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BerGenBio ASA – Private Placement Successfully Placed

On January 29, 2020 BerGenBio ASA (OSE: BGBIO) ("BerGenBio" or the "Company") reported a contemplated private placement of new shares in the Company (the "Private Placement") (Press release, BerGenBio, JAN 29, 2020, View Source;private-placement-successfully-placed-300995749.html [SID1234553669]).

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The Company is pleased to announce that the Private Placement has been successfully placed, raising gross proceeds of NOK 219,875,724 through the allocation of 12,215,318 new shares (the "Offer Shares") at a subscription price of NOK 18.00 per share (the "Subscription Price"). The Private Placement, that was over subscribed, took place through an accelerated book building process after close of market on 29 January 2020.

Arctic Securities AS and Carnegie AS acted as Joint Bookrunners and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC acted as Financial Advisor (together the "Managers") in connection with the Private Placement. The Private Placement attracted strong interest from existing shareholders and new institutional investors.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement to continue advancing its clinical trial programs with its lead candidate bemcentinib in patients with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), manufacturing scale-up of bemcentinib, biomarker and companion diagnostic development, and phase 1b development of tilvestamab (formerly BGB149), as well as for general corporate purposes.

The completion of the Private Placement by delivery of Offer Shares to the applicants will be divided in two tranches. Applicants have been allocated Offer Shares in Tranche 1 and 2 on a pro-rata basis based on their overall allocation in the Private Placement, with the exception of Meteva AS which has agreed that Offer Shares allocated to it shall be delivered solely in Tranche 2. Tranche 1 consists of 5,475,136 Offer Shares ("Tranche 1") and the issuance of the Offer Shares in Tranche 1 was resolved by the Company’s board of directors at a board meeting held on 29 January 2020, based on the authorization granted to the board of directors at the Company’s annual general meeting held on 13 March 2019. Tranche 2 consists of 6,740,182 Offer Shares ("Tranche 2") and is subject to approval by the extraordinary general meeting of the Company to be held on 20 February 2020 (the "EGM") and the placement agreement entered into between the Company and the Managers not being terminated by the Managers in accordance with the terms thereof. The board of directors has resolved to summon an extraordinary general meeting to be held on 20 February 2020. If Tranche 2 is not completed (e.g. due to non-approval by the EGM), applicants will not be delivered Offer Shares in Tranche 2 and the Company will hence not receive the proceeds from Tranche 2.

Notification of allocation of the Offer Shares and payment instructions is expected to be sent to the applicants through a notification from the Managers on 30 January 2020.

The Offer Shares in Tranche 1 will be settled with existing and unencumbered shares in the Company that are already listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, pursuant to a share lending agreement between Meteva AS as lender, Arctic Securites AS (on behalf of the Managers) and the Company in order to facilitate delivery of listed shares in the Company to investors delivery versus payment on a T+2 basis. The shares in the Company delivered to the subscribers in Tranche 1 will thus be tradable immediately after delivery to the subscribers. Arctic Securities AS will settle the share loan with the Offer Shares in Tranche 1 once such shares are issued.

Following registration of the new share capital in the Company and issuance of the Offer Shares in Tranche 1 with the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises, which is expected to take place on or about 5 February 2020, the Company will have an issued share capital of NOK 6,655,172.60 divided into 66,551,726 shares, each with a par value of NOK 0.10.

The Offer Shares in Tranche 2 will be settled after the extraordinary general meeting with existing and unencumbered shares in the Company that are already listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, pursuant to a share lending agreement between Meteva AS as lender, Arctic Securites AS (on behalf of the Managers) and the Company in order to facilitate delivery of listed shares in the Company to investors on a delivery versus payment T+2 basis. The shares in the Company delivered to the subscribers in Tranche 2 will thus be tradable immediately after delivery to the subscribers. Arctic Securities AS will settle the share loan with the Offer Shares in Tranche 2 once such shares are issued. The Offer Shares re-delivered to Meteva AS in Tranche 2 will be issued on a separate ISIN and will not be tradable on Oslo Børs until a listing prospectus has been approved by the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority, expected late February 2020.

Following registration of the new share capital in the Company and the issuance of the Offer Shares in Tranche 2 with the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises, which is expected to take place on or about 27 February 2020, the Company will have an issued share capital of NOK 7,329,190.80 divided into 73,291,908 shares, each with a par value of NOK 0.10.

