NA Proactive news snapshot: PyroGenesis Canada, LexaGene Holdings, Algernon Pharmaceuticals, Ridgeline Minerals, NexTech AR UPDATE ...

PyroGenesis Canada Inc (CVE:PYR) (OTCQB:PYRNF) (FRA:8PY) has informed HPQ Nano Silicon Powders Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of HPQ Silicon Resources Inc (CVE:HPQ), that Phase 1 of the PUREVAPTM Nano Silicon Reactor development program has reached the commissioning stage, with the Gen1 PUREVAPTMNSiR now ready to start producing Silicon nano materials. With that announcement, HPQ Silicon Resources declared that a “new era of low-cost manufacturing of nano silicon materials is about to commence.” LexaGene Holdings Inc (CVE:LXG) (OTCQB:LXXGF) (FRA:5XS2), the molecular diagnostics group, is set to deploy its MiQLab systems into two specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals, which will allow for rapid testing of animals. The point-of-care technology will be available at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital (VSH) of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and at Denver Animal Emergency (Denver) in Denver, North Carolina. Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc (CSE:AGN) (OTCQB:AGNPF) provided additional information on its interim data report for the Phase 2b stage of its Phase 2b/3 clinical study of Ifenprodil for coronavirus (COVID-19). On Tuesday, the Vancouver-based company had said that data is pointing to a trend towards a reduction of patients needing mechanical ventilation in the high-dose Ifenprodil treatment arm by day 15 of the trial, as compared to patients in the untreated arm. Algernon CEO Christopher J Moreau said he was "very pleased to see positive trending data with a ventilation related endpoint" that is favored by the FDA for COVID-19 trials.  Ridgeline Minerals Corp (CVE:RDG) (OTCQB:RDGMF) reported that it has completed its Phase I drill program at the Swift gold project located in Nevada’s prolific Cortez District of the Battle Mountain- Eureka Trend. The company said the Phase I program was comprised of three diamond drill core holes totaling 2,413 meters (m) focused on the untested Fallen City target, with the primary objective of targeting the intersection of the down-dip projection of a kilometer-scale Carlin-Type pathfinder gold soils anomaly. NexTech AR Solutions Corp (CSE:NTAR) (OTCQB:NEXCF) (FRA:N29) announced on Thursday that the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) has chosen its InfernoAR Experience platform to power the four-day CIM 2021 Virtual Convention + Expo starting on May 3, 2021. The Canadian advanced technology company which has offices in the United States said the contract is valued between $200,000-to-$400,000. The company said CIM will utilize NexTech’s virtual experience platform to provide global access to educational materials on revolutionary advancements and best practices in the mining industry. Water Tower Research LLC announced that Wall Street veteran Stuart Linde will join the firm and its parent company alphaDIRECT Group LLC on January 19, 2021 as the chief executive as the company eyes rapid business development. The leading US issuer-sponsored equity research firm said Linde will also become a member of the parent company’s board. In a statement, Water Tower co-founder and current CEO Tim Gerdeman said: “I am excited to hire such a seasoned and highly respected Wall Street veteran to direct the next chapters of Water Tower Research’s evolution. Stu will have an outsized impact in building out Water Tower Research’s issuer-sponsored equity research platform and overseeing our parent company’s expansion into such related service offerings as Investor Relations & Corporate Communications.” International Montoro Resources Inc.(CVE:IMT) (OTCPINK:IMTFF) has received an extension to its drill permit for its 1,840-hectare (Ha) Pecors nickel, copper, platinum group elements (PGE) project in Ontario, which means the company can further investigate the asset. It will allow the group to delineate the extent of nickel, copper, and PGM mineralization discovered in 2015 diamond drilling and a VTEM survey on the Pecors anomaly.The Pecors anomaly is a strong regional magnetic high that extends for 18km southeast-northwest and up to 4km wide. VR Resources Ltd (CVE:VRR) (OTCQB:VRRCF) is planning follow-up work at the Hecla-Kilmer property in Ontario after its recently-completed fall reconnaissance drill program, it told investors on Thursday. The company sank four holes on the northern magnetic anomaly at the property for 1,971 metres (m) before the onset of winter. A hydrothermal breccia and sulfide alteration system which comes to surface and has more than 600m of continuous vertical extent was seen in two drill holes. "The results demand