bros.’ Highly Qualified Director Nominees on the GOLD Proxy Card

FT. WORTH, Texas, Nov. 8, 2016  — Farmer Bros. Co. (NASDAQ: FARM, the “Company” or “Farmer Bros.”) today mailed a letter to its stockholders in connection with the Company’s upcoming 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on December 8, 2016.

Highlights from the letter include:

• Under the direction of the current Farmer Bros. Board of Directors as well as Michael H. Keown, President and CEO, the Company continues to successfully execute a turnaround plan that is improving the Company’s operational and financial results, and creating substantial value for all stockholders.
• Meanwhile, the Waite Group overlooks the substantial benefits of Farmer Bros.’ corporate relocation plan and other operating initiatives that represent the Farmer Bros. current Board’s and management team’s focus on continuous improvement – despite the fact that Jonathan Michael Waite, a member of the Waite Group and son of Carol Farmer Waite, was a proponent of the relocation plan – and fails to acknowledge the thorough review and analysis undertaken by the Board and management prior to announcing the relocation.
• The Waite Group mischaracterizes Farmer Bros.’ capital allocation decisions, which have been organized under the Company’s current Board and management to maximize efficiency and drive stockholder value.
• Contrary to misleading claims by the Waite Group, the three most recently added independent directors were identified and selected through a rigorous process under the direction of the Nominating Committee and initially introduced to Farmer Bros., and strongly supported by, an independent third-party search firm that was recommended by Jeanne Farmer Grossman.
• Your Board of Directors strongly believes the Waite Group has nominated a slate of unqualified and inexperienced director candidates and failed to articulate any plan for Farmer Bros.’ future, let alone one that would create stockholder value, to warrant Board representation in place of the Company’s three highly qualified and proven director nominees.
• The future of Farmer Bros. and your investment are at risk because the election of the Waite Group’s three nominees, combined with Farmer family representatives already on the Board, would effectively lead to a change of control of the Board and Farmer Bros.

The full text of the letter being mailed to stockholders follows:

VOTE THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD TODAY
“FOR” ALL THREE OF FARMER BROS.’ HIGHLY QUALIFIED DIRECTOR NOMINEES

November 8, 2016

Dear Farmer Bros. Co. Stockholder:

Under the leadership and direction of the current Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Farmer Bros. Co. (the “Company” or “Farmer Bros.”) as well as Michael H. Keown, President and Chief Executive Officer, Farmer Bros. continues to successfully execute a turnaround plan that is creating substantial value for all stockholders.

The Waite Group is seeking to replace three Farmer Bros. directors with its own nominees at the upcoming 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on December 8, 2016.

Stockholders are faced with a critical choice: reelect your Board’s three highly qualified nominees, each of whom brings a vast amount of industry expertise, a deep understanding of the business and has helped oversee the Company’s successful turnaround strategy – or the Waite Group’s candidates, who lack the skills and experience necessary to deliver strong financial results and superior stockholder value, would add no value to the Company’s Board, would replace a successful management team and would derail the Company’s proven turnaround strategy.

The answer is clear: protect the value of your Farmer Bros. investment by voting the enclosed GOLD proxy card today for the Board’s nominees – Michael H. Keown, Charles F. Marcy and Christopher P. Mottern. Voting any card other than GOLD may cause Farmer Bros. to lose three highly qualified board members.

LET’S SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT

THE WAITE GROUP IGNORES THE FACT THAT FARMER BROS. CONTINUES
TO EXECUTE A SUCCESSFUL TURNAROUND STRATEGY THAT HAS CREATED
SUBSTANTIAL VALUE FOR ALL STOCKHOLDERS

Your Board and management team are continuing to execute a successful turnaround strategy that is improving the Company’s operational and financial results. Further, the Waite Group has misled stockholders by selectively focusing on one metric while ignoring the fact that from fiscal 2012 through fiscal 2016, Farmer Bros.:

• Increased green coffee pounds sold and processed by over 40%, or achieved compound annual growth of approximately 9%;
• Expanded gross margin by 493 basis points while the industry peer group’s gross margin declined by 380 basis points; and
• Reversed Farmer Bros.’ GAAP net loss of $27 million in fiscal 2012 to GAAP net income of $90 million in fiscal 2016.ⁱ

Since March 13, 2012, when the Board appointed Mr. Keown as President and CEO, Farmer Bros.’ stock price has appreciated over 225%, representing strong value creation of over $400 million for stockholders. In that time-frame, the Company’s total stockholder return outperformed the Russell 2000 Index as well as the Food Processing Index. Additionally, the Company’s total stockholder return has consistently outperformed both the S&P 500 and its peer set over almost any timeframe since 2012.ⁱⁱ

In contrast, during fiscal 2005 to fiscal 2009 when Carol Farmer Waite served as a member of the Company’s Board, Farmer Bros. had approximately $35 million of cumulative net losses. Further, Farmer Bros.’ stock price declined 43% during the time that Ms. Waite and/or John Samore, one of the Waite Group’s nominees, served on the Board. ⁱⁱⁱ

THE WAITE GROUP FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE THOROUGH ANALYSIS UNDERTAKEN OR THE SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS OF FARMER BROS.’ CORPORATE RELOCATION

Contrary to claims made by the Waite Group, Farmer Bros.’ decision to relocate its facilities and headquarters from an aging and inefficient facility in Torrance, California, to a new, state-of-the-art facility in Northlake, Texas followed a thorough, methodical and thoughtful 18+-month review of the Company’s operations as well as the potential manufacturing, distribution and supply chain savings that are expected to result from the move.

The evaluation began in earnest in August 2013 and deliberations and considerations were made until the final decision was announced 18 months later. Similarly, the Waite Group chooses to ignore the benefits resulting from the new facility’s central location as it relates to the Company’s nationwide customer base, the increased manufacturing capacity to support future growth that the new facility offers, and the potential to introduce new efficiencies and help control supply chain costs.

As the Company has previously stated, the corporate relocation is expected to produce annual cost savings of approximately $18 million to $20 million. As of year-end fiscal 2016, the Company had already achieved more than half of the expected annual savings rate, with the majority of the savings flowing through the 220 basis point improvement in gross margin seen in fiscal 2016.

THE WAITE GROUP MISLEADS STOCKHOLDERS BY MISCHARACTERIZING
FARMER BROS.’ CAPITAL ALLOCATION DECISIONS

Since fiscal 2012, under the direction of the current Board and management team, the Company’s capital allocation policy seeks to maximize efficiency and drive stockholder value. In trying to bolster its campaign, the Waite Group attempts to mislead stockholders with false assertions:

FARMER BROS.’ BOARD IS LED BY INDEPENDENT, OUTSIDE DIRECTORS WHO ARE EXPERT, ACTIVE AND FOCUSED ON THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL STOCKHOLDERS

The Company’s current Board offers superior industry and operational expertise that is driving the Company’s turnaround plan, effective independent leadership with Randy E. Clark having been appointed as Independent Chairman in 2015 and fresh perspectives with five of the seven Board members added in the past five years.

Contrary to false claims by the Waite Group that Mr. Keown hand-picked a number of directors, the three most recently added independent directors were sourced and selected through a rigorous process driven by the Nominating Committee, with the support of an independent, third-party search firm that was recommended by Jeanne Farmer Grossman, Carol Farmer Waite’s sister.

In 2011, prior to Mr. Keown joining the Company, Mr. Clark was introduced to Jeanne Farmer Grossman by a recruiter with Leadership Capital Partners, LLC, a leading independent search consultant. In 2012, Ms. Grossman recommended Mr. Clark to the then-Chairman of the Board, Guenter W. Berger, who subsequently brought Mr. Clark to the attention of the Nominating Committee. Following the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, the Board concluded that Mr. Clark was a qualified candidate based on his extensive experience in food and food service businesses, as well as his accounting and financial expertise.

Similarly, Messrs. Marcy and Mottern were brought to the attention of the Nominating Committee and the Board by Leadership Capital Partners, LLC in 2013. The Board conducted a lengthy interview process in which eight candidates were considered and vetted by the full Board. The Board concluded that Mr. Marcy was a qualified candidate due to over four decades of experience as a senior executive, or advisor, of companies in the food industry as well as his corporate governance, public company board and executive compensation experience; and that Mr. Mottern was a qualified candidate due to his over three decades of senior executive experience in the food and beverage industry, including as former President and CEO and member of the Board of Directors of Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Inc., as well as his financial and accounting experience which would allow him to serve on the Company’s audit committee as a financial expert under applicable rules of the SEC.

Notably, during 2013, when Messrs. Marcy and Mottern were elected to the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee included members who were appointed by the previous Farmer family regime or were former long-term employees of Farmer Bros.

WE BELIEVE THAT ELECTING THE WAITE GROUP’S NOMINEES WILL GIVE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF THE BOARD AND COMPANY TO SELECT MEMBERS OF THE FARMER FAMILY WHOSE INTERESTS ARE NOT ALIGNED WITH ALL STOCKHOLDERS

The Waite Group again attempts to mislead stockholders by claiming that the Board lacks significant stockholder representation, and that the election of its nominees will constitute a minority on the Board. The reality is that three of the seven directors currently on the Board are either a member of the Farmer family or serve on the Board as a result of Farmer family actions or requests.

• The Farmer family is already represented on the board by Jeanne Farmer Grossman, the sister of Carol Farmer Waite and the late Roy Edward Farmer, and the daughter of the late Roy F. Farmer.
• Mr. Berger, Chairman Emeritus, has served on the Board since 1980, when he was appointed by the controlling members of the Farmer family, and was an employee of Farmer Bros. for more than 47 years.
• Hamideh Assadi, a former manager in the Company’s tax department, was appointed to the Board in 2011 upon the recommendation of Richard F. Farmer, Ph.D.

Ms. Assadi has informed the Board that she would resign if Mr. Samore is elected based on her prior negative experiences with Mr. Samore. Should the Waite Group’s three nominees be elected and Ms. Assadi resign without her seat being filled, the Waite Group, together with current Farmer-family appointees and family members, would hold five of six seats on a reconstituted Board. This would effectively change control of the Board and provide the Waite Group with the power to replace Mr. Keown and potentially other members of senior management.

THE FUTURE OF YOUR INVESTMENT DEPENDS ON YOUR VOTE

The future of Farmer Bros. and your investment depend on the Company continuing to successfully execute its proven turnaround plan that is expanding the Company’s customer base, improving operational performance, reducing costs through corporate relocation initiatives and creating substantial value for all stockholders. We need a Board comprised of outside and truly independent directors who are focused on the interest of all stockholders and who bring the right combination of critical food and beverage industry expertise, C-level executive leadership experience and operational and financial skills. The current Board, including the Board’s three nominees, and management team have driven stockholder value creation that is best-in-class and above Farmer Bros.’ peers and the broader market.

It is clear that the Waite Group has no plan for Farmer Bros.’ future other than to replace the current successful management team. Further, your Board strongly believes that the Waite Group’s nominees lack the qualifications and experience necessary to deliver strong financial results and superior stockholder value and would add no value to the Board. Electing the Waite Group nominees effectively puts control of the Board in the Waite Group’s hands, puts the Company’s leadership at risk and would derail the Company’s proven turnaround plan.

In contrast, we are confident that our three nominees – Michael H. Keown, Charles F. Marcy and Christopher P. Mottern – have exactly the right skills and expertise your Company needs to continue to drive growth and deliver value for all stockholders and have a proven track record of driving stockholder value. Please protect the future of your investment by voting the GOLD proxy card TODAY.

On behalf of your Board of Directors, we thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Randy E. Clark
Chairman of the Board

About Farmer Bros. Co.
Founded in 1912, Farmer Bros. Co. is a national coffee roaster, wholesaler and distributor of coffee, tea and culinary products. The Company’s product lines include organic, Direct Trade and sustainably-produced coffee. With a robust line of coffee, hot and iced teas, cappuccino mixes, spices, and baking/biscuit mixes, the Company delivers extensive beverage planning services and culinary products to its U.S. based customers. The Company is a direct distributor of coffee to restaurants, hotels, casinos, offices, quick service restaurants, convenience stores, healthcare facilities and other foodservice providers, as well as private brand retailers.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Farmer Bros. Co. generated net sales of over $500 million in fiscal 2016 and has approximately 1,600 employees nationwide. The Company’s portfolio features a wide range of coffees including Farmer Brothers®, Artisan Collection by Farmer Brothers™, Metropolitan™, Superior®, Cain’s™ and McGarvey®.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this communication constitute “forward-looking statements.” When used in this communication, the words “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” and “believes,” and similar expressions and statements that are made in the future tense or refer to future events or developments, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected cost savings relating to the Company’s corporate relocation. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, assumptions, estimates and observations of future events and include any statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current fact; actual results may differ materially due in part to the risk factors set forth in our most recent annual, periodic and current reports filed with the SEC.

Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this communication, which are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

Farmer Bros. Co. has filed a definitive proxy statement and accompanying proxy card with the SEC in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s stockholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting. Additional information regarding the identity of participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement, including the schedules and appendices thereto.

THE COMPANY URGES ITS INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY SUPPLEMENTS OR AMENDMENTS), THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT THE COMPANY MAY FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

Farmer Bros. Co., certain of its directors and certain of its executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s stockholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of the Company’s directors and executive officers and their respective interests in the Company by security holdings or otherwise is set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2016 Annual Meeting. To the extent holdings of the Company’s securities have changed since the amounts set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting, such changes have been reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3, Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 or Annual Statements of Changes in Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 5 filed with the SEC. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Copies of the definitive proxy statement (including any supplements or amendments), the accompanying proxy card, and any other documents filed by the Company with the SEC will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available free of charge at the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.farmerbros.com.

Additional Information

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Isaac N. Johnston, Jr.
(682) 549-6663

Tom Ball / Mike Verrechia
Morrow Sodali
(203) 658-9400

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly Sullivan / Ed Trissel / Leigh Parrish
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449

____________________________
ⁱ The 2016 fiscal year GAAP net income included non-cash income tax benefit of $80.3 million from the release of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.
ⁱⁱ Stock price appreciation, stockholder value and total stockholder return from 03/13/2012 through 09/28/2016.
ⁱⁱⁱ Stock price decline from 04/30/2003 through 12/10/2009.

$SRNE Closes #Acquisition of #Scilex

– FDA Feedback Provides Clear Guidance for ZTLido™ NDA Resubmission – Itochu Corporation of Japan Partners with Sorrento on Scilex Ownership

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 8, 2016  — Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SRNE; “Sorrento”) and Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“SCILEX”) announced today the closing of a transaction by which Sorrento acquired a majority of SCILEX.  Sorrento acquired approximately 72% of the outstanding common stock of SCILEX for a net purchase price of up to approximately $47.6 million, payable in a combination of cash and shares of Sorrento common stock.  Further, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) recently provided clear feedback related to the resubmission of the new drug application (“NDA”) for SCILEX’s lead product candidate, ZTlido™ (lidocaine patch 1.8%), a branded lidocaine patch formulation being developed for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, the chronic pain that sometimes develops with shingles.

As previously announced by Sorrento on August 8, 2016, Scintilla Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Sorrento (“Scintilla”), and SCILEX entered into a binding term sheet setting forth the terms and conditions by which Scintilla would purchase all of the issued and outstanding equity of SCILEX.  Scintilla and SCILEX agreed to terminate the binding term sheet on November 8, 2016.  Scintilla remains committed to combining its lead program, resiniferatoxin (“RTX”), for the treatment of intractable cancer pain, with the products of Semnur Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for which a separate previously announced binding term sheet and acquisition process is moving forward towards closure prior to the end of 2016.

The maximum consideration payable by Sorrento for the acquisition of approximately 72% of the outstanding capital stock of SCILEX is approximately $47.6 million. Of this maximum consideration, 10% was paid by Sorrento at closing in Sorrento common stock (for an aggregate issuance of 752,481 shares of Sorrento common stock based on a $6.33 per share price), 10% will be paid in Sorrento common stock upon the resubmission of the NDA for the ZTlido™ product for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia with the FDA, and the remaining 80% will be paid in either cash or Sorrento common stock or in a combination of cash and Sorrento common stock upon FDA approval of the NDA. The number of shares issuable upon the resubmission of the NDA will be determined using the market price per share of Sorrento common stock on the date of such resubmission and the number of shares issuable upon FDA approval of the NDA will be determined using the market price per share of Sorrento common stock on the date of such approval; however, in either case the calculation of the number of shares issuable will not use a price per share that is less than $6.33 or greater than $25.32. ITOCHU CHEMICAL FRONTIER Corporation (“ICF”), a member of ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCHU), a Fortune Global 500 company and one of the three leading sogo shosha (general trading companies) in Japan, is continuing as an approximate 23% owner of SCILEX.

SCILEX filed the initial NDA for ZTlido™ in July 2015. The SCILEX team met with the FDA in late August 2016 and, based on that feedback has a clear plan for NDA re-submission with a potential FDA action date in the second half of 2017.   In addition to ZTlido™, the SCILEX pipeline includes line extensions of ZTlido™ as well as the exploration of other novel patch technologies.

“The acquisition of a majority of SCILEX significantly enhances Sorrento’s late stage pipeline and footprint in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammation and pain. We are very pleased with FDA’s recent guidance relating to SCILEX’s lead product ZTlido™ and believe that we have been provided a clear path to near term resubmission,” said Dr. Henry Ji, President and CEO of Sorrento.  Dr. Ji added, “Through this acquisition, we have also fostered a strong relationship with Itochu Corporation, a leading Japanese company with $45 billion in annual revenues.  We look forward to working together with our new business partner to drive the future of this franchise.”

“We believe strongly in the value of SCILEX’s cutting edge technology and the commercial potential for ZTlido™,” stated Toshinari Hidekuma, Itochu Chemical Frontier Corporation’s pharmaceutical division director and managing executive officer.  “We are excited to join forces with Sorrento to bring SCILEX’s pipeline to the market in the near term.”

About Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. 

Sorrento is an antibody-centric, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing new treatments for pain management, cancer, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Sorrento’s lead product candidates are late-stage biosimilar and biobetter antibodies, as well as clinical CAR-T therapies targeting solid tumors.

About Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc., located in Malvern, PA, develops and brings branded pharmaceutical products to market using technologies that are designed to maximize quality of life for all.  SCILEX is working to deliver the next generation of products that are responsible by design. SCILEX’s lead product candidate under development, ZTlido™ (lidocaine patch 1.8%), is a branded lidocaine patch formulation for the potential treatment of relieving the pain of postherpetic neuralgia, also referred to as after-shingles pain. For more information, visit www.scilexpharma.com.  ZTlido™ is a trademark owned by Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc.  A proprietary name review by the FDA is planned.

About Scintilla Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Scintilla Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a subsidiary of Sorrento Therapeutics. Scintilla’s lead program is RTX for the treatment of opiate refractory cancer pain.   The RTX program has been tested successfully in a Phase 1 – 2 clinical trial, and is scheduled to commence Phase 2 clinical trials in early 2017.

About Semnur Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Semnur Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company developing an injectable product for the treatment of lower back pain.

About ITOCHU and ICF

The history of ITOCHU Corporation dates back to 1858 when ITOCHU’s founder Chubei Itoh commenced linen trading operations. Since then, ITOCHU has evolved and grown over 150 years. With approximately 120 bases in 63 countries, ITOCHU, one of the leading sogo shosha, is engaging in domestic trading, import/export, and overseas trading of various products such as textile, machinery, metals, minerals, energy, chemicals, food, information and communications technology, realty, general products, insurance, logistics services, construction, and finance, as well as business investment in Japan and overseas. ICF is the core operation company with a mission, as a member of ITOCHU group, to contribute to improvement of the human health and life through its global business dealings in the field of pharmaceuticals, life-science products, performance products, specialty chemicals, and functional polymers.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any statements made for and during any presentation or meeting contain forward-looking statements related to Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. and its subsidiaries under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the timing and potential benefits of the SCILEX transaction; the pending acquisition of Semnur by Scintilla; the expected timing for closing the acquisition of Semnur by Scintilla; the timing and outcomes of clinical trials and FDA actions and approvals for the RTX program and ZTlido™; statements regarding the timing for re-submitting an NDA for the ZTlido™ product candidate, as well as the potential timing for approval of the NDA; expectations regarding Scintilla’s and SCILEX’s technologies; expectations for Sorrento’s and its subsidiaries’ technologies and collaborations; and Scintilla’s and SCILEX’s prospects.  Risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in our forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to: risks related to Sorrento’s and its subsidiaries’ technologies and prospects; risks related to ZTlido™; risks related to the completion of the proposed acquisition of Semnur by Scintilla; risks related to seeking regulatory approvals and conducting clinical trials; and other risks that are described in Sorrento’s most recent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Sorrento’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as amended. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in this press release except as required by law.

Sorrento® and the Sorrento logo are registered trademarks of Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.

All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

$PGNX to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

NEW YORK, Nov. 08, 2016  — Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:PGNX), an oncology company developing innovative medicines and other products for targeting and treating cancer, today announced that Mark Baker, Chief Executive Officer, will present at two upcoming investor conferences:

• Presentation at the Stifel 2016 Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at 3:45 p.m. Eastern Time. The conference is being held at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York City.
• Presentation at the Jefferies London Healthcare Conference on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 9:20 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time.  The conference is being held at the Waldorf Hilton in London, UK.

A live webcast of both the Stifel and Jefferies presentations will be available in the Media Center of the Progenics website, www.progenics.com. To ensure a timely connection, users should register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start. An archive of the events will be available for 90 days.

About Progenics

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is developing innovative medicines and other products for targeting and treating cancer, with a pipeline that includes several product candidates in later-stage clinical development.  These products in development include therapeutic agents designed to precisely target cancer (AZEDRA^® and 1095), and PSMA-targeted imaging agents for prostate cancer (1404 and PyL^TM) intended to enable clinicians and patients to accurately visualize and manage their disease.  In addition, in late 2015 Progenics acquired EXINI Diagnostics AB, a leader in the development of advanced artificial intelligence-based imaging analysis tools and solutions for medical decision support.  The acquisition of EXINI complements Progenics’ strategy to support its imaging and therapeutic agents with sophisticated analytical tools and other technologies to help physicians and patients visualize, understand, target and treat cancer.  Progenics’ first commercial product, RELISTOR^® (methylnaltrexone bromide) for opioid-induced constipation, is partnered with and marketed by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.

This press release may contain projections and other “forward-looking statements” regarding future events. Statements contained in this communication that refer to Progenics’ estimated or anticipated future results or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Progenics’ current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this communication. Forward looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “should,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Such statements are predictions only, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the cost, timing and unpredictability of results of clinical trials and other development activities and collaborations, such as our collaboration with Valeant on the RELISTOR oral formulation and the Phase 3 clinical program for 1404; our ability to successfully integrate EXINI Diagnostics AB and to develop and commercialize its products; the unpredictability of the duration and results of regulatory review of New Drug Applications and Investigational NDAs; market acceptance for approved products; the effectiveness of the efforts of our partners to market and sell products on which we collaborate and the royalty revenue generated thereby; generic and other competition; the possible impairment of, inability to obtain and costs of obtaining intellectual property rights; possible product safety or efficacy concerns, general business, financial and accounting matters, litigation and other risks. More information concerning Progenics and such risks and uncertainties is available on its website, and in its press releases and reports it files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Progenics is providing the information in this press release as of its date and, except as expressly required by law, Progenics disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Additional information concerning Progenics and its business may be available in press releases or other public announcements and public filings made after this release. For more information, please visit www.progenics.com. Please follow us on LinkedIn®. Information on or accessed through our website or social media sites is not included in the company’s SEC filings.

(PGNX-F)

Contact:

Melissa Downs
Investor Relations
(646) 975-2533
mdowns@progenics.com

$SAEX Announces New $35 Million #DeepWater #OceanBottom Marine Project Award

HOUSTON, Nov. 08, 2016  — SAExploration Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:SAEX), or SAE, today announced a new project award for seismic data acquisition services valued at approximately $35 million.

The award is for a 3D deep water ocean-bottom marine project in West Africa. SAE expects to initiate this project in late 2016 and complete it in the first quarter of 2017. This project will be performed using an advanced remotely-operated-vehicle deployment method in conjunction with ocean-bottom nodal seismic recording technology equipped to successfully operate in water depths ranging from zero to 3,000 meters deep.

SAE will utilize its currently available equipment and other external resources to execute the project with no new capital expenditures required.

About SAExploration Holdings, Inc. 

SAE is an internationally-focused oilfield services company offering a full range of vertically-integrated seismic data acquisition and logistical support services in remote and complex environments throughout Alaska, Canada, South America and Southeast Asia. In addition to the acquisition of 2D, 3D, time-lapse 4D and multi-component seismic data on land, in transition zones and offshore in depths reaching 3,000 meters, SAE offers a full suite of logistical support and in-field data processing services, such as program design, planning and permitting, camp services and infrastructure, surveying, drilling, environmental assessment and reclamation and community relations. SAE operates crews around the world, performing major projects for its blue-chip customer base, which includes major integrated oil companies, national oil companies and large independent oil and gas exploration companies. Operations are supported through a multi-national presence in Houston, Alaska, Canada, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, New Zealand and Malaysia. For more information, please visit SAE’s website at www.saexploration.com.

