This restaurant ready classic is sure to be a family favorite.
When Ghana received 50,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses from India last month, it hit a frustrating roadblock: it had not trained enough staff to distribute them. The country was still rolling out shots received in late February from the global vaccine-sharing scheme COVAX, and didn't have the capacity to expand that operation, according to the head of Ghana's immunisation programme. Rather than going straight into the arms of health workers, the additional doses were put in cold storage in the capital Accra, Kwame Amponsa-Achiano told Reuters, adding that his team had received two days' notice about the shipment.
Logitech has, quite predictably, released new versions of its Combo Touch keyboard case for Apple's newly announced iPad Pros.
A few years from now, Brandt Clarke might be able to brag he took the Auston Matthews path to the NHL by playing in Europe during his draft year. “He kind of went over voluntarily,” Clarke said. Clarke and other 2021 draft-eligible prospects didn't have much of a choice but to divert to a different path this season when their leagues couldn't stage a season because of the pandemic.
The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY) ("The9"), an established Internet company, today announced that it signed a legally binding term sheet on a CAD4 million investment in Skychain Technologies Inc. ("Skychain"), a company listed in TSX Venture Exchange in Canada. The purpose of the investment is for the construction and operation of a 12 MW cryptocurrency mining facility located in Birtle, Manitoba, Canada. The9 plans to deploy its cryptocurrency mining machines in this mining facility upon completion of the construction.
Paisley Park, where Prince lived and worked, will welcome back a select 1,400 fans Wednesday to mark the fifth anniversary of his death from inside his creative sanctuary. The sprawling studio's atrium will be opened to those who rushed for one of the free reservations, while other fans can leave flowers and mementos in front of a statue erected outside the front doors in the shape of his famous purple Love Symbol. A custom-made ceramic urn shaped like Paisley Park with Prince’s symbol on top was originally placed in the middle of the atrium when the pop legend’s 65,000-square-foot studio in suburban Minneapolis first opened as a museum in October 2016.
Swiss drugmaker Roche on Wednesday stuck to its 2021 forecast for revenue growth, as first-quarter sales of COVID-19 tests offset a slumping main drug business that has been hurt as the pandemic limits doctor visits for other diseases. First-quarter sales were 14.9 billion Swiss francs ($16.3 billion), which in Swiss francs was down 3% from 15.1 billion francs in the year-earlier period, Roche said in a statement. The Basel-based company, which does not report quarterly profit, said the strong Swiss franc dragged down revenue.
Europe's largest food retailer, Carrefour, said it would buy back up to 500 million euros ($601 million) of its shares this year, reflecting confidence in the success of its turnaround plan following a strong first quarter. Carrefour, which last month agreed to buy Brazil's third-biggest food retailer Grupo BIG for about $1.3 billion, also maintained its financial and operational targets under its 'Carrefour 2022' strategic plan. "Our confidence in the success of our transformation plan, as well as in our ability to generate high cash flow, is further strengthened," Chairman and Chief Executive Alexandre Bompard said in a statement.