follow-up drilling in order to completely test other areas across the large H-K complex for copper and gold mineralization similar in style but stronger to that discovered in this program," VR said in a statement. Binovi Technologies Corp (CVE:VISN) (OTCQB:BNVIF) (FRA:2EYA) is leading the charge in virtual vision therapy through its latest telehealth innovation, Binovi Connect, which is a web-based video conferencing solution that connects consumers to vision care professionals focused on concussions, reading skills, and athletic enhancement. The Toronto-based company is a neuro-visual performance platform designed to test, analyze, track, and report on individual cognitive performance. Binovi’s connection to vision therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists has led the company towards innovative testing methods that patients can do remotely. Binovi Connect is user-friendly, and patients are given everything they need to create progress. "Once a training regimen is established, along with a schedule for check-ins and evaluations, users can conduct their own training sessions,” Binovi Technologies CEO Adam Cegielski told BNN Bloomberg. Walcott Resources Ltd (CSE:WAL) (OTCMKTS:WALRF) (FRA:WR2) said it had kicked off field work at its 60% owned Century South silver zinc project (CSSZP) in northern Queensland, Australia. The CSSZP consists of over 250 square kilometres (sq km) of ground in the prolific Mt. Isa Basin in north-west Queensland - where six large scale silver-zinc-lead operations and several world class copper deposits with established mining infrastructure are to be found. Walcott hired consultants Xplore Resources, of North Lakes, Queensland, to conduct the field program, where the priority will be outcrop examination of various siltstone, faults and quartzite occurrences, as well as outcrop examination at north end of tenure owing to zinc and copper prospects located along strike to the north. Predictiv AI Inc (CVE:PAI) (OTCMKST:INOTF) (FSE:71TA) announced Thursday that it has donated one of its made-in Ontario ThermalPass fever detection systems to the Flemingdon Food Bank ahead of the holiday season. The ThermalPass unit will help keep patrons, staff, and volunteers healthy and safe as demand for food banks continues to increase amid this busy and challenging holiday season. Feed Ontario's 2020 Hunger Report found the demand for food banks has been on the rise since before COVID-19 -- over 500,000 people accessed food banks across Ontario between April 2019 and March 2020. Pandemic lockdowns and job losses have led to a continued increase in the demand for food banks since the onset of COVID-19.   Next Green Wave Holdings Inc (CSE:NGW) (OTCQX:NXGWF) announced Thursday that it will immediately move forward with expansion plans for a 50,000 square-foot premium indoor cultivation facility (Facility B) in Coalinga, in California. The Vancouver-based seed to shelf craft cannabis producer said Facility B will be located on two acres of company-owned land directly adjacent to its current 35,000-square foot cultivation and distribution facility. When fully operational, Next Green Wave will have a combined production capacity of close to 20,000 pounds of premium flower per year, representing a nearly 150% increase compared to current production levels. Nemaura Medical Inc (NASDAQ:NMRD) announced Thursday the official US launch of its flagship program BEATdiabetes and the availability of its proprietary non-invasive, daily-wear adhesive glucose monitor proBEAT. The program is supported with the proBEAT monitor, the world’s first non-invasive, daily-wear glucose monitoring patch used in conjunction with a smartphone app. The monitor was developed as a flexible wear patch, to provide feedback and actionable insights to users about what factors affect their blood glucose fluctuations. In addition, algorithms will provide predictive information that supplies the user suggestions such as smart eating choices, exercise and other potential lifestyle changes over the long term.  LeanLife Health Inc (CSE:LLP) (FSE:LL1) (OTCPINK:LNLHF) announced Thursday that it will be ordering several additional containers of Mike Tyson branded Iron Energy drink thanks to strong demand from US retailers. The products will be shipped from LeanLife’s Polish partner FoodCare Group, which is the global manufacturer of Mike Tyson branded energy drinks. Leanlife noted that these containers are in addition to the containers that have already shipped and are due to arrive by end of January in Arizona. In a statement, CEO Stan Lis said that since Tyson's widely watched comeback fight last month in Los Angeles, the profile of the legendary boxer and the Iron Energy drink has grown even stronger. “I anticipate being