Day: June 12, 2023

Toast will now enable enterprise merchants to combine FreedomPay’s best-in-class global Commerce Platform with its leading restaurant digital platform

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FreedomPay, the world’s leading independent commerce platform and Toast, the all-in-one digital platform built for the entire restaurant community, signed a partnership agreement making FreedomPay Toast’s preferred payments gateway partner for select enterprise brands.

Toast will be able to offer its cloud-based digital platform for restaurants to leading enterprise merchants in the U.S. and Canada who are on the award-winning FreedomPay Commerce Platform.

Kelly Esten, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Enterprise at Toast stated: “As the restaurant industry rapidly adapts to new service models, Toast continues to deliver the industry’s trusted digital platform to help restaurants of all sizes and types—including franchisees—drive profitability, create the streamlined dining experiences guests expect, and make managing food service operations across properties easier than ever. We look forward to partnering with FreedomPay as we drive our enterprise expansion.”

FreedomPay Senior Vice President, Sales & Digital Development Nate Ware added: “This exciting collaboration between FreedomPay and Toast delivers advanced capabilities to large merchants. We are quite simply ‘unleashing the power of pay’ to thousands more businesses to help support Toast’s growth across enterprise level merchant solutions.”

FreedomPay is one of the world’s fastest growing Fintechs, innovating and transforming commerce to Next Level payment solutions. FreedomPay is aggressively expanding in new markets including the Middle East, South America, Africa and APAC. FreedomPay has recently been named one of the Fastest Growing FinTechs to Watch in 2022 and is a finalist for the Best Payment System in the PayTech Awards, London 2023.

FreedomPay and Toast will be exhibiting together at HITEC in Toronto, June 26-29. Visit booth 516/518 to learn more.

About FreedomPay
FreedomPay’s Next Level Commerce platform transforms existing payment systems and processes from legacy to leading edge. As the premier choice for many of the largest companies across the globe in retail, hospitality, lodging, gaming, sports and entertainment, foodservice, education, healthcare and financial services, FreedomPay’s technology has been purposely built to deliver rock solid performance in the highly complex environment of global commerce. The company maintains a world-class security environment and was first to earn the coveted validation by the PCI Security Standards Council against Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE/EMV) standard in North America. FreedomPay’s robust solutions across payments, security, identity, and data analytics are available in-store, online and on-mobile and are supported by rapid API adoption. The award winning FreedomPay Commerce Platform operates on a single, unified technology stack across multiple continents allowing enterprises to deliver an innovative Next Level experience on a global scale. www.freedompay.com

Jennifer Tayebi
Hill+Knowlton Strategies for FreedomPay
+1 734 395 0780
jennifer.tayebi@hkstrategies.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8856540

Simpler Procurement and Usage-Based Licensing for Security Across Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, and On-Premises Deployments Empowers Customers to More Easily Access the Solutions They Need

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

John Maddison, EVP Products and CMO at Fortinet 
“The solutions organizations deploy today are becoming more flexible to support highly distributed users and applications. Licensing models should be just as flexible. That’s why we’re excited to expand our FortiFlex program to give customers more licensing options to utilize Fortinet solutions and services according to their evolving needs.”

News Summary
Fortinet^® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today announced new product and service additions to its FortiFlex program, delivering even more flexible licensing options to customers. FortiFlex already includes a complete suite of virtualized solutions for protecting cloud and virtual data center deployments and now supports services for physical FortiGate next-generation firewall (NGFW) appliances. FortiFlex is also available beginning today via a private offer in AWS Marketplace as an additional purchasing option.

Driving Business Value with Usage-Based Licensing
With highly distributed users accessing highly distributed applications and a growing number of edges, networks are evolving at an unprecedented rate. IT teams are often expected to procure and deploy solutions before they have a full understanding of their needs—and those needs frequently change. Flexible licensing programs, which allow organizations to pay by usage, have emerged as a solution to this challenge. While there will always be a need for traditional product licensing models, usage-based pricing offers customers an additional way to leverage the solutions they need and adapt to their business’ dynamic needs.

FortiFlex: Flexible Access to Cybersecurity Solutions
FortiFlex offers usage-based licensing for a wide range of Fortinet’s cybersecurity solutions across cloud, hybrid cloud, and on-premises deployments. It uses a points system that makes it easy to understand available balance, usage trends, and total spend. Organizations are charged in 24-hour periods to give IT teams the flexibility to right-size their deployments each day.