Amsterdam, 21 April 2021 – Heineken Holding N.V. (EURONEXT: HEIO; OTCQX: HKHHY) publishes its trading update today for the first quarter of 2021. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Beer volume stable organically Heineken® volume growth accelerated +12.1% Premium volume outperformed growing in the low-teensDeployment of EverGreen growth strategy on track Heineken Holding N.V. engages in no activities other than its participating interest in Heineken N.V. and the management or supervision of and provision of services to that company. FIRST QUARTER VOLUME Beer volume1 2(in mhl or %)1Q21Organic growth1Q20Consolidated beer volume50.3 0.0 %51.6 Heineken® volume1(in mhl or %)1Q21Organic growthHeineken N.V.10.5 12.1 % 1 Refer to the Definitions section for an explanation of organic growth and volume metrics. 2 2021 volume reflects the shift of malt-based, unfermented, non-alcoholic drinks from Beer- to Non-Beer Volume. Organic growth has been corrected. HEINEKEN's highest priority throughout the COVID-19 crisis has been and continues to be the health and safety of its people. HEINEKEN's teams have demonstrated great resilience and agility as the crisis prolongs and recovery levels vary market-to-market. HEINEKEN continues to support its employees, customers, suppliers and communities most impacted by the pandemic. For example, in the UK, HEINEKEN continues to support its customers financially and waived €19 million in rental payments last quarter. In Brazil, HEINEKEN joined the "Salvando Vidas" match-funding initiative of the Development Bank of Brazil (BNDES), to invest in 4 oxygen plants and aid more than 40 philanthropic hospitals with medical supplies in the fight against COVID-19. In March 2021 HEINEKEN began to lap the first round of severe lockdowns in March 2020. Beer volume in the first quarter was in line with last year, organically (2.1% below the first quarter of 2019). HEINEKEN delivered strong growth in the Africa, Middle East & Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific regions and modest growth in the Americas, offset by the decline in Europe where the on-trade remained largely closed throughout the quarter. At the start of April less than 30% of the on-trade in Europe was operating. HEINEKEN is bringing its EverGreen balanced growth strategy to life across the business, focusing on delivering superior and profitable top-line growth. HEINEKEN is amplifying its strong premium position to capture the growing opportunity of premiumisation. HEINEKEN is expanding its portfolio by stretching and moving beyond beer into products such as ciders, hard seltzers and other beverages to better serve consumers. HEINEKEN is shaping and strengthening its digital route to consumer. Heineken® brand The Heineken® brand had a strong performance, well ahead of the overall market, growing 12.1% in the quarter. Volume grew double-digits in more than 40 markets, including Brazil, South Africa, China, Vietnam, Nigeria, Colombia, Argentina, France, Poland and Laos. Heineken® 0.0 grew double-digits with strong momentum in Brazil, Mexico and the USA. Heineken® 0.0 is now available in 94 markets. On 19 April the brand launched the latest edition of its #SocialiseResponsibly campaign ‘WE’LL MEET AGAIN’. The campaign celebrates people's resilience and creativity over the last year and highlights how people found inventive ways to keep the spirit of ‘going out’ alive from the safety of their own homes. REPORTED NET PROFIT OF HEINEKEN N.V. The reported net profit of Heineken N.V. for the first three months of 2021 was €168 million (2020: €94 million; 2019: €299 million). The effect from lower on-trade volume in Europe was more than offset by the performance of other regions and continued cost mitigation efforts. BUSINESS OUTLOOK The outlook statements shared on 10 February 2021 remain unchanged. HEINEKEN's business continues to be significantly impacted by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. HEINEKEN expects market conditions to gradually improve into the second part of the year, depending on the roll-out of vaccines. ENQUIRIES Media Heineken Holding N.V. Kees Jongsma E-mail: cjongsma@spj.nl tel. +31 6 54 79 82 53 Media Heineken N.V.InvestorsSarah BackhouseJosé Federico Castillo MartinezDirector of Global CommunicationDirector of Investor RelationsMichael FuchsJanine Ackermann / Robin AchtenCorporate & Financial Communication ManagerInvestor Relations Manager / Senior AnalystE-mail: pressoffice@heineken.comE-mail: investors@heineken.comTel: +31-20-5239355Tel: +31-20-5239590 Editorial information: Heineken Holding N.V. engages in no activities other than its participating interest in Heineken N.V. and the management or supervision of and provision of services to that company.HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken® brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. HEINEKEN is committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brew a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. HEINEKEN employs over 80,000 employees and operates breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Heineken Holding N.V. and Heineken N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIO NA and HEIA NA and on Reuters under HEIO.AS and HEIN.AS. HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY) and Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY). Most recent information is available on the websites: www.HeinekenHolding.com and www.theHEINEKENcompany.com and follow HEINEKEN on Twitter via @HEINEKENCorp. Market Abuse RegulationThis press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements with regard to the financial position and results of HEINEKEN's activities. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond HEINEKEN’s ability to control or estimate precisely, such as future market and economic conditions, developments in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related government measures, the behaviour of other market participants, changes in consumer preferences, the ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and achieve anticipated synergies, costs of raw materials, interest-rate and exchange-rate fluctuations, changes in tax rates, changes in law, change in pension costs, the actions of government regulators and weather conditions. These and other risk factors are detailed in HEINEKEN's publicly filed annual reports. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only of the date of this press release. HEINEKEN does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Market share estimates contained in this press release are based on outside sources, such as specialised research institutes, in combination with management estimates. Attachment Heineken Holding Q1 2021 Trading Update (21_04_2021).pdf
Technology leader in demanding ventilation, Halton Group, will begin providing their demand-controlled ventilation system, the Halton M.A.R.V.E.L, to commercial kitchens as a service which makes its benefits more conveniently available to more food service operators, such as restaurants, by minimizing the capital cost of the system.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signed a law allowing reservists to be called up for military service without announcing mobilization, his office said on Wednesday. Approved by parliament late in March, the measure makes it possible to significantly boost the armed forces, amid escalation of tension with Russia in eastern Ukraine. "This will make it possible to quickly equip the military units of all defence forces with reservists, thereby significantly increasing their combat effectiveness during military aggression," the office said.
