Nano-Cap News Catalyst Watchlist (ORHB, NREG, DMGGF, BABYF, LBSR)
Investors often turn to news releases from companies for vital information. These announcements serve as a direct communication channel, providing insights into operations, growth strategies, and financial performance.
News releases can act as significant catalysts for price movements in the stock market. Positive news, such as strong financial results, strategic partnerships, or groundbreaking developments, can trigger increased buying interest, leading to upward price movements.
Let’s explore a few penny stocks that have released news so far this week:
HippoFi Inc. (OTC: ORHB)
HippoFi Inc. is demonstrating impressive progress in the rapidly expanding field of regenerative therapeutics, establishing itself as a key participant in the industry’s projected $200 billion expansion by 2030.
Operating at the intersection of digital payments, artificial intelligence, and regenerative therapeutics, HippoFi’s subsidiary, PUR Biologics, specializes in transformative solutions for tissue and organ failures. Their innovative products, including a recent patent for an immune-enhancing device, hold promise for applications in pain relief, bone regeneration, and anti-cancer therapies.
PUR Biologics’ focus on the spine industry aligns with projections of approximately 2 million annual procedures and an estimated $40 billion in revenues by 2027. A strategic partnership with ZIMMER BIOMET positions HippoFi to reshape the spinal biologics landscape by introducing a synthetic biomaterial for bone growth in 2024.
In the realm of regenerative medicine, HippoFi leverages induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) to create a safer cell source, eliminating the reliance on multiple human tissue donors. The forthcoming launch of PURmarrow360 in the United States provides a surgical device for capturing bone marrow aspirate and mesenchymal stem cells, targeting about 91.6% of spinal fusions in the country.
Recent FDA approvals for PUR Biologics’ ActiveOrb technology and a global license from Zimmer Biomet further bolster the company’s position. These developments offer affordable alternatives to centralized factory-dependent therapies, especially for the growth of bone and cartilage.
The estimated spinal biologics market of $2.518 billion, expected to surpass $3.5 billion by 2033, underscores HippoFi’s PURmarrow360 as a potential disruptor. The company’s diversified portfolio extends to multiple large markets, positioning it well to capitalize on the projected $445.1 billion global medical device market by 2026.
HippoFi’s outstanding sales track record, distributor connections, and recent patents, notably in immune cell activation, contribute to a positive outlook. Analysts project potential revenues of $28 million for FY24E and $75 million for FY25E, with a robust 195% compound annual growth rate for FY23–FY25. The 12-month price target is $0.37, aligning with industry averages.
The recent appointment of Dr. Gail Naughton, a renowned figure in regenerative medicine, as Head of Regenerative Therapeutics and Commercialization further solidifies HippoFi’s position. Dr. Naughton’s expertise adds significant value to the company’s growth strategy, emphasizing its commitment to advancing regenerative medicine solutions.
In the latest press release on December 5, 2023, HippoFi’s (OTC:ORHB) wholly owned subsidiary, PUR Biologics, announced the significant expansion of its distribution network in California, adding 14 major healthcare facilities. This move not only broadens access to major medical facilities but also underscores the company’s commitment to providing the highest level of service and quality to healthcare professionals and patients.
PUR Biologics, known for its comprehensive suite of best-in-class spinal biologics, focuses on regenerating bone, cartilage, and spinal discs, positioning itself as a leader in the field. With a growing nationwide network of skilled representatives, PUR Biologics has the capability to service every hospital and ambulatory surgery center in the U.S.A., ensuring expert coverage across the country.
Ryan Fernan, Head of PUR Biologics, emphasizes the company’s commitment to business and scientific innovation, stating, “As PUR Biologics expands, we’re not just growing our footprint; we are continuously reinforcing our leadership in business and scientific innovation. Our progress in spinal biologics reflects our commitment to advancing healthcare technologies and solutions.”
In the U.S., the market for instrumented spine surgeries, involving 1.62 million surgeries annually, is estimated to be worth $3.5 billion and is experiencing steady growth with a CAGR of 4.5%. CJ Wiggins, HippoFi Executive Chairman and CEO, highlights the company’s business design, showcasing its rapid ability to gain hospital approvals, deliver innovation, and continually expand the worldwide sales network for the benefit of improving patient lives.
PickleJar Entertainment Group (OTC: NREG)
NERG is taking a significant step towards enhancing digital engagement and security in collaboration with authID, a leading biometric identity platform provider. The partnership, announced on December 5, 2023, integrates authID’s cutting-edge identity life-cycle platform with PickleJar’s industry-leading artists’ payments, social commerce, ticketing, and crowdfunding services.
authID’s platform ensures high-level identity assurance by swiftly and accurately verifying users’ identities, eliminating assumptions about device usage, and preventing cybercriminals from taking over accounts. This collaboration aims to make the process of earning and transferring money between artists, venues, and fans seamless and secure.
PickleJar CEO Jeff James emphasizes the importance of trust in social commerce applications, particularly in delivering a seamless, social user experience between artists and fans. authID’s biometric platform, processing in a market-leading 700 milliseconds, enhances security and identity assurance in financial transactions within the entertainment industry.
The integration includes document-based identity verification, PAD Level 2 liveness confirmation, ID anti-spoofing checks, and facial biometric matching. This not only streamlines digital onboarding for PickleJar entertainers and fans but also eliminates identity assumptions, providing a digital chain of trust that safeguards against vulnerabilities like phishing and cyberattacks.
authID CEO Rhon Daguro expresses excitement about partnering with PickleJar, emphasizing their shared goal to revolutionize entertainment experiences. The collaboration aims to deliver quick, frictionless identity experiences that deepen customer loyalty, promoting the highest levels of identity trust in the evolving landscape of digital and social commerce.
This strategic partnership positions PickleJar Entertainment Group at the forefront of security and identity assurance in the entertainment industry, aligning with their commitment to delivering innovative and trusted experiences for their creative community and followers.
DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc. (OTCQB: DMGGF) (TSX-V: DMGI)
DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc. is an environmentally conscious, vertically integrated blockchain and cryptocurrency company that oversees the management, operation, and development of end-to-end digital solutions to monetize the blockchain ecosystem. The company’s sustainable businesses are categorized into two lines under the Core and Core+ strategies, united through DMG’s vertical integration.
In a recent announcement on December 5, 2023, DMG Blockchain Solutions revealed a strategic move by signing an agreement with Bitmain Technologies to acquire 4,550 T21,190 TH/s bitcoin miners for a total of US$12,103,000 (US$14 /th/s). The financing for this purchase may be sourced from existing cash, liquidated bitcoin, debt, or a combination of these options.
Anticipating the shipment of T21 miners in the March quarter of 2024, DMG made a 10% downpayment, with the remaining balance due in the month before shipment. The T21 miners support a high-energy (overclocked) mode of 233 TH/s, and DMG plans to utilize this capability, potentially realizing up to 1.06 EH/s from this purchase, comparable to its current hashrate.
DMG intends to deploy the newly acquired T21 miners at its Christina Lake data center facility. The company plans to use its existing mining containers, currently being installed at the facility, in conjunction with the expected rationalization of its existing fleet. This strategy aims to enhance overall fleet efficiency, projected to be below 25 J/TH post-halvening, expected in April 2024.
In the preliminary mining results for November 2023, DMG reported mining 64.7 bitcoins with a realized hashrate of 0.97 EH/s. The company’s bitcoin balance as of November 30, 2023, stood at 429 bitcoins, and DMG exited November with a realized hashrate of 1.07 EH/s. Ongoing efforts are underway to optimize fleet operations, bringing the realized hashrate closer to the fleet’s nameplate hashrate of 1.2 EH/s in the coming months. This strategic acquisition and operational focus underline DMG Blockchain Solutions’ commitment to advancing its position in the blockchain and cryptocurrency technology landscape.
Else Nutrition Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: BABYF) (TSX: BABY)
Else Nutrition Holdings Inc. is a global food and nutrition company in the midst of international expansion, concentrating on the development of innovative, clean, and plant-based food and nutrition products tailored for infants, toddlers, children, and adults. Noteworthy among its offerings is a groundbreaking, plant-based, non-soy formula that serves as a clean-ingredient alternative to traditional dairy-based formulas.
Since the introduction of their Plant-Based Complete Nutrition for Toddlers, which incorporates whole foods, almonds, buckwheat, and tapioca, the brand has garnered significant acclaim. Moreover, it has secured support from national retailers and achieved substantial sales growth.
On November 29, 2023, Else Nutrition announced the rollout of its products across Canada in partnership with one of the world’s leading retailers of natural and organic foods. The launch includes Else Nutrition’s complete product range of toddler nutritional supplements, kids drinks, and baby super cereals, catering to consumers who prioritize quality, health, and sustainability. The retailer, known for its rigorous selection of natural and non-GMO products, aligns with Else Nutrition’s core values and commitment to providing high-quality, plant-based nutrition. This strategic placement amplifies Else Nutrition’s reach to its target demographic in Canada, marking a significant step in the company’s growth prospects, with plans for a subsequent launch in the United States.
On December 4, 2023, Else Nutrition reported the successful completion of its first large-scale production run of Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Kids Shakes. This innovative shake is a first-of-its-kind, whole-food nutritional solution with superior taste and texture, featuring the lowest sugar level in its product category. The production run positions Else Nutrition for a robust commercial rollout of its RTD Kids Shakes across North America, commencing in December 2023. The company has secured multiple partnerships with major regional retailers and online platforms in both the U.S. and Canada, with plans to onboard additional partners. Hamutal Yitzhak, CEO and Co-Founder of Else Nutrition, expressed excitement about this milestone and the positive reception to the RTD products, emphasizing their commitment to providing families with a healthier alternative for their children. The company looks forward to providing updates on the commercial rollout across North America.
Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. (OTCQB: LBSR)
Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp., operating as Liberty Star Minerals, is an Arizona-based mineral exploration company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing mineral properties in Arizona and the southwestern USA. The company’s primary asset is the Hay Mountain Project, an exploration-stage site rich in copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, and associated metals. The exploration targets at Hay Mountain include both near-surface and deep-seated ore bodies, with an additional area of interest called Red Rock Canyon displaying promising gold mineralization.
In recent developments, Liberty Star Minerals has announced the commencement of drilling activities at the Hay Mountain Project in collaboration with the Nasco Industrial Services and Supply LLC (NISS) drilling crew. The drilling plan is based on comprehensive geochemical and geophysical data collected in the area. The company’s exploration crew is actively overseeing the program, and a track-mounted diamond core drilling rig is on-site, casing to bedrock on Pad 1.
Moreover, Liberty Star Minerals has enlisted the expertise of Mr. James (Jim) Bryce, CP, a seasoned geologist with over thirty years of experience in the mining and exploration industry. Mr. Bryce, based in Thunder Bay, ON, Canada, will serve as a consulting geologist and qualified person, overseeing a core drilling program at the Red Rock Canyon Project and the adjacent Hay Mountain Project. His extensive background includes work on five continents, encompassing gold, silver, and copper exploration and mining operations. Mr. Bryce’s role as project manager will contribute to evaluating the geological merit of Liberty Star’s properties, further enhancing the company’s exploration initiatives.
