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SPACs Are All the Rage, but These Private-Equity-Like Vehicles Are Complicated

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SPACs Are All the Rage, but These Private-Equity-Like Vehicles Are Complicated. Here’s What You Need to Know.

“Bet on me” is essentially the pitch that backers of blank-check companies known as special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, make to investors.

While that’s usually not enough to persuade seasoned investors to part with their money, it has worked like a charm in these times of booming markets and practically free money. SPACs have been raising money and doing deals at a never-before-seen rate in 2020. SPAC initial public offerings are outpacing traditional IPOs this year. And some of the hottest new stocks began life as SPACs: Nikola (ticker: NKLA), DraftKings (DKNG), and Virgin Galactic Holdings (SPCE).

SPACs—first conceived in the 1990s—have gone into overdrive, fueled by rock-bottom interest rates, a volatile stock market, and an insatiable appetite for new public growth companies.

How should retail investors who don’t ordinarily get IPO allocations or face time with sponsors approach this booming but once-obscure asset class? They shouldn’t approach it at all, unless they’re willing to do some real homework. SPACs demand caution, knowledge of complex details, and a willingness to dig through Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Signs of froth—the flood of IPOs, the online frenzy on Reddit and Twitter, the celebrity participants—aren’t hard to find. Yet the chance to get in on the ground floor of what could be the next hot stock is tempting.

For retail investors, it may be the closest thing to being a venture-capital or private-equity investor—without knowing what the target company will be. SPACs go public as just cash shells, with the goal of later combining with operating businesses, which become publicly traded companies after the mergers close.

Individual investors need to be choosy, judging SPACs on how shareholder-friendly their terms are and how comfortable they are piggybacking on an experienced deal maker.

“This industry has morphed into something much more institutionalized,” says David Sultan, chief investment officer at Fir Tree Partners, a $2.7 billion hedge fund that began investing in SPACs in the mid-2000s. “Aside from better sponsors, you now see plenty of marquee hedge funds and long-only guys investing, and every major bank underwrites SPACs. That doesn’t mean there won’t be cycles—we’re definitely in a frothier period—but I think SPACs are here to stay.”

The biggest name to start a SPAC this year is silver-haired investor Bill Ackman. His hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management, is the sponsor of Pershing Square Tontine Holdings (PSTH.U), the largest-ever SPAC, having raised $4 billion in its offering on July 22.

SPAC Attack

Selected Premerger SPACs

SPAC / Ticker Recent Price IPO Date IPO Proceeds (mil) Warrants Per Unit Other Committments
PERSHING SQUARE TONTINE HOLDINGS / PSTH.U $21.65 7/22/20 $4,000 1/9 + 2/9 $1-$3 BILLION
GS Acquisition Holdings / GSAH.U 10.65 6/30/20 750 1\4 —
Therapeutics Acquisition / TXAC 14.03 7/08/2020 136 0 $25 million
Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings II / IPOB 11.68 4/28/20 414 1\3 —
Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings III / IPOC 10.85 4/22/20 828 1\3 —

Selected Post-SPAC Merger Companies

Company / Ticker Recent Price SPAC Predecessor Merger Announcement Performance Since Announcement Merger Closing Performance Since Closing
VIRGIN GALACTIC HOLDINGS / SPCE $22.97 SOCIAL CAPITAL HEDOSOPHIA HOLDINGS 07/09/2019 115% 10/25/19 95%
Vertiv Holdings / VRT 14 Goldman Sachs Acquisition Holdings 12/10/2019 32 02/07/2020 9
DraftKings / DKNG 35.89 Diamond Eagle Acquisition 12/23/19 231 4/23/20 105
Nikola / NKLA 31.23 VectoIQ Acquisition 03/03/2020 172 06/03/2020 -8

Data as of 7/29/20

SEC filings, FactSet

Ackman made his name as an activist investor swinging for the fences. He took big stakes in companies and pushed for changes in strategy and management, at times with great success ( Canadian Pacific Railway and General Growth Properties ), and at times not ( J.C. Penney. )

Now, Ackman could have a SPAC war chest of as much as $7 billion when other commitments from Pershing Square funds are included. He plans to pursue a minority position in a “private, large-capitalization, high-quality growth company” that can then bypass the traditional IPO route.

Ackman sees “mature unicorns” as attractive targets, referring to often venture-capital-backed tech companies that have ballooned to large valuations and moved past the peak loss-making stage of their growth.

The New IPOs

There has been a rush of SPACs this year. 

  • 55
    2020 SPAC IPOs
  • $22.5 B
    2020 SPAC IPO funds raised
  • 22
    SPACs on file to IPO
  • 103
    SPACs currently searching for targets
  • 31
    Deals announced in 2020
  • Sources: SPAC Insider, SPAC Research

“We want one of the great businesses of the world that we’re happy to own for a decade,” Ackman tells Barron’s. “We’re a unicorn looking to marry another unicorn.”

A guessing game of what Ackman could buy has been making the rounds on Wall Street. Giant unicorns like home-sharing upstart Airbnb and data company Palantir Technologies are among the names most speculated about for a merger, as is financial information behemoth Bloomberg.

Whichever it is, Pershing Square Tontine’s terms will give the SPAC an edge in getting a merger done, Ackman contends. Its units have climbed 8% from their IPO price to $21.65. “We’ve always thought the SPAC structure was a great idea that was missing something in its ultimate execution,” he says. “The problems really lie around alignment of incentives.”

Other recent SPACs have emphasized attracting long-term investors, aligning sponsors with shareholders, and reducing dilution to strike better deals with target companies.

Fifty-five SPACs have already gone public this year, raising $22.5 billion in proceeds—with another 22 SPACs on file to IPO in the coming weeks, according to SPAC Insider. That compares with 59 IPOs and $13.6 billion in proceeds in 2019—both previous records. More than 100 SPACs are currently on the market, with close to $40 billion in their war chests.

Here’s how a typical SPAC works. It goes public by selling $10 units consisting of a common share and a fraction of a warrant—essentially a call option—which split and begin trading separately within a few months after the IPO. The cash raised goes into the SPAC’s trust, where it earns interest until the SPAC completes a merger with an operating business. (SPAC shareholders vote on the merger.)

Typically exercisable at $11.50 after the combination is completed, the warrants are a sweetener for IPO investors in exchange for locking up their cash as sponsors seek a target.

We’re a unicorn looking to marry another unicorn.