When Ghana received 50,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses from India last month, it hit a frustrating roadblock: it had not trained enough staff to distribute them. The country was still rolling out shots received in late February from the global vaccine-sharing scheme COVAX, and didn't have the capacity to expand that operation, according to the head of Ghana's immunisation programme. Rather than going straight into the arms of health workers, the additional doses were put in cold storage in the capital Accra, Kwame Amponsa-Achiano told Reuters, adding that his team had received two days' notice about the shipment.
I’m trapped in a share-to-buy flat with no fire safety certificate. Residents haven’t been updated by housing association Optivo and our properties are near worthless
President will unveil new emissions reduction target while much will hinge upon cooperation between China and US Joe Biden at the White House on 15 April. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/AP Joe Biden’s desire to re-establish US leadership on the climate crisis will face a severe test this week at a summit the president hopes will rebuild American credibility and kickstart a spluttering international effort to stave off the effects of global heating. Biden has invited 40 world leaders to a two-day virtual gathering starting on Earth Day, Thursday, as the opening salvo in negotiations leading to crunch United Nations talks in Scotland later this year. Scientists say the world is severely lagging in tackling the climate crisis and its heatwaves, storms and floods, with planet-heating emissions set to roar back following a dip due to coronavirus shutdowns. Much will hinge upon cooperation between China, the world’s worst producer of planet-heating emissions, and the US, historically the worst polluter. On Saturday, John Kerry, Biden’s climate envoy, struck an agreement in Shanghai to urgently address what Kerry called the “beyond catastrophic” consequences of allowing temperatures to spiral upwards. The compact is broadly seen as encouraging but comes amid US-China tensions on issues including human rights and trade. The US also faces a deficit in credibility after the presidency of Donald Trump, which saw the country leave the Paris climate accords and dismantle environmental protections. Biden has returned the US to the Paris agreement but a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry said the move was “by no means a glorious comeback but rather the student playing truant getting back to class”. The US is suffering from a “credibility gap” due to years of oscillating policy, according to Josh Busby, an expert in climate governance at University of Texas-Austin. “The US return to climate diplomacy may be taken seriously so long as the Biden administration can keep its climate policy agenda alive,” he said. On Monday Antony Blinken, the secretary of state, acknowledged America was “falling behind” China in producing solar panels and electric vehicles but promised a muscular approach in prodding other countries to do more. “Our diplomats will challenge the practices of countries whose action, or inaction, is setting us back,” Blinken said. “When countries continue to rely on coal for a significant amount of their energy, or invest in new coal factories, or allow for massive deforestation, they will hear from the United States and our partners about how harmful these actions are.” The centerpiece of Biden’s summit will be the unveiling of the new US emissions reduction target, which may be the only significant new pledge at the event. The goal is expected to be at least a 50% cut by 2030, based on 2005 levels, a target broadly backed by environment groups as well as the UN secretary general, António Guterres, who has said 2021 “must be the year for action” to avoid an “abyss” of climate disaster. Anything below a 50% cut will be seen as “completely unacceptable” to US allies in Europe, said Samantha Gross, director of energy security at Brookings Institution. “All eyes are on the US plan – it will be crucial to American climate diplomacy,” said Rachel Kyte, an expert in international relations at Tufts University and a UN adviser. “If it is robust and they can walk the talk and actually implement policies, that will help build momentum. Time is our enemy, it is the one resource we don’t have. There is so much catching up to do from the last four years and we really need to gather speed.” Joanna Lewis, a specialist in Chinese energy policy at Georgetown University, said the US-China climate commitment was an “encouraging step”, including language that suggests