Customers can use points to deploy any mix of cloud and virtual machine offerings as well as services for on-premises deployments. They can even leverage budget committed to select cloud providers—including Google Cloud and, as of today, AWS—to purchase FortiFlex points.

These features allow organizations to leverage FortiFlex in a variety of ways. Key use cases include:

• Reducing excessive procurement cycles for new security solutions
• Simplifying the deployment and provisioning of new services through FortiFlex’s powerful APIs
• Maximizing budget and return on investment (ROI) by scaling down or pausing services as needed
• Optimizing cloud spend by utilizing “use it or lose it” dollars committed to cloud providers to purchase FortiFlex points that can be redeemed in the future

Managed security service providers (MSSPs) can also use a single FortiFlex account to pool licenses across their entire customer base to easily migrate and reassign licenses with ease. This means MSSPs can address their customers’ needs without worrying about overbuying—all from a single interface.

Support for Hybrid Mesh Firewall
FortiFlex now includes FortiGuard AI-powered Security Services and FortiCare technical support for the following entry and mid-range physical FortiGate NGFWs:

• FortiGate 40F
• FortiGate 60E/F series
• FortiGate 70F
• FortiGate 80F
• FortiGate 100E/F series
• FortiGate 200 E/F series
• FortiGate 400F
• FortiGate 600F

Backed by a single operating system, FortiOS, and a unified management console, FortiManager, all FortiGate NGFWs support hybrid mesh firewall, a term coined by Gartner.^®1 It’s defined as a security architecture that protects multiple areas of enterprise IT by coordinating threat intelligence and security policies across firewalls. With today’s news, customers have more licensing options to easily build a hybrid mesh firewall architecture.

A Powerful Option for AWS Enterprise Discount Program Customers
FortiFlex is now available as a private offer in AWS Marketplace to support customers using the AWS Enterprise Discount Program (EDP). AWS EDP offers high-volume AWS account owners a discount in exchange for a minimum spending threshold.

FortiFlex helps AWS EDP members reduce their minimum threshold and spending liability by converting portions to FortiFlex points. This gives customers the flexibility to use their budget to secure the best price for AWS and leverage Fortinet’s industry-leading secure networking products and services.

Continued Commitment to Customer Choice
Our mission at Fortinet is to make it as easy as possible for customers to procure and deploy the cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions they need—whenever and however works best for them. Today’s FortiFlex announcement is a testament to this vision, and we’re committed to expanding flexible licensing and purchasing options across even more Fortinet solutions and services in the coming months. Our ultimate goal is to give customers the power of choice when determining the best way to address their unique challenges.

Supporting Quotes

“Flexible licensing is growing in popularity because it allows enterprises to be nimble in the face of the shifting networking and cybersecurity landscape. With its expanded usage-based licensing program, Fortinet is distinguishing itself by giving customers even more choices for how they address technical demands and manage cost.”
– Philip Bues, Research Manager, Cloud Security, at International Data Corporation (IDC)

“Our customers’ needs are changing rapidly and usage-based licensing expedites procurement and deployment of the best solutions to protect their critical assets. Being able to offer flexible licensing through the FortiFlex Program helps us meet our customers’ needs, optimize their investments, and stand out from the competition.” – Chris Konrad, Area Vice President, Global Cyber, at World Wide Technology

“We pride ourselves on cutting through the complexity to give our customers the best, most seamless experience possible, and Fortinet’s flexible licensing program has helped us do just that. With FortiFlex, we can pool all our licenses together, giving us the visibility and flexibility to scale up and down across accounts to deliver the right level of support our customers need. This is great for our business and for our customers.” – Navdeep Saini, Director of Cloud Platform at Centroid

Additional Resources

• Learn more about Fortinet’s FortiFlex Program.
• Learn more about FortiGate NGFWs and hybrid mesh firewall.
• Learn about Fortinet’s free cybersecurity training, which includes broad cyber awareness and product training. As part of the Fortinet Training Advancement Agenda (TAA), the Fortinet Training Institute also provides training and certification through the Network Security Expert (NSE) Certification, Academic Partner, and Education Outreach programs.
• Learn more about FortiGuard Labs threat intelligence and research and Outbreak Alerts, which provide timely steps to mitigate breaking cybersecurity attacks.
• Learn more about Fortinet’s FortiGuard Security Services portfolio.
• Read about how Fortinet customers are securing their organizations.
• Follow Fortinet on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Subscribe to Fortinet on our blog or YouTube.

