Posted by AGORACOM
at 8:35 AM on Thursday, March 18th, 2021
CE Mark received for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2
Rapid results with ease of use – single 20-minute PCR cycle plus 5-minute detection process
High sensitivity – 104.73 c/PCR limit of detection with 95% confidence interval
High specificity – zero cross-reactivity on 19x respiratory infectious disease panel
High robustness – no impact on results from minor changes in process parameters
100% repeatability and laboratory precision observed
Sales launch in Europe planned for April 2021
XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE:XPHY)(OTC:XPHYF)(FSE:4XT) (“XPhyto” or the “Company”), and its exclusive German diagnostics development partner, 3a-diagnostics GmbH (“3a”), are pleased to announce the European approval of its point-of-care SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR test system (“Covid-ID Lab”). Covid-ID Lab is now registered within the European Union as a commercial in vitro diagnostic (CE-IVD) test.
“Our test is one of the fastest PCR-based COVID-19 tests currently approved. With a sample collection to result time of 25 minutes, Covid-ID Lab combines the speed of a rapid screening test with the accuracy of a PCR diagnostic,” said Hugh Rogers, CEO and Director of XPhyto. “Covid-ID Lab is designed for point-of-care testing, particularly in satellite and small-scale labs, such as transportation hubs, borders, care facilities, schools, pharmacies, and hospitality settings.”
Covid-ID Lab is a multiplex viral RNA probe kit based on the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. For assay performance, Covid-ID Lab requires only a single 20-minute PCR thermal cycle without prior RNA extraction as part of the sample preparation. Many widely available standard PCR instruments are suitable to run the test. Results are collected after the PCR cycle via easy-to-read optical indicator strips on a simple fluidics platform. The elimination of RNA extraction for sample preparation reduces the risk of cross-contamination and minimizes the need for lab materials and trained personnel. The rapid results, minimal laboratory equipment, and ease of use are expected to translate into reduced operating costs, greater convenience and portability.
During validation of the assay, the limit of detection for SARS-CoV-2 RNA was determined to be 104.73 c/PCR within a 95% confidence interval. Specificity of 100% against 19 other pathogens of serious respiratory infections was demonstrated on a respiratory verification panel. Precision was determined through evaluation of variance of the analysis results due to random deviations, a repeatability/intra-assay precision evaluation (same lab, user, equipment, etc.), and a laboratory precision evaluation (different lab, user, equipment, etc.). Robustness was measured by evaluation of the impact of minor changes on process parameters (transport medium, PCR cycler model, ramp rate, template volume, hybridization mixing ratio, etc.). The validation studies were carried out accordingly to ICH Q2 (R1) Validation of Analytical Procedures: Text and Methodology and VQ-015 Validation of Methods, European Medicines Agency. The quality management system was in accordance with EN ISO 13485: 2016 and EN ISO 9001: 2015.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 8:29 AM on Thursday, March 18th, 2021
Engaged to conduct and continue previous baseline studies at the Cañariaco Project
9B lbs copper, 2M oz gold and 54M oz silver in: Measured and Indicated Resources
Candente Copper Corp. (TSX: DNT, BVL: DNT) (“Candente Copper”, “the Company”) is pleased to announce that Yaku Consultores (“Yaku”) has been engaged to conduct and continue previous baseline studies at the Cañariaco Project located in Northern Peru. The work will be part of environmental impact studies and habitat protection for all exploration phases of permitting including drilling and also for the community and regional stakeholders.
“We are excited to be moving the Cañariaco project forward with Yaku’s environmental work and new engineering studies underway by Ausenco. Timing couldn’t be better as Cañariaco has been identified by both Goldman Sachs and Deutche Bank as one of the top copper projects needed to supply the upcoming supply-demand shortage for copper,” says Joanne Freeze, President and CEO, Candente Copper.
Yaku is comprised of a team of highly experienced professionals focused on providing quality environmental and social consulting services. These services contribute to the sustainable development of the environment and exceed regulations.
Candente Copper has recently obtained the respective authorizations from SERFOR and PRODUCE (Peruvian authorities for National Forest and Wildlife Services and the Ministry of Production) to conduct new monitoring of Water Quality, Air Quality, Noise Levels and Biology, Wild Flora and Fauna and Hydrobiology. Yaku has begun collecting new data within the project area which will add significantly to the studies that Candente Copper has been conducting such since 2004.
Given the difficult situation for the community with the COVID-19 epidemic, the company is also collaborating with local health facilities to assist in the protection and care of citizens in the area surrounding Cañariaco. To date, the Company has assisted with PPE supplies and the operation of emergency health equipment.
