Core Insights - Benitec Biopharma Inc. announced positive results from the 24-month follow-up of the first patient treated with BB-301 in a clinical study for oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), showing robust disease-modifying outcomes [1][3][4] Group 1: Clinical Study Results - Patient 1 demonstrated deepening improvements in post-swallow pharyngeal residue and total dysphagic symptom burden at the 24-month follow-up compared to both pre-treatment and 12-month follow-up assessments [1][3][4] - All four patients in Cohort 1 completed the 12-month follow-up, with each showing durable responses to BB-301, meeting pre-specified statistical criteria for improvement [1][4][8] - Patient 1 exhibited a 27% improvement in Pharyngeal Area at Maximum Constriction (PhAMPC) at the 12-month mark, which was maintained at the 24-month follow-up [5] - Patient 1 showed a 35% reduction in post-swallow residue in the vallecular region at 12 months, improving to a 60% reduction at 24 months [7] - Total Pharyngeal Residue (TPR) improved by 32% at 12 months and 39% at 24 months, indicating enhanced swallowing efficiency over time [7] Group 2: Patient-Reported Outcomes - The Sydney Swallow Questionnaire (SSQ) total score indicated a 64% reduction in total dysphagic symptom burden at 12 months, improving to a 78% reduction at 24 months [7] - The Responder Analysis framework was utilized to evaluate the efficacy of BB-301, with all four patients classified as formal responders based on their improvements across multiple assessment categories [6][8] Group 3: Company Overview and Future Plans - Benitec Biopharma is focused on developing novel genetic medicines using its proprietary "Silence and Replace" platform, targeting chronic and life-threatening conditions like OPMD [10][11] - The company plans to engage with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in mid-2026 to confirm the pivotal study design for BB-301 and will present interim clinical results at future medical conferences [2]

Core Insights - Scatec ASA has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) for a total capacity of 1.95 GW Solar and 3.9 GWh Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Egypt [1][2] - This agreement represents the largest solar and BESS installation in Africa and marks the largest investment in Scatec's history [2] - The project aims to provide continuous renewable baseload power and enhance grid stability in Egypt [2][3] Project Details - The PPA is structured as a 25-year, USD-denominated pay-as-produced agreement linked to the electricity generated by the hybrid system, expected to deliver approximately 6,000 GWh of renewable energy annually [4] - Scatec will provide Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), Asset Management (AM), and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) services for the projects, leveraging its expertise from similar large-scale projects [5] - The company will invite additional equity partners for the projects, with further details on capital expenditure and financing structure to be disclosed at financial close, anticipated in the second half of 2026 [6] Company Overview - Scatec is a leading renewable energy solutions provider, with 6.2 GW in operation and under construction across five continents [7] - The company is committed to accelerating access to reliable and affordable clean energy in emerging markets and aims to grow its renewable energy capacity [7]

Core Insights - Foghorn Therapeutics has successfully raised $50 million in equity financing, which is set to close on January 13, 2026, at a 30% premium to the stock price on January 9, 2026, indicating strong investor confidence in the company's vision and execution [2][3] - The company is advancing its Phase 1 dose-escalation trial of FHD-909, targeting SMARCA4-mutant cancers, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which has a poor prognosis [1][4] - Foghorn is on track to make its Selective CBP and EP300 degrader programs IND-ready in 2026, with promising preclinical data supporting their efficacy in various cancers [1][10][11] Financial Overview - The company has a strong balance sheet with approximately $208.9 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, which will support ongoing investments in its pipeline and extend its cash runway into the first half of 2028 [1][12] - The recent equity financing will allow the company to continue its strategic objectives and development of its oncology pipeline [2][3] Pipeline Development - FHD-909 is a first-in-class oral SMARCA2 selective inhibitor, showing high selectivity and potential for inducing tumor death while sparing healthy cells, particularly in SMARCA4-mutant cancers [4] - The Selective CBP degrader program is focused on ER+ breast cancer and aims to overcome challenges associated with dual inhibition of CBP/EP300, while the Selective EP300 degrader program targets hematological malignancies [6][7] - The Selective ARID1B degrader program is also advancing, targeting ARID1A-mutated cancers, with potential for oral delivery and selective degradation [8][16] Strategic Collaborations - Foghorn is collaborating with Lilly on a 50/50 co-development and co-commercialization agreement for its selective SMARCA2 oncology program, which includes both a selective inhibitor and a selective degrader [5]

Core Viewpoint - VR Resources Limited has announced an upsize to its brokered private placement offering, now set to issue up to 17,187,500 units for gross proceeds of $2,750,000 [1][2] Offering Details - Each unit will be priced at $0.16 and will consist of one common share and one common share purchase warrant, with the warrant allowing the purchase of an additional common share at $0.20 for 36 months [2] - The offering is contingent upon a consolidation of shares at a ratio of ten pre-consolidation shares for one post-consolidation share, expected to reduce the outstanding shares from 133,443,467 to approximately 13,344,346 [3] - The offering is expected to close around January 16, 2026, subject to necessary approvals, including from the TSX Venture Exchange [5] Financial Arrangements - A commission of 8% of the cash proceeds will be paid to the lead agent, along with non-transferable broker warrants equal to 8% of the units issued [4] - The securities issued will have a hold period of four months and one day from the closing date [5] Company Overview - VR Resources is a junior exploration company based in Vancouver, focusing on copper, gold, and critical metals in Nevada and Ontario, utilizing modern exploration technologies [9] - The company evaluates and advances opportunities through its own projects and ongoing assessments of new opportunities [9] Lead Agent Information - Centurion One Capital acts as the lead agent for the offering, emphasizing its commitment to supporting visionary entrepreneurs with transformative capital and expertise [10]