1. Gartner, Hype Cycle for Workload and Network Security, Charlie Winckless, 18 July 2022.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner and Hype Cycle are a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

About Fortinet
Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere you need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet’s solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organization, develops and utilizes leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.

FTNT-O
Copyright © 2023 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols ® and denote respectively federally registered trademarks and common law trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet’s trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, the Fortinet logo, FortiGate, FortiOS, FortiGuard, FortiCare, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager, FortiASIC, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiMail, FortiSandbox, FortiADC, FortiAI, FortiAIOps, FortiAntenna, FortiAP, FortiAPCam, FortiAuthenticator, FortiCache, FortiCall, FortiCam, FortiCamera, FortiCarrier, FortiCASB, FortiCentral, FortiConnect, FortiController, FortiConverter, FortiCWP, FortiDB, FortiDDoS, FortiDeceptor, FortiDeploy, FortiDevSec, FortiEdge, FortiEDR, FortiExplorer, FortiExtender, FortiFirewall, FortiFone, FortiGSLB, FortiHypervisor, FortiInsight, FortiIsolator, FortiLAN, FortiLink, FortiMoM, FortiMonitor, FortiNAC, FortiNDR, FortiPenTest, FortiPhish, FortiPlanner, FortiPolicy, FortiPortal, FortiPresence, FortiProxy, FortiRecon, FortiRecorder, FortiSASE, FortiSDNConnector, FortiSIEM, FortiSMS, FortiSOAR, FortiSwitch, FortiTester, FortiToken, FortiTrust, FortiVoice, FortiWAN, FortiWeb, FortiWiFi, FortiWLC, FortiWLM and FortiXDR. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, contract, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet or any indication of intent related to a binding commitment, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments.

Media Contact:	Investor Contact:	Analyst Contact:
Margaret Reeb Fortinet, Inc. 408-235-7700 pr@fortinet.com	Peter Salkowski Fortinet, Inc. 408-331-4595 psalkowski@fortinet.com	Brian Greenberg Fortinet, Inc. 408-235-7700 analystrelations@fortinet.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8856131

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners through its CI Advanced Bioenergy Fund I (CI ABF I) today announced the signing of an Engineering, Procurement & Construction contract for the completion of its Tønder Biogas facility.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Danish biogas technology provider, Lundsby Renewable Solutions A/S (Lundsby), have signed a contract for the design and construction of the remaining facility of Tønder Biogas, located in the municipality of Tønder in the Southern part of Jutland, Denmark.

CIP acquired Tønder Biogas in February 2023 from Canadian based Anaergia. The plant achieved first gas in November 2022 and will at full capacity be one of the largest biogas plants in Europe, converting approximately 900.000 tons of green sustainable feedstock – agricultural and industrial organic waste – into approximately 40m. Nm3 of renewable natural gas.

Tønder Biogas has been in operation since December 2022 and is currently approximately 25% finalised. Production will increase as the facility is expanded. Construction of the remaining part of the facility will begin over the Summer and completion is expected in 2025.

Thomas Dalsgaard, Partner at CIP says: “We are pleased to partner up with Lundsby, a Danish company with several years of experience in building biogas plants to complete Tønder Biogas. Together we look forward to progressing the project and work together with the municipality of Tønder, local farmers and suppliers. Tønder Biogas will create not only green energy and a significant contribution to the green transition, but also local jobs and investments.”

CEO of Lundsby, Niels Pedersen added: “We are excited to be responsible for finalising the design and construction works of what will become one of the of the largest biogas plants in Denmark and Europe. Our many years of experience from the biogas industry in combination with CIP’s entrepreneurial DNA and project management skills will ensure that Tønder Biogas will become a showpiece of tomorrows biogas facilities.”

About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the world’s largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focuses on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X.