The information in SAE’s website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this notice or incorporated in filings SAE makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws with respect to SAE. These statements can be identified by the use of words or phrases such as “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “budgets,” “forecasts,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding SAE’s financial condition, results of operations and business and SAE’s expectations or beliefs concerning future periods and possible future events. These statements are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in, and implied by, this press release. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from SAE’s expectations are described under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in SAE’s Form 10-Q filed on November 4, 2016, for the period ended September 30, 2016. Except as required by applicable law, SAE is not under any obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Contact

SAExploration Holdings, Inc.
Ryan Abney
Vice President, Capital Markets & Investor Relations
(281) 258-4409
rabney@saexploration.com

$ESTE and #BoldEnergy Announce Strategic Combination

Earthstone Energy, Inc. Establishes Significant Operated Footprint in the Midland Basin

THE WOODLANDS, TX AND MIDLAND, TX /  November 8, 2016 / Earthstone Energy, Inc. (NYSE MKT: ESTE) (“Earthstone”) and Bold Energy III LLC (“Bold”), a portfolio company of EnCap Investments L.P. (“EnCap”), today announced that they have entered into a definitive contribution agreement (the “Agreement”) under which Earthstone will acquire all of the outstanding membership interests of Bold, inclusive of producing assets and undeveloped acreage, in an “Up-C” transaction (the “Transaction”).

Upon completion of the Transaction, current Earthstone stockholders will own approximately 39% of the combined company, and Bold members will own the remaining 61% on a fully diluted basis. See “Transaction Details” and “Approvals” below.

The Transaction represents a transformational shift for Earthstone to a high-growth, Midland Basin-focused operating company. The existing Earthstone management team, including President and CEO, Frank A. Lodzinski, will lead the combined company. The combined company will maintain its headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas, and maintain an office in Midland, Texas, to provide for a seamless integration and development of Bold’s considerable, operated Midland Basin acreage position.

Highlights of Bold’s asset base and operations include:

• Approximately 20,900 net surface acres (62,500 net effective acres) in the core of the Midland Basin
  • Approximately 16,000 net acres in Reagan County; 3,260 net acres in Upton County; 1,310 net acres in Midland County; and the remainder in Glasscock, Howard, and Martin Counties
• 99% operated, 85% average working interest on net operated acreage
• Approximately 500 gross highly prospective, largely de-risked operated horizontal drilling locations across multiple benches
  • Vast majority in the Wolfcamp formation with remainder in the Lower Spraberry
  • Further upside from future de-risking of additional Wolfcamp and Spraberry benches, increased drilling density, and potential acreage trades to create additional drilling locations
• EURs, normalized to 7,500 foot laterals, ranging from 700 MBoe to 1,000 MBoe (56% to 71% oil), with further upside from ongoing improvements in completion techniques
• Current net production of approximately 2,320 Boepd (63% oil) predominantly from 18 gross / 12.6 net horizontal operated Wolfcamp wells
• Expected 2016 exit rate of 2,640 Boepd (61% oil)
• Operating a one-rig drilling program, with two wells flowing back, one well being completed and six wells waiting on completion; one-rig program can satisfy all material leasehold obligations

Please see the Transaction presentation on Earthstone’s website, www.earthstoneenergy.com, for more details on Bold’s assets.

Highlights of the combined company include:

• Strong combined management and technical teams
  • Mr. Lodzinski and his senior management team at Earthstone have a demonstrated track record of creating significant value for stockholders. Earthstone and prior entities have executed growth strategies, inclusive of substantial drilling programs, driven by technical talent and prudent capital structures
  • Bold’s management and technical team have extensive experience in the Permian Basin and built a high-quality asset base through its business development, land, and operational efforts
  • The combined company will have critical mass, compelling wellhead returns, and a seasoned management team that can raise capital to develop existing assets and pursue additional, accretive growth projects
• Clean balance sheet and significant liquidity position: As of September 30, 2016, the combined company had approximately $24.0 million of cash on-hand and $17.0 million of bank debt drawn against a combined $102.0 million reserve-based loan facility
• Current production of approximately 7,400 Boepd (63% oil), consisting of 46% from the Midland Basin, 38% from the Eagle Ford, and 16% from the Bakken and other areas
• Approximately 26,800 net surface acres (80,150 net effective acres) in the Midland Basin and 18,600 net surface acres in the Eagle Ford
  • Includes Earthstone’s strong non-operated position in the core of the Midland Basin (Lynden Acquisition, closed May 2016) with 5,883 net acres (40% average working interest) in Howard, Glasscock, Martin, and Midland Counties with a prominent Permian Basin operator
• Approximately 715 gross drilling locations in the Midland Basin
  • Operated (Bold Transaction): 500 gross locations (85% average working interest)
  • Non-Operated (primarily Lynden Acquisition): 215 gross (35% average working interest)
  • Additional locations expected from future de-risking of Wolfcamp and Spraberry benches, increased drilling density, and potential acreage trades to create more drilling locations

Frank A. Lodzinski, President and CEO of Earthstone, commented, “The Transaction is truly a transformative business combination that will allow Earthstone’s stockholders to enjoy the benefits of a much larger company that is still driven by a management team that has repeatedly proven itself in the public marketplace. Having successfully executed three meaningful transactions since December 2014, Earthstone continues to rapidly increase its production, reserves, and drilling inventory. The combination currently adds over 500 gross operated high potential proved and probable locations to our drilling inventory. We expect the number of locations to increase with further de-risking of Spraberry and Wolfcamp intervals. Additionally, we are excited about the upside in reserves and returns being realized from on-going improvements in completion techniques. We will immediately begin to integrate the operations and activities of the companies while we continue our pursuit of additional opportunities. We intend to continue our growth in the Permian basin via direct leasing, development, and M&A activities.”

Mr. Lodzinski further stated “We expect to issue 2017 company-wide guidance and a capital expenditure budget in early 2017 that will include significant capital devoted to the Midland Basin. Bold is currently running a one-rig program, and the combined company may add a second rig in the Midland Basin after the closing of this transaction, which is expected in the first quarter of 2017. With this combination, our strategic focus is clearly directed toward further building our operated asset base in the Permian Basin. Our Eagle Ford and Bakken assets provide a strong source of cash flow to support a significant combined borrowing base and to fund our acquisition and development activities. As we proceed to closing, we will further refine our capital allocation initiatives and advise the market appropriately”.

Joseph L. Castillo, President of Bold, commented, “Since April 2013, despite the significant downturn in commodity prices affecting the industry, we have established a production base and a significant acreage position in the core of the Midland Basin. We look forward to combining with Earthstone to continue the development of our acreage in Midland, Upton, and Reagan counties. Reagan County, in particular, has tremendous potential as we continue to drive down well costs and improve upon horizontal completion practices. We look forward to integrating our team into the combined company to advance our collective interests and portfolio of projects. I firmly believe this transaction will provide significant growth potential and is a path towards enhancing shareholder value.”

Transaction Details

The Transaction has been organized in a manner commonly known as an “Up-C” structure. Under this structure and the Agreement, Earthstone will recapitalize its common stock into two classes – Class A and Class B, and all its existing outstanding common stock will be converted into Class A common stock. Bold will purchase approximately 36.1 million shares of Earthstone’s Class B common stock for nominal consideration, with the Class B common stock having no economic rights in Earthstone other than voting rights on a pari passu basis with the Class A common stock. In addition, Earthstone has formed Earthstone Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“EEH”). At closing, EEH will issue approximately 22.3 million of its membership units to Earthstone and one of Earthstone’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, in the aggregate, and 36.1 million membership units to Bold in exchange for each of the parties transferring all their assets to EEH. Each membership unit in EEH held by Bold, together with one share of Bold’s Class B common stock, will be convertible into Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. Therefore, upon the closing of the transaction, stockholders of Earthstone and unitholders of Bold are expected to own approximately 39% and 61%, respectively, of the combined company’s then outstanding Class A and Class B common stock on a fully diluted basis. After closing, Earthstone will conduct its activities through EEH and be its sole managing member. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017.

Approvals

A special committee of the board of directors of Earthstone has independently approved and recommended the Transaction to the full board of directors of Earthstone, which has unanimously approved the Agreement. The Transaction is further subject to the majority approval of Earthstone stockholders, including a majority of disinterested stockholders, as well as other customary approvals.

Complete details of the terms of the Transaction are set out in the Agreement, which will be filed by Earthstone and will be available for viewing under its profile at www.sec.gov.

Conference Call

In connection with Earthstone’s third quarter 2016 conference call scheduled for Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern (9:00 a.m. Central), members of the Earthstone and Bold management teams will discuss the proposed Transaction. Investors may participate in the conference call via telephone by dialing 877-407-8035 for domestic callers or 201-689-8035 for international callers, and, in both cases, asking for the Earthstone conference. A replay of the call will be available on Earthstone’s website and by telephone until 11:59 p.m. Eastern (10:59 p.m. Central), Wednesday, November 23, 2016. The number for the replay is 877-481-4010 for domestic calls or 919-882-2331 for international calls, using Replay ID: 10135.

A profile of the proposed Transaction has been posted to Earthstone’s website at www.earthstoneenergy.com.

Advisors

Stephens Inc. acted as independent financial advisor and provided a fairness opinion to the special committee of the board of directors of Earthstone. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. acted as financial advisor to Bold. Legal advisors included Richards, Layton & Finger for the special committee of the board of directors of Earthstone, Jones & Keller, P.C. for Earthstone, and Latham & Watkins LLP for Bold.

About Earthstone

Earthstone Energy, Inc. is a growth-oriented independent oil and gas exploration and production company engaged in developing and acquiring oil and gas reserves through an active and diversified program that includes acquiring, drilling and developing undeveloped leases, asset and corporate acquisitions and exploration activities, with its primary assets located in the Eagle Ford trend of south Texas, the Midland Basin of west Texas, and the Williston Basin of North Dakota. Earthstone is traded on NYSE MKT under the symbol “ESTE.”

Information on Earthstone can be found at www.earthstoneenergy.com. Earthstone’s corporate headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Statements that are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words such as “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “potential,” “possible,” or “probable” or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “will,” “should,” or “could” be taken, occur or be achieved. The forward-looking statements include statements about the expected benefits of the proposed Transaction to Earthstone and its stockholders, the anticipated completion of the proposed Transaction or the timing thereof, the expected future reserves, production, financial position, business strategy, revenues, earnings, costs, capital expenditures and debt levels of the combined company, and plans and objectives of management for future operations. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by Earthstone and its management in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to expectations is subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the ability to obtain stockholder and regulatory approvals of the proposed Transaction; the ability to complete the proposed Transaction on anticipated terms and timetable; Earthstone’s ability to integrate its combined operations successfully after the Transaction and achieve anticipated benefits from it; the possibility that various closing conditions for the Transaction may not be satisfied or waived; risks relating to any unforeseen liabilities of Earthstone or Bold; declines in oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas prices; the level of success in exploration, development and production activities; adverse weather conditions that may negatively impact development or production activities; the timing of exploration and development expenditures; inaccuracies of reserve estimates or assumptions underlying them; revisions to reserve estimates as a result of changes in commodity prices; impacts to financial statements as a result of impairment write-downs; risks related to level of indebtedness and periodic redeterminations of the borrowing base under Earthstone’s credit agreement; Earthstone’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to meet the internally funded portion of its capital expenditures budget; Earthstone’s ability to obtain external capital to finance exploration and development operations and acquisitions; the ability to successfully complete any potential asset dispositions and the risks related thereto; the impacts of hedging on results of operations; uninsured or underinsured losses resulting from oil and natural gas operations; Earthstone’s ability to replace oil and natural gas reserves; and any loss of senior management or technical personnel. Earthstone’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, recent current reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings discuss some of the important risk factors identified that may affect Earthstone’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. Earthstone and Bold undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Additional Information About the Proposed Transaction

This release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of a vote or proxy.

In connection with the proposed Transaction, Earthstone will file with the SEC and mail to its security holders a proxy statement and other relevant documents. WE URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION about Earthstone and the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain these materials (when they are available) and other documents filed with the SEC free of charge at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the proxy statement (when it becomes available) may be obtained free of charge from Earthstone’s website at www.earthstoneenergy.com. Investors and security holders may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by Earthstone, with the SEC, at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or visit the SEC’s website for further information on its public reference room. In addition, the documents filed with the SEC by Earthstone can be obtained free of charge from Earthstone’s website at www.earthstoneenergy.com or by contacting Earthstone by mail at 1400 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 300, The Woodlands, TX, 77380, or by telephone at 281-298-4246.