China could make make deeper emissions cuts than previously promised. “It’s important that Biden puts an ambitious target on the table but it’s equally important that he implements legislation to meet those targets,” she said. “Barack Obama set goals but wasn’t able to do the meaningful legislation, unlike, for example, the UK.” Biden also faces pressure at home. Scientists and lawmakers are pressing for specific curbs on methane, a potent greenhouse gas released during oil and gas drilling. Some activists were underwhelmed by Biden proposing just $1.2bn in international climate aid in his first budget. Others are keen for Biden to reinstate a US ban on crude oil exports. “I am risking my life to stop the reckless destruction of my community,” said Diane Wilson, a shrimper who has been on hunger strike for two weeks to protest the expansion of an oil export terminal in Lavaca Bay, Texas. “Oil and gas export terminals like the project I am fighting pollute our air, water and climate, only to pad the pockets of fossil fuel CEOs. The Biden administration needs to stop the dredging and stop oil and gas exports.” While the Biden administration is expected to largely focus on its emissions reduction target during the summit, it has been keen to stress it shares environmentalists’ sense of urgency. “If America fails to lead the world on addressing the climate crisis, we won’t have much of a world left,” said Blinken.
Oscar Grant’s death in 2009 in Oakland, California, was the first high-profile killing by police caught on cellphone video that went viral Cephus “Bobby” Johnson stands in protest of the release of Johannes Mehserle, the transit officer who fatally shot his nephew Oscar Grant in 2009. Photograph: Nick Ut/AP For the family of Oscar Grant, who was killed by police in 2009, the guilty verdict for Derek Chauvin was a rare moment of accountability – and a potential turning point in their fight against police brutality. “This is a huge moment in the last 12 years of our struggle,” Grant’s uncle, Cephus Johnson, told the Guardian on Tuesday, an hour after a Minneapolis jury convicted the former officer of second- and third-degree murder, and manslaughter. “To be able to actually witness a conviction on all three charges was extremely emotional. We’ve been let down so many times.” Reverend Wanda Johnson, Oscar’s mother, said she felt relieved: “I’m hopeful that this will be a moment that things will begin to change.” The guilty verdict in the murder of George Floyd offered the kind of court win that is denied to nearly all families of victims lost to police killings. To some in the US, where police fatally shoot nearly 1,000 people each year and are almost never charged with a crime, the conviction offered a sense of comfort and hope. For the Grant family, there were mixed emotions. Oscar Grant was 22 years old and unarmed when he was killed on a train platform on New Year’s Day, 2009 in Oakland, California. It was the first high-profile killing by police that was caught on a cellphone video that went viral. The shooting sparked mass protests in California that spread across the country and paved the way for the Ferguson uprisings and Black Lives Matter movement. The killing was later made famous by Ryan Coogler’s 2014 film Fruitvale Station, named after the site of the death. Protesters call for justice in the killing of Oscar Grant on 13 June 2011 at the US district court building in Los Angeles. Photograph: Nick Ut/AP “There’s an all-time high of dissatisfaction with the criminal justice system. And I think that has helped people realize that it’s time to stop allowing these police officers to just go home,” said Cephus, an activist also known as Uncle Bobby X. “This was a major victory. And this comes after many years of us fighting for accountability and transparency. So there is real hope that maybe we’re going in the right direction … I think a window of opportunity has opened up for us.” Wanda said the verdict gave her hope that people no longer accept police lies about violence that the public can see for themselves on camera: “It can no longer be said, like it was said in my son’s case, that what you see is not happening. People will not be fooled any more … I hate that George Floyd, Oscar and others had to be an example, or a sacrifice. But I am grateful that our society is waking up. I believe people will no longer be silent, that they will stand up for what is right.” For the family and their supporters, however, there were reasons to be cautious about celebrating this week’s ruling: they were intimately familiar with the limits of a criminal conviction. Johannes Mehserle, the