able to sell more than 100 containers of Iron Energy in 2021 based on initial demand," Lis said. WeedMD Inc (CVE:WMD) (OTCQX:WDDMF) (FRA:4WE) reported that it has launched its new one-gram, 510-thread vaporization (vape) products in Ontario, expanding the company’s Cannabis 2.0 product portfolio. WeedMD’s terpene-infused vapes, which includes flavoured strains such as Lemon Haze and Sour Pineapple, will be sold under WeedMD’s Saturday Cannabis branded line-up and is expected to be available to consumers via the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) by the end of December 2020. Royal Road Minerals Limited (CVE:RYR) (OTCMKTS:RRDMF) (FRA:RLU) announced that it has entered into a binding Letter of Intent (LOI) to sell its entire 50% stake in the Luna Roja gold project in Nicaragua to Mineros S.A. Royal Road Minerals is expected to receive US$22.5 million in cash payable on closing, for its 50% interest in the project, plus a 1.25% net smelter royalty on all future mineral production from the Monte Carmelo I and Monte Carmelo II mining concessions. Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ZYNE) (FRA:6ZY) on Thursday provided an update on its meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration regarding its Fragile X syndrome (FXS) program using Zygel, a patent-protected CBD skin gel. The company plans to conduct a double-blind, placebo-controlled pivotal trial in patients with FXS, who have a highly methylated FMR1 gene to confirm the positive results observed in this population of responders in the CONNECT-FX trial. In the first half of 2021, Zynerba said it will review the trial design and protocol for the new trial through a Type C meeting with the FDA and expects to initiate the pivotal trial before the end of 2021. Zynerba said it believes that positive results from this confirmatory trial would be sufficient to support the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) for Zygel in FXS. Canada Silver Cobalt Works (CVE:CCW) (OTCQB:CCWOF) (FRA:4T9B) reported a further boost for its Castle property in Ontario on Thursday, revealing it had uncovered high-grade gold mineralization with cobalt within the mineralized vein structures at the asset. The company is focused on the Gowganda district - one of the few places globally where silver and cobalt can be mined together - and has completed 18,000 metres (m) of drilling of a 50,000m program. Two rigs are turning. Highlight assays included 24.95 grams per ton (g/t) of gold over 0.30 meters from 49.70 to 50.00m depth in one hole. The same hole also hit 3.82 g/t of gold over 2.86 meters from 451m to 453.86m, including 6.11 g/t of the yellow metal over 1.66 meters from 451.52m to 453.18m. The Flowr Corporation (CVE:FLWR) (OTCMKTS:FLWPF) announced harvest results from its Portugal operations, as well as a strategic warehousing agreement with Tilray Inc (NASDAQ:TLRY) in order to advance both companies' cannabis businesses in the European Union. The company said Tilray will store its medical cannabis at Flowr Corp’s Sintra facility in Portugal before shipping its product for sale in the European market. Commercial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Melkior Resources Inc (CVE:MKR) (OTCMKTS:MKRIF) (FRA:MEK1) said it will begin a drill program at its Maseres property in the Urban-Barry camp, Quebec in early January next year before drilling its Val d’Or East project. It comes after the group reevaluated data following a till survey completed at Maseres during the summer, which have indicated a possible source of mineralization just up-ice from previously drilled locations. This year's work saw 108 soil samples collected, including 70 samples on the A Block, 13 samples on the B Block, and 33 on the E Block. FansUnite Entertainment Inc (CSE:FANS) (OTCQB:FUNFF) announced Thursday that an upsized private placement to raise $11 million for working capital and general corporate purposes. Due to strong investor demand, the Vancouver-based company said it will offer for sale up to 17,600,000 special warrants at $0.625 each. The company has also amended the option grant to Gravitas Securities Inc, as sole agent and bookrunner, for the sale of up to an additional 2,640,000 special warrants, which is exercisable in whole or in part at any time up to 30 days following the closing of the offering. The initial closing date is expected to be on or about the week of January 11th, 2021 and the offering may be completed in one or more closings at the discretion of the lead agent. Pacton Gold Inc (CVE:PAC) (OTCPINK:PACXF) (FRA:2NKM) said it had closed an oversubscribed financing, bringing in more than C$3.6 million. In a statement, the explorer said that 2.01 million flow-through (FT) shares were issued at $1 per FT Share for total