Participants in the Solicitation

Earthstone and its directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed Transaction. Information regarding Earthstone’s directors and executive officers is available in its proxy statement filed with the SEC by Earthstone on October 4, 2016 in connection with its 2016 annual meeting of stockholders. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

This release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Contact

Neil K. Cohen
Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
Earthstone Energy, Inc.
1400 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 300
The Woodlands, TX 77380
281-298-4246

$NETE Launches #UnifiedPayments #GiftCard App for #SmartPayment Terminals on #Poynt

Unified Payments’ gift card software application is now available on Poynt’s smart payment terminal

$PTX Appoints Two Board Members

Regains Compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 07, 2016  — Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTX), a specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus on Pain and CNS conditions, today announced the appointment of Graham G. Miao, Ph.D. and Dennis H. Langer, M.D., J.D. to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The Board also determined that Dr. Langer is an independent director and appointed him as chairperson of the Compensation Committee and as a member of the Audit and Nominating Committees. Accordingly, Pernix regained compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A), which requires Pernix to have at least three independent directors on its Audit Committee for continued listing on The NASDAQ Global Market.

“I’m pleased to welcome Dr. Miao and Dr. Langer to the Board,” said John Sedor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Dr. Miao and Dr. Langer are industry leaders. Their breadth of knowledge and experience will provide invaluable insight to Pernix as we move forward with the vision that I outlined when I first took over as Chief Executive Officer – to grow our current brands, pursue other growth opportunities and, ultimately, maximize shareholder value.”

Dr. Miao has served as Pernix’s President and Chief Financial Officer since July 2016. He was Senior Advisor to the Pernix interim CEO and Board of Directors from May 2016 to July 2016. Prior to joining Pernix, Dr. Miao served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of PDI, Inc., a NASDAQ listed healthcare commercialization and molecular diagnostic company, from October 2014 until March 2016. In this role, he helped achieve double-digit revenue growth and lead the successful sale of PDI’s contract sales business to Publicis Healthcare. From September 2011 to September 2014, Dr. Miao served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and held the additional role as Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer from September 2013 to September 2014 of Delcath Systems, Inc., a NASDAQ traded specialty pharmaceutical and medical device company focused on cancer treatment. From September 2009 until September 2011, Dr. Miao served as Chief of Staff for the Global CFO Organization at Dun & Bradstreet Corporation. Previously, Dr. Miao held senior management roles including EVP and CFO at Pagoda Pharmaceuticals and Vice President of Strategic Planning & Financial Analysis at Symrise Inc. He also worked at Schering-Plough Corporation, serving as division CFO for the company’s $3 billion primary care pharmaceuticals franchise. Dr. Miao held management roles at Pharmacia Corporation, including division CFO for the company’s $1.3 billion Global Oncology franchise where he led finance teams across marketing, sales, medical affairs, business development, and mergers & acquisitions. Earlier in his career, Dr. Miao worked as a biotechnology equity analyst at J.P. Morgan and a research scientist at Roche. Dr. Miao earned an M.B.A. in Finance and a Ph.D., M.Phil., M.A. in Biological Sciences from Columbia University, an M.S. in Molecular Biology from Arizona State University, and a B.S. in Biology from Fudan University.

Dr. Langer has served as director of several biotechnology, specialty pharmaceutical, and diagnostic companies, and has been CEO and/or co-founder of several health care companies. From January 2013 to July 2014 he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AdvanDx, Inc., a healthcare solutions company. From 2005 to 2010, Dr. Langer served as a Managing Partner of Phoenix IP Ventures, a private equity/venture capital firm specializing in life sciences. Previously, he was President, North America, of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Limited, a multinational pharmaceutical company. From September 1994 until January 2004, Dr. Langer held several high-level positions at GlaxoSmithKline plc, and its predecessor, SmithKline Beecham, including most recently as a Senior Vice President of Research and Development. Prior to SmithKline Beecham, Dr. Langer was President and CEO of Neose Technologies, Inc. and before that held R&D and marketing positions at pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Company, Abbott Laboratories and G. D. Searle & Company. At the beginning of his career, he was a Chief Resident at Yale University School of Medicine, and held clinical fellowships at Harvard Medical School and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Langer currently serves as a Director of Myriad Genetics, Inc., Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and several private companies. Dr. Langer served as a Director of several pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ception Therapeutics, Inc. (acquired by Cephalon, Inc.), Cytogen Corporation, (acquired by EUSA Pharma, Inc.) Delcath Systems, Inc., Myrexis, Inc. Pharmacopeia, Inc. (acquired by Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. (acquired by Merck & Co., Inc.), and Transkaryotic Therapies, Inc. (acquired by Shire plc). Dr. Langer is a Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Langer received a J.D. from Harvard Law School, a M.D. from Georgetown University School of Medicine, and a B.A. in Biology from Columbia University.

About Pernix Therapeutics
Pernix Therapeutics is a specialty pharmaceutical business with a focus on acquiring, developing and commercializing prescription drugs primarily for the U.S. market. The Company targets underserved therapeutic areas such as CNS, including neurology and pain management, and has an interest in expanding into additional specialty segments. The Company promotes its branded products to physicians through its integrated Pernix sales force and markets its generic portfolio through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Macoven Pharmaceuticals, LLC and Cypress Pharmaceutical, Inc.

To learn more about Pernix Therapeutics, visit www.pernixtx.com.

CONTACT
Investor Relations
Matthew P. Duffy, 212-915-0685
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
matthew@lifesciadvisors.com

$ALDX Announces Presentation of Phase 2 Allergic #Conjunctivitis Results

$WATT & #DialogSemiconductor New #WirelessCharging #StrategicPartnership

The partnership accelerates early-market adoption of Energous’ disruptive WattUp wireless charging technology with Dialog as the exclusive supplier

$FBIO Forms New #TraumaticBrainInjury #TBI Subsidiary, #Cellvation

Cellvation to Advance Three Programs Licensed from UTHealth

Two Phase 2 Studies Supported by Approximately $10M in Secured Grant Funding

Frank Taffy to Serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer

NEW YORK, Nov. 07, 2016  — Fortress Biotech, Inc., (NASDAQ:FBIO) has formed a new subsidiary company, Cellvation, Inc., to develop novel therapies for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (“TBI”). Cellvation has entered into an agreement with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) to secure exclusive worldwide rights to three programs for TBI, including two Phase 2 cell therapies.

For the pediatric population, a randomized, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 study of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells for the treatment of severe TBI is ongoing and will enroll up to 50 patients (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01851083). For adults, a soon-to-be-commenced, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 study of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells for the treatment of severe TBI will enroll up to 55 patients (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02525432). The Phase 2 studies are supported by secured grants of approximately $10 million from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense. Cellvation plans to strategically supplement this grant funding to open additional clinical sites and accelerate study outcomes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, TBI is a leading cause of death and disability in adults and children in the United States, contributing to almost one third of all injury-related mortalities. TBI results from a trauma or jolt to the head (or a penetrating head injury) that impacts normal brain function. TBIs range in severity from “mild” (a brief change in mental status or consciousness, often referred to as a concussion) to “severe” (an extended period of unconsciousness typically requiring hospitalization). Based on the National Hospital Discharge Survey, there were approximately 2.5 million TBIs in the United States in 2010, which resulted in more than 50,000 deaths and 280,000 hospitalizations. Injuries associated with TBI cost an estimated $76 billion annually in the United States.

Cellvation also licensed rights from UTHealth to a next-generation bioreactor that enhances the anti-inflammatory potency of bone marrow-derived cells without genetic manipulation. As Cellvation continues clinical development of its lead programs in the United States, it will explore early market entry in Japan under the recently revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Law, which provides for conditional approval of regenerative medicine products upon demonstration of safety and efficacy in early clinical studies.

The Cellvation programs were developed by Dr. Charles Cox, George & Cynthia Mitchell Distinguished Chair in Neurosciences; Director, Children’s Regenerative Medicine, McGovern Medical School at the UTHealth Department of Pediatric Surgery; and Co-Director of the Memorial Hermann Red Duke Trauma Institute. Dr. Cox will serve as a key scientific advisor to the Company. “Cellular therapies are a highly promising strategy to mitigate the neuroinflammatory response to TBI that amplifies the initial injury,” said Dr. Cox. “Targeting this ‘secondary brain injury’ is designed to preserve injured tissue and ultimately improve outcomes. We are excited to work with the Cellvation team to advance these important programs.”

Dr. Lindsay A. Rosenwald, Chairman and CEO of Fortress Biotech, stated, “We are pleased to enter into this collaboration with UTHealth and Dr. Charles Cox. TBI is associated with significant unmet medical need and a standard of care that hasn’t evolved much over the past two decades. Data generated by Dr. Cox and his team suggest a cell therapy could reduce further injury following a head trauma and improve long-term outcomes. We look forward to continuing development of these exciting therapies and delivering them to the bedside.”

Fortress also announced the appointment of Frank Taffy as interim Chief Executive Officer, President and member of Cellvation’s Board of Directors. Mr. Taffy identified the Cellvation programs and co-founded the company. He has more than 15 years of experience in life sciences corporate development and operations. Mr. Taffy currently serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors for Helocyte, Inc., a company he also co-founded that is focused on the development of novel immunotherapies for cancer and infectious disease. He previously held the positons of Head (Senior Director) of Business Affairs at Forest Laboratories (now Allergan) and Director of Corporate Development at Life Technologies (now Thermo Fisher Scientific), where he also held Board positions on behalf of the company. Mr. Taffy began his career as Counsel for Intellectual Property at Procter & Gamble. He holds a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law and a B.A. in biochemistry from the University of North Texas.

About Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells for the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (“TBI”) remains one of the greatest unsolved problems in clinical trauma care today. Cell-based therapy is distinguished from small molecule strategies by the pleiotropic mechanisms of action that have been determined in preclinical data and an excellent safety profile in early clinical trials. Proof of concept data have been developed using bone marrow mononuclear cells in both stroke and TBI, and these data formed the foundation for translation into Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials at UTHealth. The mechanism of action appears to be related to down-regulation of neuroinflammatory response of the innate immune system. Cellvation further licensed rights from UTHealth to a novel bioreactor that amplifies anti-inflammatory gene programs in adherent bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells without external gene transfection approaches. The utility of this approach has been confirmed using in vivo models of TBI. Development of this pipeline of cellular therapeutics represents an opportunity to fundamentally change the approach to TBI treatment.

About The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Established in 1972 by The University of Texas System Board of Regents, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) is Houston’s Health University and Texas’ resource for health care education, innovation, scientific discovery and excellence in patient care. The most comprehensive academic health center in The UT System and the U.S. Gulf Coast region, UTHealth is home to schools of biomedical informatics, biomedical sciences, dentistry, nursing and public health and the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School. UTHealth includes The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center and a growing network of clinics throughout the region. The university’s primary teaching hospitals include Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. For more information, visit www.uth.edu.

UTHealth is a leader in cell therapeutics for neurological injury and has developed novel approaches to the treatment of traumatic brain injury. McGovern Medical School at UTHealth is a collaborator with Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in the Memorial Hermann Red Duke Trauma Institute and Memorial Hermann Mischer Neuroscience Institute. Memorial Hermann-TMC is one of the busiest Level 1 American College of Surgeons-verified Adult and Pediatric Trauma Centers in the country.

About Fortress Biotech
Fortress Biotech, Inc. (“Fortress”) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to acquiring, developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. Fortress develops and commercializes its products both within Fortress and through subsidiary companies, also known as Fortress Companies, and also develops other products relating to financial services through its affiliate, National Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:NHLD). In addition to its internal development programs, Fortress leverages its biopharmaceutical business expertise and drug development capabilities and provides funding and management services to help the Fortress Companies achieve their goals. Fortress and the Fortress Companies may seek licensing, acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures and/or public and private financings to accelerate and provide additional funding to support their research and development programs. For more information, visit www.fortressbiotech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our growth strategy and product development programs and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated include: risks related to our growth strategy; risks relating to the results of research and development activities; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; our dependence on third party suppliers; our ability to attract, integrate, and retain key personnel; the early stage of products under development; our need for substantial additional funds; government regulation; patent and intellectual property matters; competition; as well as other risks described in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as may be required by law.