officer who shot Grant in the back, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2010 after claiming in court that he meant to draw his Taser, not his gun. A judge later backed the defense’s claims that the killing was an accident, dismissed an enhancement that would’ve sent the officer to state prison and ultimately sentenced him to spend less than a year in county jail. “We were left brokenhearted,” Cephus said, recalling the court process. “I’m happy the [Chauvin] jury got it right. But I also know that the way the justice system works, you cannot let down your guard,” added Adante Pointer, one of the civil rights lawyers who represented Grant’s family. “The journey to justice when you’re a victim of police misconduct is long, painful and torturous. And we learned with the Oscar Grant case that there are two different systems in place: one for regular people, and one for police officers.” It took a decade and the passage of a new state law for records to become unsealed in the Grant case, with disclosures in 2019 revealing that police had called him racist slurs and punched him without justification before killing him – and that investigators at the time did not believe Mehserle’s defense that it was an accidental firing. The 2020 uprisings after Floyd’s death prompted local Oakland prosecutors to reopen the Grant case and consider possible charges for a second officer, but the district attorney announced in January of this year that there was not enough evidence for new prosecution. Wanda said she is still pushing for prosecution: “I am definitely not just going to let it go without a fight. This will be not just for Oscar, but to give other families hope … The officer in my son’s case ended up doing 11 months in jail. And I always say, ‘What was Oscar’s life worth?’” And we’re seeing now what African American lives are worth. So we’ll be watchful of the [Chauvin] sentencing.” Cephus said that while the Floyd family was hopefully able to get a good night’s sleep for the first time in a year, “The family also knows that this is not over.” There were other reasons to be skeptical of the long-term impact of the conviction, Cephus said: “I’m cautious, because police might just be throwing [Chauvin] under the bus. It doesn’t mean that police shootings are going to stop. The racism will continue.” He was also fearful of the police reaction to the verdict, having witnessed officers escalate violence in the wake of protests or victories for accountability: “Harm could come to us because of the backlash.” People leaves messages at a memorial to Oscar Grant in Oakland, California on 5 October 2010. Photograph: Paul Sakuma/AP The events of last month have offered repeated reminders to Grant’s family that little has changed since his killing. An officer had pinned Grant down by putting his knee on him in the same manner as Chauvin’s murder of Floyd was described at trial. “The same knee that was on George Floyd’s neck was on my son Oscar’s neck, and Oscar kept telling him he couldn’t breathe,” Wanda said. And the officer who killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright during a traffic stop this month, just 10 miles from the Chauvin trial, has also claimed that she mistook her gun for a Taser, officials say, echoing Mehserle’s claims a decade prior. The revelation that Wright had called his mother as he was being stopped further reminded Cephus of how Grant called his fiancee just before his killing. “The similarities to what Oscar experienced on that night, the accumulation of all of this in one episode, it just really brought back Oscar so vividly,” Cephus said. “Oscar’s murder did not build the foundation to prevent all of these episodes from happening again.” During the events of the last few weeks, Wanda said she was thinking of the history of American police forces, which were founded to catch runaway slaves: “Our culture of policing evolved from that. So we have to look at the system our policing was built on, and we really have to go back and work to tear down that system – and rebuild it again.” She added, “I hope this is a turning point for our society.”
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2021) - Origen Resources Inc. (CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VX) (the "Company" or "Origen") is pleased to announce that it has acquired over 29,000 hectares in a newly identified prospective lithium belt in Newfoundland. The Company has acquired by staking ten target areas with geological characteristics similar to the lithium pegmatite belts found in Ireland, Nova Scotia and North Carolina that is home to Kings Mountain, North ...