— Bill Ackman on the plans for his SPAC, Pershing Square Tontine Holdings

SPAC sponsors may invest alongside shareholders, but more often they tend to buy founder shares or warrants for close to nothing—known as their “promote”—which can give them as much as 20% of a SPAC’s common shares soon after a deal closes.

If a SPAC doesn’t complete a deal before its deadline—often two years after the IPO—the trust is liquidated and funds are returned to shareholders, while the warrants expire worthless and sponsors lose their at-risk capital. At the time of the merger, shareholders can also elect to redeem their stock for a proportionate share of the cash in the trust. That option means that downside for shareholders from an unattractive merger proposal is limited, but that SPACs can sometimes be left without cash to complete deals.

“The way I’ve always thought about SPACs is that it’s a downside-protected investment,” says Yoav Roth, managing partner and co-founder of Hudson Bay Capital, a longtime SPAC investor with over $5 billion in assets under management. “If I don’t like the proposed business combination, there’s a way for me to get my cash back. But if the deal is exciting, then there’s some upside.”

Not every SPAC merger is a success. Alta Mesa Resources, which merged with Silver Run Acquisition Corp II—at the time the largest U.S. SPAC by IPO proceeds and backed by former Anadarko Petroleum CEO Jim Hackett and Riverstone Holdings —filed for bankruptcy in September.

The most frequently cited criticism of SPACs is that sponsors are more interested in getting any deal done, rather than getting a good deal done. Even if postmerger shares drop significantly, sponsors can walk away with millions of dollars in profit, thanks to their close-to-free promote shares vesting soon after the deal closes.

And even for a well-received merger, the resulting dilution can still be significant, reducing the reward for other shareholders and presenting a sticking point in negotiations with target companies.

Pershing and other sponsors aim to be different. Its funds paid $65 million for warrants that can eventually be used to acquire about 6% of shares outstanding, but not until three years after the merger closes—and exercisable at a 20% premium to the IPO price. It is an incentive to get a deal done, but not a huge sum relative to Pershing Square’s $10 billion in assets under management.

“There’s no scenario in our structure where we do well but our investors do poorly,” Ackman says. “Because it’s out of the money, it’s only on 5.95% of the shares, and we pay for it, the friction is very small.”

What the interior of a Virgin Galactic spaceship will look like. The public company started as a SPAC.

COURTESY OF VIRGIN GALACTIC

GS Acquisition Holdings II (GSAH.U), the second effort from Goldman Sachs Group’s (GS) Permanent Capital Strategies SPAC unit, plans to tie its promote shares to a vesting schedule that means the postmerger stock price needs to rise to certain levels before sponsors benefit.

“We don’t think we should be paid if we can’t deliver an asset that will perform well for our investors,” says Tom Knott, GSAH II’s CEO. “We hope that every SPAC follows this model, but we’re cognizant of the fact that we’ll likely have to close a transaction with the structure in place before it takes hold across the market.”

GSAH II went public by selling units including a quarter of a warrant in June, raising $750 million. Like Goldman’s first SPAC, which merged with Vertiv Holdings (VRT) earlier this year, the new SPAC is targeting a mature business.

Such earn-out structures could help shake off the old reputation of SPACs as a vehicle designed to advantage sponsors at the expense of other stakeholders. Another trend that could help, by encouraging longer-term shareholders, is fewer warrants per unit at the time of the IPO.

Common stock-only SPAC IPOs are also becoming a reality. After first filing with a third of a warrant, biotech-focused RA Capital refiled its first SPAC with an increased offering composed of just common shares at $10 each. Therapeutics Acquisition (TXAC) went public on July 8, raising about $135 million.

“We wanted to have the cleanest, most company-friendly SPAC structure ever executed so that we would have a simple pitch that would help us to more easily attract a high-quality company to merge with us,” the SPAC’s chief financial officer, Matthew Hammond, wrote in an email.

The lack of warrants clearly hasn’t sapped demand: Therapeutics Acquisition stock recently traded near $14.

For Pershing Square Tontine Holdings, the warrant structure includes an extra twist. The IPO included 200 million $20 units sold with just a ninth of a warrant per common share, exercisable at $23. A tontine is a 17th century annuity in which income is shared by a pool of investors, with each individual’s share of the pot increasing as other investors die off.

For the SPAC, that means that only investors who choose to participate in the merger and do not redeem their shares get access to a second pool of warrants, fixed at 44,444,444, or two-ninths per each unit sold at the IPO. The more shareholders who redeem, the greater the reward for those who don’t. And because the additional warrants are tied to the common stock until after the merger closes, each premerger share should trade above the $20 redemption value.

Partnerships between financial backers and experienced executives have helped many SPACs. Moneyball’s Billy Beane has teamed up with RedBird Capital Partners, which filed for a sports SPAC IPO this past week.

Sponsors with strong track records—and expertise in hot sectors like technology or biotech—will be able to fill their IPOs without having to include the “free-gift-with-purchase” incentive of more warrants per unit. But first-time backers may have to offer more generous terms to fill their IPO books. “I think that eventually there will be the haves and have-nots,” says Roth of Hudson Bay Capital.

Retail investors usually do not get to participate in SPAC IPOs, leaving them to consider the value of SPAC units, shares, and warrants once they have begun trading publicly. That means weighing market price against the sponsors’ ability to attract a promising merger partner. “The question becomes how much are you willing to pay for the option of a good management team,” says Fir Tree’s Sultan.

That requires looking at previous deals that sponsors have done, reading up on their industry connections, and combing through prospectus filings for details on how sponsors are paid and what the potential dilution will be—fewer warrants and postmerger earn-outs are positive signs.

Once a SPAC has identified a merger, the decision falls to the same fundamental analysis that investors would do for any operating company. Merger announcements are usually accompanied by a detailed presentation of the target’s business, financial performance, and management projections—disclosure greater than that found in traditional IPOs.

Investors should also pick SPACs focused on attractive target sectors, or those with few competitors. Jeff Mortara, UBS ’ head of equity capital markets origination, sees the greatest shortages of SPACs in technology, biotech, and those over $1 billion.

Current SPACs on the market include target areas like industrials, ESG, cannabis, and Mexico.

Of late, anything related to electric vehicles and the future of transportation has been hot. SPACs have merged or announced deals with Nikola, Hyliion, and Fisker, focused on making EVs or alternative-fuel powertrains; MP Materials, which mines rare-earth elements needed for electric motors; and Velodyne Lidar, which makes sensors employed by self-driving EVs and plans to combine with Graf Industrial (GRAF).

There have also been several well-received deals with financial-technology companies and firms in online gambling and sports betting.

