$HMMR is “One to Watch”

April 19, 2018

• Expansion of IAAS cloud services to support cryptocurrency mining entities in deployment of blockchain technologies
• Serving residential and SME customers over high-capacity wireless broadband technology using licensed LMDS spectrum
• Global fiber optics market projected to grow from $3.2 billion in 2017 to $5 billion in 2022 with a CAGR of 9.4%

Hammer Fiber Optic Holdings Corp. (OTCQB: HMMR), with headquarters in New Jersey, is a telecommunications company investing in the future of wireless technology. The company’s holdings include Hammer Fiber Optic Investments, Ltd., D/B/A Hammer Fiber, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that offers internet, voice, video and data services in New Jersey as well as carrier services in Philadelphia and New York. Hammer Fiber serves residential and small business markets with high-capacity broadband, voice and video through direct fiber as well as its wireless fiber platform – Hammer Wireless® AIR technology.

Hammer Fiber recently completed the initial development phase of its advanced LTE fixed wireless system, which was designed and built upon its successfully deployed wireless technology suite. The expansion allows Hammer Fiber to add ultra-high capacity cellular broadband applications to its product portfolio including wholesale services such as backhaul support for cellular network operators. Designed to complement Hammer Fiber’s core business of home residential service, the company expects this latest innovation to help position Hammer Fiber as a leader in future 5G technology. The company intends to leverage the Fixed LTE system in conjunction with its already deployed Fixed Wireless DOCSIS 3.1 system to deliver on one of its core promises, to deliver high capacity broadband to markets across the country at dramatically lower cost than traditional wireline methods, including fiber. Live field testing of the new system begins in early 2018 in the U.S. with service availability to follow later in the year.

Hammer Fiber has also expanded its IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) cloud services to include support for the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. Interested companies will be able to host their products over Hammer Fiber’s robust and modern server infrastructure, fiber network architecture and data center presence in some of the most secure locations in the New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia regions. Hammer Fiber’s servers feature best-in-class computing power, designed to allow enterprise businesses to reap the benefits of utilizing a cloud-based system without the massive cost of establishing or maintaining a corporate data center.

“Distributed architecture infrastructure, such as those utilized by blockchain entities mining cryptocurrencies or other new vertical markets utilizing blockchain technology, are growing exponentially and we are poised to fulfill a critical but fundamental need of this explosive new industry,” said Mark Stogdill, CEO of Hammer Fiber. “The distributed ledger architectures that blockchains are built on require secure and robust data processing networks, highly scalable power generation and a reliable fiber optic backbone infrastructure linking up data centers worldwide for them to exist, and that is what we at Hammer Fiber do really well.”

Hammer Fiber seeks to achieve its vision by employing an extremely qualified group of business professionals with diverse backgrounds and successful track records from a variety of related industries. HMMR’s seasoned leadership team combines startup expertise with a consummate understanding of the regional competitive telecommunications landscape in sales, marketing, engineering, construction and business development.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.HammerCorp.info

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$DJACF & $WDDMF to Merge, Create Vertically Integrated Industry Leader

TORONTO, April 19, 2018

• The Transaction combines a premium cannabis brand house and retail focused operator in Hiku, with the significant production capabilities and differentiated medical brand in WeedMD
• Vertically integrated operations secure control over the entire cannabis value chain
• Coast-to-coast and diversified cannabis cultivation platform with four facilities, and planned capacity of over 56,000 kg by mid-2019
• Brings together an experienced management team with leading capabilities in branding, marketing, retail and cannabis production
• Increased scale of the combined company will enhance its capital markets profile and trading liquidity
• WeedMD shareholders to receive 1.4185 common shares of Hiku for each share of WeedMD
• Management to present today at GMP Securities 2018 Cannabis Conference, in Toronto

TORONTO, April 19, 2018 – Hiku Brands Company Ltd. (“Hiku“) (CSE:HIKU) and WeedMD Inc. (TSX-V:WMD) (OTC:WDDMF) (FSE:4WE) (“WeedMD“), are pleased to announce that today they have entered into a definitive agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement“) to merge both companies, creating an industry leader (the “Transaction“). The Transaction combines two highly-complementary businesses and creates a unique and market differentiating vertically integrated company. Upon completion of the Transaction, existing Hiku and WeedMD shareholders will own approximately 51.75% and 48.25% of the combined company, respectively, on a fully-diluted basis. Upon closing of the Transaction, it is anticipated that the common shares of the pro forma resulting entity will be listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V“), subject to regulatory approvals. Joint management will be hosting a conference call on Friday, April 20, 2018 beginning at 10:00AM EST. See end of the press release for details.

The combination of Hiku and WeedMD creates a premium cannabis brand house with fully vertically integrated operations, an expanding network of retail stores, a growing medical business and four scalable cannabis production facilities, two of which are currently licensed. As a result of the Transaction, Hiku will operate a diverse cannabis supply chain that includes a large portfolio of unique genetics for its growing brand portfolio and emerging nationwide retail sales channels. The entity combines Hiku’s strength in retail and branding – ensuring a high quality, consistent and educational consumer experience in the adult-use cannabis market – with WeedMD’s existing service and quality in the medical market.

“Our vision at Hiku has always been that cannabis is a consumer product – in which brands, retail and customer experience will ultimately win,” said Alan Gertner, Chief Executive Officer of Hiku. “The combination of Hiku and WeedMD creates a cannabis company capable of fulfilling the vision of delivering the best in class experiences from in-store to product, from medical to adult-use, but also capturing full retail and wholesale margins. Our combined offerings create a company that is insulated from potential wholesale margin compression and is ready to scale its offering globally.”

Bruce Dawson-Scully, Chief Executive Officer of WeedMD, said, “WeedMD was founded on the principles of product and patients first. Our goal since inception has been on procuring world class genetics, cultivating premium medical cannabis, and delivering it with best-in-class service to our valued patient base. We look forward to the next step in WeedMD’s journey by merging with Hiku, a complimentary group that furthers our mission by bringing our focus and passion into a more robust platform. Having access to iconic brands and a growing retail footprint to execute on our growth plan together with our cultivation and existing medical expertise is intended to ensure significant benefits to our shareholders and expected to present significant upside as Canada marches towards legalization.”

Hiku has built a portfolio of iconic, engaging cannabis brands, immersive retail experiences and handcrafted cannabis production. Hiku is recognized as an early leader in Canada’s emerging adult-use market, with the Tokyo Smoke retail banner awarded Brand of the Year at the 2017 Lift Cannabis Awards. In February 2018, Tokyo Smoke, Hiku’s wholly owned subsidiary, was awarded one of only four conditional master licenses for cannabis retail in Manitoba, an important milestone in Hiku’s Canada-wide cannabis retail expansion plans.

With a retail footprint led by Tokyo Smoke, cannabis production through DOJA’s ACMPR licensed facility, and Van der Pop’s female-focused educational platforms, Hiku houses an industry-leading portfolio for cannabis in Canada’s adult-use market. WeedMD operates a 26,000 square foot indoor facility with over 1,500 kg of current production capacity and is fully funded for a large-scale production expansion of a 14-acre greenhouse on a 98-acre property representing an increase to more than 50,000 kg of capacity. The combined companies create a brand-focused retail business with the ability to provide product quality and selection on par with the retail experience itself.

Highlights of the Transaction:

• Vertically Integrated Operations Secure Control Over Entire Cannabis Value Chain: The combined entity will leverage Hiku’s growing retail operations as sales channels for premium cannabis supply, allowing for the realization of superior wholesale and retail margins. The Transaction ensures Hiku’s control over both upstream and downstream components of the cannabis value chain
• Highly Complementary Strengths: The Transaction combines Hiku’s portfolio of iconic brands, visionary marketing and experiential retail stores with WeedMD’s scalable cannabis production capabilities, deep genetics library, and innovative research and development initiatives
• Visionary Leadership with Significant Experience: Experienced management team with leading capabilities in branding, marketing, retail and cannabis production
• Dynamic Retail Growth Across Canada: The combined company plans to aggressively pursue the expansion of its existing retail store network, including the addition of legal retail cannabis stores and online cannabis sales channels where permitted in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba where Tokyo Smoke was conditionally awarded one of four master licenses for retail cannabis sales
• Superior and Diversified Cannabis Cultivation: This combination brings together four indoor and greenhouse growing facilities in Ontario and British Columbia, with the option for future expansion on more than 100 acres of property at the existing sites. Current planned capacity will exceed 56,000 kg by mid-2019
• Extensive and Unique Genetics: Deep library of unique cannabis genetics is the basis for premium cannabis products in both the adult-use and medical markets
• Enhanced Capital Markets Profile: Increased scale of the combined company will enhance its capital markets profile and trading liquidity, in addition, the combined entity will be listed on TSX-V, subject to regulatory approvals
• Expanded Platform for Future Growth: Together, the combined company will have substantial and burgeoning infrastructure to support the acceleration of future product development and expansion
• Synergies from being Vertically Integrated: Having branded stores, cannabis dispensing stores, and owned production facilities ensures a vertically integrated company that can best drive greater margins in the wholesale and retail markets of the new cannabis sector

Transaction Summary

The Transaction will be carried out by way of a plan of arrangement of WeedMD under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), pursuant to which WeedMD shareholders will receive 1.4185 Hiku common shares (each, a “Hiku Share“) in exchange (the “Exchange Ratio“) for each WeedMD common share (a “WeedMD Share“), representing the equivalent of C$2.52 per WeedMD Share and a premium of 60% based on the closing prices of Hiku Shares on the Canadian Stock Exchange (“CSE“) and the WeedMD Shares on the TSX-V on April 18, 2018, and a premium of 79% based on the 20-day volume-weighted-average-price (“VWAP“) of the Hiku Shares on the CSE and WeedMD Shares on the TSX-V as of April 18, 2018. In addition, each outstanding option and warrant to purchase a WeedMD Share will be exchanged for an option or warrant, as applicable, to purchase a Hiku Share, based upon the Exchange Ratio.

The implementation of the Transaction will be subject to the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by holders of WeedMD Shares at the annual and special meeting of WeedMD shareholders expected to take place in June 2018. In addition to the WeedMD shareholder approval, the Transaction is also subject to the receipt of certain regulatory, court and stock exchange approvals and certain other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature.

The Arrangement Agreement has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of each of WeedMD and Hiku. The financial advisor to Hiku, BMO Capital Markets, has provided an opinion to the board of directors of Hiku that, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out in such opinion, the Exchange Ratio provided for in the Arrangement Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to Hiku. Eight Capital has provided a fairness opinion to the board of directors of WeedMD that, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out in such fairness opinion, the consideration to be received by WeedMD shareholders in connection with the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to such WeedMD shareholders.

The directors and senior officers of WeedMD have entered into customary voting support agreements to vote in favour of the Transaction.

The Arrangement Agreement includes certain non-solicitation covenants subject to the right of WeedMD and Hiku to accept a superior proposal in certain circumstances, with both Hiku and WeedMD having a five-business day right to match any such superior proposal for the other party. The Arrangement Agreement also provides for the payment of a C$10 million mutual termination fee if the Transaction is terminated in certain specified circumstances.

Furthermore, upon completion of the Transaction, Alan Gertner will remain the Chief Executive Officer of Hiku and Keith Merker, currently the Chief Financial Officer of WeedMD, will assume the position of President of Hiku. It is expected that the combined company will have a seven-member board, with three members to be appointed by Hiku, three members to be appointed by WeedMD, and one member to be mutually agreed to by Hiku and WeedMD.

Further information regarding the Transaction will be included in WeedMD’s information circular that WeedMD will prepare, file and mail in due course to its shareholders in connection with the annual and special meeting of WeedMD shareholders to be held to consider the Transaction. All WeedMD shareholders are urged to read the information circular once it becomes available as it will contain additional important information concerning the Transaction. The Arrangement Agreement will be filed on the SEDAR profiles of Hiku and WeedMD on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. A copy of the transaction presentation will be available online at www.hiku.com.

Advisors and Counsel

BMO Capital Markets is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Hiku. Wildeboer Dellelce LLP is acting as legal counsel to Hiku.

Eight Capital and Stoic Advisory are acting as financial advisors to WeedMD. Fogler, Rubinoff LLP is acting as legal counsel to WeedMD.

Conference Call Information

A conference call on the Transaction will be held on Friday, April 20, 2018 beginning at 10:00AM EST. Participants are asked to use the following information:

About Hiku Brands

Hiku is focused on building a portfolio of iconic, engaging cannabis brands, unsurpassed retail experiences and handcrafted cannabis production. With a national retail footprint led by Tokyo Smoke, craft cannabis production through DOJA’s ACMPR licensed grow, and Van der Pop’s female-focused educational platforms, Hiku houses an industry-leading portfolio that aims to set the bar for cannabis brands in Canada.

Hiku’s wholly-owned subsidiary, DOJA Cannabis Ltd., is a federally licensed to cultivate and sell cannabis pursuant to the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (“ACMPR“), owning two production facilities in the heart of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Hiku’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Tokyo Smoke has been conditionally awarded one of four master retail licenses in Manitoba. Hiku also operates a network of retail stores selling coffee, clothing and curated accessories, across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

About WeedMD

WeedMD Inc. is the publicly-traded parent company of WeedMD Rx Inc., a federally-licensed producer and distributor of medical cannabis and oils under the ACMPR. The Company operates a 26,000 sq. ft. indoor facility in Aylmer, Ontario, and is awaiting its second-site cultivation license for its greenhouse facility located in Strathroy, Ontario, representing 610,000 sq. ft. or 14 acres under glass. WeedMD has entered into supply agreements in addition to strategic relationships with established cannabis brands. WeedMD is focused on providing medical cannabis to the seniors’ markets in Canada through its proprietary seniors care program. It is dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners and furthering public understanding of the role that medical cannabis plays – including as it pertains to regulatory requirements, indications and potential side effects.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Hiku and WeedMD to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our expectations with respect to: the timing and outcome of the Transaction; the anticipated benefits of the Transaction to the parties and their respective security holders; impact of the Transaction and anticipated growth of the combined entity, including planned capacity; and the anticipated timing of the WeedMD shareholder meeting. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. In respect of the forward-looking statements and information concerning the anticipated benefits and completion of the Transaction and the anticipated timing for completion of the Transaction, Hiku and WeedMD have provided such statements and information in reliance on certain assumptions that they believe are reasonable at this time, including assumptions as to the time required to prepare and mail security holder meeting materials; the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary regulatory, court and shareholders approvals; the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the closing of the Transaction; and other expectations and assumptions concerning the Transaction. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will occur, or that it will occur on the terms and conditions contemplated in this news release. The Transaction could be modified, restructured or terminated. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release.

Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on other factors that could affect the operations or financial results of the parties are included in reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Hiku and WeedMD do not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf, except as required by applicable law.

None of the TSX Venture Exchange or the Canadian Securities Exchange and their Regulation Services Providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of WeedMD and Hiku should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Please Contact: Will Stewart, Hiku Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, 416-899-9422, wstewart@hiku.com; Keith Merker, WeedMD CFO, 519-706-4900, keith@weedmd.comCopyright CNW Group 2018

$SNNVF Announces Plans to Release FY2017 Results on April 24

VANCOUVER, April 18, 2018 – Sunniva Inc. (“Sunniva” or the “Company“) (CSE:SNN) (OTCQX:SNNVF) plans to release its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, after market close on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

The Company’s executive management will discuss the results during a conference call on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 11:30 am Eastern Time/8:30 am Pacific Time. To participate in the call, please dial 1-800-319-4610, or (604) 638-5340. An audio replay will be available shortly after the call by dialing 1-855-669-9658 or (604) 674-8052 and entering access code 5312. The replay will be available for two weeks after the call.

About Sunniva Inc.

Sunniva, through its subsidiaries, is a vertically integrated medical cannabis company operating in the world’s two largest cannabis markets – Canada and California – where we are committed to delivering safe, high-quality products and services at scale.  Our vision is to become the lowest cost, highest quality cannabis producer in the markets we serve by building large scale purpose-built current good manufacturing practices greenhouses, offering better quality assurance with cannabis products free from pesticides, providing better patient and doctor access to cannabis education and sourcing better therapeutic delivery devices.  Sunniva’s management and board of directors have a proven track record for creating significant shareholder value both in the healthcare and biotech industries.