TORONTO, April 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galantas Gold Corporation (“Galantas” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce an amendment to the proposed Private Placement that will provide for the financing to bring the Galantas Gold Mine in Omagh, Northern Ireland, into full production. Strong demand has been received for the Private Placement, which was detailed in a press release dated April 19, 2021 and this has resulted in a potential over-subscription. The Private Placement maximum (previously a maximum of 22 million “Units” at C$0.30 per Unit (the “Offering Price”), where each Unit comprises one common share and one warrant, has been increased to a maximum of 26,666,667 Units. The minimum gross proceeds expected to be raised remain as C$5,100,000, with maximum gross proceeds of C$8,000,000 (previously C$6,600,000). Each warrant will be exercisable into one additional share at an exercise price of C$0.40 for 24 months from the closing date of the placement. There will be a 4-month hold period on the trading of securities issued in connection with this offering. The net funds raised will be mainly used for bringing the Galantas Gold Mine into full commercial production and for exploration to expand the high-grade gold resources. An increase in the maximum gross proceeds will permit the planned exploration program to be accelerated. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Information communicated within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. EnquiriesGalantas Gold CorporationRoland Phelps CEng – President & CEOEmail: info@galantas.comWebsite: www.galantas.comTelephone: +44 (0) 2882 241100 Grant Thornton UK LLP (AIM Nomad)Philip Secrett, Harrison ClarkeTelephone: +44(0)20 7383 5100 Panmure Gordon & Co (AIM Broker & Corporate Adviser)Nick Lovering, Hugh RichTelephone: +44(0)20 7886 2500
LONDON and RALEIGH, N.C., April 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verona Pharma plc (Nasdaq: VRNA) (“Verona Pharma”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on respiratory diseases, announces that it will report its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 on Thursday, April 29, 2021 and host an investment community conference call at 9:00 a.m. EDT / 2:00 p.m. BST to discuss these financial results and provide a corporate update. To participate, please dial one of the following numbers and reference conference ID 7429971: +1-888-317-6003 for callers in the United States+1-412-317-6061 for international callers A live webcast will be available on the Events and Presentations link on the Investors page of the Company’s website, www.veronapharma.com, and the audio replay will be available for 90 days. For further information please contact: Verona Pharma plcUS Tel: +1-833-417-0262UK Tel: +44 (0)203 283 4200Victoria Stewart, Director of Communicationsinfo@veronapharma.com Argot Partners(US Investor Enquiries)Tel: +1-212-600-1902verona@argotpartners.comKimberly Minarovich / Michael Barron Optimum Strategic Communications(International Media and European Investor Enquiries)Tel: +44 (0)203 950 9144verona@optimumcomms.comMary Clark / Eva Haas / Shabnam Bashir About Verona Pharma Verona Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for the treatment of respiratory diseases with significant unmet medical needs. If successfully developed and approved, Verona Pharma’s product candidate, ensifentrine, has the potential to be the first therapy for the treatment of respiratory diseases that combines bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory activities in one compound. The Company is evaluating nebulized ensifentrine in its Phase 3 clinical program ENHANCE (“Ensifentrine as a Novel inHAled Nebulized COPD thErapy”) for COPD maintenance treatment. Two additional formulations of ensifentrine are currently in Phase 2 development for the treatment of COPD: dry powder inhaler (“DPI”) and pressurized metered-dose inhaler (“pMDI”). Ensifentrine is being evaluated in a pilot clinical study in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and has potential applications in cystic fibrosis, asthma and other respiratory diseases. For more information, please visit www.veronapharma.com.
PARIS, April 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quantum Genomics (Euronext Growth - FR0011648971 - ALQGC), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in developing a new drug class that directly targets the brain to treat difficult-to-treat and resistant hypertension and heart failure, will present top-line results from its QUORUM study of firibastat in heart failure post myocardial infarction at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) meeting in August 2021. These results will also be published in a peer-review journal. QUORUM (QUantum Genomics QCG001 Or Ramipril after acUte Myocardial infarction to prevent left ventricular dysfunction) is a multi-center, multinational, randomized, double- blind, active-controlled trial with three parallel groups (firibastat 100 mg BID, firibastat 500 mg BID and ramipril 5 mg BID) in subjects within 72 hours after Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) who have been treated with primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). 