Fewer warrants and greater sponsor alignment can also expand the universe of potential SPAC targets to industries where companies tend to trade close to the value of their total assets. Accepting even moderate dilution can be a deal-breaker for sellers of those companies.

“It’s going to make SPACs applicable to a broader universe of asset types where a 20% sponsor promote is too dilutive,” says Mortara, pointing to real estate and insurance as potential industries to mine for deals.

SPACs are also expanding by targeting companies at earlier stages in their growth. Most companies that merged with SPACs have emerged from private-equity portfolios. That has meant mostly mature businesses.

But a new breed of more-speculative targets has emerged, with Virgin Galactic and Nikola as prime examples. “You’ve started to see concept stocks use SPACs as a vehicle to access the public markets,” says Vik Mittal, portfolio manager at Glazer Capital. “Those loss-leading but disruptive companies traditionally fit more in late-stage venture-capital portfolios, but there’s a lot of public-market interest in owning VC-like investments right now.”

Chamath Palihapitiya, an early executive at Facebook (FB) who left in 2011 to found the Social Capital venture-capital fund, is focused on that part of the SPAC market. His first SPAC combined with spaceflight-venture Virgin Galactic late last year, and he has since raised two more SPACs: Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings II (IPOB), with $414 million targeting technology investments in the U.S., and Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings III (IPOC), which raised $828 million and is focused on tech companies abroad

“You have a massive supply/demand imbalance now in the public markets,” says Palihapitiya. “What that creates is an enormous opportunity for younger technology companies to go public sooner, because it allows them to find higher valuations and investors who are willing to underwrite a very long-term growth model.”

The red-hot market for SPACs will cool. A high-profile merger could end up being a dud, or a large SPAC might not find a target by its deadline. Still, the industry will continue to mature, and SPACs aren’t likely to go away.

Self-storage investment has been said by experts to be “recession-resistant”

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self-storage-investment

Self-storage investment has been said by experts to be “recession-resistant” due to its performance in the last economic recession.

As the country goes through a downturn in the economy, investors are looking for more ways to increase capital gains. Through this venture for higher capital gains, investors are turning to Self-storage investment as a potential asset. Its reputation of high yields and potential resistance to recessions gives it promise.

It started in the 1960s, so it is relatively new; however, the market is large and ever-growing. With revenues steadily increasing every year, self-storage has paved a steady path for investing potential.

Self-storage is one of three asset classes that is essential and attached to real estate. Many self-storage places that started off as mom-and-pop places, though large companies have been breaking through. Even so, the industry is highly fragmented. However, when larger companies began to flood the market, business practices elevated, quality of real estate improved, as did operating efficiency.

Self-storage has traveled a long way. What was once a secret in the industry turned into a growing industry due to public reporting requirements and growing institutional ownership. Today, publicly traded self-storage REITs have been in the top-performing sectors, with a promise of delivering dividends and stock appreciation. Due to this, the industry has been considered by Wall Street analysts to be “recession-resistant” from its performance in the last economic recession.

This is most likely due to the ever-increasing demand for self-storage. As people downsize their houses, or rent out their bigger houses and move into a smaller one, the need for storage in order to house extra items such as furniture, storage bins, and other household items increases.

HERE ARE SOME KEY FACTORS WHY SELF-STORAGE INVESTMENT CAN BE A LONG TERM “RECESSION-RESISTANT” INVESTMENT ASSET.

SELF-STORAGE OVERVIEW

There are different classes of self-storage. Some properties are built specifically for self-storage; others have been converted from warehouses, car dealerships, or more. The properties are usually one-story, though multi-story self-storage units are becoming more popular. They offer access via elevators and hallways. These properties rent units out, are often in different different size configurations, on a monthly or short-term basis. Below are the different types of storage:

  1. OUTDOOR BAY / DRIVE UP

    This is the first generation of self-storage. It contains rows of storage buildings with outdoor roll up doors that are accessed by vehicle. There is minimal security, save for padlocks and a security system. These types of self-storage units are usually the least expensive to rent.

  2. CLIMATE-CONTROLLED

    These are facilities that offer climate-controlled and humidity-controlled spaces in their properties. This type of self-storage unit has become increasingly popular, as people want to store their many items without the risk of mold and mildew forming on documents and furniture. People are willing to pay a premium for this.

  3. SPECIALTY STORAGE

    Specialty Storage is for those who need it. It can be offered in part of the facility, or all, and is used for storing boats, cars, wine, art, and documents.

  4. MIXED-USE

    Self-storage facilities may increase revenue by incorporating retail or office spaces for lease. They may also operate complementary businesses at the same time, such as truck-rentals or pack-and-ship franchises.

WHAT’S DRIVING SELF-STORAGE DEMAND?

Population growth is spurring as self-storage properties remain a destination property. As people actively look for self-storage units, the properties don’t need to have a high-profile location. One thing to remember, though, is that customers prefer convenience. As a result, investors are looking at properties more strategically as they look for properties closer to their customers, and try to outmaneuver their competition. Self-storage does well in densely-populated areas, such as New York or Chicago, as well as up-and-coming cities that are experiencing population and job growth.

Next, American consumerism is driving demand. People buy a lot of material things, and they do not want to get rid of it – leading to a sort of hoarding situation. As garages fill up with material belongings with memories attached, people start looking for other ways to store their things.

Finally, people who are transitioning homes will need storage space to store their things. Like it was mentioned earlier, people are starting to move out of their bigger houses, moving into smaller houses, and renting out their bigger homes to others in order to make extra revenue. Self-storage has also profited from people being displaced from their homes as they move to new areas for new jobs. This is where moving trucks and pack-and-ship services begin to pay off. College students and members of the military are often the demographic that self-storage companies look for.

WHAT ARE SOME CHANGES TO SELF-STORAGE ASSET?

The main way that self-storage has changed dynamically is in how the locations are developed and used as well as how they are operated. For one thing, self-storage properties were usually located on the outskirts of a town or city, tucked away in the back of industrial parks. However, self-storage has recently moved to urban centers where they can be in close proximity. This allows for customers to safely store their materials and gear, and following the trends according to need successfully.

Competition in self-storage has definitely changed the way it is designed. Storage operators are pushing harder for retail locations to stay close to their customers – and to do this, they must upgrade their image to attract customers and satisfy city building and zoning requirements in those retail locations. Now, the “no-frills” storage experience is being amplified with upscale designs and using a retail-friendly atmosphere to attract their customers.

Technology has also been a huge change. As technology becomes more advanced, more facilities are able to use technology to help their customers. Such examples are using a software to track renter history and issue alerts to late payers.