CIP manages ten funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 19 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 140 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 400 employees and 11 offices around the world. For more information, visit www.cip.com

About Lundsby Renewable Solutions A/S
Headquartered in Løgstrup, Jutland, Lundsby Renewable Solutions A/S is one of Denmark’s major biogas developers with more than 27 years’ experience in converting biomass into green and CO² neutral gas. Lundsby has the vision to make our Blue planet Greener and has invested significantly in resources and knowledge to be the company of first choice when clients are seeking best in class solutions for the green transition. Lundsby has currently projects and feasibility studies across Europe. For more information, please visit www.lundsby.dk 

For further information, please contact:

Simon Mehl Augustesen, Chief Communication Officer
Phone: +45 3052 6721
Email: siau@cip.dk

Thomas Kønig, Partner – Investor Relations
Phone: +45 7070 5151
Email: tkon@cip.dk

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000824767

–Bolsters global expansion strategy–

–Entry point to provide Smart City solutions in Thailand–

LONDON, June 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gorilla Technology Group Inc. (“Gorilla”) (NASDAQ: GRRR), a global provider of AI-based edge video analytics, IoT technologies, and cybersecurity, today announced that it agreed to binding terms to acquire Bacom Internetwork, a leading pioneer, distributor and systems integrator of Smart City Infrastructure solutions in Thailand.

The planned transaction is expected to close by the end of September and is subject to confirmatory due diligence, finalizing transaction documentation, and obtaining necessary local regulatory approvals. Following the completion of the transaction, Bacom will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gorilla.

The acquisition is a significant milestone in Gorilla’s goal to establish a globally dominant position for Smart and Safe City solutions. With Bacom’s record of accomplishment, as a leading provider in Thailand, there is exceptional potential for further expansion. Based on internal analysis and current market projections, Gorilla believes that Bacom could achieve a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 50% over the next three years.

“This acquisition embodies Gorilla’s bold vision and dedication to excellence as we pursue an ambitious global expansion strategy. By leveraging the synergies between Gorilla and Bacom, this strategic move sets the stage for success in providing Smart City Infrastructure solutions and improving living standards as the global economy continues to urbanize at an unprecedented rate,” said Jay Chandan, Chairman and CEO of Gorilla.

“We expect this acquisition to accelerate the delivery of AI-powered solutions and enable Gorilla to offer a more integrated Platform as a Service (PaaS) that will help build a competitive advantage globally. Moreover, we believe this transaction will improve our earnings and bring significant value to our shareholders,” added Chandan.

“We believe that Gorilla will bring to Thailand AI capabilities that are in high demand. Thailand has put in motion its national AI strategy and action plan, wherein by 2027, the country aims to have an effective ecosystem for developing and applying AI, proven to enhance the economy and improve our quality of life. Being part of Gorilla will enable us to integrate additional AI capabilities to meet the demands of a larger customer base by delivering more comprehensive solutions and enhancing existing ones. Based on our outlook for the next three years, we expect this deal to bring substantial benefits to our existing suppliers and vendors and create a more diverse and supportive environment for employees to succeed,” said Tanakrit Rojanasiraprapa, Founder & Managing Director for Bacom.

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About Gorilla Technology Group Inc.

Gorilla, headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, is a global solution provider in security intelligence, network intelligence, business intelligence and IoT technology. Gorilla develops a wide range of solutions including Smart Cities, Smart Retail, Enterprise Security, and Smart Media. In addition, Gorilla provides a complete Security Convergence Platform to government institutions, telecom companies and private enterprises with network surveillance and cyber security.

Gorilla places an emphasis on offering leading technology, expert service, and precise delivery, and ensuring top-of-the-line, intelligent and strong edge AI solutions that enable clients to improve operational performance and efficiency. With continuous core technology development, Gorilla will deliver edge AI solutions to managed service providers, distributors, system integrators, and hardware manufacturers. For more information, please visit our website: Gorilla-Technology.com.

About Bacom Internetwork Co., LTD

Since 2011, Bacom Internetwork Co., Ltd. has been the systems integrator and distributor of some of the most intelligent and innovative security technologies in Thailand. Bacom’s team are highly knowledgeable and experienced in security system integration. Together with their professional team of skillful technical and engineering specialists, clients are serviced by the best-in-class design, recommendations and state of the art SMART Building solutions that is tailor made to meet the ever-changing security demands of their businesses.