Contacts:

Cellvation, Inc.
Frank Taffy, Co-Founder, Interim CEO, President, Board Member
(212) 554-4520 
frank@helocyte.com

Fortress Biotech, Inc.
Lucy Lu, MD, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer 
(781) 652-4500
ir@fortressbiotech.com

Fortress Biotech Media Relations
Laura Bagby
6 Degrees
(312) 448-8098
lbagby@6degreespr.com

UTHealth Media Relations
Charles Cox, M.D.
Via Deborah Mann Lake
(713) 500-3030
Deborah.m.lake@uth.tmc.edu

$BIIB & $IONS Announce #SPINRAZA Meets Primary Phase 3 Endpoint

Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) and Ionis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:IONS) announced that SPINRAZA^TM (nusinersen), an investigational treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), met the primary endpoint at the interim analysis of CHERISH, the Phase 3 study evaluating SPINRAZA in later-onset (consistent with Type 2) SMA. The analysis found that children receiving SPINRAZA experienced a highly statistically significant improvement in motor function compared to those who did not receive treatment. SPINRAZA demonstrated a favorable safety profile in the study.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161107005392/en/

“These results, along with our successful trial in infantile-onset SMA, reinforce the potential of SPINRAZA to benefit a broad range of SMA patients,” said Michael Ehlers, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president, head of Research and Development at Biogen. “We will make regulators around the globe aware of this data and will continue working closely with them to bring SPINRAZA to families affected by SMA as quickly as possible.”

Biogen is preparing for the potential launch of SPINRAZA in the U.S. possibly as early as the end of 2016 or the first quarter of 2017.

Results From the CHERISH Interim Analysis

CHERISH is a fifteen-month study investigating SPINRAZA in 126 non-ambulatory patients with later-onset SMA (consistent with Type 2), including patients with the onset of signs and symptoms at greater than 6 months and an age of 2 to 12 years at screening.

Results from the primary endpoint of the pre-specified interim analysis demonstrated a difference of 5.9 points (p= 0.0000002) at 15 months between the treatment (n=84) and sham-controlled (n=42) study arms, as measured by the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE). From baseline to 15 months of treatment, patients who received SPINRAZA achieved a mean improvement of 4.0 points in the HFMSE, while patients who were not on treatment declined by a mean of 1.9 points. The HFMSE is a reliable and validated tool specifically designed to assess motor function in children with SMA, and a change of three points or greater in the HFMSE has previously been identified as clinically meaningful. Data from the other endpoints analyzed were consistently in favor of children who received treatment. SPINRAZA demonstrated a favorable safety profile. The majority of the adverse events were considered to be either related to SMA disease, common events in the general population, or events related to the lumbar puncture procedure. No patients discontinued the study.

With the positive interim analysis, the CHERISH study will be stopped and participants will be able to transition into the SHINE open-label extension study to receive SPINRAZA. Full study results will be presented at future medical congresses.

“These data further validate the potential of SPINRAZA as a treatment for patients with SMA,” said B. Lynne Parshall, chief operating officer of Ionis Pharmaceuticals. “We are grateful to all the families and clinicians who have participated in all of the SPINRAZA studies. Without their commitment and support, this program would not have been able to progress so quickly.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently accepted the company’s New Drug Application (NDA) for SPINRAZA as a treatment for SMA and communicated they plan to act early on the NDA under an expedited review. Additionally, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recently validated Biogen’s Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) in the EU. The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) granted Accelerated Assessment status and the FDA granted Priority Review to SPINRAZA. Biogen is initiating regulatory filings in other countries in the coming months.

Biogen initiated a global expanded access program (EAP) in infantile-onset SMA earlier this year. The company will continue to explore where and when the EAP may be broadened to include patients with later-onset SMA (consistent with Type 2).

The SPINRAZA Clinical Trial Program

SPINRAZA has been studied in both presymptomatic and symptomatic patients with SMA including patients likely to develop or diagnosed with SMA Types 1, 2, and 3.

The SPINRAZA Phase 3 program is comprised of two registrational studies, ENDEAR and CHERISH. ENDEAR is a thirteen-month study investigating SPINRAZA in 122 patients with infantile-onset SMA, including patients with the onset of signs and symptoms of SMA at up to six months of age. The endpoint pre-specified for the interim analysis of the study evaluated the proportion of motor milestone responders from the motor component of the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE). Given the results of the positive interim analysis, the ENDEAR study is being stopped and participants are able to transition into the SHINE open-label study, in which all patients will receive SPINRAZA.

Additionally, the SHINE open-label extension study for patients who previously participated in ENDEAR or CHERISH is open and is intended to evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of SPINRAZA.

Two additional Phase 2 studies, EMBRACE and NURTURE, were designed to collect additional data on SPINRAZA. EMBRACE is studying a small subset of patients with infantile or later-onset SMA who do not meet the age and other criteria of ENDEAR or CHERISH. NURTURE is an open-label, ongoing study in pre-symptomatic infants who are up to six weeks of age at time of first dose to determine if treatment before symptoms begin would prevent or delay the onset of SMA symptoms. An interim analysis of NURTURE showed that infants treated for up to one year with SPINRAZA achieved motor milestones in timelines more consistent with normal development than what is observed in the natural history of patients with Type 1 SMA. Three infants experienced adverse events considered possibly related to SPINRAZA, all of which resolved. In addition, no infants have discontinued or withdrawn from the study and no new safety concerns have been identified. NURTURE is currently active and enrolling. All studies are being conducted on a global scale.

About SMA^1-5

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is characterized by loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and lower brain stem, resulting in severe and progressive muscular atrophy and weakness. Ultimately, individuals with the most severe type of SMA can become paralyzed and have difficulty performing the basic functions of life, like breathing and swallowing.

Due to a loss of, or defect in the SMN1 gene, people with SMA do not produce enough survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, which is critical for the maintenance of motor neurons. The severity of SMA correlates with the amount of SMN protein. People with Type 1 SMA, the most severe life-threatening form, produce very little SMN protein and do not achieve the ability to sit without support or live beyond 2 years without respiratory support. People with Type 2 and Type 3 produce greater amounts of SMN protein and have less severe, but still life-altering forms of SMA.

Currently, there is no approved treatment for SMA.

To support awareness and education in SMA, Biogen has launched Together in SMA in the United States. Together in SMA is a program created to provide informational materials and resources to the SMA community. Learn more at www.TogetherinSMA.com.

About SPINRAZA (nusinersen)

SPINRAZA is an investigational, potentially disease-modifying therapy for the treatment of SMA that was discovered and developed by Ionis Pharmaceuticals, a leader in antisense therapeutics. SPINRAZA is an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that is designed to alter the splicing of SMN2, a gene that is nearly identical to SMN1, in order to increase production of fully functional SMN protein.⁷

ASOs are short synthetic strings of nucleotides designed to selectively bind to target RNA and regulate gene expression. Through use of this technology, SPINRAZA has the potential to increase the amount of functional SMN protein in infants and children with SMA.

Both the U.S. and EU have granted SPINRAZA Orphan Drug status. Additionally, both the U.S. and EU regulatory agencies have granted special status to SPINRAZA, including Fast Track Designation and Priority Review in the U.S. and Accelerated Assessment in the EU.

Biogen exercised its option to worldwide rights to SPINRAZA in August 2016.

Biogen and Ionis Pharmaceuticals acknowledge support from the following organizations for SPINRAZA: Cure SMA, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and SMA Foundation, intellectual property licensed from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

About Biogen

Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen discovers, develops and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological, autoimmune and rare diseases. Founded in 1978, Biogen is one of the world’s oldest independent biotechnology companies and patients worldwide benefit from its leading multiple sclerosis and innovative hemophilia therapies. For more information, please visit www.biogen.com. Follow us on Twitter.

About Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Ionis is the leading company in RNA-targeted drug discovery and development focused on developing drugs for patients who have the highest unmet medical needs, such as those patients with severe and rare diseases. Using its proprietary antisense technology, Ionis has created a large pipeline of first-in-class or best-in-class drugs, with over a dozen drugs in mid- to late-stage development. Drugs currently in Phase 3 development include volanesorsen, a drug Ionis is developing and plans to commercialize through its wholly owned subsidiary, Akcea Therapeutics, to treat patients with either familial chylomicronemia syndrome or familial partial lipodystrophy; IONIS-TTR_Rx, a drug Ionis is developing with GSK to treat patients with all forms of TTR amyloidosis; and SPINRAZA (nusinersen), a drug Ionis is developing with Biogen to treat infants and children with spinal muscular atrophy. Ionis’ patents provide strong and extensive protection for its drugs and technology. Additional information about Ionis is available at www.ionispharma.com.

Biogen Safe Harbor

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the potential safety and efficacy of SPINRAZA, clinical trial results, potential regulatory approval and the timing thereof, and planning for launch readiness. These statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “except,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “will” and similar expressions, and are based on our current beliefs and expectations. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations include: the risk that unexpected concerns may arise from additional data or analysis from our clinical trials; regulatory submissions may take longer or be more difficult to complete than expected; regulatory authorities may require additional information or further studies or may fail to approve or may delay approval of SPINRAZA or grant marketing approval that is different than anticipated; and risks relating to the potential launch of SPINRAZA, including preparedness of healthcare providers to treat patients, the ability to obtain and maintain adequate reimbursement for SPINRAZA and other unexpected difficulties or hurdles. For more detailed information on the risks and uncertainties associated with our drug development and commercialization activities, please review the Risk Factors section of our most recent annual report or quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

Ionis Forward-looking Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding Ionis’ strategic relationship with Biogen and the development, activity, therapeutic potential, safety and commercialization of SPINRAZA. Any statement describing Ionis’ goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such drugs. Ionis’ forward-looking statements also involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Ionis’ forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by Ionis. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks concerning Ionis’ programs are described in additional detail in Ionis’ annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, which are on file with the SEC. Copies of these and other documents are available from the Company.

BIOGEN and the BIOGEN logo are registered trademarks of BIOGEN. SPINRAZA^TM is a trademark of BIOGEN.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals™ is a trademark of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Akcea Therapeutics™ is a trademark of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Media:
Biogen
Ligia Del Bianco, +1 781-464-3260
public.affairs@biogen.com
or
Ionis Pharmaceuticals
Wade Walke, +1 760-603-2741
CorpComm@ionisph.com
or
Investor:
Biogen
Ben Strain, +781-464-2442
IR@biogen.com
or
Ionis Pharmaceuticals
Wade Walke, +1 760-603-2741
CorpComm@ionisph.com

$NSIT to #Acquire $DTLK

TEMPE, Ariz. and EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Nov. 07, 2016  — Insight Enterprises (Nasdaq:NSIT), an Intelligent Technology Solutions™ provider (“Insight” or “the Company”), and Datalink Corporation (Nasdaq:DTLK), a leading provider of IT services and enterprise data center solutions (“Datalink”), have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Insight will acquire Datalink for $11.25 per share in cash, representing a 19% premium to Datalink’s closing share price on November 4, 2016.  The transaction implies an equity purchase price of approximately $258 million and an enterprise value of approximately $196 million (net of cash and debt acquired).

Datalink is a premier provider of IT services and solutions headquartered near Minneapolis, Minn., with offices in 35 locations in the United States and approximately 570 teammates.  Datalink delivers value to Fortune 1000 and public sector clients by providing complete IT solutions that include hardware, software and services to create business impact for their clients.

Insight expects to achieve approximately $20 million in run-rate cost savings within two years after closing, primarily related to corporate efficiencies, duplicative functions and IT system integration.  The transaction is expected to be accretive to 2017 adjusted earnings per share (excluding transaction and integration expenses).

 “The data center is at the core of our clients’ strategic investments.  With the increasing number of options from converged to hyper-converged solutions as well as hybrid cloud options, the landscape has become more complex and clients are looking for help as they evaluate alternatives.  The acquisition of Datalink is a significant step in strengthening the foundation of our data center practice as we add the expertise and depth of the Datalink team to our portfolio.  We are excited about the combination and look forward to welcoming the Datalink team to our organization,” said Ken Lamneck, CEO of Insight.

“The strength of Datalink’s world-class data center capabilities combined with Insight’s scale and breadth of offerings will bolster our ability to deliver solutions for complex business problems across an expanded footprint of clients.  This combination gives our team significant new opportunities to help more organizations elevate and transform their IT,” said Shawn O’Grady, Chief Operating Officer of Datalink.

The combination of the two organizations brings a full complement of end-to-end technology solutions in supply chain, application and data center architecture, implementation and managed solutions.  “Our clients, partners and teammates will experience exciting opportunities for growth and development as a result of this acquisition,” said Steve Dodenhoff, president of Insight’s US business.

“Our decision to join forces with Insight is based on our shared commitment to deliver best in class technology, operations and services to meet our clients’ need for IT transformation.  Our enterprise solutions platform, sophisticated offerings, talented professionals and our client base will bring a rich dimension to the Insight organization,” said Paul Lidsky, CEO of Datalink.

Terms and Financing

The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval of Datalink’s shareholders, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017.

Insight intends to finance the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under its existing revolving credit facilities.

Advisors

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is acting as financial advisor to Insight.  Insight’s legal advisor is Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.

Raymond James & Associates is acting as financial advisor and Faegre Baker Daniels LLP is acting as legal advisor to Datalink.

Conference Call
Insight will host a conference call and webcast today, November 7, at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the transaction.

The live conference call is available by dialing (877) 402-8904 from the U.S. or (678) 809-1029 from outside the U.S. and entering conference code 3625042.  Supporting materials, as well as a link to an audio webcast of the conference call, will be available at http://nsit.client.shareholder.com/index.cfm.

A replay of the conference call will be available for a limited time beginning approximately one hour after completion of the conference call and can be accessed via the Insight website at http://nsit.client.shareholder.com/index.cfm.

Forward Looking Statements

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this communication may constitute “forward-looking statements.”  Forward-looking statements can usually be identified by the use of words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “evolve,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “looking ahead,” “may,” “opinion,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “project,” “should,” “will” and other expressions which indicate future events or trends.

These forward-looking statements are based upon certain expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various factors, including the following: Datalink’s shareholders may not approve the transaction; conditions to the closing of the transaction, including receipt of required regulatory approvals, may not be satisfied; the transaction may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; the parties may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in the merger within the expected time frames or at all and to successfully integrate Datalink’s operations into those of Insight; such integration may be more difficult, time consuming or costly than expected; revenues following the transaction may be lower than expected; operating costs, customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, clients or suppliers) may be greater than expected following the transaction; uncertainties surrounding the transaction; the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the transaction; Datalink and/or Insight may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; risks that the pending transaction disrupts current plans and operations; the retention of key employees of Datalink; other risks to consummation of the transaction, including circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement and the risk that the transaction will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; and the other risks described from time to time in Datalink’s and Insight’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the heading “Risk Factors,” including each company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in other of Datalink’s and Insight’s filings with the SEC.

All forward-looking statements are qualified by, and should be considered in conjunction with, such cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which such statements were made. Except as required by applicable law, neither Insight nor Datalink undertakes any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the transaction, Datalink intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, including a proxy statement on Schedule 14A. Following the filing of the definitive proxy statement with the SEC, Datalink will mail the definitive proxy statement and a proxy card to each shareholder entitled to vote at the special meeting relating to the transaction. Datalink shareholders are urged to carefully read these materials (and any amendments or supplements) and any other relevant documents that Datalink files with the SEC when they become available because they will contain important information. The definitive proxy statement, the preliminary proxy statement and other relevant materials in connection with the transaction (when they become available), and any other documents filed by Datalink with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), at Datalink’s investor website (http://www.datalink.com/Investor-Information), or by writing or calling Datalink at Datalink Corporation, 10050 Crosstown Circle, Suite 500, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344 or by (952) 944-3462.

Participants in the Solicitation

Datalink and its directors and executive officers, and Insight and its directors and officers, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Datalink’s stockholders with respect to the transaction.  Information about Datalink’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Datalink’s common stock is set forth in Datalink’s proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 15, 2016. To the extent that holdings of Datalink’s securities have changed since the amounts printed in Datalink’s proxy statement, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Information regarding the identity of the participants in the proxy solicitation, and their direct or indirect interests in the transaction, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with SEC in connection with the transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Insight is set forth in the proxy statement for Insight’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 5, 2016.

About Datalink

Datalink is a complete IT services and solutions provider that helps companies transform their technology, operations, and service delivery to meet business challenges. Combining extensive experience, a full lifecycle of services and a comprehensive approach to producing IT innovations that empower positive business outcomes, Datalink delivers success across cloud IT transformation, next generation technology, and security. For more information, call 800.448.6314 or visit www.datalink.com.

About Insight
From business and government organizations to healthcare and educational institutions, Insight empowers clients with “Intelligent Technology™” solutions to realize their goals. As a Fortune 500-ranked global provider of hardware, software, cloud and service solutions, our 5,700 teammates provide clients the guidance and expertise needed to select, implement and manage complex technology solutions to drive business outcomes. Through our world-class people, partnerships, services and delivery solutions, we help businesses run smarter. Discover more at insight.com . NSIT-F

INSIGHT CONTACTS:  INVESTORS:
HELEN JOHNSON
Insight Enterprises
TEL. (480) 333-3234                                                         
EMAIL: HELEN.JOHNSON@INSIGHT.COM            

MEDIA:
AMY PROTEXTER
Insight Enterprises
TEL. (480) 409-6710                                                                         
EMAIL: AMY.PROTEXTER@INSIGHT.COM            

ARIEL KOUVARAS                                                                                           
Sloane & Company
TEL. (212) 446-1884                                                                         
EMAIL: akouvaras@sloanepr.com

DATALINK CONTACTS: INVESTORS:
GREG BARNUM                                                                                                               
Datalink Corporation
TEL. (952) 279-4816                                                                         
EMAIL: Gbarnum@Datalink.Com                             

MEDIA:
MATT SULLIVAN                                                                                              
Padilla CRT
TEL. (612) 455-1709                                                                         
EMAIL: MATT.SULLIVAN@PADILLACRT.COM

$AQMS Wins #IChemE Award for #Sustainable Technology

Lead Recycling Process Also Given Special Mention by ICIS for Best Process Innovation Award

ALAMEDA, Calif., Nov. 04, 2016  — Aqua Metals (NASDAQ:AQMS), which is commercializing a non-polluting electrochemical lead recycling technology called AquaRefining™, today announced that it was named the winner of the Sustainable Technology Award in the 2016 IChemE awards program. The company has also received a special mention by ICIS in the Best Process Innovation award category. Both awards recognize the company’s AquaRefining process, which has the potential to revolutionize the lead recycling industry through producing ultra-pure lead with a fundamentally non-polluting, water-based, room temperature process.

“To be honored by two leaders in the chemical engineering industry in such a short time brings attention to the magnitude of the changes we intend to make in the way lead is processed,” said Dr. Stephen R. Clarke, chairman and CEO.

The IChemE awards are presented by the Institution of Chemical Engineers. The IChemE aims to recognize organizations who are raising the bar in the field by improving the practices and applications of chemical engineering. The organization has recognized Aqua Metals for its innovation and sustainability efforts in transforming the way lead is recycled.

The ICIS Innovation Award aims to recognize companies and individuals who have shown innovation in chemical products and processes. They take into consideration the way the innovations benefit the environment and lead the way towards sustainability. The organization gave special mention to Aqua Metals for taking significant technological and business steps toward making AquaRefining a tangible reality in 2016.

The first AquaRefinery located in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) in Nevada was built in less than 18 months after the company went public in July 2015 and recently produced the first AquaRefined lead. Aqua Metals is  partnering with key companies in the industry, including Interstate Batteries and Battery Systems International, to supply spent lead acid battery cores to the first AquaRefinery.

About Aqua Metals, Inc.
Aqua Metals (NASDAQ:AQMS) is reinventing lead recycling with its patent-pending AquaRefining^TM technology. Unlike smelting, AquaRefining is a room temperature, water-based process that is fundamentally non-polluting. These modular systems are expected to allow the lead-acid battery industry to simultaneously improve environmental impact and scale production to meet rapidly growing demand. Aqua Metals is based in Alameda, California and built its first recycling facility in Nevada’s Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center. To learn more, please visit www.aquametals.com.

Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Aqua Metals, Inc., the lead-acid battery recycling industry, the intended benefits of its agreements with Interstate Batteries, the future of lead-acid battery recycling via traditional smelters, the Company’s development of its commercial lead-acid battery recycling facilities and the quality, efficiency and profitability of Aqua Metals’ proposed lead-acid battery recycling operations. Those forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. Among those factors are: (1) the fact that Company has only recently commenced lead producing operations, thus subjecting the Company to all of the risks inherent in a pre-revenue start-up; (2) the uncertainties involved in any new commercial relationship and the risk that Aqua Metals will not receive the intended benefits of its agreements with Interstate Batteries; (3) risks related to Aqua Metals’ ability to raise sufficient capital, as and when needed, to develop and operate its recycling facilities; (4) changes in the federal, state and foreign laws regulating the recycling of lead-acid batteries; (5) the Company’s ability to protect its proprietary technology, trade secrets and know-how and (6) those other risks disclosed in the section “Risk Factors” included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K  filed with the SEC on March 28, 2016. Aqua Metals cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.

Media Relations:
Antenna
Brigit Carlson 
201-465-8031
brigit@antennagroup.com 
www.antennagroup.com

Investor Relations:
MZ North America
Greg Falesnik
949-385-6449
greg.falesnik@mzgroup.us 
www.mzgroup.us

$REFR #Aerospace Industry Adoption of #SPDSmart #ElectronicallyDimmableWindows

For further information about SPD-Smart light-control technology, please contact:

Michael R. LaPointe
Vice President
Aerospace Products
Research Frontiers Inc.
+1-516-364-1902
Info@SmartGlass.com

$CYTX to Present Data in Two Distinct Models of Impaired Wound Healing

Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTX) will present new preclinical data describing positive effects of Cytori Cell Therapy™ on a corneal wound healing model and in cutaneous scarring following burn injury. The data will be presented at the International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics (IFATS) in San Diego on November 17-20, 2016.

One presentation is titled “Adipose-Derived Regenerative Cells Promote Proliferation of Corneal Epithelial Cell And Corneal Wound Healing.” This presentation will focus on the effects of Cytori Cell Therapy on corneal wound healing using cell culture and corneal explant culture models. The cornea is particularly sensitive to injury following exposure to chemical agents and there is an unmet need for therapies capable of promoting corneal healing following accidental or terrorist-initiated exposure to chemical agents.

Another presentation is titled “Autologous Adipose Derived Regenerative Cell (ADRCs) Therapy For The Prevention And Treatment Of Hypertrophic Scars Using A Red Duroc Porcine Model,” which suggests the ability of Cytori’s DCCT-10 cell therapy to mitigate the development of hypertrophic scarring in a porcine model.

This research was funded by Cytori’s contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHSO100201200008C).

About Cytori Therapeutics, Inc.

Cytori Therapeutics is a late stage cell therapy company developing autologous cell therapies from adipose tissue to treat a variety of medical conditions. Data from preclinical studies and clinical trials suggest that Cytori Cell Therapy™ acts principally by improving blood flow, modulating the immune system, and facilitating wound repair. As a result, Cytori Cell Therapy™ may provide benefits across multiple disease states and can be made available to the physician and patient at the point-of-care through Cytori’s proprietary technologies and products. For more information, visit www.cytori.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding events, trends, and/or business prospects, which may affect our future operating results and financial position. Such statements, including statements regarding potential benefits of use of topical or intravenous administration of Cytori Cell Therapy in corneal wound and burn patients (including for wound healing and reduction of hypertrophic scarring), are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include preclinical, clinical and regulatory uncertainties, such as risks in the collection and results of preclinical data, risks that any proposed clinical trials regarding wound and scar healing are not approved or funded, risks that BARDA may lose the ability to keep funding Cytori’s clinical studies, or may elect to discontinue its funding of Cytori’s work, unfavorable results of any clinical studies or trials using Cytori Cell Therapy, final clinical outcomes, and other risks and uncertainties described under the “Risk Factors” in Cytori’s Securities and Exchange Commission Filings, included in our annual and quarterly reports. There may be events in the future that we are unable to predict, or over which we have no control, and our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may change in the future. We assume no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events, trends or circumstances after the date they are made unless we have an obligation under U.S. Federal securities laws to do so.

$AIMT Announces $145 Million Equity Investment by $NSRGY

Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:AIMT), a biopharmaceutical company developing CODIT™ (Characterized Oral Desensitization ImmunoTherapy), an approach to treating life-threatening food allergies, today announced that Nestlé Health Science will make a $145.0 million equity investment in Aimmune. Aimmune and Nestlé Health Science also entered into a strategic collaboration agreement designed to enable the successful development and commercialization of innovative food allergy therapies. Aimmune will retain all current and future pipeline assets developed with the CODIT approach, including AR101, the company’s investigational oral biologic desensitization therapy for peanut allergy, which is currently in Phase 3 clinical development.

“We are extremely pleased that Nestlé Health Science, a global leader in food allergy management, is making this investment in Aimmune, as it reflects our shared commitment to reducing the risk and burden of food allergies affecting millions of people worldwide,” said Aimmune CEO Stephen Dilly, M.B.B.S., Ph.D. “This significant investment will put us in a strong cash position of more than $300 million and enables important additional pipeline advancement activities beyond AR101 for peanut allergy.

“Nestlé Health Science is an ideal partner that brings a shared vision, global scale and complementary capabilities to this collaboration, making the whole more than the sum of the parts,” continued Dr. Dilly. “We are excited to have Nestlé Health Science alongside as we pursue our development plans and seek to realize the full promise of our CODIT approach by addressing the important questions in food allergy around optimizing treatments, achieving sustained unresponsiveness, and exploring the science around tolerance.”

Greg Behar, CEO of Nestlé Health Science, who will join the Aimmune Board, stated: “Food allergies have a huge personal impact and are a health economic burden. Nestlé Health Science is investing and innovating to change the approach to food allergy management, with integrated approaches from diagnostics (Dx) to nutrition solutions (Nx) and now biologics (Rx), where Aimmune’s proprietary approach has transformational potential in the lives of patients and families.”

Upon closing of the equity investment, Aimmune will receive a payment of $145.0 million in connection with Nestlé Health Science’s purchase of 7,552,084 newly issued shares of Aimmune’s common stock at $19.20 per share, which corresponds to a 15 percent stake after the completion of the transaction. The investment and the collaboration do not include any development milestones, product marketing rights or royalties.

The investment launches a two-year strategic collaboration between Nestlé Health Science and Aimmune, the terms of which enable the parties to engage on Aimmune’s current and future oral immunotherapy development programs through a newly established pipeline forum. Nestlé Health Science will provide ongoing scientific, regulatory, and commercial expertise and advice to Aimmune through the pipeline forum. Any information disclosed in the collaboration will remain the confidential information of Aimmune, and any new ideas or inventions that arise that relate to Aimmune products will be the solely owned intellectual property of Aimmune. If Aimmune elects to seek a partner or collaborator for one of its oral immunotherapy development programs during the two-year term of the collaboration, Nestlé Health Science will have a three-month period to negotiate exclusively with Aimmune.

This transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies. The companies expect to close the equity investment by the end of 2016, subject to the expiration or termination of applicable waiting periods under all applicable antitrust laws and satisfaction of other usual and customary closing conditions.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Aimmune will host a conference call and live audio webcast Friday, November 4, 2016, at 8 a.m. ET / 5 a.m. PT to discuss the announced Nestlé Health Science investment and collaboration. The conference call will be accessible via the company’s website at www.aimmune.com on the Events page under Investor Relations. Please connect to the company’s website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to listen to the webcast. Alternatively, participants may dial 1-877-497-1438 (domestic) or 1-262-558-6296 (international) and refer to conference ID 14236792. An archived copy of the webcast will be available on the company’s website for at least 30 days after the conference call. Alternatively, a replay of the call can be accessed by dialing 1-855-859-2056 (domestic) or 1-404-537-3406 (international) and referring to conference ID 14236792. The replay of the call will be available for approximately two business days following the live call.

About Aimmune Therapeutics

Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc., is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for life-threatening food allergies. The company’s Characterized Oral Desensitization ImmunoTherapy (CODIT™) approach is intended to achieve meaningful levels of protection by desensitizing patients with defined, precise amounts of key allergens. Aimmune’s first investigational product using CODIT™, AR101 for the treatment of peanut allergy, has received the FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the desensitization of peanut-allergic patients 4-17 years of age and is currently being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical trials in ages 4-55. AR101 is a characterized, regulated, oral biological drug product containing the protein profile found in peanuts. For more information, please see www.aimmune.com.

About Nestlé Health Science

Nestlé Health Science, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nestlé, is a health-science company engaged in advancing the role of nutritional therapy to change the course of health for consumers, patients and its partners in healthcare. Nestlé Health Science’s portfolio of nutrition solutions, diagnostics, devices and drugs, targets a number of health areas, such as inborn errors of metabolism, pediatric and acute care, obesity care, healthy aging as well as gastrointestinal and brain health. Through investing in innovation and leveraging leading edge science, Nestlé Health Science employs around 3,000 people worldwide and is headquartered in Epalinges (near Lausanne), Switzerland. For more information, please visit: www.nestlehealthscience.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Aimmune’s expectations that the $145.0 million equity financing from Nestlé Health Science will close in 2016; Aimmune’s expectations that its cash position after the closing of the equity financing from Nestlé Health Science will be more than $300 million; Aimmune’s expectations that Greg Behar will join Aimmune’s Board of Directors after the closing of the financing from Nestlé Health Science; Aimmune’s expectations that the additional cash received from the equity financing will enable it to conduct additional pipeline advancement activities; Aimmune’s expectations that the collaboration with Nestlé Health Science will help enable the successful development and commercialization of innovative food allergy therapies; and Aimmune’s expectations regarding potential applications of the CODIT™ approach to treating life-threatening food allergies. Risks and uncertainties that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the expectation that Aimmune will need additional funds to finance its operations; the company’s ability to initiate and/or complete clinical trials; the unpredictability of the regulatory process; the possibility that Aimmune’s clinical trials will not be successful; Aimmune’s dependence on the success of AR101; the company’s reliance on third parties for the manufacture of the company’s product candidates; possible regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; and the company’s ability to attract and retain senior management personnel. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Aimmune’s most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 2015 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Aimmune undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

This press release concerns a product that is under clinical investigation and that has not yet been approved for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). It is currently limited to investigational use, and no representation is made as to its safety or effectiveness for the purposes for which it is being investigated.

$MYOK Announces Presentations at #AHA Scientific Sessions 2016

Clinical Data from Phase 1 SAD Trials of MYK-461 in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patients and Healthy Volunteers

New Animal Model Research Advances Understanding of HCM Pathophysiology

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 04, 2016  — MyoKardia, Inc. (Nasdaq:MYOK), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a precision medicine approach for the treatment of heritable cardiovascular diseases, today announced presentations at American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2016 highlighting the Company’s clinical and animal model research in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), novel insights from its SHaRe registry and precision cardiovascular approach, as well as two of MyoKardia’s cofounders presenting research in understanding HCM causes and outcomes. AHA Scientific Sessions 2016 will be held Nov. 12-16 in New Orleans.

Clinical Data from Phase 1 SAD Trials of MYK-461 in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Data from MyoKardia’s two Phase 1 single ascending dose trials of MYK-461 in HCM patients and healthy volunteers will be presented by Martin S. Maron, M.D., Director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Topline data from the studies were released in July 2016.

The studies were designed to establish the safety and tolerability of single oral doses of MYK-461. Secondary objectives included establishing the preliminary pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics profiles of MYK-461. Clinical proof of mechanism was observed overall as a dose-dependent reduction in cardiac contractility following single oral doses, in both healthy volunteers and HCM patients.

MyoKardia is currently studying MYK-461 in PIONEER-HCM, a Phase 2 open-label single-arm pilot study to evaluate safety, tolerability and efficacy of MYK-461 in subjects with symptomatic, obstructive HCM (oHCM). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted the company Orphan Drug Designation for MYK-461 for the treatment of symptomatic oHCM.

The poster presentation, “Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Initial Single Ascending Dose Data in Healthy Volunteers and Patients,” is part of the “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: New Insights” session. The presentation is on Nov. 15, 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM, in the Science and Technology Hall, Clinical Science Section.

New Animal Model Data Advances Understanding of HCM Pathophysiology

Previous MyoKardia research, including results published in a recent paper in the leading medical journal Science, has provided evidence of the ability of MYK-461 to prevent and reverse development of HCM in multiple animal models. A new study highlighted at AHA sheds further light on how mutations in sarcomere genes lead to the physiology of HCM. The findings of the MyoKardia study provide the first evidence integrating molecular, cellular and organ-level studies that hypercontractility, subclinical ischemia and fibrosis contribute to the early pathogenesis of HCM.

Ferhaan Ahmad, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Cardiovascular Genetics Program at the University of Iowa, will present “A Minipig Genetic Model of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.” The presentation is part of the “Molecular Basis of Cardiac Hypertrophy” session on Nov. 15, from 1:30 to 2:45 PM, and is being held in the Science and Technology Hall, Clinical Science Section.

The experiments highlighted by Dr. Ahmad were performed on proprietary genetic pig models of HCM, which were created by Exemplar Genetics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation. MyoKardia and Exemplar Genetics have formed a multi-year collaboration, in which MyoKardia may direct the development of additional pig models of disease by Exemplar Genetics, each with distinct genetic defects known to cause heritable cardiomyopathies. Researchers anticipate this model, and future models created under the collaboration, will be valuable for advancing our understanding of disease pathophysiology and for the further development of novel therapeutics to treat heritable cardiomyopathies.

Presentations Highlight SHaRe, Precision Medicine

• Eric Green, M.D., Ph.D., senior director of translational research at MyoKardia, will present “Translating Insights from Human Genetics into Precision Therapeutics” during the “Precision Medicine 2016: Changing Genetic Destiny: New Approaches to Therapy” session at AHA. The presentation is scheduled for Nov. 14, 2:30 to 2:45 PM.
• A discussion of HCM databases that includes the Sarcomeric Human Cardiomyopathy Registry, or SHaRe, will be included in the “Genotype-Phenotype Correlations: Identification and Prevention” presentation at AHA. The presentation, part of the “Precision to Population: Optimizing Outcomes in HF” session, will be delivered by Carolyn Ho, M.D., Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School. It is scheduled for Nov. 15, 11:00 to 11:15 AM.

MyoKardia Co-Founders Leslie Leinwand and Christine Seidman Present Research on Cardiomyopathy Causes and Outcomes

• MyoKardia co-founders Leslie Leinwand, Ph.D., Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Professor and the chief scientific officer of the BioFrontiers Institute at the University of Colorado, Boulder; and Christine Seidman, M.D., a professor of genetics and the Thomas W. Smith professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, will each be presenting in separate sessions at AHA.
• Dr. Leinwand will present “Functional Changes in Motor and Structural Proteins Causing HCM” during the “Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy” session, which focuses on the latest research in cellular and molecular aspects of HCM. The presentation is Nov. 15, 10:45 to 11:00 AM.
• Dr. Seidman will present “Genomics and Heart Failure: The Secret Within,” at AHA. The presentation is part of a session entitled “From Precision to Population: Optimizing Outcomes in HF,” that focuses on the role of precision medicine in heart failure. It is scheduled for Nov. 15, 10:45 to 11:00 AM.

About MYK-461 and PIONEER-HCM

MYK-461 is an orally administered small molecule designed to reduce left ventricular contractility by allosterically modulating the function of cardiac myosin, the motor protein that drives heart muscle contraction. MyoKardia has evaluated MYK-461 in three Phase 1 clinical trials, primarily designed to evaluate safety and tolerability of oral doses of MYK-461, as well as provide pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data. In April 2016, the U.S. FDA granted the company Orphan Drug Designation for MYK-461 for the treatment of symptomatic oHCM, a subset of HCM.

MyoKardia is currently studying MYK-461 in PIONEER-HCM, a Phase 2 open-label single-arm pilot study to evaluate safety, tolerability and efficacy of MYK-461 in patients with symptomatic oHCM. The primary endpoint of PIONEER-HCM is the level of reduction in post-exercise left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient over 12 weeks of drug treatment. PIONEER-HCM will also explore the relationship between reduction in contractility and LVOT gradient, endpoints measuring functional capacity (i.e., exercise) and clinical symptoms in addition to gathering safety and tolerability data on MYK-461 in an outpatient setting.

About HCM and oHCM

It is estimated that one in every 500 people in the United States has HCM, the most prevalent form of heritable cardiomyopathy. HCM is defined as an otherwise unexplained thickening of the walls of the heart, known as hypertrophy. The consequences include reduced left ventricular volumes and cardiac output, reduced ability of the left ventricle to expand, and elevated filling pressures. These can all contribute to reduced effort tolerance and symptoms that include shortness of breath and chest pain. HCM is a chronic disease and for the majority of patients, the disease progresses slowly and can be extremely disabling. HCM substantially increases the risk of developing atrial fibrillation that can lead to stroke or malignant ventricular arrhythmias that can cause sudden cardiac death. There are currently no approved drug products indicated for the treatment of HCM. Patients are typically prescribed one or more drugs (including beta blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and disopyramide) indicated for the treatment of hypertension, heart failure or other cardiovascular disorders more generally.

oHCM is a physiological complication of HCM in which the thickened heart muscle obstructs the LVOT. Approximately two thirds of all HCM patients have obstruction, either at rest or with provocation like exercise. Measured most commonly by non-invasive imaging (echocardiography), oHCM is defined as ≥30 mm Hg pressure gradient across the LVOT. Symptoms of oHCM can include shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, and palpitations. The presence of obstruction in an HCM patient further increases risk of progression to severe symptoms, and risk of death from heart failure or stroke.

The degree of LVOT obstruction in oHCM patients is a primary criterion for surgical and other invasive interventions (recommended for symptomatic patients with LVOT gradients measured at ≥50 mmHg). Relief of obstruction has been associated with improved symptoms, function and clinical outcomes. Surgical or other invasive interventions, including septal myectomy, an open heart procedure, may be appropriate. There are no approved drug products indicated for this condition. The primary endpoint of the Phase 2 PIONEER-HCM study is to assess level of reduction in LVOT gradient over 12 weeks of drug treatment. The trial is also exploring relationships among reductions in contractility, LVOT gradient and endpoints that include safety, tolerability, functional capacity and clinical symptoms.