About Candente Copper
Candente Copper is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. The Company is currently focused on its 100% owned Cañariaco project, which includes the Feasibility stage Cañariaco Norte deposit as well as the Cañariaco Sur deposit and Quebrada Verde prospect, located within the western Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes in the Department of Lambayeque in Northern Peru.
Please see https://www.candentecopper.com/investors/presentations for details from previous resource and engineering studies which delineated 9B lbs copper, 2M oz gold and 54M oz silver in: Measured and Indicated Resources of 752.4 million tonnes grading 0.45% copper, 0.07 grams per tonne (“g/t”) gold and 1.9 g/t silver (0.52% Cu equivalent) containing 7.533 B lb Cu, 1.67 M oz Au and 45.24 M oz Ag and Inferred Resources of 157.7 million tonnes grading 0.44% copper, 0.06 g/t gold and 1.8 g/t silver containing 1.434 B lb Cu, 0.3M oz Au and 8.932 M oz Ag.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 4:10 PM on Wednesday, March 17th, 2021
If you haven’t heard of KWESST Micro Systems (KWE:TSXV) you’re not alone because the Company just listed for trading a couple of months ago – and it is probably the coolest new listing of 2020 if you love high-tech, covert defense systems that we only get to see in Tom Cruise movies.
KWESST is a leader in “soldier systems” which are technologies that increase the capabilities of soldiers, Let’s be clear right off the start, KWESST doesn’t sell weaponry. Rather, it sells technologies that make a big difference to the safety and effectiveness of soldiers.
For example, out in a field of combat, soldiers emit Electro Magnetic (EM) signatures that make them detectable by enemy combatants. KWESST has a battlefield decoy system that creates multiple false phantom signatures to spoof adversaries. This picture is worth 1,000 words.
Or perhaps the “TASCS” – Tactical Awareness and Situational Control System
An App and snap-on weapon adaptor that enables real-time streaming of situational awareness data of any kind from any source, including drones, direct to smart display devices and operational assets, for a common operating picture and networked engagement.
The company successfully achieved an important milestone under the contract announced in December 2020 for a key military customer.
This milestone entailed the integration of the Company’s TASCS IFM (Integrated Fires Module) for the 81mm Mortar Fire Control System into the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK), the preeminent battlefield management system for NATO countries . As a result, the Company will now proceed to the next phase of the contract, involving live-fire trials at various U.S. military bases.
A world-first in digitizing the function of a mortar team, from the identification of the target to the aiming of the mortar.
We could go on about many other such technologies created by KWESST but this is AGORACOM after all and we want to get down to the business of KWESST, the highlights of which are as follows:
A developer of next-generation systems for forces around the world, including those of NATO and its allies
A leadership team whose experience spans decades and hundreds of millions of dollars in military and homeland security contracts
A sales and distribution network of agents that spans the globe
Partnerships with globally recognized OEM’s, including Samsung
Received a follow-on order for $1.1 Million from a key US Military Customer.
And last but not least, a secret weapon in its Executive Chairman David Luxton, whose companies under his leadership have generated over $1,000,000,000 (Yes, BILLION).
The soldier systems market is projected to hit $14.5 Billion by 2023 and, up until now, small cap investors have never had a company to participate in this lucrative (and SUPER COOL) market.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 10:31 AM on Tuesday, March 16th, 2021
Mountain Valley MD Holdings Inc.(the “Company” or “MVMD“) (CSE: MVMD) (FRA: 20MP) (OTCQB: MVMDF) is pleased to announce it is commencing husbandry animal trials under the supervision of The People’s Republic of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock for the Company’s injectable solubilized Ivermectin technology, Ivectosol™ 1%.
“We are very excited to be welcoming Mountain Valley MD to The People’s Republic of Bangladesh and are proud that they have selected our country for important research projects and as a key production hub for its solubilized Ivectosol™ 1% product,” stated Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, M.P.
MVMD is working with its local partner R&G Group inside Bangladesh to quickly advance its research and development, and manufacturing capabilities inside the country.
MVMD’s Ivectosol™ 1%, a fully solubilized form of the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin, will be tested in cattle, goat and poultry under the supervision of the Bangladesh Government’s approved and authorized laboratories and research institutes. The tests will be conducted by way of intra-muscular needleless injection of Ivectosol™ 1% in an effort to demonstrate superior pharmacokinetics in terms of CMAX (peak serum concentration that a drug achieves) and AUC (area under the curve) with advanced drug withdrawal time control, versus current commercially available forms.