WHAT THIS ALL MEANS FOR SELF-STORAGE AS AN INVESTMENT

Investors are realizing and recognizing self-storage investment as a potential cash-cow. Self-storage investment is known for generating a solid amount of revenue, and it has a lean operating strategy that is easy to handle, in most cases. Self-storage investment has lower costs associated with tenant turnover as there are no broker fees or tenant improvement dollars necessary to market units to new users. There is also the fact that the units are all reusable, making for an unmatched adversary when it comes to capital gains.

One thing that investors must look for, however, is the increase in expenses to build said self-storage buildings. It is far more expensive to build than in previous generations. However, if one looks at the logistics of the overall venture, it can ultimately lead to gains and dividends

Rule 506 (c) Reg D Real Estate and the benefits of the CARES Act

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Rule 506 of Reg D Real Estate and the benefits of the CARES Act

Investing can be very profitable when one does their research, and an important form of investing is Regulation D.

IN THIS ARTICLE, WE ARE GOING TO REVIEW REGULATION D, THE JOBS ACT, BRIEFLY OUTLINE THE BENEFITS OF THE CARES ACT IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT CORONAVIRUS AGENDA. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO REVIEW OPPORTUNITY ZONES, SO YOU CAN BETTER INVEST YOUR MONEY.

With the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act passing back in 2012, it is easier for non-accredited investors to invest. Most importantly, for private offerings, it lifted an 80-year ban on public solicitation of private investments. Companies using Regulation D (Reg D) to raise capital are able to raise funds from accredited investors and non-accredited investors. For those who are confused about what that is, read this article about the basics of Reg D, and specifically Rule 506 of Reg D.

Reg D is a regulation governed by the SEC, maintaining private placement exemptions. This is opportunistic for smaller companies, as they can raise capital both faster and cheaper than releasing their company to the public. It allows capital to be raised through equities and debt securities without needing to register them with the SEC. One must still follow the requirements required by the state and federal government.

Companies and Investors must still follow guidelines, fill proper paperwork, and disclose important information. Companies must fill out a “Form D” electronically with the SEC. Although one must fill out the Form D, it is far less tedious than preparing for a public offering.

The company offering the private security must also provide disclosures about any “bad actor” events within the timeframe of issuing the security.

Importantly, Rule 506 of Reg D gives two distinct exemptions for companies offering securities. Through these exemptions, companies can raise an unlimited amount of money.

RULE 506 (b) OF REG D

Rule 506(b) is for an unlimited number of accredited investors and up to 35 non-accredited investors, who are labeled as “sophisticated”. To be a sophisticated non-accredited investor, one must have sufficient knowledge and experience in business and financial situations. By having said knowledge, they can be trusted to evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of a potential investment.

Under Rule 506(b), the company offering the securities is not able to use general solicitation to advertise. Also, companies decide on what information they choose to disclose, so long as it doesn’t go against anti fraud regulations, and doesn’t include any false and misleading information. The company must be available for questions from potential investors.

Reg D 506(c) is for accredited investors. Rule 506(c) of Reg D investments states that companies can broadly solicit and generally advertise a private offering, and still be within compliance of the requirements. It does state some prerequisites, such as requiring all the investors in the offer to be accredited investors and requiring the company to take the necessary and reasonable steps to verify the accredited investors.

If someone purchases securities related to the Rule 506, they are given “restricted” securities.  This means those securities cannot be sold for at least six months to a year.

Rule 506(c) of Reg D also means that investors may invest immediately into a project, instead of waiting the cool-off period. An unlimited amount of investors may invest, raising an unlimited amount of money.

THE CARES ACT

Another important event is the signing of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It allows grants and loans equal to 10% of the country’s economy. It could lead to tax breaks for potential investors, as well as support for smaller businesses.

The CARES Act offered a total of about $350 billion in low-interest loans for small businesses to go towards rent, utilities, and mortgage interests. It also offered specific guidance on evictions and foreclosures. This means that any struggles due to the Coronavirus can be handled by requesting a forbearance. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will also receive extra funding through the CARES Act, allotting $5 billion to expand Community Development Grants and $4 billion in McKinney-Vento Homeless Emergency Solutions Grants. This funding benefits  communities with the need to to provide housing for in-need citizens and the homeless.

The CARES Act also presents multiple tax benefits, such as being able to file amended returns, claiming the operating losses, and getting refunds on already-paid taxes. This is a good time to mention the Opportunity Zones Program, which attracts investment toward low-income and distressed cities and towns. They do this by modifying the standard tax treatment of capital gains in several ways.

OPPORTUNITY ZONES

To qualify for the benefits that Opportunity Zones reap, one must reinvest one or more capital gains in a Qualified Opportunity Fund. This is described as an investment vehicle organized as a corporation that holds 90% or more of its assets in a qualified opportunity zone property, rather than another qualified opportunity fund. There are three tax benefits to reinvesting capital gains in a Qualified Opportunity Fund: first, there is a temporary tax deferral on any gains in a qualified opportunity fund within 180 days of realization; second, there is a 10% step up in basis for gains reinvested in a qualified opportunity fund if the investment is held for five years; third and finally, investors who invest in a qualified opportunity fund can exclude permanently from taxation any capital gains that accrue after their investment in a qualified opportunity fund, if the investment is held for at least 10 years.

In short, Reg D is something that needs to be looked into. The opportunities of investing through Rule 506 means that companies can raise unlimited funds through accredited and non-accredited investors by offering private securities through equities and debts. Rule 506(b) allows for an unlimited number of accredited investors and a maximum of 35 investors; Rule 506(c) is only for accredited investors, but the company can generally advertise their offerings to said investors. Additionally, the CARES Act offers tax refunds for those investing in businesses, as well as mortgage forbearance and an increase in grant funds. It is a very viable form of investing, and it benefits smaller companies as it allows those companies to raise the maximum amount of funds needed for operation at a cheaper cost. Overall, it is important for investors to take advantage of this opportunity to maximize their returns.

Global Wealth Market Post-COVID-19

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Global Wealth Market Post-COVID-19

The global wealth market will decline by 7% in 2020 due to the coronavirus. The pandemic has forced worldwide markets into lockdown, which will result in severe economic downturn.

New York, July 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report “Global Wealth Market Post-COVID-19” – https://www.reportlinker.com/p05932951/?utm_source=GNW

HNW individuals will be hurt the most due to their appetite for riskier asset classes, which have experienced declines mirroring the 2007-09 recession.