295 subjects have been enrolled in the trial in 35 hospitals located in 7 European countries (France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and UK). “The study is a major cornerstone in the development of firibastat, a first-in-class of the new Brain Aminopeptidase inhibitors that may become a breakthrough therapy in heart failure,” said Jean-Philippe MILON, chief executive officer of Quantum-Genomics. The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy and the safety of firibastat compared to ramipril. The primary endpoint is the change from baseline in Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF) assessed by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) after a three-month treatment. Other endpoints include cardiac events, functional status, safety and change in heart failure biomarkers. No major safety issue occurred during the trial as confirmed by two successive reviews from the Independent Data Monitoring Committee. Most of the serious adverse events were related to disease (AMI) complications. Dr. Gilles Montalescot, lead investigator of the QUORUM trial commented: “We are pleased to present the results of the QUORUM study in August. This trial is the first head-to-head versus an Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) study conducted in many years and the largest of this type ever conducted in post myocardial infarction patients, assessing LVEF by CMR.” The European Society Congress will be held virtually from August 27th to August 30th, 2021. About Quantum Genomics Quantum Genomics is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of a new class of cardiovascular medications based on brain aminopeptidase A inhibition (BAPAI). Quantum Genomics is the only company in the world exploring this innovative approach that directly targets the brain. The company relies on 20 years of academic research from the Paris-Descartes University and the laboratory directed by Dr. Catherine Llorens-Cortes at the Collège de France (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM)/ the Scientific Centre for National Research (CNRS)). The goal of Quantum Genomics is to develop innovative treatments for complicated, or even resistant, cases of hypertension (around 30% of patients have poor control of their condition or receive ineffective treatment) and for heart failure (one in two patients diagnosed with severe heart failure dies within five years). Based in Paris and New York, Quantum Genomics is listed on the Euronext Growth exchange in Paris (FR0011648971- ALQGC) and trades on the OTCQX Best Market in the United States (symbol: QNNTF). For more information, please visit www.quantum-genomics.com, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn Contact Quantum Genomics Contact@quantum-genomics.fr So Bang (Europe) Financial and Media communicationQuantum-genomics@so-bang.fr LifeSci (USA) Mike TattoryMedia Relations and Scientific Communications+1 (609) 802-6265 | mtattory@lifescicomms.com
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, ITALY, DENMARK, JAPAN, THE UNITED STATES, OR TO ANY NATIONAL OF SUCH JURISDICTIONS NBPE Publishes 2020 Annual Results 21 April 2021 NB Private Equity Partners Limited (“NBPE” or the “Company”), a closed-end private equity investment company, today releases its 2020 Annual Financial Report and Consolidated Financial Statements. The report is available on NBPE’s website at www.nbprivateequitypartners.com. During 2020, NBPE had a number of highly positive developments across a number of key metrics: significant NAV growth of 21.4% on a total return basis, a high level of portfolio realisations at meaningful valuation uplifts and resilient aggregate underlying portfolio company performance. Peter von Lehe, Head of Investment Solutions and Strategy, Managing Director, Neuberger Berman commented: “2020 was a very successful year for NBPE. The portfolio performed well through a turbulent and rapidly changing economic backdrop, delivering a gross portfolio IRR of 21.3% over the year, illustrating the quality of the companies in the portfolio as well as the tactical positioning and portfolio construction that has been implemented.” 2020 Highlights NAV Performance Significant growth in NAV per Share and strong total return performance during 2020 USD Total Return NAV Growth of 21.4%1NAV per Share of $22.49 as of 31 December 2020, up $3.38 per share from 31 December 2019$0.58 per share of dividends paid Portfolio Positioning and Performance Direct equity investments generated a gross IRR of 23.1% during 2020 (total portfolio gross IRR was 21.3%)Robust underlying portfolio company growth: 31 December 2020 LTM revenue and EBITDA growth of 6.2% and 6.1%, respectively2 Revenue growth led by financial services, industrials and healthcareEBITDA growth led by financial services, healthcare and technology, media and telecommunications Portfolio Realisations & Uplift Record level of distributions from direct equity: approximately $165 million of realisations from direct equity investments consisting of $121 million from five full/final exits and $44 million of partial realisations NBPE’s five full/final exits generated a 2.9x gross multiple of capital and robust uplift of 30% relative to carrying value three quarters prior3 Total portfolio generated $199 million of realisations, or 18% of opening portfolio value New Investment Activity $132 million of invested capital during 2020 $73 million invested in six new direct equity investments$53 million invested through NB Programs$6 million of follow-ons to existing investments Portfolio Valuation The value of NBPE’s private equity portfolio as of 31 December 2020 was based on the following information4: 100% of the private equity fair value was valued as of 31 December 2020 88% in private direct investments12% in public securities Outlook NBPE’s strong portfolio momentum has continued into 2021 with seven full or partial exits in process, all of which have been announced but not all of which have yet closed. In aggregate, these seven investments alone are expected to result in a NAV uplift of approximately $140 million relative to 31 December 2020 valuations. The 31 March 2021 monthly NAV estimate will be published later this week and will incorporate a proportion of this uplift for these investments, with the remaining uplift included when appropriate under NBPE’s valuation policy. In addition to these seven pending events, NBPE’s portfolio remains well-positioned where further exits and uplift events are possible during 2021.5 Statement of Director Responsibility The directors confirmed that to the best of their knowledge: The consolidated financial statements, prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole as required by the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (“DTR”) 4.1.12R and are in compliance with the requirements set out in the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008; and The Annual Financial Report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.1.8R and DTR 4.1.11R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, which provides an indication of important events that have occurred since the end of the financial year and the likely future development of the Company and a description of principal risks and uncertainties during the year. The directors consider the Annual Financial Report and Consolidated Financial Statements, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s position and performance, business model and strategy. Investor Call NBPE will host an investor update webinar on 22 April 2020 at 14.00 BST / 15.00 CEST / 9.00 EDT to discuss 2020 annual results and provide initial guidance on 2021 activities, which will include meaningful valuation uplift and cash realisations to NBPE as a result of announced and signed transactions. The call can be accessed via the Zoom call details below:Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:Please click this URL to join. https://nb.zoom.us/s/93232391044Webinar ID: 932 3239 1044Passcode: 962751 Or join by phone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): United Kingdom: 0131 460 1196 or 0203 481 5237 US: +1 646 518 9805 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 669 900 683 Hong Kong SAR: +852 3012 6283 or +852 5803 3730 or +852 5803 Japan: +81 363 628 317 China: +86 10 5387 6330 or +86 10 8783 3177 Webinar ID: 932 3239 1044 Passcode: 962751 For further information, please contact: NBPE Investor Relations +1 214 647 9593 Kaso Legg Communications +44 (0)20 3603 2803Charles Gorman About NB Private Equity Partners LimitedNBPE invests in direct private equity investments alongside market leading private equity firms globally. NB Alternatives Advisers LLC (the “Investment Manager”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Neuberger Berman Group LLC, is responsible for sourcing, execution and management of NBPE. The vast majority of direct investments are made with no management fee / no carried interest payable to third-party GPs, offering greater fee efficiency than other listed private equity companies. NBPE seeks capital appreciation through growth in net asset value over time while paying a bi-annual dividend. LEI number: 213800UJH93NH8IOFQ77 About Neuberger BermanNeuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages a range of strategies—including equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity, real estate and hedge funds—on behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. With offices in 25 countries, Neuberger Berman’s diverse team has over 2,300 professionals. For seven consecutive years, the company has been named first or second in Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work in Money Management survey (among those with 1,000 employees or more). In 2020, the PRI named Neuberger Berman a Leader, a designation awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. The PRI also awarded Neuberger Berman an A+ in every eligible category for our approach to ESG integration across asset classes. The firm manages $429 billion in client assets as of March 31, 2021. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com. This press release appears as a matter of record only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any security. NBPE is established as a closed-end investment company domiciled in Guernsey. NBPE has received the necessary consent of the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. The value of investments may fluctuate. Results achieved in the past are no guarantee of future results. This document is not intended to constitute legal, tax or accounting advice or investment recommendations. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decision. Statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, opinions and beliefs of NBPE's investment manager. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. Additionally, this document contains "forward-looking statements." Actual events or results or the actual performance of NBPE may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such targets or forward-looking statements. 1 Assumes re-investment of dividends on the ex-dividend date.2 Refer to page 19 of the Annual Financial Report for overview of methodology.3 Gross multiple includes the exit of Evoqua through multiple share sale transactions; however, this is excluded from the uplift.4 Please refer to the valuation methodology section of the monthly report for a description of the Manager’s valuation methodology. 5 Transactions are announced but not yet closed; no assurances can be given that the transactions ultimately close or the uplift stated above occurs. Attachment NBPE Q4 2020 Quarterly Report vF
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