For more information please visit: www.sunniva.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

$STLHF Completes Successful Gravity Geophysical Survey at Cadiz Lithium Project

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 19, 2018 — Standard Lithium Ltd. (“Standard Lithium” or the “Company”) (TSXV:SLL) (FRA:S5L) is pleased to announce that Hasbrouck Geophysics Inc. has successfully completed a large-scale gravity geophysical survey at the Company’s Cadiz Dry Lake Project, in the Mojave area of California.  The Cadiz Dry Lake Property is located approximately 20 km southeast of the Company’s Bristol Dry Lake Property and is currently permitted for brine extraction and processing activities.  The work has defined an infilled basin with a maximum depth of just over 700 m beneath the Project area.

Dr. Andy Robinson, COO and President of Standard Lithium commented: “The results from this high quality geophysical survey are very encouraging. This work has defined a closed basin with infill deposits that are known to host lithium brines, based on preliminary sampling of extraction wells operated by the permitted producer.  Standard Lithium’s excellent relationship with the Project’s permitted operator will allow for further exploration of the deeper basin infill deposits under the existing permitted brine operations.  This successful and rapid acquisition of high quality gravity survey data from our Cadiz Dry Lake Project will be used to plan additional resource assessment work at Cadiz for the remainder of 2018.“

Hasbrouck Geophysics, Prescott, AZ collected gravity readings from 89 new stations, integrated 85 public domain gravity stations, and integrated data over approximately 211 km².  The new stations were spaced at 1 km intervals along 17 east-west lines spaced 700-800 m apart.  The integrated gravity model defined a basin-shaped depression that underlies the approximately 11,840 acres of placer and patented mineral claims.  The basin underlying the claims is steep-sided, consistent with the basin being fault-bounded, and similar in nature to Standard Lithium’s nearby Bristol Dry Lake Project.  Repeat readings of new stations ranged between 0.014 and 0.027 mGals, while the spread for base readings (both field and absolute) is between 0.009 and 0.015 mGals, demonstrating that the data are of excellent quality.

The well-defined gravity trough and deeper basin indicate potential for structurally concentrated lithium brines at depth.  The survey results will be used to plan further exploration, which will include additional geophysical surveys to identify Li-brine bearing zones and structural control.  For further information on the adjacent Bristol Dry Lake Project, please see Standard Lithium’s Technical Report dated September 13, 2016, compiled in accordance with NI 43-101 guidelines on Sedar.com.

Quality Assurance

Raymond Spanjers, Registered Professional Geologist (SME No. 3041730), is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, and has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release.  Mr. Spanjers is not independent of the Company as he is an officer in his role as Vice President, Exploration and Development.

About Standard Lithium

Standard’s value creation strategy encompasses acquiring a diverse and highly prospective portfolio of large-scale domestic brine resources, led by an innovative and results-oriented management team with a strong focus on technical skills and modern brine processing technologies.  The Company is currently engaged in the exploration and resource development of the Bristol Dry Lake Lithium Project located in the Mojave region of San Bernardino County, California; the location has significant infrastructure in-place, with easy road and rail access, abundant electricity and water sources, and is already permitted for extensive brine extraction and processing activities.  The Company is also rapidly conducting resource evaluation on up to 33,000 acres of brine leases located in the Smackover Formation in Southern Arkansas.

Standard Lithium is listed on the TSX Venture under the trading symbol “SLL”; quoted on the OTCQX under the symbol “STLHF”; and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “S5L”.  Please visit the Company’s website at www.standardlithium.com.

For further information, contact Anthony Alvaro at (604) 240 4793

On behalf of the Board,

Standard Lithium Ltd.

Robert Mintak, CEO & Director

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule” and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information.  These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, and other factors or information.  Such statements represent the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties.  Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Readers are cautioned that a “Qualified Person” (as that term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) has not done sufficient work to specify any mineral resource or reserve on the Properties.

$RNET Announces Acquisitions in Energy Sector

RigNet expands its services portfolio in the energy sector with the acquisitions of Auto-Comm and SAFCON

HOUSTON, April 18, 2018 — RigNet, Inc. (NASDAQ:RNET) announced today it has acquired two separate, US-based, leading oil and gas services providers: Automation Communications Engineering Corp. (Auto-Comm), a diversified telecommunications services company, and Safety Controls, Inc. (SAFCON), a safety and security service provider. These acquisitions will expand RigNet’s services in the oil and gas industry and will add value across its systems integration and managed communications services businesses; combining the companies will also further strengthen RigNet’s relationships with oil and gas exploration and production companies.

Auto-Comm provides a broad range of communications services, for both onshore and offshore remote locations, to the oil and gas industry. The company brings over 30 years of systems integration experience in engineering and design, installation, testing, and maintenance. SAFCON offers a diverse set of safety, security, and maintenance services to the oil and gas industry. Auto-Comm and SAFCON have developed strong relationships with major energy companies that complement the relationships that RigNet has established over the years.

“We are excited to welcome the Auto-Comm and SAFCON teams to our RigNet family,” said Steven Pickett, Chief Executive Officer and President of RigNet. “These acquisitions further affirm RigNet’s commitment to grow and expand technology services throughout the energy value chain. With RigNet, our customers are Always Connected, Always Secure, and Always Learning.”

About RigNet
RigNet (NASDAQ:RNET) is a global technology company that provides customized communications services, applications, real-time machine learning, and cybersecurity solutions that enhance customer decision-making and business performance. RigNet is headquartered in Houston, Texas with operations around the world.

For more information on RigNet, please visit www.rig.net. RigNet is a registered trademark of RigNet, Inc.

Media / Investor Relations Contact:
Jerri Dean
RigNet, Inc.
Tel: +1 (281) 674-0699

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  The opinions, forecasts, projections,benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction, future opportunities for the combined company and products, future financial performance and any other statements regarding RigNet’s future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, financial conditions, assumptions or future events or performance that are not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  RigNet can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.  These statements are subject to, among other things, the ability to successfully integrate the acquired business and to realize expected synergies and other risk factors that are discussed in RigNet’s most recent 10-K as well as RigNet’s other filings with the SEC available at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).  Actual results may differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the day they are made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of them in light of new information, future events or otherwise.

$SPWR Invests in American Solar Manufacturing

Agreement to Acquire SolarWorld Americas and Deploy SunPower’s Performance Series (P-Series) Manufacturing Technology

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 18, 2018 — A new chapter in American solar panel manufacturing is set to unfold with SunPower and SolarWorld Americas announcing SunPower’s agreement to acquire 100 percent of the Hillsboro, Oregon-based SolarWorld Americas. A long-time solar industry pioneer, SolarWorld Americas is the leading American manufacturer of solar panels. Consistent with the desire to revitalize the U.S. high-technology manufacturing sector, SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR) plans to inject fresh capital into the SolarWorld Americas facility and implement leading-edge, high-efficiency P-Series solar panel manufacturing technology.

“We are thrilled to announce this agreement to acquire SolarWorld Americas, one of the most respected manufacturers of high-quality solar panels for more than 40 years,” said Tom Werner, SunPower CEO and chairman of the board. “The time is right for SunPower to invest in U.S. manufacturing, and SolarWorld Americas provides a great platform for us to implement our advanced P-Series solar panel manufacturing technology right here in our home market. P-Series technology was invented and perfected in Silicon Valley, and will now be built in SolarWorld Americas’ factory, helping to reshape solar manufacturing in America.”

“SunPower is the solar industry technology leader,” said Jürgen Stein, CEO of SolarWorld Americas. “We are delighted that SunPower has agreed to inject fresh capital and their industry leading P-Series technology into SolarWorld Americas operations here in Hillsboro. Our hundreds of long-time employees are excited to be part of this next chapter in SolarWorld Americas’ long history. We are thrilled about this acquisition as it means quite simply, that our company can look forward to redoubled strength as it continues to innovate and expand into the future. This outcome is ideal for SolarWorld Americas and its employees.”

SunPower plans to ramp SolarWorld Americas operations to capitalize on strong U.S. market demand. The company will invest in factory improvements and increased working capital, while retrofitting a portion of the facility to produce P-Series solar panels, in addition to continuing to produce and ship SolarWorld Americas’ legacy products. Like SolarWorld Americas, SunPower has spent decades perfecting its technology and manufacturing processes, and this announcement marks the company’s return to U.S. manufacturing. The agreement is subject to necessary U.S. and German regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. At closing, which is expected in the next several months, SunPower will become the largest U.S. solar panel manufacturer.

The purchase price was not disclosed.

About SunPower

As one of the world’s most innovative and sustainable energy companies, SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR) provides a diverse group of customers with complete solar solutions and services. Residential customers, businesses, governments, schools and utilities around the globe rely on SunPower’s more than 30 years of proven experience. From the first flip of the switch, SunPower delivers maximum value and superb performance throughout the long life of every solar system. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, SunPower has dedicated, customer-focused employees in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America. For more information about how SunPower is changing the way our world is powered, visit www.sunpower.com.

About SolarWorld Americas

SolarWorld Americas Inc., the largest U.S. crystalline-silicon solar manufacturer for more than 42 years, produces and sells high-tech solar power solutions and, in doing so, contributes to a cleaner energy supply throughout the Americas. The company maintains 430 megawatts of annual capacity to produce solar cells and 550 MW of capacity to manufacture solar modules. The company’s brand stands for a proven track record of quality and reliability, and SolarWorld is the only producer whose industrial lineage has outlived its products’ 25- and 30-year performance guarantees. SolarWorld upholds high social standards and commits itself to resource- and energy-efficient production. Connect with SolarWorld on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and www.solarworld-usa.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the likelihood and timing of the planned closing of the transaction, our expectations and plans regarding growth and market share, our plans for capital injection and manufacturing expansion, our strategic goals and plans for the acquisition and our ability to achieve them, our projections of market demand, and our plans for SWA following the completion of the acquisition. These forward-looking statements are based on our current assumptions, expectations and beliefs and involve substantial risks and uncertainties that may cause results, performance or achievement to materially differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) competition in the solar and general energy industry and downward pressure on selling prices and wholesale energy pricing; (2) our liquidity, substantial indebtedness, and ability to obtain additional financing for our projects and customers; (3) regulatory changes and the availability of economic incentives promoting use of solar energy; and (4) appropriately sizing our manufacturing capacity and containing manufacturing and logistics difficulties that could arise.  A detailed discussion of these factors and other risks that affect our business is included in filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors.” Copies of these filings are available online from the SEC or on the SEC Filings section of our Investor Relations website at investors.sunpower.com. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information currently available to us, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events.

$SIEN Receives FDA Approval of PMA Supplement

Commercial Sale of U.S.-Manufactured OPUS™ Branded Breast Implants to Begin Immediately

Additional $10 Million of Existing Credit Facility Now Accessible with FDA Approval

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., April 18, 2018  — Sientra, Inc. (NASDAQ:SIEN) (“Sientra” or the “Company”), a medical aesthetics company, today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the Company’s PMA supplement allowing commercialization of its OPUS-branded breast implant products manufactured by Vesta, a Lubrizol LifeSciences company, at Vesta’s Wisconsin-based manufacturing facility.

Jeffrey M. Nugent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sientra, commented, “This FDA approval allows us to commercialize our OPUS-branded breast implants with an improved manufacturing process and represents a critical milestone for Sientra. The approval culminates over two years of successful collaboration between the Sientra and Vesta teams.  We now once again have access to a supply of implants to support our plan to regain and grow share in the U.S. breast implant market for both augmentation and reconstruction.  Our decision to manufacture finished goods product prior to approval has positively positioned us to begin meeting customer demand immediately.  We will continue our precision-controlled selling strategy through the first half of 2018 as the new Vesta facility scales its manufacturing to full supply capabilities, which we anticipate will occur during the second half of this year.”

Mr. Nugent added, “As Sientra continues to expand into categories beyond breast surgery, we decided to rebrand our breast products with a name that symbolizes what they represent.  We chose the name Sientra OPUS, the only brand of silicone gel breast implants and tissue expanders marketed exclusively to board–certified plastic surgeons.  OPUS signifies an artist’s best body of work and for our brand, the name evokes excellence, quality, performance and artistry.  We believe our OPUS products provide the true artists with the best tools available to achieve optimal results.”

Mr. Nugent concluded, “Since October 2015, the entire Sientra team has been determined to overcome each successive challenge stemming from our former Brazilian manufacturer. With today’s FDA approval, we have closed the final chapter of our transition and positioned the Company with a diversified portfolio of differentiated products to capitalize on significant market opportunities for each of our two core businesses.  Overall, we are now poised to continue executing an integrated commercial aesthetics strategy.  In the immediate term, we will be leveraging the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) annual meetings held later this month to showcase each of our brands. Looking further ahead, we expect 2018 to be another pivotal year in which we deliver meaningful incremental value to our customers, patients, and shareholders.”

With this FDA approval, Sientra has gained access to an additional $10.0 million tranche of term debt under its credit facility with MidCap Financial Services and Silicon Valley Bank.

About Sientra

Headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, Sientra is a medical aesthetics company committed to making a difference in patients’ lives by enhancing their body image, growing their self-esteem and restoring their confidence. The Company was founded to provide greater choice to board-certified plastic surgeons and patients in need of medical aesthetics products. The Company has developed a broad portfolio of products with technologically differentiated characteristics, supported by independent laboratory testing and strong clinical trial outcomes. The Company sells its OPUS^™ brand of breast implants and breast tissue expanders exclusively to board-certified and board-admissible plastic surgeons and tailors its customer service offerings to their specific needs.  The Company also offers a range of other aesthetic and specialty products including BIOCORNEUM^®, the professional choice in scar management, and miraDry^®, the only FDA-cleared device to reduce underarm sweat, odor and permanently reduce hair of all colors.

About MidCap Financial

MidCap Financial is a middle market-focused, specialty finance firm that provides senior debt solutions to businesses across all industries. The firm’s years of experience, strong balance sheet, and flexibility make it a lender of choice for companies across all stages of growth and complexity. MidCap Financial’s debt solutions focus in five areas: (i) General and Healthcare Asset-Based working capital loans collateralized by third-party accounts receivable and other assets, (ii) Leveraged loans to companies backed by private equity sponsors, (iii) Life Sciences loans to VC-backed and public pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies, (iv) Real Estate loans on all types of commercial properties, medical office buildings, various types of senior housing and skilled nursing properties, and (v) Lender Finance term loans or revolvers provided across the consumer and commercial finance sectors. Additional information about MidCap Financial can be found at www.midcapfinancial.com.

About Silicon Valley Bank

For more than 30 years, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has helped innovative companies and their investors move bold ideas forward, fast. SVB provides targeted financial services and expertise through its offices in innovation centers around the world. With commercial, international and private banking services, SVB helps address the unique needs of innovators. Learn more at svb.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, based on management’s current assumptions and expectations of future events and trends, which affect or may affect the Company’s business, strategy, operations or financial performance, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the  Company’s ability to regain share in the U.S. breast implant market, the Company’s ability to meet customer demand, the timing for relaunch of the Company’s breast implants, the expected growth of the Company’s current customer base and acquisition of new customers, the Company’s ability to deliver value and become a world class, diversified aesthetics organization, and the Company’s ability to finance its near and long-term strategic growth initiatives. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including positive reaction from plastic surgeons and their patients to Sientra’s breast products, risks associated with contracting with any third-party manufacturer and supplier, including uncertainties that such parties will be able to meet consumer demand, that the integration of recently acquired product lines will not achieve the anticipated benefits, and the ability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms.  Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in this press release can be found in the Risk Factors section of Sientra’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘might,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘aim,’’ ‘‘estimate,’’ ‘‘continue,’’ ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘intend,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ or the negative of those terms, and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to identify estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements. Estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and, except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or review any estimate, projection or forward-looking statement.