The trials are scheduled to commence in early April, 2021 and are anticipated to take 30 days. The trial results are scheduled to be reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock and Ministry of Health and will enable the Company to advance against immediate commercialization opportunities. The Company is finalizing production supply agreements with key Bangladesh pharmaceutical partners to produce its Ivectosol™ 1% for use and distribution throughout Bangladesh and as a production hub for broader global distribution. The production scheduling and pricing are currently being finalized under non-disclosure agreement (“NDA”), including securing the sufficient Ivermectin Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (“API”) quantity for anticipated global demand.
“We’ve been extremely impressed by the speed and pace with which the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh continues to provide our teams with incredible support for the testing and preparedness of an accelerated commercialization pathway for Ivectosol™ 1%,” stated Dennis Hancock, President and CEO of Mountain Valley MD. “Our pharmaceutical partners are both FDA and EU compliant and support our broader objectives to scale for global production. Securing top quality manufacturing within a competitive cost structure is critical to align with one of the core tenets of MVMD’s mission to ensure accessibility to our technology for even the most disadvantaged nations.”
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 8:53 AM on Tuesday, March 16th, 2021
A key milestone in digitization of the modern army
KWESST extending its ATAK integration capability to other customers and OEMs
Ottawa, Ontario–(March 16, 2021) – KWESST Micro Systems Inc. (TSXV: KWE) (OTCQB: KWEMF) (“KWESST” or “the Company”) today announced that it has successfully achieved an important milestone under the contract announced in December 2020 for a key military customer.
This milestone entailed the integration of the Company’s TASCS (Tactical Awareness Situational Control System) IFM (Integrated Fires Module) for the 81mm Mortar Fire Control System into the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK), the preeminent battlefield management system for NATO countries . As a result, the Company will now proceed to the next phase of the contract, involving live-fire trials at various U.S. military bases.
“TASCS is designed to integrate into any battlefield management application,” said Jeff MacLeod, KWESST Found, President and CEO. “However, ATAK is the foremost and ubiquitous NATO battlefield management application, therefore we view the successful integration of TASCS applications into ATAK as key to widespread adoption of our TASCS system, and are pleased to have achieved this milestone event.”
The TASCS IFM Fire Control System for the 81mm mortar is a world-first in digitizing the function of a mortar team, from the identification of the target to the aiming of the mortar. It reduces the time it takes to engage adversaries and greatly increases the precision of mortar fire. TASCS has similar application across many other firing platforms beyond just the 81mm mortar, with a world market estimated by the Company at several hundred million dollars.
The Company added that its ability to use its TASCS system as a toolset to integrate tactical applications into ATAK has attracted attention from other military customers and OEMs. “We’re discovering that many potential customers require ATAK integration help,” added Jeff MacLeod. “We have already begun assisting some, and we are currently processing about a dozen other inbound enquiries for assistance, both domestic and international. It appears that this has the potential to become a separate business line unto itself, with recurring revenue.”
Posted by AGORACOM
at 8:46 AM on Tuesday, March 16th, 2021
Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTC Pink: TRUFF) (“Red Light Holland” or the “Company“) an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, announces it has completed the sale and import (the “Transaction“) of the Company’s high-grade consumer packaged goods (“iMicrodose Packs“) from the Netherlands to Canada under a Health Canada psilocybin import permit obtained by CCrest Laboratories Inc. in partnership with Shaman Pharma Corp.
The Transaction between Red Light Holland and the Montreal, Quebec-based cGMP lab, CCrest Laboratories, is the first of a multi-phase project to expand into the mental wellness pharmaceutical sector by demonstrating a legally compliant route for supplying raw materials containing psychoactive molecules, produced abroad by Red Light Holland, and imported into Canada.
“Today is another ground-breaking, precedent setting and defining leap forward for the entire Psychedelic sector as Red Light Holland has successfully expanded the reach of iMicrodose packs across international borders. As interest in novel psychedelic therapies increase on a daily basis, we will continue to aim to take our natural-occurring packaged psilocybin products to global markets, allowing Red Light Holland to increase our distribution and sales channels. The agreement with Shaman Pharma to utilize its partnership with CCrest Laboratories is part of Red Light Holland’s growth strategy, complementing the international groundwork which we established in the Netherlands, as one of the only legal sources for producing natural raw materials containing psilocybin,” said Todd Shapiro, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Red Light Holland. “The collaboration with Shaman Pharma, who have successfully received our iMicrodose packs on Canadian soil, simply put, is a significant day for the Company and its shareholders. We are very proud to have our Netherlands grown Magic Truffles designed for responsible use via education and information, in Canada. They’ve arrived home and Red Light Holland continues to trailblaze across the world.”
The Transaction is performed with the intent of exploring continued collaboration beyond successfully completing the shipment of Red Light Holland’s consumer packaged goods under a Health Canada import permit. The multi-phase scientific undertaking by CCrest Laboratories is planned to perform each phase of developing viable ingredients to address the demanding requirements of clinical trials, patient’s Special Access Programs, and the downstream supply of production-ready substances.
“We are delighted to build a relationship with Red Light Holland as we access the global industry for the very best of both product supply and, with recognition of their position as a market leader in establishing a supply chain from Europe to North America, the ability to meet the exacting needs of a globalized medical marketplace,” stated Alex Grenier, Chief Executive Officer of Shaman Pharma and President of CCrest Laboratories. “Today, we succeeded in demonstrating our strong ability to navigate the stringent regulatory landscape for conducting international transactions of controlled substances and setting the bar for scientific excellence. Furthermore, through this collaboration with Red Light Holland, we were pleased to find that Mr. Shapiro’s vision and ethic is well aligned with compatible long-term objectives for pioneering the psychedelic therapy sector in a manner that exceeds the most complex compliance requirements.”
Posted by AGORACOM
at 8:43 AM on Tuesday, March 16th, 2021
Chilean Metals Inc. to change its name to “Power Nickel Inc.” to reflect its focus on development of its James Bay High-Grade Nickel Copper Cobalt Palladium “Nisk” Project.
Chilean Metals’ subsidiaries currently holding the Company’s Chilean assets will be separated and spun out as a new public company with all of its existing Chilean assets and sufficient capital for one-year of operations
Chilean Metals will create a new subsidiary Consolidation Gold and Silver Inc. to be spun out as a separate public company where it will hold the option agreement on the Golden Ivan project and sufficient capital for one-year of operations
Shareholders of Chilean Metals will participate in both new public companies and retain their current ownership interest in each Company
Chilean Metals Inc.(the “Company” or “Chilean Metals”) (TSXV:CMX)(OTC PINK:CMETF)(Frankfurt:IVVI) is pleased to announce that the board of directors has approved the Company’s plans to change its name to Power Nickel Inc. and to spin-off two independent public companies to carry forward with its existing Chilean and British Colombia mining assets.
Proposed Transaction Highlights
Chilean Metals to be renamed Power Nickel Inc. and will focus its efforts on the exploration and development of the Nisk project. On February 1, 2021 Chilean Metals completed the acquisition of its option to acquire up to 80% of the Nisk project from Critical Elements Lithium Corporation (CRE)(CRECF)(F12). These estimates at the Nisk project are of a historic resource and the Company’s geologic team has not completed sufficient work to confirm a NI 43-101 compliant resource. Therefore, the estimates cannot, and should not be relied upon.
Table ‑1: Historical Resource Estimate figures for respective confidence categories at the NISK-1 deposit, After RSW Inc 2009: Resource Estimate for the NISK-1 Deposit, Lac Levac Property, Nemiscau, Québec.
The information regarding the NISK-1 deposit was derived from the technical report titled “Resource Estimate for the NISK-1 Deposit, Lac Levac Property, Nemiscau, Québec” dated December 2009. The key assumptions, parameters and methods used to prepare the mineral resource estimates described above are set out in the technical report.
The NISK property comprises a large land position (20 kilometres of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Chilean is focused on expanding its current high-grade nickel-copper PGE mineralization historical resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, identifying additional high-grade mineralization, and developing a process to potentially produce nickel sulphates responsibly for batteries for the electric vehicles industry.
Shareholders of Chilean Metals will receive shares in the two public companies proposed to be separated out by the plan of arrangement, at ratios to be determined by tax and valuation considerations
One public company is proposed to hold all the historic assets in Chile as follows:
The 5600-hectare Tierra de Oro (TDO) property located about 70 Kms south of Copiapo. Historically about $6,000,000 has been spent exploring TDO with the most recent drill program completed and reported in January 2021 which highlighted a 2-metre section that returned 716 grams of silver and .45% copper.
The 4300-hectare Zulema property located about 50 Kms southwest from Copiapo and adjoining the Candelaria Mine1 property (Over 950 Million Tonnes Copper, Gold & Silver according to NI- 43101 2018 report on Lundin Mining site)) An exploration program at the property in 2018 highlighted a garnet magnetite skarn with multiple lenses of Copper- Magnetite mineralization. Within the skarn, copper ranged from 0.12- 1.19% Cu and between 0.05 – 0.99g/t Au.
