NA Proactive news snapshot: Milestone Scientific Inc, WeedMD Inc, BetterLife Pharma Inc, BioLargo Inc, Vuzix, NetCents Technology UPDATE...

Milestone Scientific Inc (NYSE American:MLSS) announced that thanks to a purchase order it received in late 2020, the company has begun selling CompuFlo disposables to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB). UTMB, an institution of the University of Texas System, opened in 1891 as the nation’s first public medical school and hospital. It is now an academic health sciences center with global clout, with schools of Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions and Graduate Biomedical Sciences; four institutes for advanced study; and a network of hospitals. Roseland, New Jersey-based Milestone's computer-controlled systems are designed to make injections precise, efficient, and virtually painless. Milestone said the purchase decision by a leading US medical center “reinforces” the company’s confidence in the outlook for both CathCheck and CompuFlo. WeedMD Inc (CVE:WMD) (OTCQX:WDDMF) announced Monday that it has appointed executive chairman George Scorsis as interim CEO, taking the reins from Angelo Tsebelis who is stepping down from his position on the executive team as well as the board. Scorsis is a cannabis industry veteran with nearly 20 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry, having previously held roles as CEO and director of Liberty Health Sciences and general manager of Red Bull Canada. “On behalf of the Board, we thank Angelo for his leadership, focus and guidance during a complex period as we combined two companies and navigated a dynamic landscape that resulted from the worldwide pandemic last year,” Scorsis told shareholders in a statement.“Angelo was integral in merging our businesses, optimizing our operations, commercializing our sales and distribution initiatives and bringing a renewed focus on brand awareness. During his tenure, WeedMD achieved a two-fold sales increase in the first nine months of 2020, compared to the full year 2019. We appreciate his contributions to our growth, his counsel during our transition and we wish him well on his future endeavours.” BetterLife Pharma Inc (CSE:BETR) (OTCQB:BETRF) (FRA:NPAU) announced Monday that it has applied for patent protection for its new 2-Bromo-LSD (TD-0148A) formulations to treat depression and mood disorders. 2-Bromo-LSD is a nontoxic second-generation LSD-derived molecule that mimics the therapeutic potential of LSD, without the psychedelic effects or hallucinations. BetterLife noted that its recent C$10 million acquisition of the assets of Transcend Biodynamics makes it the only company able to synthesize 2-Bromo-LSD utilizing a patented process which obviates the need to first synthesize LSD-25 — eliminating the regulatory barriers of working with a Schedule 1 substance. BioLargo Inc (OTCQB:BLGO) reported that a peer-reviewed scientific paper in the Journal of Environmental Management has confirmed that the company’s Advanced Oxidation System (AOS) water disinfection system safely removes certain micropollutants from municipal wastewater. The company also announced that it will start “significant” commercial-scale AOS projects in 2021, including assessing the disinfection and removal of micropollutants and other organic contaminants at a municipal wastewater treatment plant near Montreal, as well as the treatment of poultry-processing wastewater at a certified organic farm in Alberta, Canada.   Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ:VUZI), a leading supplier of smart classes and augmented reality (AR) technology and products, has completed the Phase 2 design, development and delivery of a customized, waveguide-based, head-worn AR Display Engine for a major US defense contractor. The phase-gated development program with the undisclosed customer was originally announced in March 2020, with the Phase 2 leg announced in October 2020 now completed and delivered before December 31, 2020. In a statement Monday, Vuzix said it expects potentially further NREs (non-recurring engineering revenue) in subsequent phases before a customer accepts the final product design that could lead to an eventual production program order. "We are very pleased with the progress we continue to make with this major US defense contractor as we pursue an ultimate production opportunity with them," said CEO Paul Travers. NetCents Technology Inc (CSE:NC) (FRA:26N) (OTCQB:NCCTF), a cryptocurrency payments company, announced Monday that it will begin to offer interest-bearing crypto accounts on its platform.  In a statement, NetCents said its management believes that interest-bearing accounts are a natural extension of the products that should be available to individuals participating in the crypto economy.  The Vancouver-based company also said it believes that it is uniquely positioned within the cryptocurrency industry to begin offering a wider selection of financial products to its user base. Empower Clinics (CSE:CBDT) (OTCMARKETS:EPWCF) (FRA:8EC), an integrated healthcare company, revealed on Monday that it had closed an agreement to acquire Canada-based Lawrence Park Health and Wellness Clinic Inc. In a statement, Empower CEO Steven McAuley said: “The closing of this acquisition is a significant milestone for both Empower and its shareholders that will provide Empower with both a growing accretive business, as well as, a winning business model with plans for immediate expansion across the Greater Toronto Area, the province of Ontario and then nationwide with at least 30 clinics in very rapid succession.” He added: “This nationwide expansion plan is already taking shape with discussions for new locations with significant partners already at advanced stages.” NexTech AR Solutions Corp (CSE:TAR) (OTCQB:NEXCF) (FRA:N29) reported that it has acquired an additional US$2 million worth