Returns from all asset classes will be low as stock markets have crashed, interest rates are nearing 0%, and emergency government support is reducing yields from other fixed-income products.Recovery is expected to be slow, and will differ from country to country.

However, we do predict that 2021 will be the bounce back year, with the global retail savings and investments market set to increase by 10%.

This report explores the impact of COVID-19 on the wealth market from 2020 onwards. It sizes the wealth market both by number of individuals and the value of their liquid assets using proprietary datasets, analyzes which asset classes are favored by global investors, and examines how their preferences will impact the growth of the total savings and investments market.

Scope
– HNW individuals will see their liquid wealth reduce by 11% in 2020 – an approximate loss of $5.2tn.
– Global equity balances will see the largest fall with a 26% decline in 2020 as global stock markets crashed in mid-March, mirroring positions seen during the last global recession.
– US investors will suffer the most in 2020 due to their preference for risky asset classes that have been severely damaged.

Reasons to Buy
– Benchmark your share of the global wealth market against the current market size.
– Forecast your future growth prospects using our revised projections for the market to 2021.
– Identify your most promising client segment by analyzing the penetration of affluent individuals globally.
Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05932951/?utm_source=GNW

About Reportlinker
ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need – instantly, in one place.

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Clare: clare@reportlinker.com
US: (339)-368-6001
Intl: +1 339-368-6001

AXIM® Biotechnologies Unveils World’s First COVID-19 Rapid Diagnostic Test for Neutralizing Antibodies

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Medical Marijuana, Inc. Investment Company AXIM® Biotechnologies Unveils World’s First COVID-19 Rapid Diagnostic Test for Neutralizing Antibodies and Files Pre-Emergency Use Authorization

Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) (the “Company”), the first-ever publicly traded cannabis company in the United States that launched the world’s first-ever cannabis-derived nutraceutical products, brands and supply chain, announced today that its investment company AXIM® Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AXIM) (“AXIM® Biotech” or “AXIM”) has announced the development of a rapid diagnostic test measuring levels of functional neutralizing antibodies that are believed to prevent SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) from infection.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Dr. Stuart Titus commented: “Our portfolio is proud to see the innovation that AXIM has showcased over the past few months and we are optimistic that this test could help make a difference in achieving our end-goal of overcoming this virus. Personally, I think that this kind of ingenuity will set us apart from our competitors and allow us to continue to grow the other facets of our business.”

Unlike currently available COVID-19 tests that detect an antibody response to the virus, AXIM’s rapid 10-minute test measures a specific subpopulation of antibodies to block the virus from attacking a person’s body. While there are expensive, time-consuming laboratory tests that measure neutralizing antibodies, this test could be offered with easier convenience, lower cost and much faster — results in 10 minutes — than any other test on the market.

AXIM’s test could also help ensure that vaccines elicit high levels of neutralizing antibodies. When a vaccine is available, manufacturers can employ this test to evaluate its effectiveness in vaccine recipients.

“We have succeeded at creating a test that is cost-efficient, accurate and fast – hopefully serving as an ‘Immunity Passport™’ for vaccine developers as they begin larger Phase II and III clinical trials,” AXIM® Biotech CEO John W. Huemoeller II said.

AXIM has filed a Pre-Emergency Use Authorization and is compiling the necessary data from numerous tests recently completed that are needed to apply for an EUA from the FDA.  AXIM makes clear that while the Company intends to file an EUA with the U.S. FDA, the U.S. FDA has not yet approved the Company’s diagnostic test and there is no guarantee that any EUA once filed will be approved.

About AXIM® Biotechnologies

Founded in 2014, AXIM® Biotechnologies, Inc. (AXIM) is a vertically integrated research and development company focused on changing diagnosis and treatment for oncology and SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19). AXIM’s NeuCovixTM is the first rapid diagnostic test measuring levels of functional neutralizing antibodies that are believed to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from entering the host cells. Additionally, the Company is developing rapid diagnostic tests for the early detection of cancer and proprietary small molecules drugs to treat cancer and block metastasis. For more information, please visit www.AXIMBiotech.com.

About Medical Marijuana, Inc.

We are a company of firsts®. Medical Marijuana, Inc. (MJNA) is a cannabis company with three distinct business units in the non-psychoactive cannabinoid space: a global portfolio of cannabinoid-based nutraceutical brands led by Kannaway® and HempMeds®; a pioneer in sourcing the highest-quality legal non-psychoactive cannabis products derived from industrial hemp; and a cannabinoid-based clinical research and botanical drug development sector led by its pharmaceutical investment companies and partners including AXIM® Biotechnologies, Inc. and Kannalife, Inc. Medical Marijuana, Inc. was named a top CBD producer by CNBC. Medical Marijuana, Inc. was also the first company to receive historic import permits for CBD products from the governments of Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Paraguay and is a leader in the development of international markets. The company’s flagship product Real Scientific Hemp Oil has been used in several successful clinical studies throughout Mexico and Brazil to understand its safety and efficacy.

Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s headquarters is in San Diego, California, and additional information is available at OTCMarkets.com or by visiting www.medicalmarijuanainc.com. To see Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s corporate video, click here.

Shareholders and consumers are also encouraged to buy CBD oil and other products at Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s shop.

FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Medical Marijuana, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

LEGAL DISCLOSURE

Medical Marijuana, Inc. does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act.

CONTACT:
Public Relations Contact:
Andrew Hard
Chief Executive Officer
CMW Media
P. 858-264-6600
andrew.hard@cmwmedia.com
www.cmwmedia.com

Investor Relations Contact:
P. (858) 283-4016
Investors@medicalmarijuanainc.com

GrowLife, Inc. Announces Renowned Additions to Advisory Board Focused on Expanding CBD Hemp Starter Business

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GrowLife, Inc. Announces Renowned Additions to Advisory Board Focused on Expanding CBD Hemp Starter Business

KIRKLAND, Wash., July 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GrowLife, Inc. (OTCQB: PHOT) (“GrowLife” or the “Company”), one of the nation’s most recognized indoor cultivation product and service providers, today announced two additions to the company’s advisory board, Mr. Lewis Swarts and Dr. Daniel Harder. Each brings unique experience that will assist the company in expanding its CBD-rich hemp cloning business.

“We could not have asked for two better additions to our advisory board than Mr. Swarts and Dr. Harder” said Marco Hegyi, CEO of GrowLife. “Looking at their rich backgrounds, they are adding world-class experience in hemp cultivation operations, enabling us to better serve the supply chain and address the challenges hemp farmers are facing, paired with a scientific outlook rarely seen in the cannabis space. We have always prided ourselves in working with the best, now adding these two experts to our advisory board elevates GrowLife’s position even further as true leaders of innovation within the cloning industry. We continue to see strong demand for CBD consumer products and providing the raw-material infrastructure necessary to meet this demand is exactly where GrowLife will continue to capitalize.”