For more information, please visit website: Bacominternetwork.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are based on estimates, assumptions, and expectations. Actual results and performance could differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Gorilla does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Media Contact:

Jeff Fox
The Blueshirt Group for Gorilla
+1 (415) 828-8298
jeff@blueshirtgroup.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Gary Dvorchak
The Blueshirt Group for Gorilla
+1 (323) 240-5796
gary@blueshirtgroup.com

Scott McCabe
The Blueshirt Group for Gorilla
+1 (917) 434-3275
scott@blueshirtgroup.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8856012

Stimulating dialogue between the university and high school students, combating educational poverty, and promoting the transmission of values such as legality, the fight against corruption, mutual respect, environmental protection, and culture while fostering individual talent – the project Legalità e Merito (Legality and Merit), born from an idea by Luiss Guido Carli’s Vice President Paola Severino and promoted by the university itself, has reached its 6th edition.

Severino has had a prominent career in academia and politics, specializing in criminal law and criminal procedure. She is a former Italian Minister of Justice who coordinated and participated in research units for national and international projects. She also received numerous awards for her scientific and professional work.

Presenting the winning ideas of the initiative Legalità e Merito in Rome’s Luiss campus were also the Minister of Education and Merit Giuseppe Valditara, the Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini, the Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio (via video message), Vice President of the Superior Council of the Judiciary Fabio Pinelli, the National Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor Giovanni Melillo, and the President of the National Anti-Corruption Authority Giuseppe Busia.

Premio “Legalità e Merito”

Over the past six years, Legalità e Merito has reached over 4,200 students throughout Italy. Some of them, after enrolling at Luiss, have decided to participate in the project again, this time as Ambassadors.

This year’s edition saw the participation of over 170 students from the university, a record number since the start of the initiative, along with 28 coordinators comprising research fellows, doctoral students, and Luiss’s tutors, who facilitated the development of projects and ideas by young people from 12 schools, 4 Juvenile Penal Institutes (in Acireale, Caltanissetta, Bari, and Florence), and 4 Social Service Offices for Minors (in Rome, Trieste, Naples, and Palermo).

During the closing ceremony of Legalità e Merito, three projects were awarded. The winners were: the video Sounds and Colors that Silenced My Life from V. Capalbi High School in Vibo Valentia, a story of hope against self-isolation, dedicated to the redemption of a girl with Hikikomori syndrome; the work of the Juvenile Penal Institute in Bari, titled The Room of Affection, which proposes the creation of a space where young detainees can more easily meet their families and friends, fostering personal relationships, combating emotional isolation, and facilitating the reintegration process; finally, the audiobook United in Diversity from the S. Livi I.C.C. in Prato, which highlights the importance of forming school classes that promote inclusion and the principles of European citizenship among different cultures and nationalities.

Attachments

• Paola Severino
• Premio “Legalità e Merito”

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000824751

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arbor Metals Corp. (“Arbor” or the “Company”) (TSXV: ABR, FWB: 432) announces the successful completion of a detailed spectral analysis of the Jarnet Lithium project located in the James Bay region of Quebec. This comprehensive study marks a significant milestone in advancing our understanding of the lithium potential in this promising area.

In the analysis conducted by our team of experts, four discrete datasets were meticulously correlated with 81 lithium-bearing rock chip samples collected at the Jarnet site. Additionally, we carefully examined the presence of significant spodumene-bearing pegmatites on adjoining projects. By integrating multiple data sources, including resistivity measurements and gas emissions, we aimed to gain comprehensive insights into the lithium-rich geological formations of the area.

The findings from this study hold great promise for the Jarnet Lithium project and the surrounding region. The spectral analysis allowed us to identify and characterize various lithological units indicative of lithium mineralization potential. These valuable insights will guide our exploration efforts and decision-making processes as we progress with the project.

“We are thrilled to have completed this comprehensive spectral analysis of the Jarnet Lithium project,” said Mark Ferguson, CEO of Arbor Metals. “The results obtained from this study provide us with a solid foundation to further explore the lithium potential in this region and advance our understanding of the geological factors influencing the presence of lithium-bearing deposits.”

The Jarnet Lithium project, initially identified by the Company in 2021, has consistently demonstrated strong lithium prospects, making it a key focus area for our company’s growth strategy. This recent analysis further confirms the project’s potential and reinforces our commitment to unlocking its full potential.

Arbor remains dedicated to responsible and sustainable exploration practices. As we progress with the Jarnet Lithium project, we prioritize environmental stewardship and community engagement, ensuring that our activities align with the highest social and environmental responsibility standards.