of Bitcoin and now owns about 130.187 Bitcoins valued at around US$4 million, saying it may add more in 2021.The company noted that its Bitcoin investment in the past week is part of its new capital diversification and allocation strategy announced on December 29, 2020, with the intent to maximize long-term value for its shareholders. Gevo Inc (NASDAQ:GEVO) (FRA:ZGV3) announced Monday that it has engaged Koch Project Solutions LLC to provide front-end engineering, design, and project execution management services for its expansion projects to transform renewable energy into low carbon liquid transportation fuels. The Colorado-based fuel company is currently in the process of financing the projects with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. "The world is changing rapidly. We appreciate being able to tap into Koch Project Solutions, a subsidiary of Koch Industries, and their vast experience,” said Gevo CEO Patrick Gruber in a statement. "Gevo's focus is on drop-in renewable resource-based hydrocarbons with a massively reduced carbon footprint. These hydrocarbons are the same as those derived from fossil-based oil, except that we make them from renewable resources. Because we use renewable resources, we can see how to reduce and eliminate tailpipe emissions, on a net-carbon basis and also reduce or even eliminate the pollutants that contribute to smog." Loop Insights Inc (CVE:MTRX) (OTCQB:RACMF) announced Monday that its partner TELUS Corporation (TSE:T) (NYSE:TU) is kicking off a national sales and marketing campaign showcasing Loop’s Internet of Things (IoT) solutions stack. In addition to mobilizing its own nationwide direct sales force and marketing tools, TELUS is launching an expanded campaign through its own partner, The Acquisition Group (TAG).  Gold Resource Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:GORO) has told investors the spin-off of its Nevada unit into a separate public company called Fortitude Gold Corp was completed on the last day of 2020 and its aim now is to accelerate growth in Mexico. Leading the new Nevada-focused miner as CEO will be Jason Reid, who has stepped down from all his roles at GORO, while the new chief executive at the Mexico-focused gold and silver producer and explorer will be experienced executive Allen Palmiere. In a statement, outlining the new leadership at both companies, GORO said its chairman Bill Conrad has stepped down from that role but will continue to be an independent director Biocept, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIOC), a leading commercial provider of molecular diagnostic assays, products and services designed to provide physicians with clinically actionable information to improve patient outcomes, announced that it has granted inducement stock options to purchase an aggregate of 83,120 shares of its common stock to 14 new employees.  These inducement stock options have a grant date of December 31, 2020, and were granted as inducements material to the new employees entering into employment with Biocept in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The inducement stock options have an exercise price of $4.44 per share, the closing price of Biocept's common stock on December 31, 2020 (the grant date), are non-qualified stock options, have a ten-year term and vest over four years, with 25% of the shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the vesting commencement date and the remaining 75% of the shares vesting in equal monthly installments over the following 36 months, subject to the new employee's continued service with Biocept through the applicable vesting dates. Energy Fuels Inc. (CVE:EFR) (NYSEMKT:UUUU) said it has filed a prospectus supplement in order to renew its at-the-market (ATM) program. Under the renewed ATM program the company may, at its discretion from time to time, sell up to an additional US$35.0 million of common shares, with sales only being made on the New York Stock Exchange at then-prevailing market prices, or any other existing trading market of the common shares in the United States. Nabis Holdings Inc. (CSE:NAB) (OTCMKTS:NABIF) (FRA:A2PL) has announced that the company’s previously announced proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), under which it will implement a recapitalization of the company’s outstanding C$35 million principal amount of 8.0% unsecured convertible debentures and all other debts of the company, is now expected to be implemented on or prior to January 31, 2021. Ceylon Graphite Corp. (CVE:CYL) (OTCMKTS:CYLYF) (FRA:CCY) has announced that further to a previous release the company intends to amend certain terms of the convertible debenture that were issued by it on May 23, 2018. The company proposes to extend the maturity date of the Convertible Debentures by 6 months from May 23, 2021, to November 23, 2021; adding a provision whereby it will have the option to redeem the Convertible Debentures at any time, on 10 days’ notice, without penalty; and increasing the interest rate from 6% to 8%. In consideration for the holders of the Convertible Debentures agreeing to the proposed amendments, the company is proposing to convert all of the accrued and future interest into common shares in the company at a price of $0.165 per shares; extend the warrants issued on May 23, 2018, by 6 months from May 23, 2021, to November 23, 2021; and issue an aggregate of 1 miliion warrants to the debenture holders. Each compensation warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire 1 common share in the company at an exercise price of $0.22 per share for a period of 1 year from the date of issuance. All securities issued pursuant to the proposed amendments to the Convertible Debentures are subject to a statutory four-month hold period. Alpine 4 Technologies, Ltd., (OTCQB:ALPP) a leading operator and owner of small market businesses, announced that on