Investor Contacts:

Patrick F. Williams
Sientra, Chief Financial Officer
(619) 675-1047
patrick.williams@sientra.com

Tram Bui / Brian Johnston
The Ruth Group
(646) 536-7035 / (646) 536-7028
IR@sientra.com

$ETST Has Team in Place to Become Licensed Distributor of Controlled Substances in Canada

April 18, 2018

• Jad Nammour joins the company as new Chief of Pharmacy, bringing over 20 years of experience to ETST
• Positioned for sales growth with a strong, completed team of industry professionals
• Accelerating the development and commercialization of new products in Canada and overseas

Earth Science Tech, Inc. (OTC: ETST), a Florida-based biotech company focused on cannabis and cannabinoid research and development, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, as well as on R&D for certain medical devices, recently announced Jad Nammour as its new Chief of Pharmacy (http://cnw.fm/s6GPh). Nammour is trained to develop master formulae, the templates for mass production of non-sterile medicinal products. Having a certified pharmacist on staff is required by law to obtain a license to distribute controlled substances. Nammour fills this final important technical gap in the production and development teams. His job will be to make sure that controlled substances and drugs are managed, handled and stored correctly. He will also help in the development and marketing of the company’s nutraceutical patents, pharmacological products and medical devices. The adding of the new Chief of Pharmacy brings ETST one step closer to obtaining a final license to distribute controlled substances, and completes the management and development teams.

ETST has positioned itself for growth in 2018 through the addition of its new COO, Gagan Hunter, in March (http://cnw.fm/AMAy3) and the final addition of new Chief of Pharmacy Jad Nammour in April. In a news release, Dr. Michel Aube, CEO & CSO, stated “We have all of the knowledge, experience and proficiency that we need to bring our products to the marketplace and become a licensed distributor of drugs and controlled substances in Canada, as announced earlier this year.” The company holds three wholly owned subsidiaries: Earth Science Pharmaceutical, Cannabis Therapeutics, and KannaBidioiD. In addition, Canadian subsidiary Canna Inno Laboratories Inc. was formed by ETST in 2017, as a strategic Montreal, Canada-based company, to give ETST a foothold in Québec, providing the company with access to government grants.

The company has already received a grant through Canna Inno Laboratories Inc. from the Government of Québec to support the pre-launch process of three CBD-based products that aim to prevent common causes of cancer and help reduce occurrence rates. ETST is strategically working to improve treatments for different diseases on a global scale. Human clinical trials are set to begin in 2019, or later, in producing an over-the-counter (OTC) drug and a cannabinoid companion generic drug that battles opioid dependency. ETST is planning to investigate the synergies between mineral elements and cannabinoid industrial hemp oil. This could potentially be used as a treatment for opioid dependency. In March 2018, ETST announced its membership in the largest innovative business acceleration program in Québec (http://cnw.fm/IK6bD). With this membership, the company is poised to accelerate the development and commercialization of new products in Canada and overseas.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.EarthScienceTech.com

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About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
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www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.net

$DISCB President And CEO Zaslav To Give Keynote At J.P. Morgan 2018 Conference

NEW YORK, April 17, 2018 — Discovery (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) today announced that President and CEO David Zaslav will deliver a keynote presentation at the J.P. Morgan 2018 Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference at 8:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at The Westin Boston Waterfront in Boston, Massachusetts.

A link to a live audio webcast of the presentation will be available in the “Investor Relations” section of Discovery’s website at https://corporate.discovery.com/. A replay of the webcast will be available on the company’s website following the presentation.

About Discovery: 
Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is a global leader in real life entertainment, serving a passionate audience of superfans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains. Discovery delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year and has category leadership across deeply loved content genres around the world. Available in 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Discovery is a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio of apps and Discovery Kids Play; direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Eurosport Player and Motor Trend Group; and digital-first and social content from Group Nine Media. Discovery’s portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Turbo/Velocity, Animal Planet, and Science Channel, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. For more information, please visit corporate.discovery.com and follow @DiscoveryIncTV across social platforms.

$VLRX V-Go® Distribution Agreement in Australia and New Zealand

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., April 17, 2018  — Valeritas Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:VLRX), a medical technology company which offers patients with type 2 diabetes V-Go^® Wearable Insulin Delivery device, a simple, affordable, all-in-one insulin delivery option that is worn like a patch and can eliminate the need for taking multiple daily shots, announced today that it signed an exclusive distribution agreement with AMSL Diabetes and NZMS Diabetes for the commercialization of its V-Go® Wearable Insulin Delivery device in Australia and New Zealand. Under the terms of the agreement, AMSL Diabetes and NZMS Diabetes will have the rights to promote, market and sell the V-Go to diabetes clinics and patients in Australia and New Zealand.

“We are excited to offer the V-Go® Wearable Insulin Delivery device to patients with type 2 diabetes in Australia and New Zealand, and thrilled to be partnered with AMSL and NZMS Diabetes,” said John Timberlake, CEO and President of Valeritas. “Our decision to partner with AMSL and NZMS Diabetes was driven by our goal of choosing the best distributor in Australia and New Zealand.”

“Adding V-Go® to our portfolio is a significant step towards addressing the needs of Australian and New Zealand patients with type 2 diabetes who want simple and effective insulin management that doesn’t interfere with their way of life,” said Richard Plowright, Managing Director of AMSL and NZMS. “We’re delighted with our exclusive partnership with Valeritas, and we’re looking forward to seeing the benefits it will bring to patients across Australasia.”

Valeritas will retain responsibility for product development, regulatory approval, quality management, and manufacturing while AMSL Diabetes and NZMS Diabetes will be responsible for sales, marketing, customer support and distribution activities in Australia and New Zealand.

About Valeritas Holdings, Inc.

Valeritas is a commercial-stage medical technology company focused on improving health and simplifying life for people with diabetes by developing and commercializing innovative technologies. Valeritas’ flagship product, V-Go^® Wearable Insulin Delivery device, is a simple, affordable, all-in-one basal-bolus insulin delivery option for patients with type 2 diabetes that is worn like a patch and can eliminate the need for taking multiple daily shots.  V-Go administers a continuous preset basal rate of insulin over 24 hours and it provides discreet on-demand bolus dosing at mealtimes.  It is the only basal-bolus insulin delivery device on the market today specifically designed keeping in mind the needs of type 2 diabetes patients. Headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Valeritas operates its R&D functions in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

More information is available at www.valeritas.com and our Twitter feed @Valeritas_US, www.twitter.com/Valeritas_US.

About AMSL and NZMS

AMSL & NZMS are affiliated private entities operating exclusively in Australia and New Zealand and have been involved in the provision of hi-tech medical devices and pharmaceuticals since the early 1980s.  Both companies have been involved in the Australian and New Zealand diabetes arena for many years where they have introduced many innovations  in the fields of insulin delivery and blood glucose monitoring systems that have enabled thousands of people living with diabetes to enjoy a better quality of life and reduce their risk of long-term complications

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, references to Valeritas technologies, business and product development plans and market information. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the ability to raise the additional funding needed to continue to pursue Valeritas’ business and product development plans, the inherent uncertainties associated with developing new products or technologies, the ability to commercialize the V-Go^® Wearable Insulin Delivery device with limited resources, competition in the industry in which Valeritas operates and overall market conditions. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Valeritas assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except as required by law.  Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factor disclosure set forth in the reports and other documents Valeritas files with the SEC available at www.sec.gov.

Investor Contacts:
Lynn Pieper Lewis or Greg Chodaczek
Gilmartin Group
610-368-6505
ir@valeritas.com

Media Contact:
Kevin Knight
Knight Marketing Communications, Ltd.
(206) 451-4823
pr@valeritas.com

$DJACF Canadian Cannabis Sector Thriving Despite Slow Legalization Process

April 17, 2018

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Despite legislative delays, the legalization of recreational cannabis will take place in Canada, likely by the end of summer at the latest. Companies are coming to grips with the licensing process and are ready to reach this new market. One of the leaders in the new industry is Choom Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF) (CHOOF Profile), which has gained licensing experience and developed a slick brand designed to appeal to the recreational market. Grower and seller Cronos Group, Inc. (TSX: CRON) (NASDAQ: CRON) is eyeing the international market through a cross-border deal with MedMen. Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (OTC: TWMJF) has been focusing on retail licenses and is now an approved supplier for every province that has gone through an approval process. Aphria, Inc. (TSX: APH) (OTCQB: APHQF) is moving from medical into recreational cannabis though an expansion strategy that has seen growth in profits and revenue. Hiku Brands Company. Ltd. (CSE: HIKU) (OTC: DJACF) has gained an early sales license for its subsidiary company and is setting up state-of-the-art growing facilities ready for the legal change.

A Matter of Time

Ever since Justin Trudeau and the Liberal party were elected on a pro-legalization platform, Canada has been heading towards an in-plain-view cannabis market. Bill C-45, legalizing the trade, was passed in the House of Commons by a two-thirds majority last November and is making its way through the Senate. The passage of the bill has taken longer than expected, but even the Conservatives are not trying to block its passage. A whole new consumer sector is coming to Canada.

The delays have largely been caused by concerns about practicalities. The recreational cannabis market will be tightly regulated, just as the medical market is now. Conservatives and Liberals alike want to ensure that the police and local authorities have time to prepare. Though this concern is causing delays, it also creates an opportunity for companies that are well prepared. A company that can show it is organized, responsible and compliant with government regulations will have an edge in getting licensed and started in the new market. Balancing that with a consumer-facing image of a fun, relaxing product may be key to early success.

Responsible Groundwork

One of the companies leading the way in this is Choom Holdings (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF). A purpose-built recreational brand, Choom is led by an experienced management and leadership team that understands the complexities of the market it is entering. President and CEO Chris Bogart has more than twenty years of experience in international capital markets and was a co-founder of InMed Pharmaceuticals and Magnum Uranium. He has structured complex equity financing transactions in the United States, Europe and Canada.

The team has been preparing for the coming change in the cannabis market for more than four years. Choom has been going through the process of applying for an ACMPR (Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations) license in Vernon, B.C. In 2017, it has offers to acquire three additional applicants, including one already involved in the process in Vancouver Island, B.C. The company is working diligently to be ready to sell cannabis as soon as legalization comes.

Going through the cannabis licensing process could provide Choom with another advantage. Its staff has developed the skills and experience to quickly navigate the regulatory process and has proven to authorities its ability be become a responsible cannabis grower. The company has been working for future retail growth and distribution. With Alberta alone expecting to license 250 stores in the first year (http://cnw.fm/Wgt5F), regulators are clearly going to be busy working through all the applications. Companies such as Choom that have experience, a good reputation and a well-presented application may have a critical edge in successful retail licensing.

Effective Supply Chain

The Canadian cannabis industry is estimated to be huge. Deloitte notes that it could be worth as much as $22.6 billion per year (http://cnw.fm/eOkR5). Even the more conservative estimates predict a market larger than spirits and nearly as large as wine. That’s a lot of profit available to companies that can move in quickly and provide a reliable retail experience.

Choom could provide that through its fully integrated seed-to-sale supply chain. The company will be growing its own cannabis in ACMPR-licensed facilities. The company has four ACMPR licenses in late-stage review: one applicant has been acquired with three others under offer, as well as its first applicant expecting to receive a cultivation license from Health Canada in the next few weeks. There is approximately 68,000 square feet of facilities being retrofitted to increase growing capacity in time for legalization, with a further phase of expansion planned for later in the year, thereby building production capacity to produce a steady supply of cannabis.

This cannabis will be packaged as Choom brand products and sold through a series of Choom stores. The company will run corporate stores, with other stores being operated across Canada by independent retail investor/owners. This plan is designed to ensure that Choom products have a prominent place in the Canadian retail market and can be found easily by consumers.

Great Branding

While an efficient supply chain is important to placing products in front of customers, it’s the presentation of the product that will draw consumers in. Again, Choom appears to be well prepared.

With tight marketing restrictions in place, cannabis companies won’t be able to rely on mass advertising to raise customer awareness. Instead, they’ll need appealing brands that quickly attract consumers and lead to word-of-mouth recommendations.

Choom’s brand is built around a fun, relaxed style that draws on Hawaii’s mellow atmosphere and the cannabis culture on the island in the 1970s. The name of the company itself comes from island slang, including “the Choom gang,” a well-known group from that era that famously included the hippest president in American history, Barack Obama. It’s a strong, clearly identifiable brand style, firmly established to attract the recreational market.

The strength of the brand is supported by the design of the company’s retail stores. Designed by the team behind some of the most recognizable retail spaces around, Choom stores are designed with a cool and modern layout and are designed to appeal to serving everyone, from current users to “curious customers.”

The combination of clean white space and open concept creates a comfortable, familiar atmosphere that is meant to make the stores accessible to both existing cannabis consumers and new customers. Plants and sofas signal that this is not just a shop but a place to hang out, a part of that relaxing Hawaiian vibe.

Cannabis Companies Prepare for Growth

Other Canadian cannabis companies are also preparing for an era of huge growth.

Toronto-based cannabis grower and seller Cronos Group, Inc. (TSX: CRON) (NASDAQ: CRON) has become the first pure play cannabis company to be traded on Wall Street (http://cnw.fm/BQk4n). This shows the growing acceptance of the cannabis market not just in countries where the drug has been licensed but in the broader investment community. Investors see growth ahead for these companies and are taking the opportunity to invest before prices rise. As a cannabis company with international ambitions, Cronos is also distinctive. Its corporate goals include becoming a global force, and it has created a first-of-its-kind cross-border venture with Los Angeles-based cannabis retail brand  MedMen (http://cnw.fm/wLhX4).

Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (OTC: TWMJF) is establishing its retail presence. The company has been chosen by the government of Manitoba (http://cnw.fm/fEb9K) as one of the first companies to set up licensed cannabis retail stores in the province. Of the four Canadian provinces that have established retail and supply frameworks, all have now chosen Canopy Growth as a trusted supplier, giving the company a strong place in the retail market.

Aphria, Inc. (TSX: APH) (OTCQB: APHQF) is a successful company in the medical cannabis market, with both profits and revenues consistently rising throughout 2016 and 2017. The company is looking to continue this expansion, with further growth in the medical sector alongside expansion into the recreational cannabis market. It has signed a deal to buy Nuuvera Inc. (http://cnw.fm/O3oHY) and shows no sign of slowing down.

Like Canopy Growth, Hiku Brands Company, Ltd. (CSE: HIKU) (OTC: DJACF) has gained one of the early licenses to set up cannabis retail stores through selection by the Manitoba government (http://cnw.fm/1EdHP). This license for its subsidiary Tokyo Smoke will put Hiku in a strong position to sell to a new customer base once Bill C-45 reaches its expected passage. The company is near the end of the ACMPR application process and has a state-of-the-art growing facility, with another set to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2018. It should, therefore, have a vertically integrated business, with a complete supply chain from growth to sales.

Delays in the passage of Bill C-45 have caused no slowing in the growth of the Canadian cannabis market. If anything, the extra time has allowed companies to better prepare. When the recreational market opens later this summer, several strong businesses appear to be ready to step up and play their part.

For more information on Choom Holdings, please visit Choom Holdings (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF).

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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$VSQTF Enters Into Definitive Agreement to Acquire 9.09% of LocoNoco Inc.

A cloud-native decision-making platform

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 17, 2018 — Subject to all requisite regulatory approvals, Victory Square Technologies Inc. (“Victory Square” or the “Company”) (CSE:VST) (OTC:VSQTF) (FWB:6F6) will acquire 9.09% of all issued and outstanding shares of LocoNoco Inc. (“LocoNoco”), a cloud-native decision-making platform, for $500,000 USD in total consideration (the “Purchase Price”).

Pursuant to a definitive share purchase agreement executed between the Company and LocoNoco, the Purchase Price will be paid and satisfied by the Company through cash installments totaling $500,000 USD.

LocoNoco is a decision-making platform that offers simplicity, reusability and transportability in an era of smart, automated processes. Its proprietary framework makes it possible for developers to work collaboratively on Robotic Process Automation (RPA), smart contracts and AI on a global scale.

“LocoNoco is set to capitalize on the emerging big trends of decentralization and automation of business processes. Its platform opens up new markets to these technologies and helps developers monetize their work through new licensing models. LocoNoco is in alpha release with several clients and will be launched to a broad market later this year,” stated LocoNoco CEO, Louis-Victor Jadavji.

“Victory Square is pleased to announce an investment into LocoNoco, a decision-making platform that makes it simple for developers to work with RPA, smart contracts and AI,” said Shafin Diamond Tejani, CEO of Victory Square. “The entire team has a tremendous track record of executing on large scale opportunities and are set to embark on ambitious growth plans.”

“This investment, along with others we have made thus far in 2018, are aligned with our thesis at Victory Square that emerging technologies such as AI and Blockchain will bring major changes to traditional business models,” continued Tejani.

LocoNoco’s founding team has scaled up other venture-backed businesses, including Vancouver-based Wiivv, and has experience raising venture capital from the Getty Trust, Vertex, Real Ventures, and Evonik. The LocoNoco team hails from Atlassian, Slack, Grow, and other leading technology companies. LocoNoco CEO, Louis-Victor Jadavji, is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and LocoNoco Vice President of Product, Jason Kim, was previously the Head of Product at a KPMG Top 100 Fintech company.

“The Victory Square team represents some of the brightest minds when it comes to decentralization and working with emerging technology ecosystems,” said Louis-Victor Jadavji. “With our focus on making automation accessible to new markets, it was necessary for our team to have a financial partner like Victory Square that understands the capital requirements of a platform-play and can mentor our team through various growth phases.”

For further information about the Company, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact – Prit Singh
Email: prit@victorysquare.com
Telephone: 905-510-7636

Media Contact – Howard Blank, Director
Email: howard@victorysquare.com
Telephone: 604-928-6066

ABOUT VICTORY SQUARE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Victory Square Technologies is a blockchain-focused venture builder that funds and empowers entrepreneurs to implement innovative blockchain solutions. Victory Square portfolio companies are disrupting every sector of the global economy including Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Personalized Health, Gaming and Film. Victory Square has a proven process for identifying game-changing entrepreneurs and providing them with the partners, mentorship and support necessary to accelerate their growth and help them scale globally. For more information, please visit www.victorysquare.com.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (CSE)
The Canadian Securities Exchange, or CSE, is operated by CNSX Markets Inc. Recognized as a stock exchange in 2004, the CSE began operations in 2003 to provide a modern and efficient alternative for companies looking to access the Canadian public capital markets.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the outlook of the business of Victory Square, including, without limitation, statements relating to the completion of the acquisition of an interest in LocoNoco and the timing, cost and terms thereof, the impact of the acquisition on the Company, the strategic direction of the Company, and its goal of broadening its portfolio of interests in innovative companies. Such forward-looking statements may, without limitation, be preceded by, followed by, or include words such as “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans”, “continues”, “project”, “potential”, “possible”, “contemplate”, “seek”, “goal”, or similar expressions, or may employ such future or conditional verbs as “may”, “might”, “will”, “could”, “should” or “would”, or may otherwise be indicated as forward-looking statements by grammatical construction, phrasing or context. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this news release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of Victory Square. Although Victory Square believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Victory Square can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Victory Square disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

$NETE JGR Capital Initiates Coverage

NEW YORK, April 17, 2018 — via NetworkWire – JGR Capital, an independent equity research firm, announces it has initiated coverage on Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ:NETE), a global financial technology and value-added solutions group that supports electronic payments acceptance in a multi-channel environment spanning across point-of-sale (POS), e-commerce and mobile devices.

The full report can be found at the following link: https://www.jgrcap.com/net-element/

Net Element enables merchants to accept payments in the retail, e-commerce, mobile and smart payments industry. The company’s products and services include a multi-channel payment processing platform that provides consumers with a streamlined and integrated mobile commerce experience, cloud-based solutions, marketing solutions, business analytics, and more.

Net Element owns and operates a global mobile payments and transactional processing provider, TOT Group, Inc., with the following subsidiaries:

• Unified Payments – payments acceptance solutions, including POS solutions and value-added services throughout the United States.
• Digital Provider – integrated direct-carrier, mobile operator solution for smaller content providers and merchants throughout selected international markets.
• Aptito – a next-generation, all-in-one, cloud-based restaurant management and point-of-sale payments platform using wireless technology.
• PayOnline – a fully integrated, processor agnostic electronic commerce platform and fraud management system.

Net Element is recognized for its payment processing solutions and is listed on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 list. Additionally, the company launched Netevia, its proprietary multi-channel payments platform. Connecting and simplifying payments across sales channels through a single integration point, Netevia delivers end-to-end payment processing through easy-to-use APIs. This model complements Net Element’s ability to perform in a multi-channel environment, including point-of-sale (POS), e-commerce and mobile devices, and will enable the company to perform in blockchain technology solutions.

Key Report Highlights

• NETE has grown its North American Transactions Segment 28 percent year-over-year, largely attributable to its successes with the Unified Payments brand.
• Net Element recently launched Netevia, its new product that is part of its decentralized blockchain technology solutions initiative.
• Net Element recently joined the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance, which is the world’s largest open-source blockchain initiative.
• NETE completed a $7.55 million restricted common stock and warrant private placement with an institutional investor to buttress growth with its blockchain initiatives.

Disclosures pertaining to this Net Element report can be found at www.jgrcap.com.

About Net Element

Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ:NETE) operates a payments-as-a-service transactional and value-added services platform for small to medium enterprise (“SME”) in the U.S. and selected emerging markets. In the U.S. it aims to grow transactional revenue by innovating SME productivity services using blockchain technology solutions and Aptito, its cloud based, restaurant and retail point-of-sale solution. Internationally, Net Element’s strategy is to leverage its omni-channel platform to deliver flexible offerings to emerging markets with diverse banking, regulatory and demographic conditions. Net Element was ranked as one of the fastest growing companies in North America on Deloitte’s 2017 Technology Fast 500™.  In 2017 the company was recognized by South Florida Business Journal’s as one of 2016’s fastest growing technology companies. Further information is available at www.NetElement.com

About JGR Capital

JGR Capital is an independent equity research firm with a focus on small-cap and pre-IPO companies under $2 billion in market cap. JGR Capital leverages a tech-forward approach to help these companies navigate the market by increasing visibility through equity research. With three locations worldwide, JGR Capital offers analyst coverage via a tech-forward, data-driven approach. Because our reports are based on facts, not recommendations, we are a reputable, trusted resource for investors. For more information, visit www.jgrcap.com

Disclosure

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ significantly from such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section in the SEC filings available in electronic format through SEC Edgar filings at www.SEC.gov.

The research analysts principally responsible for this press release do not receive compensation that is based upon any specific investment banking services or recommendations and can be compensated based on factors relating to the overall profitability of the JGR Capital (“firm”). As of the date of research distribution, neither the firm nor the principal research analysts beneficially own 1 percent or more of any class of common equity securities for this issuer (including, without limitation, any option, right, warrant, future, long or short position).

The securities of the issuer(s) discussed in this press release may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial position. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This research does not constitute a personal trading recommendation or take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs of an individual reader of this report and does not provide all of the pertinent information to make an investment decision.

Investor Contact

JGR Capital
www.jgrcap.com
Email: research@jgrcap.com
Phone: 646-688-3143

Corporate Communications Contact:
NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
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$APVO Bispecific Antibody APVO436, Robust T-Cell Activation, Minimal Cytokine Release

New Preclinical Data Presented at the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting Show Potent T-Cell Directed Tumor Killing with Reduced Cytokine Production Compared to a Competitor Bispecific Construct

SEATTLE, April 16, 2018 — Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:APVO), a biotechnology company focused on developing novel oncology and hematology therapeutics, today announced the presentation of new data for APVO436, a bispecific antibody candidate targeting CD123 and CD3, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2018 Annual Meeting. The preclinical data demonstrate potent T-cell cytotoxicity of tumors expressing CD123 with limited cytokine release and suggest that APVO436 has the potential for increased clinical benefit and a favorable safety profile.

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a significant concern with T-cell activating therapies and has been associated with severe complications in clinical trials.  Aptevo has previously published data on its first generation candidate, APVO414, showing reduced cytokine release upon T-cell engagement compared to another bispecific format (Mol Cancer Ther. 2016 Sep; 15(9); 2155-65).

New preclinical data presented at this year’s AACR Annual Meeting compare Aptevo’s second generation bispecific, APVO436, with an Aptevo-generated version of Macrogenics’ CD123 x CD3 dual-affinity re-targeting (DART) molecule, MGD006, evaluating T-cell activation, proliferation, cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion.

The data show that APVO436 and the Aptevo-generated version of MDG006 are both effective at stimulating a tumor-directed immune response by inducing comparable T-cell activation, proliferation and cytotoxicity.  However, in these preclinical studies, APVO436 induced lower levels of several T-cell cytokines, including IFNγ, IL-2, IL-6, TNFα and several additional cytokines, suggesting a potential safety advantage with APVO436.

“We are especially excited about these latest data for APVO436, which continue to show robust T-cell engagement and cytotoxic activity with reduced levels of cytokine release.  Importantly, IFNγ, IL-6, and TNFα are considered to be the most relevant cytokines responsible for dosing toxicities observed in clinical studies with T-cell engaging molecules, which suggests that APVO436 could offer the potential for reduced toxicities compared to other CD123 x CD3 T-cell engagers at comparable or higher doses,” said Jane Gross, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer for Aptevo.

“The accumulating data for APVO436 showing enhanced stability, extended half-life in rodents of up to 12.5 days, desirable manufacturing characteristics, and reduced cytokine release in preclinical studies, support our assessment of APVO436 as a “Best-in-Class” anti-CD123 x anti CD3 immunotherapeutic.  We plan to file an IND for APVO436 in the upcoming weeks and commence a Phase 1 clinical trial of APVO436 later this year in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome,” noted Dr. Gross.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a form of blood and bone marrow cancer that is characterized by rapid disease progression.  While treatments for AML are available, there remains a high unmet medical need for targeted therapies addressing patients with relapsed and refractory disease, and patients who cannot tolerate traditional chemotherapy.  The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 20,000 new cases of AML are diagnosed each year in the United States.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are conditions associated with abnormalities in the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow.  Approximately 1 in 3 patients with MDS will progress to have AML.  The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 10,000 new cases of MDS are diagnosed each year in the United States.

AACR Data

In a poster session on Monday, April 16, 2018, Aptevo scientists presented comprehensive data from a series of preclinical studies of APVO436 showing it is a potent inducer of redirected T-cell killing of AML tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo through the dual targeting of CD123 (a cell surface receptor highly expressed in several hematological malignancies) and CD3 (a T-cell co-receptor that promotes cytotoxicity.)

The data presented show that APVO436:

• Binds human CD123 and CD3-expressing cells with EC₅₀ values in the low nM range and demonstrates potent target specific activity against CD123 expressing tumor cell lines at low effector to target ratios
• Potently induces endogenous T-cell activation and proliferation accompanied by depletion of CD123 expressing cells in experiments with primary AML subject samples and normal donor samples
• Demonstrates potent cytotoxic activity from antigen-expanded T cells from both normal and AML subject samples in the presence of CD123⁺ tumor cells upon re-exposure to APVO436
• Results in rapid and significant reduction in skeletal tumor burden indicating migration and engagement of T cells at the tumor site, in mice with established disseminated Molm-13 tumors and IV-implanted human T cells in therapeutic preclinical animal studies
• Induces lower levels of multiple cytokines compared to a different CD123 x CD3 format, when T cells were stimulated in the presence of CD123⁺ tumor cells

About APVO436 and the ADAPTIR Platform

APVO436 is an optimized, next generation bispecific antibody candidate designed to simultaneously target CD123 and CD3 and redirect T-cell cytotoxicity to the tumor.  APVO436 was built on Aptevo’s proprietary ADAPTIR protein therapeutic platform.  Focused on generating novel, targeted bispecific antibody-based immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, the ADAPTIR platform offers key advantages over other bispecific formats, derived in part from the flexible and modular nature of the ADAPTIR structure. These advantages include: (i) achieving potent biological activity and extended half-life while retaining desirable manufacturing characteristics; (ii) unique properties for redirecting T-cell cytotoxicity (RTCC) compared to other bispecific platforms, including a favorable cytokine release profile; (iii) ability to achieve target-dependent induction of RTCC at lower concentrations than other bispecific antibody formats; and (iv) flexibility to build ADAPTIR candidates with diverse mechanisms of action, including RTCC, and targeted cytokine release and others. Two ADAPTIR molecules are currently in clinical development, with several more ADAPTIR bispecific immunotherapies in preclinical development.

Aptevo Product Portfolio

Marketed Product:

• IXINITY (coagulation factor IX [recombinant]) – is a third-generation recombinant human coagulation factor IX approved in the United States for the control and prevention of bleeding episodes and for perioperative management in adults and children 12 years of age or older with Hemophilia B.

ADAPTIR Clinical and Preclinical Pipeline:

• Otlertuzumab – a monospecific ADAPTIR candidate currently in Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).  A previous Phase 2 clinical study evaluating otlertuzumab for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) showed that otlertuzumab in combination with bendamustine, compared to bendamustine alone, demonstrated a significant increase in median progression free survival for the combination, from approximately 10 to 16 months.
• APVO414 – a bispecific ADAPTIR candidate, currently in Phase 1 development, targeting prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), an enzyme that is expressed on the surface of prostate cancer cells, and, CD3, a component of the T cell receptor complex expressed on all T cells.  APVO414 redirects T cells to specifically kill PSMA expressing tumors and is being developed for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, which is advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other organs and no longer responds to hormone blocking therapies.
• APVO436 – a bispecific ADAPTIR candidate currently in preclinical development targeting CD123, a cell surface receptor highly expressed on several hematological malignancies and CD3, a component of the T cell receptor. APVO436 engages T cells to initiate killing of tumor cells.  Aptevo intends to file an IND and begin clinical development of APVO436 in 2018.
• ALG.APV-527 – a bispecific antibody candidate, partnered with Alligator Bioscience, featuring a novel mechanism of action designed to simultaneously target 4-1BB (CD137) and 5T4, a tumor antigen widely overexpressed in a number of different types of cancer.  4-1BB, a costimulatory receptor on T cells, is known to enhance the immune response to cancer through activation of tumor-specific T cells and is believed to be a promising target for new immunotherapeutic approaches. ALG.APV-527 could potentially have utility in the treatment of a broad spectrum of cancers over-expressing the tumor antigen, including breast, cervical, non-small-cell-lung, prostate, renal, gastric, colorectal and bladder cancers.
• APVO210 – a bispecific ADAPTIR preclinical candidate with a novel mechanism of action based on targeted cytokine delivery.  APVO210 is composed of a humanized anti-CD86 antibody fused with a modified form of IL-10 that specifically induces IL-10 signaling on antigen presenting cells, but not on lymphoid populations. APVO210 functions by suppressing immune responses and inducing certain tolerogenic responses and therefore may have potential benefit for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.  Aptevo intends to file an IND for APVO210 in 2018.
• ROR1 Bispecific – a proof-of-concept bispecific candidate targeting ROR1, an antigen found on several solid tumors and hematologic, or blood-related malignancies.  Initial preclinical data demonstrate redirected T cell killing of tumors expressing ROR1 in vitro and in vivo in animal models.

About Aptevo Therapeutics Inc.
Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on novel oncology and hematology therapeutics to meaningfully improve patients’ lives.  Aptevo has a commercial product, IXINITY^® coagulation factor IX (recombinant), approved and marketed in the United States for the treatment of Hemophilia B, and a versatile core technology – the ADAPTIR™ modular protein technology platform capable of generating highly-differentiated bispecific antibodies with unique mechanisms of action to treat cancer or autoimmune diseases.  Aptevo has two ADAPTIR antibody candidates currently in clinical development and a broad pipeline of novel investigational-stage bispecific antibody candidates focused in immuno-oncology and autoimmune disease and inflammation. For more information, please visit www.aptevotherapeutics.com

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements, other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential milestone payments, Aptevo’s outlook, financial performance or financial condition, Aptevo’s technology and related pipeline, collaboration and partnership opportunities, commercial portfolio, milestones, and any other statements containing the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “forecasts,” “estimates,” “will” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Aptevo’s current intentions, beliefs and expectations regarding future events. Aptevo cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be accurate. Investors should realize that if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could differ materially from Aptevo’s expectations. Investors are, therefore, cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and, except as required by law, Aptevo does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement to reflect new information, events or circumstances.