Core Insights - RecycLiCo Battery Materials Inc. has granted 3,000,000 stock options to director Rob Chang, with an exercise price of $0.13 per share and an expiry date of January 8, 2031 [1] Company Overview - RecycLiCo specializes in critical minerals refining and lithium-ion battery upcycling, utilizing advanced hydrometallurgical technologies to process mined ore [2] - The company efficiently recovers battery-ready lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese from end-of-life batteries and manufacturing scrap, supporting energy storage and broader industrial applications [2] - RecycLiCo's business model aligns with the increasing global demand for responsible supply chains and the movement towards strengthening domestic sourcing of critical materials [2]

Core Viewpoint - Walmart Inc. will be added to the Nasdaq-100 Index and related indices, replacing AstraZeneca PLC, effective January 20, 2026 [1][2]. Group 1: Index Changes - Walmart Inc. will replace AstraZeneca PLC in the Nasdaq-100 Index, the Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index, and the Nasdaq-100 Ex-Tech Sector Index [2]. - AstraZeneca PLC will also be removed from multiple other indices, including the Nasdaq-100 ESG Index and the Nasdaq-100 Low Volatility Index, prior to market open on January 20, 2026 [2]. Group 2: Nasdaq-100 Index Overview - The Nasdaq-100 Index tracks the performance of 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, covering various industries such as technology, retail, healthcare, and media [3]. - The index is recognized globally and reflects the dynamics of the 21st-century economy [3]. Group 3: Nasdaq Global Indexes - Nasdaq Global Indexes has been a leader in market-driven index solutions since 1971, offering a range of indexes that reflect today's dynamic markets [4]. - The mission of Nasdaq Global Indexes is to create innovative opportunities for financial product sponsors and asset managers [4]. Group 4: Nasdaq Company Overview - Nasdaq is a leading global technology company that serves various financial market participants, aiming to enhance liquidity, transparency, and integrity in the global economy [5]. - The company provides a diverse range of data, analytics, and software solutions to help clients optimize their business strategies [5].

Core Viewpoint - Coastal Financial Corporation has acquired the GreenFi brand from Mission Financial Partners, enhancing its portfolio of climate-friendly consumer financial services products [1][4]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition allows Coastal to have full control over the GreenFi brand, which is aligned with increasing consumer demand for sustainable financial products [5]. - Mission Financial Partners will continue to operate and market the GreenFi program, ensuring operational continuity while Coastal takes on governance and long-term brand stewardship [2][3]. - The terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but it is designed to maintain customer experience and service continuity [7]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - This acquisition reflects Coastal's strategy to support innovative digital banking products through a regulated banking platform, allowing for future growth and integration of the GreenFi brand [4]. - Coastal aims to reinforce its position as a trusted banking partner for fintech companies, focusing on responsible growth and long-term customer relationships [5]. - The partnership with Mission Financial Partners will continue to provide customers access to sustainable investment options through the Redwood Fund family of mutual fund products [2]. Group 3: Customer Impact - Customers will not experience any changes to their accounts, services, or access due to the acquisition, ensuring a seamless transition [6]. - Account terms, digital experiences, and customer support channels will remain unchanged, with no action required from customers at this time [6]. Group 4: Company Background - Coastal Financial Corporation, based in Everett, Washington, operates Coastal Community Bank, which has assets of $4.55 billion and provides services through 14 branches and digital platforms [8]. - GreenFi has been providing climate-aligned consumer banking products for over a decade, focusing on transparency and sustainability in financial decisions [9][10].

- Rapidly transforming into a leading global biopharma companyCOPENHAGEN, Denmark, Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ascendis Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ASND) today provided a business and strategic roadmap update, including planned 2026 key corporate milestones. Ascendis President and CEO Jan Mikkelsen will present this update on Monday, January 12, during the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. “With our proven TransCon® technology platform, strong R&D capabilities, and a maturing commercial infrastru ...

CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (the “Company”, “ReconAfrica”) (TSXV: RECO) (OTCQX: RECAF) (Frankfurt: 0XD) (NSX: REC) announces that the Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan with Odyssey Trust Company as Rights Agent effective today. The Shareholder Rights Plan is consistent with modern rights plans adopted by other Canadian public companies and has not been adopted in response to any specific proposal or intention to ...

Core Viewpoint - ArrowMark Financial Corp. has declared a monthly cash distribution of $0.15 per share for January 2026, marking the first monthly dividend since the transition from quarterly to monthly distributions in December 2025 [1][2]. Group 1: Company Overview - ArrowMark Financial Corp. is an SEC registered non-diversified, closed-end fund listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "BANX" [3]. - The investment objective of the company is to provide shareholders with current income, primarily by investing in regulatory capital securities of financial institutions [3]. - ArrowMark Financial is managed by ArrowMark Asset Management, LLC [3]. Group 2: Dividend Announcement - The total distribution of $0.15 per share will be payable on January 30, 2026, to shareholders of record on January 21, 2026 [1]. - The transition to a monthly distribution schedule is aimed at providing shareholders with consistent income [2].