gross proceeds of C$2.01 million, while its private placement of around 1.8 million shares at C$0.90 each raised C$1.627 million gross. Silvercorp Metals Inc (TSE:SVM) (NYSEAMERICAN:SVM) revealed it had published its first sustainability report, prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards: Core Option as a guide, which provides information on the miner's governance, safety, environmental, and social performance. "One of Silvercorp’s key principles is to be a good corporate citizen and accountable to all its stakeholders," said Dr. Rui Feng, the company's CEO and chairman. "As a result, the company has implemented numerous programs over the years to ensure it operates in a responsible manner with respect to employee and contractor safety, environmental protection and community relations. This sustainability report, Silvercorp’s first, allows us to highlight our actions as well as our commitment to communicate on these topics on an ongoing basis." Fury Gold Mines Limited (TSE:FURY) (NYSEAMERICAN:FURY) (FRA:AUN1) told investors it has identified two significant gold-in-till targets at the Éléonore South joint venture (ESJV), which it aims to advance towards drilling in the summer of next year. The ESJV in Quebec was formed in 2008 and Fury is the operator on behalf of its partners. It holds a 36.72% stake, while Azimut Exploration holds 26.57%. Les Mines Opinaca Ltée, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newmont, holds 36.71% of the venture. XPhyto Therapeutics Corp (CSE:XPHY) (OTCQB:XPHYF (FSE:4XT) and its exclusive German diagnostics development partner 3a-diagnostics GmbH announced the successful validation of their point-of-care SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR test system.  In addition, XPhyto said European regulatory approval and commercial product launch in European markets are planned for the first quarter of 2021. The newly developed test system has demonstrated diagnostic level accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) in its ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA within 25 minutes. Robustness, repeatability, and laboratory precision have also been confirmed. The test is designed to be conducted with only minimal laboratory processes and equipment. O3 Mining Inc (CVE:OIII) (OTCMKTS:OQMGF) reported Thursday a "spectacular" drill intercept from its Simkar zone within the Sector 3 of its Alpha property in Québec. The hole was sunk at the western extension of the Simkar zone and included an assay of 413 grams per ton (g/t) gold over 1.2 metres (m). Immediate follow-up drilling of this intercept is underway."This is a spectacular intercept and one which is associated with a well-developed structure and is flanked by two significant previous drill intercepts 200 metres away on each side," noted chief executive of O3 Jose Vizquerra. "With all of these holes about 600 metres from the historical mine, it strongly suggests the presence of an important ore shoot in the down-plunge extension of the Simkar. Our winter drilling program will continue targeting this area and so we look forward to receiving more results early in the new year." Humanigen Inc (NASDAQ:HGEN) (FRA:0KB2) has completed patient enrollment in its Phase 1 bioimaging study of ifabotuzumab to treat recurrent brain cancer -  glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The primary goal of this Phase 1 trial is to evaluate the safety of ifabotuzumab and to recommend a dose for a potential Phase 2 study, either with ifabotuzumab or an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) based on ifabotuzumab. Humanigen's trial is located at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute in Victoria, Australia and results are expected in the first half of 2021. Great Panther Mining Limited (TSE:GPR) (NYSEAMERICAN:GPL) (FRA:G3U) reported that it has re-started mining activities at its Topia silver and gold mine in Mexico following a voluntary suspension of operations last month due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns. The company noted that the suspension of operations lasted about 30 days and is not expected to impact its ability to achieve consolidated 2020 production guidance.  BevCanna Enterprises Inc (CSE:BEV) (QTCQB:BVNNF) (FRA:7BC) announced Thursday that its acquisition of Naturo Group Investments Inc will close on or before January 20, 2021. In a statement, BevCanna said the merger will create a comprehensive health and wellness beverage and natural products company, one that generates significant value for both organizations and brings together two exceptionally experienced and innovative leadership teams. Vancouver-based BevCanna said it will catapult the company into the unique position of becoming the only fully licensed, in-house, and white-label beverage manufacturing company that distributes both conventional and cannabis-based beverage and wellness products. The merger will provide it access to global, multi-channel distribution networks of traditional and cannabis sales channels. Falcon Gold Corp (CVE:FG) (OTCPINK:FGLDF) (FRA:3FA) said it had received conditional acceptance for its previously announced C$750,000 private placing from the TSX venture exchange to fund continued exploration on its existing properties, outstanding payables and general working capital. Units are priced at C$0.12 and comprise one Falcon share and one non-transferable warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to buy a new share for C$0.20 for 36 months. Shares and warrants are subject to a four-month hold period. Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc (CSE:AGN) (OTCQB:AGNPF) revealed that its chief executive Christopher J. Moreau and chief science officer Dr Mark Williams, will be discussing interim data on the company's Phase 2b/3 clinical study of Ifenprodil for COVID-19 on an upcoming free BioPub webcast on December 17 that will be hosted by Dr. KSS at noon ET. The company invites interested shareholders, investors, members of the media and the public to listen. To join the webinar, please click HERE. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83294585006 Energy Fuels Inc (TSE:EFR) (NYSEMKT:UUUU) featured in an editorial published by NetworkNewsWire titled “It’s Elemental — Restoring the US Rare Earth Element Supply Chain.” The editorial looks at how the US was once a thriving producer of rare earth elements (REEs), a group of 17 elements deemed critical to clean energy and modern technologies. “China has dominated global rare earth markets, driving out competitors and controlling nearly all of the world’s processing capacity,” said the report. Against this backdrop, the US government is committed to ending its dependence upon China for REEs, and Energy Fuels Inc is among the leaders with projects that intend to re-ignite REE production in the US by early 2021. The TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation a share purchase agreement dated Nov. 24, 2020, between HIRE Technologies Inc (CVE:HIRE) and the shareholders of Kavin Talent Management & Recruiting. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the company will purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of Kavin Talent Management & Recruiting from the vendors in return for a total purchase price of $1-million. The total consideration will be satisfied by providing $800,000 in cash payments, subject to customary closing adjustments, and further issuing an aggregate of 321,543 common shares at a price of 62.2 cents per common share subject to a 24-month lock-up period following the closing date. As per the terms of the agreement, the company will be eligible to receive certain payback amounts within four years after closing if Kavin Talent Management & Recruiting achieves certain financial milestones. Humanigen Inc (NASDAQ:HGEN) (FRA:0KB2) announced that the company’s management will present and host meetings with investors and potential partners at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, held virtually from January 11 to 14, 2021. Senior executives, including CEO Cameron Durrant, will provide an update on enrollment for its Phase 3 clinical trial of lenzilumab in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, an update on the commercial preparation ahead of a potential Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for lenzilumab as well as an overview of the company’s other programs. Details for the upcoming virtual investor conference are: Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2021; Presentation Time: 8:20 AM ET; Event Link: https://jpmorgan.metameetings.net/events/healthcare21/sessions/35565-humanigen/webcast?gpu_only=true&kiosk=true NetCents Technology Inc (CSE:NC) (OTCQB:NTTCF) (FRA:26N) announced that its annual general meeting (AGM) of the shareholders will be held on December 22, 2020, at 10 am PST. Details of the Meeting, including the business items on which the shareholders will be asked to vote, are set out in the Notice of Meeting of the Company dated November 10, 2020 that was sent to shareholders and filed on SEDAR at https://www.sedar.com/DisplayProfile.do?lang=EN&issuerType=03&issuerNo=00037702. All shareholders are encouraged to vote on the matters before the meeting by proxy, and to participate in its annual general meeting of shareholders of the Company, on a non-voting capacity, to be held on December 22, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. (Vancouver Time) via teleconferencing as follows: Dial In: 1-866-201-0079; Passcode: 515818#