There are a number of important factors that could cause Aptevo’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including a deterioration in Aptevo’s business or prospects; adverse developments in research and development; adverse developments in the U.S. or global capital markets, credit markets or economies generally; and changes in regulatory, social and political conditions. Additional risks and factors that may affect results are set forth in Aptevo’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed on March 13, 2018 and its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from Aptevo’s expectations in any forward-looking statement.

Source:
Aptevo Therapeutics
Stacey Jurchison
Senior Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
206-859-6628
JurchisonS@apvo.com

$RGSE Engages Supply Chain Manufacturing Partners for Launch of RGS POWERHOUSE™

DENVER, April 16, 2018 — RGS Energy (NASDAQ:RGSE), America’s Original Solar Company since 1978, has partnered with industry leaders Risen Energy Co., General Polymers Thermoplastic Materials and Creative Liquid Coatings to commercialize the RGS POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 Solar Shingle, an innovative and visually stunning solar shingle system using technology developed by The Dow Chemical Company.

Next Generation POWERHOUSE™ 3.0
By coupling roofing with an energy saving solar panel in a singular product, the POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle uniquely addresses the unmet needs of residential homeowners with asphalt rooftops, which represent about 85 percent of U.S. homes. Currently, more than 1,000 homeowners are enjoying benefits of earlier generations of POWERHOUSE™.

RGS Energy believes POWERHOUSE™ addresses a large, untapped market, appealing to both single-family homeowners and new home builders. The forthcoming POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 is designed to maintain or improve upon earlier generation product features, while substantially reducing manufacturing costs. POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 will offer a more competitive value proposition, even after the recently imposed tariff on imported solar cells.

RGS Energy estimates if POWERHOUSE™ achieves a 1% share of the re-roof and new home build markets, the product could be propelled to the billion-dollar revenue mark.

Risen Energy Co.

Risen Energy Co., Ltd (China – Shenzhen: 300118) is a Top 10 Tier 1 solar cell and module manufacturer located in China with a current annual manufacturing capacity of more than 4.5 gigawatts. Risen will supply all the solar components and wire harness connectors for POWERHOUSE™ 3.0.

“We’re excited to be a part of this new POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 program,” said Bypina Veerraju Chaudary, Risen’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. “Built-in Photovoltaics are the path to greater world-wide adoption of solar technologies, and further enhances the clean energy choices for discerning consumers.”

General Polymers Thermoplastic Materials

General Polymers Thermoplastic Materials is one of the fastest growing multi-national thermoplastic resin distributors serving custom injection molders in North America. The company will supply the polypropylene plastic resin for the base assembly of POWERHOUSE™ 3.0, which is expected to maintain the durability and toughness of the original resin while increasing manufacturing efficiency and reducing the overall cost of raw materials.

“Building-Integrated Photovoltaics is an untapped market in the U.S., and RGS Energy, America’s Original Solar Company, is an ideal partner for General Polymers for pursuing this opportunity,” said Michael Kirtley, President and COO of General Polymers. “We are looking forward to being a strong channel supplier to their POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 program.”

Creative Liquid Coatings

Headquartered in Northeast Indiana, Creative Liquid Coatings provides world-class capabilities in injection molding and paint finishing serving the consumer and industrial products markets. The company will supply all POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 molded polymer components fully assembled, with all solar components, wire harnesses and other parts required to deliver a finished product to RGS Energy customers. Creative Liquid Coatings was a supplier for earlier generations of the POWERHOUSE™ product.

“RGS is the perfect company to commercialize POWERHOUSE™ solar shingles, and we are excited to join them in introducing the product to a broader market,” said Stephen Geist, General Manager of Creative Liquid Coatings. “POWERHOUSE™ is an innovative technology that we expect will play a critical role in the evolution of the U.S. residential roofing marketplace.”

RGS POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 Manufacturing Supply Chain Overview

Follow the company’s progress towards the planned launch this summer of POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 by  visiting the PowerLines news section at www.RGSPOWERHOUSE.com.

About RGS Energy 

RGS Energy (Nasdaq:RGSE) is America’s Original Solar Company providing solar, storage and energy services whose mission is clean energy savings. The company is the exclusive manufacturer of POWERHOUSE™, an innovative in-roof solar shingle using technology developed by The Dow Chemical Company. RGS Energy also sells, designs and installs solar systems for residential homeowners, commercial businesses, non-profit organizations and government entities.

For more information, visit RGSEnergy.com and RGSPOWERHOUSE.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RGSEnergy and on Twitter at twitter.com/rgsenergy. Information on such websites and the websites referred to above in this press release is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

RGS Energy is the company’s registered trade name. RGS Energy files periodic and other reports with the SEC under its official name “Real Goods Solar, Inc.”

POWERHOUSE™ is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company, used under license.

Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding RGS Energy’s plans for the commercialization of the POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 Solar Shingle, and RGS Energy’s business and financial strategies.  Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance.  Instead, they provide our current beliefs, expectations, assumptions, forecasts, and hypothetical constructs about future events, and include statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, plans and objectives of management for future operations.  The words “forecast,” “project,” “expect,” “plan,” “future,” “believe,” “may,” “hypothetical,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “goal,” and similar expressions as they relate to RGS Energy are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved, if at all.  Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements.  Therefore, RGS Energy cautions you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements.

Key risks and uncertainties that may cause a change in any forward-looking statement or that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include: RGS Energy’s ability to successfully and timely commercialize POWERHOUSE™ 3.0; the ability to obtain requisite UL certification of POWERHOUSE™ 3.0; the adequacy of, and access to, capital necessary to commercialize POWERHOUSE™ 3.0; RGS Energy’s ability to satisfy the conditions and our obligations under the POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 license agreement; RGS Energy’s ability to manage supply chain in order to have production levels and pricing of the POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 shingles to be competitive; cost and availability of raw materials; the ability of RGS Energy to successfully expand its operations and employees and realize profitable revenue growth from the sale and installation of POWERHOUSE™ 3.0, and to the extent, anticipated; the potential impact of the announcement of RGS Energy’s expansion into the POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 business with employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; RGS Energy’s ability to successfully and timely expand its POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 business outside of the United States; foreign exchange risks associated with the POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 business; intellectual property infringement claims and warranty claims related to the POWERHOUSE™ 3.0 business; competition in the built-in photovoltaic solar system business; rules, regulations and policies pertaining to electricity pricing and technical interconnection of customer-owned electricity generation such as net energy metering; the continuation and level of government subsidies and incentives for solar energy; the continuation and level of utility and state incentives for solar energy; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including tariffs on imported solar cells and changes in the financial markets;

You should read the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which identify certain of these and additional risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statements or forward-looking hypothetical examples made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date of this press release. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement or forward-looking hypothetical example, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Investor Relations Contact:
Ron Both
Managing Partner, CMA
Tel 1-949-432-7566
RGSE@cma.team

$CGIX Unique Tissue of Origin Test (TOO®) Receives Special FDA 510(k) Clearance

RUTHERFORD, N.J., April 16, 2018 — Cancer Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CGIX), a leader in enabling precision medicine for oncology through molecular markers and diagnostics, today announced that it has received special 510(k) clearance from the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Tissue of Origin test (TOO®) following modifications made to test reagents and software.

TOO® is a microarray-based gene expression test that analyzes a tumor’s genomic information to help identify its origin, which is valuable in classifying metastatic, poorly differentiated, or undifferentiated cancers. TOO® assesses 2,000 individual genes, covering 15 of the most common tumor types (representing 58 morphologies) and 90% of all solid tumors [1]. These tumors include thyroid, breast, non-small cell lung, pancreas, gastric, colorectal, liver, bladder, kidney, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, melanoma, ovarian, sarcoma, testicular germ cell, and prostate.

TOO® is the only FDA-cleared test of its type and is Medicare-reimbursed. It is also the only test that provides a pathologist’s review and interpretation of a patient’s test results and diagnosis. TOO® provides extensive analytical and clinical validation for statistically significant improvement in accuracy over other methods, including IHC [2]. TOO® results lead to a change in patient treatment 65% of the time.  In challenging cancers that require a second round of IHC, TOO® increases diagnostic accuracy and confidence in site-specific treatment decisions [1].

“Our TOO® Test represents a unique offering with the ability to add significant value to the continuum of care for cancer patients and greatly enhance our biopharma partners’ development efforts. This 510(k) clearance represents an important milestone toward our goal of gaining broad adoption of the test,” said John A. (Jay) Roberts, Interim Chief Executive Officer and COO of Cancer Genetics. “An important element of our recently implemented transformation strategy is the identification of new methods through which to monetize our world-class test portfolio. We are currently evaluating several partnering opportunities that would expand the reach of the TOO® Test and have the potential to generate high-margin revenue streams. We look forward to continuing this process as we leverage the capabilities of TOO® to drive future growth.”

Compared to the early version, the current TOO® assay uses new labeling reagents and has a higher accuracy rate and a shorter workflow with similar precision and reproducibility. The low RNA input requirement of the early version is maintained. The combined result of these new features offers a further optimized clinical assay to help clinicians make diagnostic decisions and subsequent treatment selections.

Rita Shaknovich, Chief Medical Officer of CGI added, “Despite increasing excellence in the diagnostic workup for malignancies, there are approximately 150,000 newly diagnosed cases of metastatic cancer with unclear diagnosis in the U.S. and Europe each year [3]. This includes the subset of patients with cancers of unknown primary (CUP) and of uncertain origin. Increasingly complex algorithms and testing associated with a diagnostic workup also means that many challenging cases have insufficient amount of sample material for analysis. CGI’s TOO® aids in identifying the source of such challenging tumors while using less material, and could be used as a diagnostic or confirmatory tool both for routine clinical testing and for clinical trial enrollment of patients with such tumors, enabling them to be considered for novel drug therapies.”

The Company announced on April 2, 2018 that it has engaged Raymond James & Associates, Inc. as a financial advisor to assist with evaluating options for the Company’s strategic direction. These options may include raising additional capital, the acquisition of another company and / or complementary assets, the sale of the Company, or another type of strategic partnership.  The Company’s Board of Directors is committed to evaluating all potential strategic opportunities and to pursuing the path most likely to create both near- and longer-term value for Cancer Genetics’ shareholders.

1. R Pillai, et al. Validation and Reproducibility of a Microarray-based Gene Expression Test for Identifying the Primary Site of Tumors in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Specimens. J Molec Diag 13 2011;13:48-56.

2. JP Grenert, et al. Gene Expression Profiling from Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue for Tumor Diagnosis. Clin Chim Acta. 2011 Jul 15;412(15-16):1462-4.

3. Tomuleasa, Ciprian, et al. How to Diagnose and Treat a Cancer of Unknown Primary Site. Journal of Gastrointestinal & Liver Diseases 26.1 (2017).

ABOUT CANCER GENETICS
Cancer Genetics, Inc. is a leader in enabling precision medicine in oncology from bench to bedside through the use of oncology biomarkers and molecular testing. CGI is developing a global footprint with locations in the US, India and China. We have established strong clinical research collaborations with major cancer centers such as Memorial Sloan Kettering, The Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Keck School of Medicine at USC and the National Cancer Institute.

The Company offers a comprehensive range of laboratory services that provide critical genomic and biomarker information. Its state-of-the-art reference labs are CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited in the US and have licensure from several states including New York State.

For more information, please visit or follow CGI at:
Internet: www.cancergenetics.com
Twitter: @Cancer_Genetics
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CancerGenetics

MEDIA RELATIONS
Kirsten Thomas
508-280-6592
kthomas@theruthgroup.com

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Lee Roth
646-536-7012
lroth@theruthgroup.com

Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements pertaining to Cancer Genetics Inc.’s expectations regarding the completion, timing, pricing and size of the offering described in this press release constitute forward-looking statements.

Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to, statements that contain words such as “will,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates”) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, risks of cancellation of customer contracts or discontinuance of trials, risks that anticipated benefits from acquisitions will not be realized, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, maintenance of intellectual property rights and other risks discussed in the Cancer Genetics, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 along with other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Cancer Genetics, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

$PVOTF Terminates Letter of Intent for the Acquisition of Agro-Biotech

VANCOUVER, April 16, 2018 /- Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: PVOT / OTCQB: PVOTF / FRA: NPAT) (“Pivot” or the “Company”) reports that it has terminated the previously announced letter of intent that it had entered into for the acquisition of Agro-Biotech.

“Despite our extensive efforts, we have been unable to complete the acquisition of Agro-Biotech in accordance with the terms and conditions initially agreed upon by the parties. While we are extremely disappointed with this outcome, Pivot continues to pursue other value-enhancing opportunities for the Company and its shareholders,” said Patrick Frankham, CEO of Pivot.

Pivot is currently reviewing the legal alternatives available to it to obtain recovery from Agro-Biotech of the amounts expended by it in the pursuit of this transaction, as well as further damages resulting from the non-completion of the transaction.

About Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of therapeutic pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals using innovative drug delivery platform technologies. Pivot’s wholly-owned medical cannabis products division, Pivot Green Stream Health Solutions Inc. (“PGS” or “Pivot Green Stream”), conducts research, development and commercialization of cannabinoid-based nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. PGS has acquired “RTIC” Ready-To-Infuse Cannabis powder to oil technology, BiPhasix™ Transdermal Drug Delivery platform technology (topical), Solmic Solubilisation technology (oral) and Thrudermic Transdermal Nanotechnology (transdermal) for the delivery and commercialization of cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-based products. PGS’ initial product development candidates will include topical treatments for women’s sexual dysfunction (PGS-N005), as well as psoriasis (PGS-N007), and an oral product (PGS-N001) for cancer supportive care. For more information please visit www.pivotpharma.com

Cautionary Statement

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Words such as anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, and similar expressions, as they relate to Pivot, Pivot Green Stream or their respective management, identify forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on certain assumptions regarding the Company, including expected growth, results of operations, performance, industry trends, growth opportunities and potential recoveries from Agro-Biotech. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; marketing costs; loss of markets; future legislative and regulatory developments involving medical marijuana; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the medical marijuana industry in Canada generally, income tax and regulatory matters; the ability of the Company to implement its business strategies; competition; crop failure; currency and interest rate fluctuations and other risks. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

$VSQTF Enterprise-Level Solutions with Blockchain NetworkNewsAudio Audio Press Release

New York, New York–(April 16, 2018) – NetworkNewsAudio announces the Audio Press Release (APR) titled “Blockchain Set to Disrupt Trillion-Dollar Freelance Job Market,” featuring Victory Square Technologies, Inc. (CSE: VST) (OTC Pink: VSQTF) (FSE: 6F6) (WKN: A2AKL8).

To hear the NetworkNewsAudio version, visit http://nnw.fm/0VkvS

To read the original editorial, visit http://nnw.fm/5nOzP

Capaciti’s business model moderates business relationships in the online marketplace.  Rather than just creating a job board on which to post and pitch, participants on the platform vet the profiles and reputations of both freelancers and clients. Capaciti solves the mystery of who the clients and vendors are and what they do best. The company has designed a system for executing enterprise-level projects in a way that avoids the pitfalls of overpricing and delivery disagreements.

A blockchain-based reputation management protocol empowers vendors to earn a transparent and auditable “reputation score.” Blockchain smart contracts are used to manage contractual obligations between client and vendor and increase the speed and efficiency with which freelancers get paid for work performed, as payment settlements are transferred instantly upon successful completion.