December 31, 2020, the company and Vayu (U.S.), Inc. (Vayu) finalized and executed its Merger Agreement for Vayu to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alpine 4. Kent Wilson, CEO of Alpine 4 commented: "Execution of this agreement paves the way for final closing conditions to be met by Jan 10th, 2020. The harmony between Alpine 4 and Vayu has led to an easily navigated, streamlined transaction. We look forward to implementing the vertical integration and cross-pollination of American Manufacturing opportunities between Vayu, Impossible Aerospace (IA), and Quality Circuit Assembly. With the recent changes to the Federal Aviation Administrations' (FAA) regulations surrounding night flying and flying over people, both Vayu and IA are prepared to enter the market filling the void of manned and autonomous commercial drones for surveillance and delivery needs. With the drone economy amongst us, Alpine 4's UAV holdings are ready to burst onto the scene." KushCo Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX:KSHB), a premier provider of ancillary products and services to the legal cannabis and CBD industries, said it is scheduled to host a conference call and webcast on Monday, January 11, 2021, at 4.30pm Eastern time to discuss its financial and operational results for the fiscal first quarter ended November 30, 2020. The financial results will be available on the company's investor relations website at ir.kushco.com and announced in a press release after the market close on the same day. All interested parties are invited to listen to the live conference call and presentation by dialing the number below or by clicking the webcast link: Toll-free Number: 1-877-407-9124; International Number: 1-201-689-8584; Webcast Link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2603/39371. A replay of the call will be available on the Financial Results page of the company's investor relations website approximately two hours after the conference call has ended. Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZYNE), the leader in innovative pharmaceutically-produced transdermal cannabinoid therapies for rare and near-rare neuropsychiatric disorders, announced that Armando Anido, the group's chief executive officer will participate in two upcoming virtual investor conferences. Anido will participate in a fireside chat during the H.C. Wainwright BioConnect Conference which will be available on-demand January 11-14, 2021. He will also present a company overview during the ICR Conference 2021 on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at 10.00am. ET. Investors interested in arranging a virtual meeting with the Company’s management during the ICR Conference 2021 should contact the conference coordinator or brandon.weiner@westwicke.com. Webcasts of both conferences will be accessible under the Events & Webcasts tab of the Investor section of Zynerba’s website at www.zynerba.com.  Biocept, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIOC), a leading commercial provider of molecular diagnostic assays, products and services designed to provide physicians with clinically actionable information to improve patient outcomes, has said its president and CEO Michael Nall will present at the H.C. Wainwright Virtual BioConnect Conference being held January 11-14, 2021.  The presentation can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of the Biocept website beginning on January 11, 2021, at 6.00am Eastern time. Nall will also participate in a panel discussion on diagnostics and devices hosted by Scott Gottlieb, former US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner and former Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Senior Advisor. The panel will be held Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 12.00pm Eastern time. The panel presentation will be available live and through the remainder of the conference, and can be accessed by registering for the H.C. Wainwright BioConnect Conference here: https://hcwevents.com/bioconnect/ Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ:PHUN), a fully-integrated enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides products, solutions, data and services for brands worldwide, has said it will be presenting at the 23rd Annual Needham Growth Conference, which is being held virtually on January 11-15. The company's management is scheduled to present on Friday, January 15 at 10.00am. Eastern time, with one-on-one meetings to be held throughout the conference. The presentation will be webcast live and available for replay by registering here: https://wsw.com/webcast/needham103/register.aspx?conf=needham103&page=phun&url=https://wsw.com/webcast/needham103/phun/2266338 CytoDyn Inc. (OTCQB:CYDY), a late-stage biotechnology company developing Vyrologix (leronlimab-PRO 140), a CCR5 antagonist with the potential for multiple therapeutic indications, announced that Dr Nader Pourhassan, its president and chief executive officer, Scott Kelly, its chairman, chief medical officer and head of Business Development, and Mahboob Rahman, its chief scientific officer, will host an investment community webcast on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at 1.00pm PT / 4.00pm ET. Management will provide an update on recent clinical and regulatory developments regarding COVID-19 clinical trials, along with other strategic priorities. They will also provide approximately 30-45 minutes to address questions submitted online by analysts and investors. Prior to the webcast, questions can be submitted online to cydy_team@cytodyn.com. During the webcast, questions can be submitted through the webcast link: https://78449.themediaframe.com/dataconf/productusers/cydy/mediaframe/42723/indexl.html. A replay will be available approximately 60 minutes after the conclusion of the webcast and can be accessed via the same link until February 6, 2021.