Moving forward, Arbor will leverage the valuable insights gained from this spectral analysis to inform our exploration program at the Jarnet site. We remain committed to unlocking the significant lithium potential in the St. James Bay region and look forward to updating our stakeholders as we achieve key milestones in our journey.

Dr. Peter Born, P.Geo., is the designated qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for and has approved the technical information in this release.

About Arbor Metals Corp.

Arbor Metals Corp. is a mining exploration company focused on developing high-value, geographically significant mineral projects around the world. Arbor is paving the way for advanced mineral exploration as it oversees world-class mining projects. The company is confident that combining quality projects with proven strategies and a dedicated team will yield exceptional outcomes. Arbor currently oversees three outstanding mineral projects.

The Jarnet lithium project, located in the James Bay region of Quebec, comprises 47 map-designated claims, covering an area of approximately 3,759 hectares. The Jarnet project is contiguous to the Corvette-FCI property, where diamond drilling has confirmed significant lithium mineralization, and represents one of the highest-profile lithium exploration projects in the sector.

A map accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a4b4b1a7-74fa-413a-9c07-0253f02038d1

For further information, contact Mark Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, at info@arbormetals.com or visit the Company’s website at www.arbormetalscorp.com.

On behalf of the Board,

Arbor Metals Corp.

Mark Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer

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

This news release may contain certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule” and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the development of the Jarnet Lithium Project, the assessment of samples from that Project, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Contact Data

CONTACT:

MRKT360 INC

https://mrkt360.com

Alex Zertuche

alexz@mrkt360.com

For E.S.T Office Hours, Call 1 416-477-0587

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8855286

PRESS RELEASE

Beacon Therapeutics launches with £96 million ($120 million) to develop a new generation of gene therapies for retinal diseases resulting in blindness

• New leading gene therapy company created combining late-stage X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) program from AGTC, a preclinical program spun out from the University of Oxford and a second preclinical program to deliver a broad ophthalmic development pipeline
• Led by a highly experienced leadership team including David Fellows, Dr. Nadia Waheed, and Dr. Abraham Scaria, each with decades of ophthalmic gene therapy experience
• £96m ($120 million) in funding from lead investor Syncona and additional investors including Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE) to progress pipeline to key value inflection points

London and Oxford, UK, 12 June 2023 – Beacon Therapeutics Holdings Limited (‘Beacon Therapeutics’ or ‘the Company’), a leading ophthalmic gene therapy company with a purpose to restore and improve the vision of patients with retinal diseases, launches today and will develop a new generation of gene therapies to treat a range of rare and prevalent retinal diseases that result in blindness. Syncona Limited, with additional investors including OSE, has provided £96 million ($120 million) to fund the acquisition of AGTC and provide capital to take each of Beacon Therapeutics’s development candidates through to value inflection points.

Beacon Therapeutics’s lead clinical asset is AGTC-501, a gene therapy program currently in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of XLRP that was acquired as part of Syncona’s acquisition of AGTC in November 2022. XLRP is predominantly caused by mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene. Unlike other approaches in the space, AGTC-501 correctly expresses the full length RPGR protein, thereby addressing the entirety of photoreceptor damage caused by XLRP, including both rod and cone loss.

Beacon Therapeutics’s first pre-clinical asset is an intravitreally (IVT) delivered novel AAV based program for dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (dry AMD). Dry AMD is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people over 60, if left untreated. Around 20 million people in the United States suffer from AMD.

The second pre-clinical asset is targeting cone-rod dystrophy (CRD) which is caused by a null mutation in the Cadherin Related Family Member 1 (CDHR1) gene. The program has been licensed from the laboratory of Professor Robert MacLaren, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Oxford. Prof. MacLaren, a world leading retinal expert and an experienced biotech company founder and a Co-Founder of Beacon Therapeutics, will become a key scientific advisor to the company and will join the board of directors.

To bolster its pipeline in the future, Beacon Therapeutics also has access to a target generation technology platform that will identify, screen, and search secreted proteins in the ophthalmology space.

Beacon Therapeutics will be led by David Fellows, the former Chief Executive of Nightstar Therapeutics with over 40 years’ experience in the ophthalmology field. He will be joined by retinal expert Dr. Nadia Waheed as Chief Medical Officer, formerly from Gyroscope Therapeutics. Dr. Abraham Scaria also joins the team from AGTC as Chief Scientific Officer bringing 25 years of experience in gene therapy, ranging from discovery research to early-stage clinical trials.