Mr. Swarts is a cannabis industry veteran, having worked in executive positions at some of the world’s largest cannabis and agriculture companies for more than ten years. He brings unparalleled experience in managing operational efficiencies for large-scale cannabis and hemp cultivation organizations. This experience adds immense value to GrowLife’s expanding CBD-rich hemp clone operation. Mr. Swarts’ previous titles include Managing Director and Vice-President of Operations at cannabis and hemp production facilities as well as currently holding a senior leadership position at one of the largest vertically-integrated hemp manufacturers in the US. Mr. Swarts joins the advisory board with a passion for and an understanding of the potential of CBD-rich hemp and will focus on streamlining and expanding that part of GrowLife’s business.

Dr. Harder is a plant scientist who has dedicated his career to Botany and Agronomic Genomics. A graduate of University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Harder has held multiple professional, legislative and board positions at highly respected plant science foundations, gardens, and academic organizations. He is a multi-published author on the topics of botany and identification and verification of plant species and environmental considerations. As an advisory board member, Dr. Harder will work with members of GrowLife team to expand their knowledge of plant genetics and work to bring even greater quality to GrowLife’s hemp clone products.

“I am honored and excited by the opportunity to join GrowLife’s advisory board” said Lewis Swarts. “The company is well positioned to be the leader in not only cloning equipment, but CBD-rich hemp starters nationwide. Cloning is the preferred way for many farmers to guarantee the CBD potency of their hemp plants and I plan to use my experience in hemp cultivation operations to further GrowLife’s reach in this expanding industry.”

“As a lifetime plant researcher, I am eager to help GrowLife’s team further their genetics expertise on plant cultivation” added Dr. Daniel Harder. “I have assisted countless farmers in understanding their crops, for their region and environmental conditions, and I hope to pass this understanding onto the GrowLife team so that they may be able to best serve their customers to grow superior performing CBD-rich hemp through use of the company’s proprietary starters.”

About GrowLife, Inc.

GrowLife, Inc. (PHOT) aims to become the nation’s largest cultivation service provider for cultivating organics, herbs and greens and plant-based medicines. Our mission is to help make our customers successful. Through a network of local representatives covering the United States and Canada, regional centers and its e-Commerce team, GrowLife provides essential goods and services including media, industry-leading hydroponics and soil, plant nutrients, and thousands of more products to specialty grow operations. GrowLife is headquartered in Kirkland, Washington and was founded in 2012.

Public Relations Contact:

CMW Media
Cassandra Dowell, 858-264-6600
cassandra@cmwmedia.com
www.cmwmedia.com

Investor Relations Contact:
investors@growlifeinc.com
206-483-0059

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT:

This release contains statements that constitute 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. These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of GrowLife, Inc., its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things: (i) financing plans; (ii) trends affecting its financial condition or results of operations; (iii) growth strategy and operating strategy. The words may, would, will, expect, estimate, can, believe, potential and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond GrowLife, Inc.’s ability to control, and actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

COVID-19 Database of Worldwide Travel Guidelines Now Available To All trivago Travelers

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COVID-19 Database of Worldwide Travel Guidelines Now Available To All trivago Travelers

As some regions of the world begin to relax travel restrictions while others impose new quarantines, trivago N.V. (NASDAQ: TRVG) announced the launch of its new COVID-19 database is now available for travelers.  The database  aggregates the most updated information on restrictions for travelers into a single, consolidated source.

Travelers and businesses can now access the free database for up-to-date details including any restrictions on entry, social distancing rules, the use of personal protective equipment in accommodations, and open activities and businesses at the destination. Users simply select the country and region they are looking to visit, and the platform returns details on whether the location is open for domestic and/or international travel and the length of quarantine restrictions, if any. The resulting information also includes the status for hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, bars, night clubs, museums and other events at the location. When travelers look to book accommodations on the trivago website, they will see a banner at the top of the page linking them to the COVID database.  For example, www.trivago.de/corona or www.trivago.com/corona

“Due to the massive challenges brought on by the global pandemic, today’s travelers face several important questions before booking vacations, especially as restrictions vary widely depending on jurisdiction. This database provides the transparency and detailed information they need in one place, without having to search through numerous websites and other sources in order to make their travel decisions,” explained Axel Hefer, CEO trivago.

The European COVID-19 Travel Alliance, which includes trivago, gathers the source materials for the database from reputable government sources for each country and region. This initiative supports local tourism industries, providing a resource for travelers and travel institutions to pass along the information to their customers online and through mobile applications.

Please note the content on this website is not exhaustive and is solely provided to assist visitors of this website at this time of disruption on an “AS IS” basis. Information is subject to change without prior notice and at the sole discretion of the subject contributors to this website. Given the rapidly evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation and the contributors to this website’s response to it, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in these sites and cannot accept any liability for any errors or omissions nor can you, in your capacity as a visitor of this website, derive any rights from it.

About trivago
trivago is a leading global hotel search platform focused on reshaping the way travelers search for and compare hotels and alternative accommodations. Incorporated in 2005 in Düsseldorf, Germany, the platform allows travelers to make informed decisions by personalizing their hotel search and providing them access to a deep supply of hotel information and prices. trivago enables its advertisers to grow their businesses by providing access to a broad audience of travelers via its websites and apps. As of March 31, 2020, trivago has established 54 localized platforms connected to over 4.5 million hotels and alternative accommodations, in over 190 countries.

Forward looking statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Words, and variations of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “continue,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions are intended to identify our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and important factors that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. For additional information factors that could affect our forward-looking statements, see our risk factors, as they may be amended from time to time, set forth in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim and do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

Media Contact:
Stephanie Lowenthal
stephanie.lowenthal@trivago.com

 

Interferon Treatment Trial ‘a Major Breakthrough’ Against the Covid-19 Pandemic

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Administrator
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Interferon Treatment Trial ‘a Major Breakthrough’ Against the Covid-19 Pandemic

NEW YORK CITY, July 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BetterLife Pharma Inc. (“BetterLife” or the “Company”) (OTCQB:BETRD) (CSE:BETR) has been a strong advocate and defender of using interferons as treatment for COVID-19, in particular as delivered through an inhalation device.

Now, the preliminary results of a clinical trial by a UK biotech have confirmed the premise advocated by the Company, suggesting that an interferon inhalation treatment for COVID-19 reduces the number of patients needing intensive care.

In the UK study, the treatment was delivered through a nebulizer and inhaled directly into the lungs of patients with coronavirus. The initial findings suggest the treatment cut the odds of a COVID-19 patient in hospital developing severe disease – such as requiring ventilation – by 79%.

The study reported “very significant” reductions in breathlessness among patients who received the treatment and highlighted how patients were two to three times more likely to recover to the point where everyday activities were not compromised by their illness, according to the study claims.

In addition, the average time patients spent in hospital is said to have been reduced by a third, for those receiving the new drug – down from an average of nine days to six days.

The treatment in the study used interferon beta, as opposed to the patent-pending interferon alpha 2b (IFN-a2b) treatment developed by BetterLife called AP-003.

Whether alpha or beta, both interferon proteins are produced when the body encounters a viral infection and act as antiviral agents, modulating functions of the immune system.  Interferons were so named for their ability to “interfere” with viral replication by protecting cells from virus infections.

IFN-a2b has been used with great success with other respiratory illnesses. Interferon treatments have been studied against coronaviruses including MERS-CoV, SARS-Cov-1 and now SARS-CoV-2 (the causative agent of COVID-19).

Of the three coronaviruses which cause severe human disease, SARS-CoV-2 displays substantial sensitivity to interferon alpha. Studies in COVID-19 patients show that IFN-a2b inhalation reduces the infection rate of SARS-CoV-2.

BetterLife is planning to initiate its Phase II study later this summer with its proprietary IFN-a2b formula called AP-003.  AP-003 is a patent pending isoform-free form of interferon alpha 2b. This means that as a purer form of interferon it is potentially less toxic, clearing the way for higher doses to be administered.

BetterLife hope that an inhaler, similar to one used in the UK study, will deliver AP-003 directly to a patient’s lungs in the hope of stimulating immune response. The treatment is aimed at preventing infected patients deteriorating from requiring oxygen to being placed on a ventilator, as suggested by the findings of the UK study.

The company is also aiming to develop a low dose version of AP-003 that may serve as a prophylaxis or prevention treatment for front-line workers and those at high risk for COVID-19 infections.

In discussing the news with BDA, Ahmad Doroudian, Chief Executive Officer of BetterLife commented “We are encouraged by the positive results from this trial as it further confirms the proof of concept of anti-COVID treatment via IFN inhalation. We look forward to our proposed 150 patient clinical trials using AP-003 (inhaled IFN alpha 2b) in COVID-19 patients.

BetterLife’s team believes that the isoform-free IFN alpha2b will provide a potentially superior treatment regimen for Covid-19 patients, as IFN-a2b has already been used to successfully treat other viral infections such as HCV and HBV.

To learn more about AP-003 please visit www.BlifeTherapeutics.com

Note:

BetterLife Pharma has not made any express or implied claims that AP-003 or any other product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 (or SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time. Further, the safety and efficacy of AP-003 are under investigation and market authorization has not yet been obtained.

Disclosure: BetterLife Pharma is a client of BDA International.

About BDA International, Inc.:

BDA International is an independent global firm offering a wide range of IR and PR related analysis, research and advisory services. In particular, we provide and are compensated for service packages that include strategic action plans and investor/market perception studies to help entities improve communication with customers and investors, and to increase their visibility. BDA International has received no direct compensation related to this release but its principles hold shares of client companies in our personal portfolios, including BETRF. BDA International accepts sole responsibility for the content and distribution of the foregoing release, which does not contain any previously unpublished or non-public information. Parties interested in learning more about the relationship between BDA and BETRF may do so via the contact information at the bottom of this release.

Disclaimer

The information, opinions and analysis contained herein are based on sources believed to be reliable, but no representation, expressed or implied, is made as to its accuracy, completeness or correctness. The opinions contained in this analysis reflect our current judgment and are subject to change without notice. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for any losses, damages or costs arising from an investor’s or other person’s reliance on or use of this analysis. This analysis is for information purposes only, and is neither a solicitation to buy nor an offer to sell securities, nor a recommendation of any security, although members of the BDA may at times hold a position in the company covered within the article. BetterLife Pharma is a client of BDA International. Past gains are not a representative of future gains. The opinions herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements concerning manufacturing, marketing, growth, and expansion. When used herein, the words “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “believe,” “expect,” “plans,” “should,” “potential,” “forecast,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could affect actual results and cause them to differ materially from expectations expressed herein. A company’s actual results could differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements contained herein. BDA is not a licensed broker, broker dealer, market maker, investment advisor, analyst or underwriter. We recommend that you use the information found herein as an initial starting point for conducting your own research in order to determine your own personal opinion of the companies discussed herein before deciding whether or not to invest. You should seek such investment, tax, financial, accounting or legal advice appropriate for your particular circumstances. Information about many publicly traded companies and other investor resources can be found at www.sec.gov. Investing in securities is speculative and carries risk.

Investor Relations Contact:
Dost Mushtaq
BDA International    
www.bda-ir.com
dost@bda-ir.com

 

MediPharm Labs to Present at the Avicanna Hosted Virtual Symposium Titled “Medical Cannabis 2.0” in Partnership with Medical Cannabis by Shoppers™

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MediPharm Labs to Present at the Avicanna Hosted Virtual Symposium Titled “Medical Cannabis 2.0” in Partnership with Medical Cannabis by Shoppers™

  • This year’s annual symposium coincides with the expected launch of Avicanna Inc’s (TSX: AVCN) (OTCQX: AVCNF) (FSE: 0NN) RHO Phyto™ advanced medical cannabis products, manufactured by MediPharm Labs.
  • In the wake of COVID-19, a virtual format will be used that allows for a broader reach to global patients and the medical community.
  • The symposium will present the evolution of medical cannabis including the Avicanna-led advancements, in collaboration with MediPharm Labs for R&D for novel cannabinoid delivery forms and formulations in addition to enhanced access for patients by Medical Cannabis by Shoppers.
  • Leading experts in R&D and clinical development will discuss the potential therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis to address the importance of working with healthcare practitioners for safe and effective dosing.

BARRIE, Ontario, July 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MediPharm Labs Corp., (TSX: LABS) (OTCQX: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) (“MediPharm Labs” or the “Company”) a global leader in specialized, research-driven pharmaceutical-quality cannabis extraction, distillation and derivative products, is pleased to announce that Pat McCutcheon, CEO & Co-Founder of MediPharm Labs will be participating at the Avicanna Hosted Virtual Symposium Titled “Medical Cannabis 2.0“ in Partnership with Medical Cannabis By Shoppers™.

Patients and health care practitioners globally can join the virtual symposium to learn more about the potential advantages of medical cannabis and the advancement of product offerings including MediPharm Labs manufactured products such as Avicanna’ s RHO Phyto™ product offerings. In addition, experts will discuss the pharmacology, safety, and dosing guidelines of medical cannabis for therapeutic conditions. This includes presentations on the, efficacy of cannabinoids for chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and comorbidities as well as an overview of the patient pathway to Medical Cannabis by Shoppers.

The webcast presentation will begin at 10:00am Eastern Time, and Pat McCutcheon, CEO of MediPharm Labs will be presenting on a panel at 12:50pm Eastern Time. Participants may view the full agenda and access the webcast using the following link: https://www.avicanna.com/symposium/ or through the events section of MediPharm Labs Investor Relations website at https://ir.medipharmlabs.com/ir-calendar.

About MediPharm Labs

Founded in 2015, MediPharm Labs specializes in the production of purified, pharmaceutical-quality cannabis oil and concentrates and advanced derivative products utilizing a Good Manufacturing Practices certified facility with ISO standard-built clean rooms. MediPharm Labs has invested in an expert, research driven team, state-of-the-art technology, downstream purification methodologies and purpose-built facilities with five primary extraction lines for delivery of pure, trusted and precision-dosed cannabis products for its customers. Through its wholesale and white label platforms, MediPharm Labs formulates, develops (including through sensory testing), processes, packages and distributes cannabis extracts and advanced cannabinoid-based products to domestic and international markets. As a global leader, MediPharm Labs has completed commercial exports to Australia and is nearing commercialization of its Australian extraction facility. MediPharm Labs Australia was established in 2017.

For further information, please contact:
Laura Lepore, VP, Investor Relations and Communications
Telephone: 416-913-7425 ext. 1525
Email: investors@medipharmlabs.com
Website: www.medipharmlabs.com

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the inability of MediPharm Labs to obtain adequate financing; the delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; and other factors discussed in MediPharm Labs’ filings, available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, MediPharm Labs assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

Rapid Dose Therapeutics and McMaster University Initiate QuickStrip™ COVID-19 Vaccine Research With Immediate Impact

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Administrator
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Rapid Dose Therapeutics and McMaster University Initiate QuickStrip™ COVID-19 Vaccine Research With Immediate Impact

BURLINGTON, Ontario, July 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rapid Dose Therapeutics Corp. (“RDT” or the “Company”) (CSE: DOSE), a Canadian Life Sciences company focused on innovative drug and active ingredient delivery solutions, is pleased to announce it has begun COVID-19 vaccine research in conjunction with McMaster University and the team lead by Drs. Alex Adronov, James Mahony, and Mark Larché. The federally-funded project tests the use of QuickStrip™ for administering vaccines orally as a convenient and safe alternative to injection with needles, the currently accepted delivery format for most vaccines.

Dr. Adronov is a recognized Canadian expert in synthetic polymer chemistry and the development of novel polymer architectures, Dr. Mahony has extensive experience in virology and vaccine development, and Dr. Larché is an immunologist with expertise in vaccine research geared toward treatment of common allergies. The combined expertise of this research team will enable development and evaluation of oral vaccine delivery strategies.

Jason Lewis, RDT SVP said “RDT is focused on novel research through collaboration with the experts at McMaster. We see QuickStrip™, oral mucosa thin film delivery, as an efficient solution for distributing vaccines globally. Experts believe that antigens to COVID and other viruses can be delivered sublingually, a much easier and less expensive process than the current single or multidose vial methods.  Imagine the significance of creating a vaccine that can be sent in an envelope, by mail.”

“Our combined experience indicates that this is very feasible” said Dr. Adronov a recognized polymer expert leading the research project. “Our past collaborations with RDT in developing polymeric delivery innovations have resulted in solutions we are proud of, and continue to be involved with. Globally, we are seeing the development of many vaccines that we believe can be applied using sublingual delivery. Our project focuses on producing a polymer strip that delivers viral antigens by a transmucosal approach rather than injection. This funding will allow us to quickly get started, and we expect to generate positive results in the near future.”

Mark Upsdell, RDT CEO, said “The current COVID situation requires everyone to think outside of the box as to how we might deliver safe, effective and timely solutions for combating COVID-19 and other viruses that require serum-based defenses. RDT remains committed to its research and innovation strategy which is highlighted now by our work on the COVID-19 project’s unique delivery format. RDT provides scale-up testing and bench strength support for the McMaster research team in the race to provide an effective product that can be produced and delivered on a world-wide scale. A successful outcome of this project and its application with our QuickStrip™ delivery system will create exciting new opportunities for RDT.”

About Rapid Dose Therapeutics

Rapid Dose Therapeutics Corp. is a publicly-traded Canadian Life Sciences company providing innovative, proprietary drug delivery technologies designed to improve outcomes and quality of lives. RDT offers Quick, Convenient, Precise and Discreet™ choices to consumers. RDT is focused and committed to clinical research and product development for the healthcare manufacturing industry — including nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cannabis industries. Within the cannabis sector, RDT also provides a turn-key Managed Strip Service Program enabling RDT’s QuickStrip™ proprietary cannabis delivery technology to be licensed to select operators in identified markets. RDT’s service-based annuity contracts drive recurring revenue and facilitate rapid expansion into emerging markets across multiple consumer segments. RDT is committed to continually create innovative solutions for humans, animals and plants.

For more information, visit: www.rapiddose.ca

For inquiries please contact:

Mark Upsdell Pat McCarthy
CEO Managing Director Capital Markets
mupsdell@rapid-dose.com pmccarthy@leedejonesgable.com
Ofc (416) 477-1052 Ofc (416) 365-8012

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities 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. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “potential”, “believe”, “intend”, “will”, “could”, “are planned to”, “are expected to” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Statements containing forward-looking information, including, without limitation, in respect of the delivery of equipment and products using the QuickStrip™ product delivery method, the generation of recurring revenues and the dismissal of the CTT lawsuit, express, as at the date of this news release, the plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations or beliefs of RDT management as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to RDT management. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; marketing costs; loss of markets; termination of WLM agreements; future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the cannabis industry in Canada generally, income tax and regulatory matters; the ability to implement its business strategies; competition; currency and interest rate fluctuations and other risks.  Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. There can be no assurance that statements of forward-looking information, although considered reasonable by RDT management at the time of preparation, will prove to be accurate as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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