About MyoKardia

MyoKardia is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a precision medicine approach to discover, develop and commercialize targeted therapies for the treatment of serious and rare cardiovascular diseases. MyoKardia’s initial focus is on the treatment of heritable cardiomyopathies, a group of rare, genetically-driven forms of heart failure that result from biomechanical defects in cardiac muscle contraction. MyoKardia has used its precision medicine platform to generate a pipeline of therapeutic programs for the chronic treatment of the two most prevalent forms of heritable cardiomyopathy—hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, and dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM. MyoKardia’s most advanced product candidate, MYK-461, is an orally-administered small molecule designed to reduce excessive cardiac muscle contractility leading to HCM and has been evaluated in three Phase 1 clinical trials. MyoKardia is now studying MYK-461 in a Phase 2 PIONEER-HCM pilot study in symptomatic oHCM, for which the FDA has granted MYK-461 Orphan Drug Designation. A cornerstone of the MyoKardia platform is the Sarcomeric Human Cardiomyopathy Registry, or SHaRe, a multi-center, international repository of clinical and laboratory data on individuals and families with genetic heart disease, which MyoKardia helped form in 2014. MyoKardia believes that SHaRe, currently consisting of data from approximately 10,000 individuals, is the world’s largest registry of patients with heritable cardiomyopathies. MyoKardia’s mission is to change the world for patients with serious cardiovascular disease through bold and innovative science. For more information, please visit www.myokardia.com.

Investor Contact:
Beth DelGiacco
Stern Investor Relations, Inc.
212-362-1200
beth@sternir.com

Media Contact:
Steven Cooper
Edelman
415-486-3264
steven.cooper@edelman.com

$HDP to Present at Fourth Quarter 2016 Investor Conferences

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 4, 2016  — Hortonworks, Inc.® (NASDAQ: HDP), a leading innovator of open and connected data platforms, today announced that members of its executive management team will present at the following conferences. The presentations will be webcast and available on the Investor Relations page of the Hortonworks website http://investors.hortonworks.com/:

• 2016 RBC Capital Markets Technology, Internet, Media and Telecommunications Conference in New York, NY, November 9, 2016. Presentation by Scott Davidson, Chief Financial Officer, at 9:30 a.m. ET.
• UBS Global Technology Conference in San Francisco, CA, November 15, 2016. Presentation by Scott Davidson, Chief Financial Officer, at 10:15 a.m. PT.
• Credit Suisse 2016 Annual Technology Conference in Scottsdale, AZ, December 1, 2016. Presentation by Rob Bearden, Chief Executive Officer, at 1:30 p.m. MT.
• Barclays Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications Conference in San Francisco, CA, December 7, 2016. Presentation by Scott Davidson, Chief Financial Officer, at 3:30 p.m. PT.

About Hortonworks

Hortonworks is an industry leading innovator that creates, distributes and supports enterprise-ready open data platforms and modern data applications that deliver actionable intelligence from all data: data-in-motion and data-at-rest. Hortonworks is focused on driving innovation in open source communities such as Apache Hadoop, Apache NiFi and Apache Spark. Along with its 1,800+ partners, Hortonworks provides the expertise, training and services that allow customers to unlock transformational value for their organizations across any line of business.

Hortonworks, Powering the Future of Data, HDP and HDF are registered trademarks or trademarks of Hortonworks, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and other jurisdictions. For more information, please visit www.hortonworks.com. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For Additional Information Contact:
Reuben Gallegos
VP, Corporate Development
rgallegos@hortonworks.com
650-305-7806

$GLBS regains #Compliance with #NASDAQ’s Minimum Closing Bid Price

ATHENS, GREECE–(Nov 3, 2016) – Globus Maritime Limited (“Globus” or the “Company,”) (NASDAQ: GLBS), a dry bulk shipping company, announced today that it has received a letter from NASDAQ, indicating that the Company has regained compliance with the $1.00 per share minimum closing bid price requirement for continued listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market, pursuant to the NASDAQ marketplace rules. Since May 9th, 2016, Globus was eligible for an additional 180 calendar day period to regain compliance. For at least 10 consecutive business days from October 20, to November 2, 2016, the closing bid price has been greater than $1.00. NASDAQ indicated within its letter that since the Company has regained compliance with Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Rule”), this matter is now closed.

About Globus Maritime Limited
Globus is an integrated dry bulk shipping company that provides marine transportation services worldwide and presently owns, operates and manages a fleet of five dry bulk vessels that transport iron ore, coal, grain, steel products, cement, alumina and other dry bulk cargoes internationally. Globus’ subsidiaries own and operate five vessels with a total carrying capacity of 300,571 Dwt and a weighted average age of 8.5 years as of September 30, 2016.

Safe Harbor Statement
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements provide the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about the Company’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts or that are not present facts or conditions. Words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “will” or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons specifically as described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this communication. Globus undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this communication or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should, however, review the factors and risks Globus describes in the reports it will file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission after the date of this communication.

For further information please contact:

Globus Maritime Limited
Athanasios Feidakis
CEO
+30 210 960 8300
a.g.feidakis@globusmaritime.gr

Capital Link – New York
Nicolas Bornozis
+1 212 661 7566
globus@capitallink.com

$MSCC Unveils New #Ethernet #PHYs for Industrial and #IoT Applications

New Single Port Gigabit and Fast Ethernet PHYs Solve Rapidly Growing Ethernet Connectivity Needs of Diverse Networking Systems

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Nov. 3, 2016  — Microsemi Corporation (Nasdaq: MSCC), a leading provider of semiconductor solutions differentiated by power, security, reliability and performance, today announced the availability of highly compact single-port SimpliPHY^™ Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and Fast Ethernet (FE) PHYs with supporting open-source Linux drivers. The new PHYs, including VSC8541 and VSC8531 GbE PHYs, and VSC8540 and VSC8530 FE PHYs, provide a flexible input/output interface in a package as small as 6 mm x 6 mm, enabling ubiquitous Ethernet connectivity.

Targeted to address diverse applications such as factory and building automation, video display arrays, 2-D and 3-D printers, and industrial automation endpoints, the new PHYs complement a large portfolio of Microsemi silicon solutions. This includes Ethernet switches, Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) systems and components, as well as timing integrated circuits (ICs) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to address wired, wireless and secure Ethernet connectivity needs in carrier, industrial and Internet of Things (IoT) networks.

“These new single-port SimpliPHY GbE and FE PHYs further underscore our commitment to bring cost effective, differentiated Ethernet solutions to Microsemi’s key focus markets, including industrial, IoT, enterprise and carrier/telecommunications,” said Uday Mudoi, vice president, marketing, for Microsemi’s Ethernet Networking Technology (ENT) group. “These new devices, combined with open-source licensed Linux Driver Software and comprehensive design collateral, enable quick time to market for our customers and ecosystem partners.”

Market research firm IHS’s 2015 report, “1G/10G/40G/100G Networking Ports—Biannual Worldwide and Regional Market Size and Forecasts,” forecasts Gigabit Ethernet PHYs’ total annual broadband and infrastructure networking Ethernet copper media port shipments to grow more than 35 percent, from 526 million in 2015 to more than 717 million by 2019. An increasing number of Gigabit Ethernet-enabled end points are connecting into this infrastructure as the technology plays a crucial role in driving connectivity across a wide variety of applications.

The new PHYs deliver innovative capabilities to differentiate original equipment manufacturer (OEM) end-products including:

• Lower power consumption, reduced EMC/EMI and extended product design life cycle with low voltage complementary metal oxide semiconductor  (LVCMOS) media independent interface (MII) and management data input/output (MDIO) support at 1.5V, 1.8V, 2.5V, and 3.3V
• Ease of printed circuit board (PCB) design, in a 68-pin 8 mm x 8 mm QFN or a 48-pin 6 mm x 6 mm QFN package
• Enhanced IEEE 1588v2 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) accuracy from a system-level solution, a requirement for future 5G designs

Microsemi PHYs also uniquely offer the ability to run VeriPHY^™, a comprehensive cable diagnostics, while the link is actively carrying traffic—allowing superior troubleshooting and monitoring capabilities compared to competitive solutions. Additionally, the new PHYs’ configurable drive strength enables systems compliance with electromagnetic interference (EMI)/electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) certifications, such as FCC Class B and CE.

In addition to the notable cost savings for customers, Microsemi’s new single-port SimpliPHY GbE and FE PHYs offer a Fast-Link Failure 2 (FLF2^™) indicator, which identifies whether a link might go down in less than 10 microseconds for 1000Base-T (or < 100 microseconds for 100Base-TX), as well as support for forced 1000BASE-T mode support with auto-reconnect in the event the link should come down. In addition, the VSC8541XMV-03 features 1588v2 start-of-frame (SOF) support when used in reduced gigabit media-independent interface (RGMII) in 1000BASE-T mode, enabling enhanced 1588v2 PTP time stamp accuracy when used with an external FPGA or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that performs Digital Dual Mixer Time Difference (DDMTD) along with 1588v2 PTP time-stamping, such as Microsemi’s SmartFusion^™2 system-on-chip (SoC) FPGAs, as well as the necessary DPLL devices and 1588v2 servo algorithm. For more information about Microsemi’s IEEE 1588v2, visit http://www.microsemi.com/design-support/ieee-1588-technology.

Other key features include:

• Comprehensive support for either unmanaged or managed modes with 32 device addressability
• Adjustable drive strength on GMII/RGMII/MII/RMII MAC-to-PHY interfaces, with 1.5V ~ 3.3V
• Industrial temperature (I-Temp) offerings for both GbE and FE PHYs; C-Temp for GbE PHYS
• Configurable recovered clock for Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) (VSC8541 and VSC8540)
• Low single event upset (SEU) failure-in-time (FIT) of < 80 (VSC8541XMV-03)

Product Availability
Microsemi’s new single-port SimpliPHY Cu GbE and FE PHYs are available for purchase orders now. For more information, visit http://www.microsemi.com/products/ethernet-solutions/gigabit-ethernet-phys and http://www.microsemi.com/products/ethernet-solutions/ethernet-phys/fast-ethernet-phys/fast-ethernet-phys or email sales.support@microsemi.com.

About Microsemi’s Industrial and Industrial IoT Solutions Portfolio
Microsemi is a provider of industrial and industrial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, products and services for applications such as automation, smart energy, communications, transportation and surveillance, including secure, reliable and low power FPGAs, SoC FPGAs, industrial Ethernet switches and PHYs, PoE integrated circuits (ICs) and midspans, 1588 precision timing and synchronization devices, comprehensive drivers and interfaces ICs including sensor interface devices, power discretes such as Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFET and power modules and state-of-the-art audio processing solutions. For more information about Microsemi’s complementary product portfolio for industrial applications, visit http://www.microsemi.com/applications/industrial.

About Microsemi
Microsemi Corporation (Nasdaq: MSCC) offers a comprehensive portfolio of semiconductor and system solutions for aerospace & defense, communications, data center and industrial markets. Products include high-performance and radiation-hardened analog mixed-signal integrated circuits, FPGAs, SoCs and ASICs; power management products; timing and synchronization devices and precise time solutions, setting the world’s standard for time; voice processing devices; RF solutions; discrete components; enterprise storage and communication solutions, security technologies and scalable anti-tamper products; Ethernet solutions; Power-over-Ethernet ICs and midspans; as well as custom design capabilities and services. Microsemi is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, and has approximately 4,800 employees globally. Learn more at www.microsemi.com.

Microsemi and the Microsemi logo are registered trademarks or service marks of Microsemi Corporation and/or its affiliates. Third-party trademarks and service marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth in this news release that are not entirely historical and factual in nature, including statements related to the availability of its new highly compact single-port SimpliPHY™ Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and Fast Ethernet (FE) PHYs with supporting open-source Linux drivers, and its potential effects on future business, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as rapidly changing technology and product obsolescence, potential cost increases, variations in customer order preferences, weakness or competitive pricing environment of the marketplace, uncertain demand for and acceptance of the company’s products, adverse circumstances in any of our end markets, results of in-process or planned development or marketing and promotional campaigns, difficulties foreseeing future demand, potential non-realization of expected orders or non-realization of backlog, product returns, product liability, and other potential unexpected business and economic conditions or adverse changes in current or expected industry conditions, difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights, inventory obsolescence and difficulties regarding customer qualification of products. In addition to these factors and any other factors mentioned elsewhere in this news release, the reader should refer as well to the factors, uncertainties or risks identified in the company’s most recent Form 10-K and all subsequent Form 10-Q reports filed by Microsemi with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in Microsemi’s future filings. The forward-looking statements included in this release speak only as of the date hereof, and Microsemi does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.