David Fellows, Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Therapeutics commented: “Beacon Therapeutics combines a broad development pipeline, a deep scientific foundation, a strong clinical network, and a highly experienced management team to drive forward a unique late-stage clinical and pre-clinical pipeline. With the 12-month data from our Phase II SKYLINE trial for AGTC-501 expected shortly and two highly innovative and differentiated pipeline assets for prevalent and rare blinding diseases, we are excited to be building a new leader in the ophthalmic gene therapy space.”

Chris Hollowood, CEO of Syncona Limited, the lead investor in Beacon Therapeutics commented: “By acquiring AGTC and combining its late-stage program with highly complementary and innovative science from the University of Oxford and elsewhere, we have created an exciting new gene therapy company in an area where we have a great breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise. We look forward to working closely with Beacon Therapeutics’ exceptional management team to advance these assets through the clinic and towards people suffering from debilitating retinal diseases.”

Professor Robert MacLaren, Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, and Co-Founder of Beacon Therapeutics commented: “I have dedicated many years to translating pioneering gene therapies from the lab through to clinical trial phase with the support of my team in the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology and NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Beacon Therapeutics is quite unique in being a company that at launch is already underpinned by excellent clinical trial data. The company has both highly innovative retinal gene therapy programmes and the means to target them to the main causes of blindness in both the young and old.”

Katya Smirnyagina, Senior Partner, Life Sciences, Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE) added: “Beacon Therapeutics is truly an exciting new company built around an established scientific foundation and a wealth of experience in the gene therapy and ophthalmology space. We are delighted that expertise spun out from the University of Oxford will become a key component to drive the future success of the business that could bring significant change in the treatment of a broad range of retinal diseases that cause blindness.”

Broad ophthalmic development pipeline
The company’s lead clinical gene therapy program AGTC-501 has a strong body of clinical evidence targeting XLRP, an inherited rare form of retinitis pigmentosa that causes progressive vision loss in boys and young men. AGTC-501 demonstrated meaningful efficacy and a good safety profile in the recent Phase I/II HORIZON trial and expects to be publishing 12-month data from its Phase II SKYLINE trial in the second half of 2023. In addition, Beacon Therapeutics is awaiting feedback from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the study design of its upcoming VISTA clinical trial, a Phase II/III study to assess the effect of AGTC-501 on the symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa in additional patients with XLRP.

The first preclinical program features intravitreally (IVT) delivered gene therapy for dry AMD. IVT delivery provides access to a significantly greater number of patients than sub-retinal delivery as it can be administered within an outpatient clinic rather than requiring surgery.

The second preclinical program, CRD, targets mutations in the CDHR1 gene, which may cause central vision loss similar to dry AMD in older people and severe sight loss in younger patients.

The Company has a new location in London, UK, complementing existing facilities in Boston, Massachusetts and Alachua, Florida, US.

Contacts:
Beacon Therapeutics:
David Fellows, CEO
Email: info@beacontx.com

Consilium Strategic Communications:
Alex Harrison, Ashley Tapp
Email: Beacon@consilium-comms.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5700

About Beacon Therapeutics

Beacon Therapeutics is an ophthalmic gene therapy company founded in 2023 to restore and improve the vision of patients with a range of prevalent and rare retinal diseases that result in blindness.

The Company has an established scientific foundation that combines a late-stage development candidate to treat X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP), as well as two preclinical programs, one targeting dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and another in-licensed from the University of Oxford targeting cone-rod dystrophy (CRD), an inherited retinal disease.

Lead development candidate AGTC-501, is a gene therapy program in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of XLRP, an inherited monogenic recessive disorder that causes progressive vision loss in boys and young men. XLRP is predominantly caused by mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene. AGTC-501 expresses the full length RPGR protein, thereby addressing the full complement of photoreceptor damage caused by XLRP, including both rod and cone loss.

Beacon Therapeutics also has access to a target generation technology platform that will identify, screen, and search secreted proteins in the ophthalmology space.

The Company is supported by funds from Syncona and additional investors including Oxford Science Enterprises.

Find out more about us online at: www.beacontx.com.

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