The following primary insiders have been allocated Offer Shares in the Private Placement at a subscription price equal to the Subscription Price (with new holding of shares in the Company in brackets):

Meteva AS 3,291,750 (19,750,500)

Gnist Holding AS (Richard Godfrey) 5,556 (221,005)

Completion of the Private Placement implies a deviation from the existing shareholders’ pre-emptive rights to subscribe for and be allocated new shares. The board of directors of the Company has carefully considered such deviation and has resolved that the Private Placement is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. In reaching this conclusion the board of directors has inter alia considered the implications of an underwritten rights issue given the volatility and negative development in the Company’s share price, alternative financing sources, the dilutive effect of the share issue, the Company’s need for additional liquidity and Subscription Price.

Subject to prevailing market price of the Company’s shares being higher than the Subscription Price in a period determined by the board of directors in its sole discretion, the Company will carry out a subsequent offering of up to 1,500,000 new shares towards shareholders in the Company as of 29 January 2020 (as registered in the Norwegian Central Securities Depository ("VPS") on 31 January 2020), who (i) were not allocated shares in the Private Placement, and (ii) are not resident in a jurisdiction where such offering would be unlawful, or would in jurisdictions other than Norway require any prospectus filing, registration or similar action. If carried out, the subscription price in the subsequent offering will be the same as in the Private Placement and be conditional upon approval by the extraordinary general meeting of the Company to be held on 20 February 2020 and the approval of a listing and offering prospectus by the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority.

Pulse Biosciences to Present Data on Nano-Pulse Stimulation Technology for Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma at IMCAS World Congress 2020

On January 29, 2020 Pulse Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLSE) (the "Company"), a novel bioelectric medicine company, reported the presentation of its scientific study evaluating the clinical and histologic response of Nano-Pulse Stimulation (NPS) technology in treating challenging cases of nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma (nBCC) (Press release, Pulse Biosciences, JAN 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234553668]). These results are to be presented at the 22nd annual IMCAS (International Master Course on Aging Skin) World Congress, the gathering of international experts in dermatology, plastic surgery and aging science, taking place at Palais des Congrès, Paris, France, from January 30th to February 1st 2020.

Dermatologist Girish Munavalli, MD, MHS, FACMS, a prominent skin cancer surgeon in Charlotte, NC, will present results that demonstrate the unique ability of NPS technology to eliminate tumor cells in nodular BCCs while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Results will be supported by clinical photos that display a more favorable cosmetic outcome possible in a short amount of time with reduced potential for scar formation as compared to current surgical excision.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer worldwide. The nodular BCC subtype reported in this study comprises 60% of all basal cell carcinomas. For these deep nodular lesions, the current standard of care is surgical excision, which can lead to large, permanent scars.

"Early findings show promising potential for NPS technology as a new treatment option for nodular BCC. NPS technology has demonstrated equivalent therapeutic benefit and the added benefit of superior cosmetic outcomes compared to more destructive skin cancer treatment modalities, such as excision and curettage," said Dr. Munavalli of Dermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas, Charlotte, NC.

"We are enthusiastic about the impressive results Nano-Pulse Stimulation technology is producing in Basal Cell Carcinomas and are focused on rapidly advancing its development program across multiple clinical applications," said Darrin Uecker, President and CEO of Pulse Biosciences. "Our presence at IMCAS represents the initial step in our commitment to international commercialization, which aims to extend our long-term growth platform and leverage the value proposition of our technology’s ability to clear benign and malignant lesions. "

Scheduled scientific presentation at IMCAS World Congress 2020

Podium Presentation: "Histologic and Clinical Comparison of Scar Cosmesis Using Nano-Pulse Stimulation vs Traditional Surgical Treatments of Basal Cell Carcinoma," by Dr. Girish S. MUNAVALLI, Assistant Professor at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine – Department of Dermatology and Medical Director and Founder of Dermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas, Charlotte NC.

Details: 30 January 2020, at 12:06pm in Room 143, Level 1
Skin Cancer and Photorejuvenation: The Impossible Equation: Session S011, S012
Chaired by: Dr. Mathew Avram and Pr. Merete Haedersdal.

McKesson Declares Quarterly Dividend

On January 29, 2020 The Board of Directors of McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) reported that declared a regular dividend of 41 cents per share of common stock (Press release, McKesson, JAN 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234553667]). The dividend will be payable on April 1, 2020, to stockholders of record on March 2, 2020.

Canady Helios Cold Plasma Scalpel Successfully Used by Chaim Sheba Medical Center Surgeons to Remove Inoperable Retroperitoneal Cancer

On January 29, 2020 A surgical team at The Chaim Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer, Israel, with coordination by US Medical Innovations, LLC (USMI), reported that successfully used the Canady HeliosTM Cold Plasma Scalpel (CHCPS) for a rare advanced reoccurring inoperable retroperitoneal sarcoma (Press release, US Medical Innovations, JAN 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234553666]).