The 9,000-hectare Palo Negro and Hornitos properties located in Region 3 about 30 Kms west of the Candelaria mine. The properties are currently the focus of a number of geophysical programs including magnetics and IP over portions of the property which have previously been highlighted to be of interest.
Assets also include a 3% NSR royalty interest on any future production from the Copaquire Cu-Mo deposit, previously sold to a subsidiary of Teck Resources Inc. (“Teck”). Under the terms of the sale agreement, Teck has the right to acquire one third of the 3% NSR for $3 million dollars at any time. The Copaquire property borders Teck’s producing Quebrada Blanca copper mine2 in Chile’s First Region.
Consolidation Gold & Silver Inc. will hold the previously purchased option to acquire the Golden Ivan project in the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle is host to numerous past and current mining operations and the region has reported mineral resources that total up to 67 million oz of gold, 569 million oz of silver, and 27 billion pounds of copper. Recent mineral development activity within the local area includes Ascot Resources recently funded Premier Gold mine3 (2.3 Million oz gold), which has received $105 million in project construction financing for the development of renewed operations at the historic exploited Premier Gold deposit. Other notable active projects in the local area include the neighbouring Silverado project, and Red Mountain, and Homestake projects amongst many others.4 Further to the north Pretivm’s Bruce Jack mine5 (4.2 million oz gold), and the neighboring KSM and Eskay deposits also have significant gold, silver, and copper resources that are yet to be realized.
The property hosts two known mineral showings (Gold Ore, and Magee), and a portion of the past-producing Silverado Mine, which was reportedly exploited between 1921 and 1939. These mineral showings are described to be Polymetallic veins that contain quantities of Silver, Lead, Zinc +/- Gold +/- Copper. Numerous additional mineral occurrences, showings and past-producing mines are located in the immediate areas surrounding the property, further supporting the presence of widespread mineralization in the areas.
The property is relatively underexplored. In 2018 Precision Geophysics completed an 88-line kilometre combined magnetic and gamma-ray spectrometry survey on behalf of the vendor (who optioned to Chilean Metals) Granby Gold Inc. Standard magnetic and radiometric data products were prepared and additional interpolate structural analyses were performed on the collected data. A number of areas of coincident magnetic and radiometric anomalism have been identified, additionally ‘structurally prepared’ zones are identified from the structural analysis interpolates. Such characteristics are widely regarded as favorable indicators of widespread hydrothermal alteration aka Porphyries and may aid in vectoring toward any causative source intrusions that may be located on the property. Three preliminary target areas of merit are established as a result of the survey and will be the focus of initial explorations at the site.
Shareholders of the three entities should benefit from increased focus on core opportunities that appeal to each different investor base. As Chilean Metals grew through the acquisition of Nisk and Golden Ivan, it is anticipated that the two new public companies could similarly benefit on a go-forward basis.
Company CEO and Director Mr. Terry Lynch stated, “The result of this proposed transaction will be three stand-alone companies with attractive assets focused on specific opportunities to grow and create value for their shareholders. The driving force behind the change is to communicate in a very clear way our focus on the NISK Battery Metals project. It is rare to find a project with a historical resource that we believe has a credible chance to become a mine. The electrification movement in Automobiles and Industry is growing more and more every day and this growth will be very supportive to the price curves in Nickel, Copper, Cobalt, and Palladium. We look forward to concentrating our efforts on NISK and moving it from Historical resource through the mine development process as quickly as possible.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 4:27 PM on Friday, March 12th, 2021
TSX listed Candente Copper owns Canariaco Norte, a large, economic copper deposit in Peru that just took a step closer to a becoming a mine.
Cañariaco is a 100% owned feasibility-stage porphyry copper deposit containing 7.5B pounds Measured and Indicated and can be mined for 22 years once in production. Oh, and Canariaco Norte is in the lowest quartile of production costs for projects waiting to be developed at around 0.98c per pound of copper.
If that doesnt have your attention, Goldman Sachs has it ranked as one of the top 80 projects waiting to be developed worldwide. This is a deposit itching to become a mine and Candente is very close to achieving this remarkable feat.
With the price of copper firmly above $4 dollars, the economics supporting Canariaco going into production only gets stronger.and initiates unlocking the ultimate potential of the Canariaco Norte deposit.
Watch this great interview with Candente CEO Joanne Freeze as she explains the move toward production and its significance to the copper markets.