With blockchain technology, a global reach and a laser focus on user retention, Victory Square Technologies’ Capaciti could potentially upstage companies such as Upwork, 99designs and Fiverr.

About Victory Square Technologies Inc.

Victory Square is a venture builder that creates, funds and empowers entrepreneurs predominantly focused on blockchain technology, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, personalized health, gaming and film. As a technology incubator, Victory Square invests in game-changing entrepreneurs who are provided access to education programs, global mentorship networks, distribution partners, creative workspaces, resources and other forms of operational support to help them scale internationally. For more information, visit www.VictorySquare.com.

About NetworkNewsAudio

NetworkNewsAudio (NNA) , a NetworkNewsWire (NNW) Solution, allows you to sit back and listen to market updates, CEO interviews and a Company AudioPressRelease (APR). These audio clips provide snapshots of position, opportunity and momentum. NetworkNewsAudio (NNA) is another NetworkNewsWire (NNW) Solution that can assist your company by cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNA brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is where news, content and information converge. NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a comprehensive provider of news aggregation and syndication, enhanced press release services and a full array of social communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and distribution company with an extensive team of journalists and writers, NNW has the unparalleled ability to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public with an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the nation.

For more information, visit: www.NetworkNewsAudio.com

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets, (3) enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge. For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com.

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company’s SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

Corporate Communications Contact:

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$PBIO Sees 2018 as Year of Growth for BaroFold, Ultra Shear

April 10, 2018

• Record product sales growth reported for fourth quarter and full year 2017
• Company has over 300 of its ultra-high pressure instruments in research labs worldwide
• 2017 revenue exceeded $2.2 million with just one field sales rep; company’s field sales force expanded to five with recent hires
• December 2017 acquisition of high pressure IP allows company to enter the biologics contract research services sector
• Newly-issued patents in Ultra Shear Technology (UST) address broad markets for stable, water-soluble nanoemulsions, including cannabinoids

As scientific researchers who work with cellular material seek to uncover new potential for creating vaccines and drugs, counteracting harmful chemicals and making the therapeutic properties of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals more effective, Pressure BioSciences Inc. (OTCQB: PBIO) is watching its development of pressure-based laboratory tools and related consumable products gain a growing worldwide following. Pressure BioSciences’ products are based on the notion that using high pressures to break open cells in order to tap their potential for medicinal and therapeutic uses is a more productive, beneficial way of extracting the biomolecules inside, as compared to traditional methods of ‘beating up’ cells that are commonly employed in research. The company expects recent product development, company acquisitions and personnel decisions to drive it toward a banner year in 2018.

“We have about 300 instruments already placed in research labs all over the world. These instruments generate pressures from levels of several hundred pounds per square inch (“psi”) all the way up to, believe it or not, 90,000 psi,” CEO Ric Schumacher said in a March interview with Uptick Newswire (http://cnw.fm/Wk6jD). “They basically are pressure chambers that sit on a laboratory bench, which then offer scientists who are working to find new cures and preventive strategies a very safe way to generate pressures that can be used to kill viruses and bacteria for safer handling, to better control reactions in scientific experiments and to more efficiently break open cells to get to the biomolecules, such as DNA and proteins, that will enable new discoveries.”

Pressure BioSciences’ patented pressure cycling technology (“PCT”) platform uses alternating cycles of hydrostatic pressure ranging between normal levels and the super-high extremes of which its equipment is capable to safely control bio-molecular interactions in the laboratory setting in a manner that complies with the good manufacturing practices (“GMP”) expected of biotherapeutics drug makers by regulatory agencies such as the FDA. That includes the ability to generate downloadable data reports on its processes designed to help ensure consistent outcomes and regulatory compliance. The company’s equipment also generates constant, or static, pressure as part of its applications in such areas as biomarker discovery and scientific forensics, but the company’s PCT platform is the revolutionary (and patented) aspect of its business enterprise.

As Pressure BioSciences has developed new software for its recently released, next generation PCT instrument and acquired new customers throughout the world in recent months, it has also increased its sales force. Schumacher said that reaching a multi-million dollar revenue level just wasn’t possible with the single sales representative that the company has employed for the past 10 years, so it hired four additional field sales reps to cover the entire United States. Even with the new sales reps just hired and trained, the fourth quarter and full year 2017 marked record sales periods, with instrument sales soaring by 55 percent in Q4 and consumable sales up 30 percent for the 12-month period.

“Our instruments are selling well, but what’s also important is that the consumables are also showing good growth— it’s one thing to sell the razor, but you also have to sell the razor blade,” Schumacher said by way of example. “This was by far the largest increase we’ve ever had year over year for the combination of instruments and consumables.”

The company is also excited about its acquisition of Colorado-based high pressure biotechnology company BaroFold, Inc., which gave Pressure BioSciences eight new patents and extends the reach of some of its other patents for another decade. Schumacher said that BaroFold “ran into some problems” with its operation, but he believes that Pressure BioSciences can revive its productivity and take it to the next level.

“All of their intellectual property relates to high pressure and its effect on biomolecules; furthermore, their high pressure applications work on our equipment. We don’t have to build anything new, we don’t have to modify anything,” he said. “Their technology is basically a way of making protein (drugs) better. This acquisition has opened up a whole new business unit for Pressure BioSciences.”

With the BaroFold acquisition and the new developments in Ultra Shear Technology (including two issued patents), Pressure BioSciences now has three distinct working groups — its research products and services unit, its biologics contract research services unit and its Ultra Shear Technology (UST) development unit.

The UST platform incorporates a novel technique based on the use of intense shear forces generated from ultra-high pressure valve discharge, which the company believes can drive a number of commercially important areas including the preparation of extended shelf-life ‘clean label’ food and the formulation of high-quality, stable nanoemulsions that are mixtures of two or more liquids that normally would not mix with each other without the addition of chemicals called emulsifiers. Nanoemulsions are expected to provide an advanced way of making drugs more bioavailable to the body, and they were recently touted as a way to potentially improve the effectiveness of cannabinoids such as CBD in medical marijuana applications (http://cnw.fm/99Kkj).

“With these new initiatives firmly in place, a priceless global customer base, a newly released next-generation instrument with GMP-compliant software, additional key opinion leader customers, greatly enhanced sales and marketing capabilities, and our new BaroFold and Ultra Shear Technology (UST) programs, we look forward with excitement to 2018, which we believe should be a solid year of growth and expansion,” Schumacher said in a news release issued on March 13.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PressureBioSciences.com

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About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

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$PVOTF Entering Multi-billion-dollar Industries through Strategic Acquisitions

March 13, 2018

• Pivot Pharmaceuticals developing disruptive formulations for cannabis-infused markets
• Company’s goal is to strengthen dosage predictability and improve product stability
• Recent acquisitions and planned acquisitions give Pivot vertical position in multi-billion-dollar industries

Despite recent setbacks to efforts seeking broader marijuana legalization in North America (http://cnw.fm/zM2Mc), the tide of social preferences for cannabis availability, even in recreational applications, continues to advance (http://cnw.fm/tT62e). Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: PVOT) (OTCQB: PVOTF) (FRA: NPAT) is helping to advance efforts to legitimize the drug’s use, both in medicinal and recreational settings, by pursuing ever-increasing methods for consuming cannabis’s derivatives in quantities with predictable outcomes.

“Pivot’s goal is to increase cannabinoid bioavailability, drug release rates and improve product stability, and consumers should be able to confidently take correct and accurate doses to help meet their health and wellness needs,” Joseph Borovsky, Pivot’s vice president of product formulation, stated in a recent news release (http://cnw.fm/ji5nV).

The company has filed continuation patents to maintain its impetus in making cannabis available through powdered formulations that can be combined with existing products in the food and beverage market. That includes health and wellness products such as natural sleep-aids, cold medications and vitamins.

On March 6, Pivot Pharmaceuticals announced its acquisition of Thrudermic, LLC, a North Carolina company invested in a transdermal lipid-based nano-dispersion technology to make cannabis formulations available through external delivery. Thrudermic has filed three new patent applications for Pivot related to better formulation and delivery of its product as the company pursues new routes of drug administration.

Pivot’s acquisition of California’s ERS Holdings, LLC in February not only strengthened its options for enhanced health and wellness products; the move gave the company added visibility to beverage makers such as beer companies working to mitigate a potential decline in profits as their customers divert discretionary income from alcohol consumption to cannabis consumption.

“The (Ready-To-Infuse-Cannabis technology) family of patents will be transformational for the food and beverage industry. Based on our interaction with key players in the beverage market, we anticipate that there will be a significant substitution in consumer choices towards cannabis infused drinks. With this acquisition, we have positioned Pivot to be at the forefront of this enormous new market,” Pivot CEO Patrick Frankham stated in a news release about the acquisition (http://cnw.fm/1xDEK).

The company has also announced plans to acquire Agro-Biotech, a Quebec-based Canadian-licensed cannabis producer (http://cnw.fm/av6uC). Agro-Biotech operates a licensed hydroponic cannabis production facility that can turn out 10,000 kilograms per year, giving Pivot a source for its products as it strives to achieve a stronger vertical position in the industry for cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

An agreement between Pivot and Germany’s Solmic Research GmbH gave the company rights to technology designed to give cancer patients relief from vomiting, nausea, neutropenia and anemia during chemotherapy treatment. Those side effects trouble an estimated 70 to 80 percent of chemotherapy patients and often lead to the discontinuation of treatment before the illness has been completely addressed, according to Transparency Market Research (http://cnw.fm/1N15u). Cannabis’s therapeutic abilities are expected to help it grow into a $55.8 billion market by 2025, according to a 2017 report by Grand View Research (http://cnw.fm/F3jWv), and the cancer supportive care products market is expected to reach $29.87 billion by 2021.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PivotPharma.com

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About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

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www.CannabisNewsWire.com
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Editor@CannabisNewsWire.net

$VSQTF NetworkNewsWire Publication on Blockchain’s Impact on Freelance Market

NEW YORK, April 13, 2018 — via NetworkWire – NetworkNewsWire (“NNW”), a multifaceted financial news and publishing company, today announces the publication of an editorial featuring Victory Square Technologies, Inc. (CSE:VST) (OTC:VSQTF) (FRANKFURT:6F6) (WKN:A2AKL8), a client of NNW and venture builder that creates, funds and empowers entrepreneurs predominantly focused on blockchain technology, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, personalized health, gaming and film.

To view the full publication, titled “Blockchain Set to Disrupt Trillion-Dollar Freelance Job Market,” visit: http://nnw.fm/1xfhN

Forbes reported that the next great area of blockchain disruption in 2018 could be the online freelancing business (http://nnw.fm/iJ6DM). Blockchain startups that spot this potentially profitable market gap are already popping up on the digital map. Capaciti, the professional services marketplace of parent company Howyl Ventures — which was recently acquired in part by Victory Square Technologies (OTC: VSQTF) (CSE: VST) — is poised to potentially be a big disruptor in the digital freelance space (http://nnw.fm/92N0u).

Targeting launch in Q3 of this year, Capaciti will be the world’s first blockchain-based, enterprise-grade marketplace for digital design and technology development services. With platform transactions projected to reach $36.9 million in 2019 and to surge to over $495 million by 2022, Capaciti looks like it is setting the stage for a billion-dollar show.

Capaciti’s application of blockchain technology upgrades an online marketplace from a manual, analog process to a decentralized, automated marketplace. This innovation could create the foundation for the next evolution of connecting talent and clients in the digital marketplace.

About Victory Square Technologies Inc.

Victory Square is a venture builder that creates, funds and empowers entrepreneurs predominantly focused on blockchain technology, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, personalized health, gaming and film. As a technology incubator, Victory Square invests in game-changing entrepreneurs who are provided access to education programs, global mentorship networks, distribution partners, creative workspaces, resources and other forms of operational support to help them scale internationally. For more information, visit www.VictorySquare.com.

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets, (3) enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge. For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com.

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company’s SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

Corporate Communications Contact:

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
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$VSQTF Blockchain Set to Disrupt Trillion-Dollar Freelance Job Market

April 12, 2018

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The freelance employment market now comprises 34 percent of the United States workforce, according to a recent report, with freelance workers contributing approximately $1.4 trillion to the nation’s economy (http://nnw.fm/ZLkg1). Intrinsically connected with today’s freelance market, digital services has a compound annual growth rate of 6 percent and may be poised to become one of the next global economic drivers. Blockchain is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to fuel the growth of the digital freelance services market by enabling secure, transparent and rapid transactions. Companies bringing “Blockchain” to new industries include Bitcoin Investment Trust (OTC: GBTC), MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (OTCQB: MGTI), HIVE Blockchain Technologies Ltd.  (OTC: HVBTF) (TSX-V: HIVE), Global Blockchain Technologies Corp. (OTC: BLKCF) (CSE: BLOC) and Victory Square Technologies, Inc. (OTC: VSQTF) (CSE: VST) (VSQTF Profile).

Forbes reported that the next great area of blockchain disruption in 2018 could be the online freelancing business (http://nnw.fm/iJ6DM). Blockchain startups that spot this potentially profitable market gap are already popping up on the digital map. Capaciti, the professional services marketplace of parent company Howyl Ventures — which was recently acquired in part by Victory Square Technologies (OTC: VSQTF) (CSE: VST) — is poised to potentially be a big disruptor in the digital freelance space (http://nnw.fm/92N0u).

Targeting launch in Q3 of this year, Capaciti will be the world’s first blockchain-based, enterprise-grade marketplace for digital design and technology development services. With platform transactions projected to reach $36.9 million in 2019 and to surge to over $495 million by 2022, Capaciti looks like it is setting the stage for a billion-dollar show.

Capaciti’s application of blockchain technology upgrades an online marketplace from a manual, analog process to a decentralized, automated marketplace. This innovation could create the foundation for the next evolution of connecting talent and clients in the digital marketplace.

The market for Victory Square Technologies’ Capaciti’s initial service offering is substantial. In the United States alone, the software development market is estimated at over $235 billion per year, with 70 percent of that spend flowing to outsourced partners or freelance professionals.

The world’s workforce has become decentralized, and digital services business connections are now mostly made in online marketplaces. Freelancing is predicted to become the workforce majority within a decade (http://nnw.fm/zVJ6d). Upwork​, arguably the world’s largest and most successful online marketplace for freelance services, generates $1.5 billion per year in revenues and is targeting $10 billion in annual revenue by 2022. 99Designs reports a design upload occurs every second, and designers have made over $200 million on the site from over 444,000 clients.

Capaciti’s incubator, Victory Square Technologies, has a management team of established leaders in blockchain technology and digital marketplaces. The company was named one of the top 14 blockchain companies to watch in 2018 by Entrepreneur.com (http://nnw.fm/9xCil). CEO Shafin Diamond Tejani was named Canadian Angel Investor of the Year in 2017. Tejani has also launched more than 40 startups and has generated over $100 million in revenues per year.

Capaciti co-founders Marc Low, Steve Davis and Gary Bode have a successful track record of delivering projects using a distributed workforce model for big brands such as HCL Technology, Barclays Bank, Sotheby’s, Pacific Union International and Estee Lauder. They have collectively launched the global talent crowdsourcing platform Deloitte Pixel, held a senior marketing role at Apple and grown the team at Chimp Technology from five people to more than 70.

Victory Square Technologies’ Capaciti could potentially disrupt this trillion-dollar market that is in serious need of a technology upgrade.

Major Money Markets Ripe for Disruption

Capaciti’s freelance software development platform alone breaks into a $237 billion market. With plans to expand into additional service verticals, Victory Square Technologies new acquisition may have spotted a massive untapped reservoir of enterprise-grade business. Marketplaces such as Upwork, 99designs and Fiverr service some of the need but remain challenged in areas that can create a price squeeze in a hypercompetitive environment. Price squeezes can drive down profit margins to unsustainable levels for vendors.

Small-business clients often mine these sites to find workers for the lowest possible rate. Business relationships in online project marketplaces can start off well but end badly, with losses being cut on both sides. Workers pressure clients into payment for incomplete or insufficient work or want to move off the contracting platform to communicate and transact.

These markets, then, are arguably ripe for disruption.

Decluttering and De-risking the Online Marketplace

Victory Square Technologies’ Capaciti’s model pairs top-tier enterprise clients with top-tier talent to effectively deliver projects, creating an exchange that removes many risk elements.

Capaciti’s business model moderates business relationships in the online marketplace.  Rather than just creating a job board on which to post and pitch, participants on the platform vet the profiles and reputations of both freelancers and clients. Capaciti solves the mystery of who the clients and vendors are and what they do best. The company has designed a system for executing enterprise-level projects in a way that avoids the pitfalls of overpricing and delivery disagreements.

A blockchain-based reputation management protocol empowers vendors to earn a transparent and auditable “reputation score.” Blockchain smart contracts are used to manage contractual obligations between client and vendor and increase the speed and efficiency with which freelancers get paid for work performed, as payment settlements are transferred instantly upon successful completion.

With blockchain technology, a global reach and a laser focus on user retention, Victory Square Technologies’ Capaciti could potentially upstage companies such as Upwork, 99designs and Fiverr.

A Tech Vertical Fueled for Hypergrowth

The Capaciti platform is already being used internally by Victory Square Technologies to service existing client work and, once launched publicly, could be well-positioned to scale rapidly. First launching in the North American market, Capaciti will begin expansion into key markets in Europe and Asia next year. Victory Square Technologies’ investment in Capaciti sets the stage for success for this technology-driven vertical, already poised for growth and slated to launch soon with transactions projected in the millions straight out of the gate.

Potential Comparables:

Bitcoin Investment Trust (OTC: GBTC) is a traditional investment vehicle with shares titled in the investors’ names, providing a familiar structure for financial and tax advisors and easy transferability to beneficiaries under estate laws. Shares of the Bitcoin Investment Trust are eligible to be held in certain IRA, Roth IRA, and other brokerage and investor accounts.

MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (OTC: MGTI) is based in Durham, North Carolina, and ranks as one of the largest United States-based bitcoin miners. The company also has expanded facilities in Washington State and in Sweden.

HIVE Blockchain Technologies Ltd. (OTC: HVBTF) (TSX-V: HIVE) is building a bridge from the blockchain sector to traditional capital markets. HIVE is strategically partnered with Genesis Mining Ltd., the world’s leading cryptocurrency mining hashrate provider, to build the next generation of blockchain infrastructure. HIVE also owns a state-of-the-art GPU-based cryptocurrency mining facility in Iceland.

Global Blockchain Technologies Corp. (OTC: BLKCF) (CSE: BLOC) provides investors access to a mixture of assets in the blockchain space, strategically chosen to balance stability and growth. Blue chip holdings such as Ethereum and Bitcoin are complemented by best-of-breed “smaller cap” crypto holdings, many of which are not yet available to other investors.

Big Opportunities in Online Project Network

The over-trillion-dollar digital services market is clearly on an upward trajectory, and the online project-based network represents an opportunity for blockchain incubators such as Victory Square Technologies.

For more information on Victory Square Technologies Inc. (OTC:VSQTF) (CSE:VST), please visit StreetSignals.com for the FULL report.

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$CIIX to Attend ‘Invest 2018’ Exhibition in Stuttgart, Germany

SAN GABRIEL, California, April 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ —

ChineseInvestors.com Inc. (OTCQB: CIIX) (“CIIX” or the “Company”), the premier financial information website for Chinese-speaking investors, today announces that will be attending this year’s ‘Invest 2018’ Exhibition on April 13th and 14th in in Stuttgart, Germany, the number one meeting point for the finance and investment sector in Germany. As one of the largest financial sector events in the Germany, this conference attracted more than 12,000 visitors and 144 exhibitors in 2017. Private and institutional investors use the platform to obtain information, compare assets, and invest in new opportunities.

“After a successful presentation at Invest 2017 which sparked the attention of German investors, we look forward to the opportunity to update the German financial sector and potential investors on the Company’s recent business developments including the expansion of its core media and education services business to cover cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, and the upcoming spin off of all of the Company’s hemp related assets scheduled to take place on May 31, 2018,” says Warren Wang, CEO.

“For companies in attendance who are interested in reaching CIIX’s unique data base of high net worth, Chinese investors, we also look forward to providing information regarding the Company’s advertising and public relations related support services for emerging small cap companies and businesses in the cryptocurrency sector.”

The Company recently announced that it will be launching the Bitcoin Trading Academy, the world’s first educational platform covering all aspects of the cryptocurrency market. The first course will be held on June 2, 2018 in our Flushing, NY office with additional offerings in Manhattan, San Gabriel, CA and Arcadia, CA. Just last week, the Company lunched Bitcoin Millionaire VIP Livestream, a cryptocurrency subscription offering live streaming of trading demonstrations and other cryptocurrency topics for 6.5 hours daily.

The Company’s expansion into the cryptocurrency business began in November 2017 with the launch of http://www.newcoins168.com, a premier Chinese cryptocurrency and blockchain technology information and education platform providing straightforward explanations of cryptocurrency basics, trading guidelines, real-time market commentary and analysis regarding mining, blockchain technology, industry hotspots, sector related stock trends and ETFs, and other strategies and opportunities to capitalize on this growing market.

About ChineseInvestors.com (OTCQB: CIIX)

Founded in 1999, ChineseInvestors.com endeavors to be an innovative company providing: (a) real-time market commentary, analysis, and educational related services in Chinese language character sets (traditional and simplified); (b) advertising and public relation related support services; and (c) retail, online sales and direct sales of hemp-based products and other health related products.

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This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company’s SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

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$NETE Subsidiary Launches New Same-Day Funding Service

April 11, 2018

• E-commerce market expected to grow from $2.3 trillion in 2017 to $4.88 trillion by 2021
• Point-of-sale market expected to reach $116 billion by 2025
• Net Element’s new service, Fast Pass Funding, reduces funding times to as little as three hours

Global technology and value-added solutions group Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) announced on April 5, 2018, that its Unified Payments subsidiary has launched a same-day funding service, called Fast Pass Funding, through its proprietary Netevia platform (http://nnw.fm/jAfq4).

Fast Pass Funding is just one of many value-added services available to merchants through Net Element’s Netevia platform. The Fast Pass Funding service will enable eligible merchants to receive funding in as little as three hours during regular business days. This is a vast improvement on the previous average funding times of between 12 and 24 hours. Fast Pass Funding is also delivered to merchants using Aptito, Net Element’s proprietary cloud-based restaurant point-of-sale and management system.

Other value-added services offered through the Netevia platform include fast, easy merchant account opening and integration, payment conversion optimization, over 150 risk-monitoring filters and highly competitive pricing for payment acceptance services. In a recent news release, Vlad Sadovsky, president of Integrated Payments for Net Element, said, “We are pleased to take advantage of the latest capabilities provided by our new Netevia platform and we are excited about the additional upcoming features this platform will bring to us this year.”

With a focus on supporting electronic payments acceptance in a multi-channel environment, including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile devices, Net Element was ranked as one of the fastest-growing companies in North America by Deloitte’s 2017 Technology Fast 500™. The company offers a platform for payments-as-a-service transactions and value-added services to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the United States and other targeted emerging markets. The company aims to grow transactional revenue in the U.S. through innovative SME productivity services. These will be driven by blockchain technology in combination with Aptito, Net Element’s cloud-based restaurant and retail point-of-sale solution. Internationally, emerging markets with diverse banking, regulatory and demographic conditions will be offered Net Element’s omni-channel platform to deliver flexible payment solutions.

According to Grand View Research (http://nnw.fm/6YwDy), the global market for point-of-sale terminals is on pace to reach $116 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 9.9 percent. Indications are that more and more consumers will turn to mobile device payment solutions in preference to plastic bankcards. This is driven by transactional speed and convenience, as well as the greater security offered by mobile payments. Net Element intends to take full advantage of the global growth of e-commerce and the surge in demand for wireless technologies in an effort to extend its global reach and grow its business.

Having reached $2.3 trillion in 2017, the worldwide e-commerce market is expected to more than double to reach $4.88 trillion by 2021 (http://nnw.fm/A3xNh). To capitalize on this phenomenal growth, Net Element intends to develop innovative technologies to complement its Fast Pass Funding solution to service this market sector and integrate emerging business trends like blockchain technology. Jonathan Fichman, a director on the board of Net Element, added, “The company’s recently announced plans to create a blockchain payments platform and its recently released next generation cloud-based point of sale payments system will both be impactful innovations for the industry.”

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.NetElement.com

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• Consorteum Holdings, Inc. (CSRH) Offering Security, Flexibility and Connectivity
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• QMC Quantum Minerals Corp. (TSX.V: QMC) (FSE: 3LQ) (OTC: QMCQF) Drives Exploration at Irgon Lithium Mine Project

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

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$ETST Adds Pharmacist & LP3 as Chief of Pharmacy

DORAL, Florida, April 11, 2018  — Earth Science Tech, Inc. (OTC: ETST) (“ETST” or the “Company”), an innovative biotech company focused on the cannabidiol (CBD), nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields as well as on R&D for certain medical devices, is pleased to announce that Mr. Jad Nammour has joined ETST as the Company’s new Chief of Pharmacy.

Mr. Nammour brings with him more than 20 years of experience as a pharmacist, as well as a specialized certification in the preparation of magisterial formulas. This means Mr. Nammour is trained to develop master formulae, which are the templates for the mass production of non-sterile medicinal products.

Mr. Nammour immediately fills the final important technical gap in the ETST production and development teams. Having a certified pharmacist on staff is required by law in order to obtain a license to distribute controlled substances from the government. Mr. Nammour’s task will be to ensure that use of controlled substances and drugs is managed and handled correctly, in keeping with the regulatory environment. He will also oversee all of the storage and warehousing of any controlled substances by the company.

In addition, Mr. Nammour’s experience in retail pharmacy will allow him to help ETST in the development and marketing of the company’s nutraceutical patents and pharmacological products and medical devices.

“I am very excited to be taking on this new challenge,” Nammour states.. “The range of quality products that ETST is preparing to place on the market, and the extremely interesting new products that they are developing, ensure that this will be a very rewarding experience.”

Dr. Michel Aube, the Company’s CEO & CSO, states, “The addition of Jad Nammour to our team means that the management and development teams are now complete. We have all of the knowledge, experience and proficiency that we need to bring our products to the marketplace and become a licensed distributor of drugs and controlled substances in Canada, as announced earlier this year. The distribution license will allow us to get the specific permit needed to import and export cannabis plants and their derivatives. ETST has strong international development potential as a wholesale distributor of these substances, and a pharmacist of Mr Nammour’s quality was mandatory.”

About Earth Science Tech, Inc. (ETST)

Earth Science Tech has among the highest quality, purity and full-spectrum high-grade hemp CBD (cannabidiol) oil on the market. Made using the superior supercritical CO2 liquid extraction, ETST’s CBD oil is 100% natural and organic. The company’s research, performed alongside the University of Central Oklahoma and DV Biologics laboratory, demonstrates that ETST is the top nutritional and dietary supplement brand for high-grade hemp CBD oil.

To learn more, please visit: www.EarthScienceTech.com

About Earth Science Pharmaceutical

Earth Science Pharmaceutical, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Earth Science Tech, Inc (ETST). Earth Science Pharmaceutical is focused on becoming a world leader in the development of low cost, non-invasive diagnostic tools, medical devices, testing processes and vaccines for STIs (sexually transmitted infections and/or diseases). Earth Science Pharmaceutical CEO Dr. Michel Aubé, a renowned scientist, is committed to help grow ETST in the medical and pharmaceutical industry.

To learn more please visit: www.EarthSciencePharmaceutical.com

About Cannabis Therapeutics

Cannabis Therapeutics, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Earth Science Tech, Inc. (ETST). Cannabis Therapeutics was formed as an emerging biotechnology company poised to become a world leader in cannabinoid research and development for a broad line of cannabis cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, as well as other products & solutions. Cannabis Therapeutics’ mission it to help change the health care landscape by introducing its proprietary cannabis-cannabinoid-based products made for both the pharmaceutical and retail consumer markets worldwide.

To learn more please visit: www.CannabisThera.com

About KannaBidioiD

KannaBidioid, Inc. is wholly owned subsidiary of Earth Science Tech, Inc. (ETST). KannaBidioid is focused in the recreational space to manufacture and distribute vapes/e-liquids and gummy edibles in the recreational space formulated by its unique Kanna and CBD formula. Kanna and CBD synergistically enhance one another, providing optimal relaxation, an uplifting sensation, enhance focus, and help with nicotine addiction based on their properties.

To learn more please visit: www.KannaBidioiDInc.com

SAFE HARBOR ACT: Forward-Looking Statements are included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including words such as “anticipate,” “if,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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$PVOTF Provides Update on Bio-Cannabis Product Pipeline

April 11, 2018

• Several proprietary products developed and ready to market in Canada, California and global markets
• Cannabis product sales expected to generate significant revenue
• Pivot’s IP portfolio includes global patents to cement its leading position in the cannabis industry

On April 4, 2018, Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: PVOT) (OTCQB: PVOTF) (FRA: NPAT) published an update on the advancements of its industry-leading cannabis product pipeline (http://cnw.fm/37EFo). A newly developed 1% cannabidiol (CBD) oral micelle solution, created in collaboration with the company’s German technology partner, Solmic GmbH, is ready to market. The development of two topical creams using Pivot’s patented formulation and delivery systems is also complete. This formulation will be used to treat a variety of indications, including chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Following this development, Pivot anticipates launching several products in Canada when nationwide legalization of cannabis officially begins this summer. The company also expects to begin sales of these products in California during Q3 2018, along with the launch of its proprietary line of ‘Ready-to-Infuse-Cannabis’ (RTIC) natural health products. Sales of bulk powder, stick packs and capsules are expected to generate significant revenue.

Pivot’s current patents provide a critical opportunity for the company to create proprietary products that will be unmatched in quality by other licensed producers and product distributors. Pivot’s intellectual property (IP) portfolio covers several key patents that have demonstrated their ability to deliver pharmaceutical-grade products in clinical trials. The company is ready to manufacture and commercialize its product pipeline in expectation of cannabis legalization in Canada and in regulated international markets.

Pivot’s distinctive business model entails acquiring disruptive drug formulation and delivery technologies, followed by the development of reproducible bio-cannabis products for consumers. The company’s patent-protected products provide significant industry advantages. In accordance with the policy of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Pivot’s patents will provide exclusive rights while enabling the company to establish a strong market position and deliver higher returns on investment. They also present opportunities to license or sell inventions and establish a strong position to negotiate with companies that may infringe upon patented rights.

In a news release, Dr. Patrick Frankham, CEO of Pivot Pharmaceuticals, stated, “Canadian Licensed Producers have invested extensively in dried flower and oil production capacity but have not focused on downstream sustainable quality products made from cannabis. Consumers deserve and will demand products that work, whereas regulatory authorities will require high quality, reproducible and safe products. Pivot has positioned itself to be the market leader of bio-cannabis products.”

Pivot Pharmaceuticals is focused on the development and commercialization of cannabinoid-based therapeutic pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products using proprietary drug delivery platform technologies. The research, development and commercialization of products is conducted by the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Pivot Green Stream Health Solutions Inc. (PGS).

PGS has acquired global rights to BiPhasix™ transdermal drug delivery, Thrudermic transdermal nanotechnology, Solmic oral solubilization and RTIC oil-to-powder technologies. These technologies are used in the development of cannabinoid, CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) based products. The company’s product development pipeline includes PGS-N001, a candidate for the topical treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Other candidates in the pipeline include PGS-N005 for the treatment of psoriasis and PGS-N007 for cancer supportive care.

Pivot Pharmaceuticals’ development program is well on track toward cementing the company’s position in the cannabis industry. The company’s proprietary pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products are set to establish themselves as leaders in their respective areas of application.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PivotPharma.com

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• Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) Subsidiary Launches New Same-Day Funding Service
• Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) Tech Promises Versatile Commercial Applications
• Earth Science Tech, Inc. (ETST) on Course to Complete White Paper Studies in 2019

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

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$NETE SeeThruEquity Updates Coverage

NEW YORK, NY / April 10, 2018 / SeeThruEquity, a leading independent equity research and corporate access firm focused on smallcap and microcap public companies, today announced that it has issued an update on Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE).

The note is available here: NETE April 2018 Update Note.

Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE, “Net Element”) is a global financial technology and value-added solutions company that supports payment technology solutions, online payments and value-added transactional services in emerging countries and in the United States. The company is headquartered in Miami Beach, Florida.

Highlights from the update include:

Net Element reported full-year 2017 results on April 2, 2018, during which the company recapped recent performance and provided an update to its strategic initiatives. Highlights of the announcement are as follows:

• 2017 revenues surpass $60mn. Net Element reported 2017 full year revenues of $60.1mn, which represented an increase of approximately 11% versus $54.3mn in 2016.

• Revenue growth was driven by strong execution in the company’s North America Transactions Solutions business segment, which grew by 21.3% YoY.

• Transaction volume grows. The company reported transactions processed on its platform increased by 14% to reach $2.8 billion in 2017, versus $2.45 billion during 2016. Transaction dollars processed in the company’s North American markets grew by 18% and reached $2.3 billion.

• NETE reported a Net Loss of ($9.9mn), versus a loss of ($13.5mn) in 2016. NETE reported GAAP EPS of ($5.04) in 2017, with average shares outstanding of 2.0mn.

• Balance Sheet Improves. NETE ended the year with cash on hand of $11.3mn, and total financial debt of $7.0mn. The company raised $7.6mn of new capital during 4Q17, which is pegged for investments in new blockchain and organic growth initiatives.

• In the announcement, NETE noted that the company was able to maintain Nasdaq CM listing compliance and also that the company was named as one of the fastest growing companies in North America on Deloitte’s 2017 Technology Fast 500™.

• Net Element launched its new multi-channel payments platform, Netevia, which the company stated connects and simplifies payments across a number of channels through a single integration point – including POS, e-commerce, and mobile devices. The company is also integrating new technology into Netevia, which will make it a decentralized blockchain technology solution.

• NETE also named two new members to its Board of Directors, CNBC host Jon Najarian as well as Bank of America veteran and fintech executive Jonathan Fichman. Both new members will serve on the company’s Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Compensation Committees.

No change to target following results

The price target remains unchanged for Net Element, with NETE showing from double-digit growth and an improved balance sheet, with further growth potential from its new blockchain initiatives. We would look to re-evaluate the target as the company updates investors on its progress and expectations for blockchain in 2018-2019.

Please review important disclosures in the report and on our website at www.seethruequity.com.

About Net Element, Inc.

Net Element, Inc. (Nasdaq: NETE) operates a payments-as-a-service transactional and value-added services platform for small to medium enterprise (“SME”) in the U.S. and selected emerging markets. In the U.S. it aims to grow transactional revenue by innovating SME productivity services such as its cloud based, restaurant and retail point-of-sale solution Aptito. Internationally, Net Element’s strategy is to leverage its omni-channel platform to deliver flexible offerings to emerging markets with diverse banking, regulatory and demographic conditions. Net Element was ranked as one of the fastest growing companies in North America on Deloitte’s 2017 Technology Fast 500™ and South Florida Business Journal’s 2016 fastest growing technology companies. Further information is available at www.netelement.com.

About SeeThruEquity

Since its founding in 2011, SeeThruEquity has been committed to its core mission: providing impactful, high quality research on underfollowed smallcap and microcap equities. SeeThruEquity has pioneered an innovative approach to deliver equity research of microcap and smallcap companies. SeeThruEquity has also been the host of acclaimed investor conferences that are the ultimate event for publicly traded companies with market capitalizations less than $1 billion since 2012.

SeeThruEquity is approved to contribute its research reports and estimates to Thomson One Analytics (First Call), the leading estimates platform on Wall Street, as well as Capital IQ and FactSet. SeeThruEquity maintains one of the industry’s most extensive databases of opt-in institutional and high net worth investors. The firm is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan in New York City.

For more information visit www.seethruequity.com.

Contact:

SeeThruEquity
info@seethruequity.com

$ETST on Course to Complete White Paper Studies in 2019

April 10, 2018

• ETST will investigate combination drugs that combine a mineral element with full spectrum cannabinoid industrial hemp oil; it anticipates completion of white paper studies in early 2019, with clinical trials to follow
• Goal is to produce both an OTC nutraceutical product and a cannabinoid companion generic drug to fight the epidemic of opioid dependency
• Foundations Wellness Center reports that two million Americans are now addicted to opioids

Earth Science Tech, Inc. (OTC: ETST) has set 2019 as the crucial year when the company anticipates completion of white paper studies and the start of human clinical trials to investigate the synergies of drugs that are intended to treat opioid dependency. It intends to test the effectiveness of combination drugs that contain a mineral element and full spectrum cannabinoid industrial hemp oil (http://cnw.fm/2SaKh).

The clinical trials are expected to commence in 2019 or later. The goal is to produce an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment drug and a cannabinoid companion generic drug to battle opioid dependency. The Foundations Wellness Center reported that two million Americans were addicted to opioids in 2015, the most recent full year for which those statistics are currently available (http://cnw.fm/7Fu55).

The trials are likely to investigate the synergies between mineral elements and cannabinoid industrial hemp oil for use as a treatment for opioid dependency. ETST could then be positioned to bring new products to the marketplace. Per company reports, one drug could be designed to reduce the cravings of opioid addicts and the other, a generic, could make the treatment more effective and reduce the danger of side effects.

Addiction can lead to death from opioids. The Washington Post quotes two specialists as saying that the final death count relating to opioid addiction in 2017 could reach 50,000, higher than the number of AIDS deaths at the peak of that epidemic (http://cnw.fm/52uGE).

ETST is a biotech company focused on the cannabinoid, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets, as well as conducting R&D for medical devices. It is a company that holds several operational subsidiaries, including Earth Science Pharmaceutical, Inc.; Cannabis Therapeutics, Inc.; and KannaBidioiD, Inc. In addition, the company holds a Montreal-based subsidiary, Canna Inno Laboratories, Inc., providing access to Canadian grants.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.EarthScienceTech.com

More from CannabisNewsWire

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• Lexaria Bioscience’s (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) Growing Patent Portfolio Enables Commercialization, Defense of DehydraTECH
• Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: PVOT) (OTCQB: PVOTF) (FRA: NPAT) Extracts Maximum Benefit from Cannabis Portfolio

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$VSQTF Definitive Agreement to Acquire 100% of Limitless Blockchain Technology

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 10, 2018 — Subject to all requisite regulatory approvals, Victory Square Technologies Inc. (“Victory Square” or the “Company”) (CSE:VST) (OTC:VSQTF) (FWB:6F6) will acquire 100% percent of all issued and outstanding membership interests of Limitless Blockchain Technology, LLC (“Limitless Blockchain”) for $5,000,000 Canadian in total consideration (the “Purchase Price”).

Pursuant to a definitive share purchase agreement executed between the Company and the interest owner of Limitless Blockchain (the “Share Purchase Agreement”), the Purchase Price will be paid and satisfied by the Company through the issuance of 3,703,703 common shares in the capital of the Company (the “Consideration Shares”) at a deemed issue price of $1.35 Canadian per Consideration Share. The deemed issue price represents the closing price of the common shares of the Company on the Canadian Securities Exchange at the end of trading on April 9, 2018, the trading day preceding this news release announcing the acquisition, less a discount of 10%. In accordance with the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement, the Consideration Shares shall be subject to resale restrictions, which permit 8% of the Consideration Shares to be eligible to be free trading four months from the date of issuance to satisfy the statutory hold period and a further 8% every three months thereafter until the final balance of Consideration Shares is eligible to be free-trading in approximately three years’ time. The Share Purchase Agreement also contains standard representations, warranties and covenants for transactions of this nature.

The acquisition brings Limitless Blockchain – an established blockchain solution provider — into the Victory Square family of portfolio companies. Best-known for its work in developing an ecosystem of hardware, software, and networking products to meet increased global consumer demand for new age technology, Limitless Blockchain has the following three anchor products in late-stage development or already deployed in the marketplace:

• L-Hash, a data centre in Nevada, currently runs over one thousand miners of Bitcoin, Ethereum and LiteCoin. L-Hash has spot orders in place for new mining equipment to double capacity over the next 12 months.
• Limitless VPN is a user-based desktop miner for household use with over 11,000 users and a growing wait list of 6,000. The company plans to push this user base to 100,000 by the end of 2018 by expanding their data centre.
• Limitless Audio is an audio streaming application currently in late stage development. Limitless Audio takes a decentralized approach, much like Napster, where a great deal of money is saved and provided to hardworking artists in exchange for using streaming capabilities to mine cryptocurrencies. Taking a community-centric approach, the company can incentivize users to host and maintain the platform.

Limitless Blockchain also has a series of other products in early to mid-development.

“Limitless Blockchain represents another dynamic addition to our growing portfolio of emerging technology companies,” said Victory Square Chief Executive Officer Shafin Diamond Tejani. “The Limitless team shares in our conviction that blockchain technology will have an overwhelming effect on the way consumers adopt and use everyday products in the future. Having already developed a suite of ground-breaking software and hardware solutions catering to consumers that will inevitably utilize blockchain products in the future, we saw an immediate opportunity to bring the team in house and assist in scaling their operations to serve a growing demand. In the coming years, we look forward to working closely with CEO Michael Shader and the Limitless team and their customers as we assist them in their next stage of growth.”

Limitless CEO Shader, who has been active in the blockchain industry for nearly a decade, will continue to run the Limitless operation as a division of Victory Square and will add significant value by working closely with other Victory Square portfolio companies.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with many venture capital firms over the years but Victory Square really stood out to us as a logical fit,” said Shader. “Outside of the financial resources, the team’s venture build style is very attractive to us. As a part of the Victory Square family, we now have the backing we need to make a real impact and we believe we’ll have a golden opportunity to reach some of our bigger goals.”

“As we continue to pursue our vision of leading the next generation of technology entrepreneurs to build world class products, we remain confident in our ability to scale our portfolio companies aggressively and maintain a healthy pipeline of acquisitions with a focus on increasing value for Victory Square shareholders,” added Tejani.

For further information about the Company, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact – Prit Singh
Email: prit@victorysquare.com
Telephone: 905-510-7636

Media Contact – Howard Blank, Director
Email: howard@victorysquare.com

Telephone: 604-928-6066

ABOUT VICTORY SQUARE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Victory Square Technologies is a blockchain-focused venture builder that funds and empowers entrepreneurs to implement innovative blockchain solutions. Victory Square portfolio companies are disrupting every sector of the global economy including Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Personalized Health, Gaming and Film. Victory Square has a proven process for identifying game-changing entrepreneurs and providing them with the partners, mentorship and support necessary to accelerate their growth and help them scale globally. For more information, please visit www.victorysquare.com.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (CSE)
The Canadian Securities Exchange, or CSE, is operated by CNSX Markets Inc. Recognized as a stock exchange in 2004, the CSE began operations in 2003 to provide a modern and efficient alternative for companies looking to access the Canadian public capital markets.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the outlook of the business of Victory Square, including, without limitation, statements relating to the completion of the acquisition of an interest in Limitless Blockchain and the timing, cost and terms thereof, the impact of the acquisition on the Company, the strategic direction of the Company, and its goal of broadening its portfolio of interests in innovative companies. Such forward-looking statements may, without limitation, be preceded by, followed by, or include words such as “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans”, “continues”, “project”, “potential”, “possible”, “contemplate”, “seek”, “goal”, or similar expressions, or may employ such future or conditional verbs as “may”, “might”, “will”, “could”, “should” or “would”, or may otherwise be indicated as forward-looking statements by grammatical construction, phrasing or context. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this news release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of Victory Square. Although Victory Square believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Victory Square can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Victory Square disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

$PBIO CEO Richard T. Schumacher on Uptick Newswire’s “Stock Day” Podcast

PHOENIX, April 10, 2018 – Richard T. Schumacher, President and CEO of Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (OTCQB:PBIO) (“PBI” and the “Company”), a leader in the development and sale of innovative, broadly enabling, high pressure-based instruments and related consumables for the worldwide life sciences industry, joined Mr. Everett Jolly on Uptick Newswire’s “Stock Day” podcast.

“Pressure BioSciences recently released their 2017 fourth quarter and full year financial results, reporting a fourth consecutive year of increasing total revenue,” said Mr. Jolly.  “You had a number of accomplishments in 2017, including the acquisition of all of BaroFold, Inc.’s assets – whose 8 patents appear to fill out your patent portfolio exceptionally.  Plus, you announced the completion of a new, next-generation instrument, the development of a field sales team of four, and the announcement of important new corporate collaborations.  On top of all that, Pressure BioSciences was a finalist for the R&D 100 Award, a highly prestigious global honor.  What can we expect from the Company in 2018?”

“The results we achieved in 2017 were especially rewarding in that they were achieved with only one dedicated sales person,” said Mr. Schumacher.  “The enhancements we are implementing in our products, our sales and marketing capabilities, and our corporate infrastructure will allow us to better design, create, sell, support, and distribute our product line in 2018.  We expect 2018 to be another solid year, highlighted by our recent acquisition of the BaroFold intellectual property, the new patents in our Ultra Shear Technology platform, and the release of our GMP-compliant software for our award-winning instrument. We believe these new assets will help expand our customer base, take us further down the path to profitability, and help increase shareholder value.”

To listen to the full interview please click here to the following link: https://upticknewswire.com/featured-interview-ceo-ric-schumacher-of-pressure-biosciences-inc-otcqb-pbio-4/

For more information on discussed topics, please click the following link:
2017 Full Year Financial Results

About Pressure BioSciences, Inc.

Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (OTCQB:PBIO) is a leader in the development and sale of innovative, broadly enabling, pressure-based solutions for the worldwide life sciences industry. Our products are based on the unique properties of both constant (i.e., static) and alternating (i.e., pressure cycling technology, or “PCT”) hydrostatic pressure. PCT is a patented enabling technology platform that uses alternating cycles of hydrostatic pressure between ambient and ultra-high levels to safely and reproducibly control bio-molecular interactions (e.g., cell lysis, biomolecule extraction). Our primary focus is in the development of PCT-based products for biomarker and target discovery, drug design and development, biotherapeutics characterization and quality control, soil & plant biology, forensics, and counter-bioterror applications. Additionally, major new market opportunities have emerged in the use of our pressure-based technologies in the following areas: (1) the use of our recently acquired PreEMT technology from BaroFold, Inc. to allow immediate entry into the biologics contract research services sector, and (2) the use of our recently-patented, scalable, high-efficiency, pressure-based Ultra Shear Technology (“UST”) platform to (i) create stable nanoemulsions of otherwise immiscible fluids (e.g., oils and water) and to (ii) prepare higher quality, homogenized, extended shelf-life or room temperature stable low-acid liquid foods that cannot be effectively preserved using existing non-thermal technologies.

Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding PBI’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, or predictions of the future are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the Company’s current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and other reports filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the information included in this release, except as otherwise required by law.

About Uptick Newswire and the “Stock Day” Podcast
Uptick Newswire is a private company reaching out to the masses keeping investors and shareholders up to date on company news and bringing transparency to the undervalued, undersold, micro-cap stocks of the market and is the sole producer of the Uptick Network “Stock Day” Podcast. The Uptick Network “Stock Day” Podcast is an extension of Uptick Newswire and has recently launched the Video Interview Studio located in Phoenix, Arizona with its new host Kathryn Donnelly.

For more information about PBIO and this press release, please click on the following website link:
http://www.pressurebiosciences.com

Please visit PBIO on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter

Investor Contacts: 
Pressure BioSciences, Inc.

Richard T. Schumacher
President & CEO

Nathan P. Lawrence, Ph.D.
VP of Marketing and Sales
(508) 230-1828 (T)

Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of Stock Day and Uptick Newswire encourages listeners to visit Pressure BioSciences, Inc. message board on: https://investorshangout.com/