CHCPS is new cold atmospheric plasma device that specifically eradicates microscopic remnants of cancer cells while sparing normal cells and tissue.

After a one-time pre-market Humanitarian Compassionate-Use Exemption from the Investigational Review Board at Sheba Medical Center, a surgical team successfully used the Canady HeliosTM Cold Plasma Scalpel (CHCPS) for the selective killing of cancerous tissue during the groundbreaking surgery. The surgery was performed on August 20, 2019 on a 33-year-old man with a rare inoperable Retroperitoneal Sarcoma. The patient was first diagnosed at age 20 and the tumor had reoccurred twice prior to this surgery.

Retroperitoneal sarcoma occurs in the retroperitoneum, the area behind the peritoneum. The peritoneum is a thin tissue lining of the abdominal area that covers the abdominal organs. The surgery entailed removing the tumor and its attachment to adjacent tissue in the abdomen. Afterwards, the patient received intra-operative radiation therapy (IORT) at the surgical resected site; cold plasma was subsequently sprayed over the surgical site. The surgery was successful, and the patient returned back to the U.S. in September 2019.

A multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals and physicians from Sheba Medical Center and research scientists, and engineers from USMI collaborated to achieve this successful outcome. The complex surgery was performed by Aviram Nissum, M.D. Chief of General and Oncological surgery at Sheba Medical Center.

USMI CEO, Chief Science Officer and Surgeon, Jerome Canady, M.D., "USMI and its sister companies are quite excited about the excellent outcome for the patient." We are equally enthusiastic that CHCPS is approved by the FDA for a multi-center phase I clinical trial Investigational Device Exemption (IDE #G190195). Clinical trials will occur at Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois starting February 2020.

American Childhood Cancer Organization Seeks Increased Research Funding Through United States Postal Service Semipostal Stamp

On January 29, 2020 The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) reported that is launching "Stamp Out Childhood Cancer," a public appeal campaign to demonstrate broad, national support for the creation of a new United States Postal Service (USPS) semipostal stamp to help fund the fight against childhood cancer (Press release, American Childhood Cancer Organization, JAN 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234553665]). The campaign calls on the public to write and send letters of support for the stamp to USPS, the final step in the process of applying for a USPS semipostal stamp.

The stamp is the latest innovative effort by ACCO to raise much needed resources to combat childhood cancer, the leading cause of death by disease for children in the U.S.

"Every year in the United States approximately 16,000 American children are diagnosed with cancer," said Ruth Hoffman, ACCO CEO. "While we have seen many advancements in adult cancer treatment, the majority of children with cancer continue to be treated with drugs that were approved by the FDA more than 50 years ago. A childhood cancer semipostal stamp would support the research we need to increase survival rates and reduce late effects from toxic treatments. Through ‘Stamp Out Childhood Cancer,’ we are asking all Americans to join ACCO and tell USPS that they want a stamp to benefit children and adolescents fighting cancer."

ACCO has completed the official application for the creation of the childhood cancer stamp including filing a formal proposal with the USPS Office of Stamp Services and securing the required support from an executive agency—the National Institutes of Health—which would collect the monies raised by the stamp and disburse the funds appropriately for research support.

ACCO’s stamp application is now in the final phase, which requires a demonstration of broad, national enthusiasm for the childhood cancer semipostal stamp in the form of supportive letters to USPS. ACCO is calling on the public to write to USPS in one of three ways:

1. Visiting www.acco.org/stamp to customize and sign a letter, which ACCO will print and deliver to USPS.

2. Emailing letters to ACCO at [email protected], which ACCO will print and deliver to USPS.

3. Sending letters of support for the childhood cancer stamp directly to

Office of Stamp Services
Attn: Semipostal Discretionary Program
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300
Washington, DC 20260-3501

The childhood cancer stamp would be the first semipostal devoted to a childhood disease, and would join a small and distinguished group of other cause-based stamps produced and sold at post offices, online, and by phone order.

The first semipostal stamp, a congressionally-mandated Breast Cancer Research (BCR) stamp, was issued in 1998. As of the year 2000, the Semipostal Authorization Act gives USPS the discretionary authority to issue and sell new semipostal fundraising stamps. In recent years, two semipostal stamps have been issued – an Alzheimer’s stamp in 2017 and a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder stamp in 2019. In two years of circulation, sales of the Alzheimer’s stamp raised over $1 million to fight the disease.

"By contacting USPS, Americans have a unique opportunity to directly demonstrate their support for childhood cancer fighters, survivors and their families," said Jamie Ennis Bloyd, ACCO Director of Government Relations/External Affairs.