Emerging companies to connect with investors via Proactive One2One Investor Forum on August 25

Four emerging companies -- three biotechs and a clean-energy producer -- will join Proactive’s Christine Corrado at the digital financial news organization’s virtual investor conference on Tuesday, August 25. The virtual One2One Investor Forum, which kicks off at 1pm EDT, is an online variant of the popular conference format Proactive has run for more than a decade and enables communication between investors and management from some of the world's most cutting-edge businesses. The companies getting in on the action are Biocept Inc (NASDAQ:BIOC), which offers coronavirus (COVID-19) and liquid-biopsy testing; private clinical-stage biotechnology company Starton Therapeutics Inc (formerly called ChemicoCare USA Inc); Israeli diagnostics company Todos Medical Ltd (OTCQB:TOMDF), which also makes COVID-19 testing kits; and “low-carbon” fuel company Gevo Inc (NASDAQ:GEVO).    Joining the fight against COVID-19 Biocept sells CEE-Sure blood collection tubes and has developed a patented liquid biopsy technology called Target Selector that detects and isolates cancer biomarkers such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). But the company also now offers COVID 19-testing services. Biocept operates a CLIA-certified lab laboratory in San Diego with specialized, licensed molecular lab staff trained in performing the testing. Test results can be done in 48 hours for US-based health providers.  “I’m very happy to participate in the Proactive One2One virtual conference and share how Biocept is positioned to weather the pandemic and drive future growth,” said Biocept CEO Michael Nall. “We are building on our established leadership position in oncology liquid biopsy by executing on strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening our long-term strategy. Importantly, we made the decision earlier this year to serve public health efforts by revising our business plan.  We expanded our testing services by validating assays to detect COVID-19, while at the same time, developing new technologies to help in the fight against the pandemic.” Transforming hematology and oncology therapeutics New York-based Starton Therapeutics seeks to transform standard-of-care therapeutics with a focus on hematology and oncology.  The company's technology utilizes a proprietary transdermal delivery platform to eliminate peak blood levels, reduce overall patient exposure to medicine, bypass first-pass metabolism and improve patient compliance with a simplified, long-acting dosing regimen, enabling patients undergoing chemotherapy to improve their quality of life and outcomes. During the conference, CEO Pedro Lichtinger will announce the opening of a US$10 million private placement cross-over financing plan and he also intends to provide an update on the company's plans to pursue a public offering of its common shares in the next 6-12 months.  Potential investors are invited to hear an overview of Starton’s planned Phase 1/2 clinical studies for its lenalidomide continuous delivery program – which offers blockbuster potential in three entirely new indications in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), its Phase 1/2 clinical study in multiple myeloma, as well as its STAR-OLZ Phase 2/3 study in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Developing diagnostic tests to screen for cancers and COVID-19 Todos Medical distributes PCR testing kits to test for an active COVID-19 infection as well as point-of-care (POC) antibody tests. Headquartered in Rehovot, Israel, Todos also develops diagnostic solutions to screen for a variety of cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. The company reported strong sales of its COVID-19 testing kits in July as laboratories across the US ramped up testing capacity in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. “I’m pleased to report the recognition of COVID-19 test revenue and the momentum established by entering into key strategic partnerships with medtech industry leaders in the United States,” said CEO Gerald Commissiong, who will be addressing investors during the conference, in a recent statement. Making cleaner aviation fuel  Gevo, based in Englewood, Colorado, is commercializing the next generation of gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel with the potential to achieve zero carbon emissions, addressing the market need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with sustainable alternatives. The company has been riding some positive momentum lately. Gevo recently won the largest contract in its history after entering into a binding Renewable Hydrocarbons Purchase and Sale Agreement with Trafigura Trading LLC. Trafigura is one of the world’s leading independent commodity trading companies. Gevo will deliver to Trafigura low-carbon premium gasoline, with a smaller portion of the volume for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), starting in 2023. Trafigura hopes to supply SAF to both US and international customers interested in low-carbon jet fuel. “This is our largest single contract to date, and with it, brings Gevo to over $1.5B of revenue in long term contracts when added to the other contracts we have in place,” said Gevo CEO Patrick Gruber, who will be presenting at the conference, in a statement. As a result of the news on August 20, Gevo’s stock closed up by 233% to $1.82 apiece in New York on volume of more than 991 million shares.  And following the news, Noble Capital issued a note maintaining its Outperform rating on Gevo's stock and doubling its price target to $2.40 a share from $1.20 a share. The company also recently reached an agreement to move forward with a direct at-the-market share offering worth roughly $50 million. Gevo is offering more than 38.4 million shares of common stock and equivalents at $1.30 per share. Gevo plans to put the money toward working capital and general corporate purposes, including the repayment of debt. Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham