Posted on

TikTok Announces Live-Stream Events and Content Highlights for International Women’s Day

TikTok Announces Live-Stream Events and Content Highlights for International Women's Day

TikTok has announced a slate of live-stream events for International Women’s Day (3/8), while it’s also running a series of content highlights throughout the month to promote influential female creators.

As per TikTok:

This year’s IWD theme, #BreakTheBias, is a direct call to action for the world to recognize and address the biases women face in order to advance each and every day. On TikTok, women find ways to navigate these every day challenges by supporting one another, from exchanging tips on #CareerTok for negotiating better benefits and higher wages to candidly sharing their lives as parents.”

To mark the event, TikTok has scheduled a series of live-stream sessions with inspirational female creators, which will run on the main @TikTok channel in the app, starting at 5pm ET.

  • 17:00 – 17:30 – “Vibin” with @Latto
  • 17:30 – 18:00 – “Work With Me” with @nichellelaus
  • 18:00 – 18:30 – “Get Ready With Me” with @kissyduerre
  • 18:30 – 19:00 – “Train With Me” with @dafnenavarrol
  • 19:00 – 19:30 – “Work With Me” with @natasha.surya
  • 19:30 – 20:00 – “Cook With Me” with @himynameispriya

TikTok will also be curating content for the Discover Page, using daily and weekly themes, including:

  • #WhenWomenWin (3/8): From change-makers to innovators, here’s to the power and strength of women leading movements towards progress across the world. Check out stories from our community with #WhenWomenWin.
  • #WomenInMusic (3/9): Be it an iconic, historic performance or a new artist heard for the first time, share your discoveries and find new favorites with #WomenInMusic.
  • #WomenInGaming (3/10): Celebrate and see some of the most popular gaming hacks, winning moments and tricks with the TikTok Community.
  • #WomenOwnedBusiness (3/19): From Wall Street to main street, see how women are building and growing their businesses on TikTok.

The highlights could help you discover more female voices in the app, and get tips and notes on how to maximize your own approach, in various ways, from these experts.

They could also inspire your own approach to International Women’s Day, and Women’s History Month, by underlining the influence of female creators on various trends and shifts.

TikTok’s events will run throughout the month, with the live stream sessions getting underway shortly.

Posted on

XOMA Reports Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Highlights Recent Operational Events

Xometry Champions Inclusive Leadership With Two 'Xometry Live' Events

Earned $35 million milestone payment as NIS793 entered Phase 3 clinical study in metastatic pancreatic cancer

Received $1.2 million from three milestone payments, two of which were from a single Janssen asset and one was from Compugen

Earned a $2 million milestone from Rezolute as it dosed the final patient in a Phase 2 open-label study of RZ358 in patients with congenital hyperinsulinism in early 2022

Acquired an economic interest in Roche’s novel bispecific antibody from Affitech SA. This asset has since received commercialization approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of neovascular or wet age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). We paid Affitech SA $5 million in milestones upon these approvals

Three drug candidates being advanced by partners received special designations from the FDA in 2021:

NIS793 in combination with standard of care chemotherapy was granted Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of pancreatic cancer,

DAY101 received Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for the treatment of pediatric low-grade glioma, and

Ficlatuzumab received Fast Track Designation for the treatment of relapsed or recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Added eight assets to XOMA’s portfolio of potential milestone and royalty assets in 2021

Ended 2021 with cash and restricted cash of $95.4 million and no debt on XOMA’s balance sheet

Jim Neal named Chairman of the Board of Directors

EMERYVILLE, Calif., March 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XOMA Corporation (Nasdaq: XOMA), a biotech royalty aggregator playing a distinctive role in helping companies achieve their goal of improving human health, reported its 2021 financial results and provided a recent operations update.

“XOMA’s milestone and royalty aggregator business model really began to demonstrate its potential in 2021 and in the first few months of 2022. In 2021, we received $36.2 million in milestone payments, which allowed XOMA to report positive operating cash-flow for the second consecutive year. The anti-TGFß asset we licensed to Novartis in 2015 entered Phase 3 development in 2021, a milestone that resulted in us receiving a $35 million payment. In the past two years, this asset, NIS793, has provided us with a total of $60 million in milestone revenue. Last October, we announced a significant transaction for XOMA, the purchase of rights to a 0.5% commercial payment on faricimab, a BLA-review-stage asset, for a $6 million upfront payment plus potential future milestone payments to Affitech SA. In late January 2022, the FDA gave commercialization approval to this novel bispecific antibody for the treatment of nAMD and DME. This is the first asset under our royalty aggregator model to receive commercialization approval. We recently paid $5 million in milestone payments to Affitech, triggered by these FDA approvals. Another advancement in January 2022 came as Rezolute dosed the final patient with RZ358 in its Phase 2 congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) study, which triggered a $2 million milestone payment to XOMA. Given our history with RZ358 and the connections we made with the CHI community, we are looking forward to seeing the clinical results when they are announced publicly,” stated Jim Neal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of XOMA.

“These are just a few of the advances we’ve seen in our portfolio over the past year. We wish all our partners success in their clinical development efforts, as there are patients in need of additional therapeutic options.

“Our team continues to identify and acquire milestone and royalty licenses to expand and diversify XOMA’s portfolio, with eight assets added in 2021. With a strong foundation firmly established and an outstanding team in place, I decided it was the right time for the Company to proactively initiate a CEO succession plan, and we have launched a formal search. In the meantime, I will remain as CEO and continue to help shape XOMA’s future as Chairman of the Board. I believe 2021 and these first few months of 2022 are just the beginning of what’s to come,” Mr. Neal concluded.

Financial Results

XOMA recorded total revenues of $35.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with $27.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase for the three months ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding period of 2020, was primarily due to the $35.0 million milestone earned under the Company’s Anti-TGFß Antibody License Agreement with Novartis International. For the full year of 2021, XOMA recorded revenues of $38.2 million, compared to $29.4 million for the full year of 2020. In 2021, XOMA received milestone revenue of $35.0 million earned under its Anti-TGFß Antibody License Agreement with Novartis, $0.5 million under its license agreement with Compugen, and $0.7 million under its license agreement with Janssen. Revenues for the full year of 2020 reflect $25.0 million in milestone revenue earned under the Company’s Anti-TGFß Antibody License Agreement with Novartis International and $2.0 million earned under XOMA’s collaboration agreement with Takeda.

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses were $42,000 and $36,000, respectively, for the fourth quarters of 2021 and 2020. R&D expenses for the full years of 2021 and 2020 and were $0.2 million.

General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses were $5.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $3.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase of $1.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding period of 2020, was due primarily to a $1.1 million increase in stock compensation expense related to a grant of options in connection with Mr. Neal’s amended employment agreement and the reversal of $1.4 million in bad debt expense in the fourth quarter of 2020, partially offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in legal and consulting costs. G&A expenses were $20.5 million for the full year of 2021, compared to $16.8 million for the full year of 2020. The increase of $3.7 million in 2021 as compared with 2020 was primarily due to a $2.2 million increase in stock compensation expense, $0.8 million increase in salary and related expenses, $0.4 million increase in legal and consulting costs and $0.2 million increase in insurance costs.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, G&A expenses included $1.7 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense, compared with $0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. For the full year of 2021, G&A expenses included $6.2 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense, compared with $3.9 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense in 2020. XOMA’s net cash provided by operations in the fourth quarter of 2021 was $30.7 million, as compared with $17.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2020.

XOMA’s net cash provided by operations for the full year of 2021 was $22.7 million compared to $10.1 million in 2020.

In June 2021, the Company repaid its outstanding debt obligations to Silicon Valley Bank and Novartis in full. For the full year of 2021, interest expense was $0.5 million, compared with $1.8 million reported in the full year of 2020. The decrease in interest expense during 2021 reflects the extinguishment of XOMA’s debt obligations.

Other expense, net was $0.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to other expense, net of $0.8 million in the corresponding quarter of 2020. Other expense, net was $0.9 million for the full year of 2021, compared to other income, net of $1.2 million for the corresponding period of 2020. The fluctuation in other (expense) income, net for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the same periods in 2020, is primarily due to the change in the fair value of equity securities XOMA holds in Rezolute, Inc.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $29.8 million, compared to net income of $22.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. For the full year of 2021, net income was $15.8 million, as compared to $13.3 million for the full year of 2020.

On December 31, 2021, XOMA had cash and restricted cash of $95.4 million. The Company ended December 31, 2020, with cash and restricted cash of $85.8 million. After paying its remaining debt obligations in the second quarter of 2021, XOMA has no debt on its balance sheet. The Company continues to believe its current cash position will be sufficient to fund XOMA’s operations for multiple years.

About XOMA Corporation

XOMA is a biotechnology royalty aggregator playing a distinctive role in helping biotech companies achieve their goal of improving human health. XOMA acquires the potential future economics associated with pre-commercial therapeutic candidates that have been licensed to pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies. When XOMA acquires the future economics, the seller receives non-dilutive, non-recourse funding they can use to advance their internal drug candidate(s) or for general corporate purposes. The Company has an extensive and growing portfolio with more than 70 assets (asset defined as the right to receive potential future economics associated with the advancement of an underlying therapeutic candidate). For more information about the Company and its portfolio, please visit www.xoma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements/Explanatory Notes

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding the timing and amount of potential commercial payments to XOMA and other developments related to faricimab, the potential of XOMA’s portfolio of partnered programs and licensed technologies generating substantial milestone and royalty proceeds over time, and XOMA’s cash sufficiency forecast. In some cases, you can identify such forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “seek,” “project,” “expect,” “may,” “will”, “would,” “could” or “should,” the negative of these terms or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of XOMA’s performance, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements. These statements are based on assumptions that may not prove accurate, and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to certain risks inherent in the biotechnology industry, including those related to the fact that our product candidates subject to out-license agreements are still being developed, and our licensees may require substantial funds to continue development which may not be available; we do not know whether there will be, or will continue to be, a viable market for the products in which we have an ownership or royalty interest; if the therapeutic product candidates to which we have a royalty interest do not receive regulatory approval, our third-party licensees will not be able to market them; and the impact to the global economy as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other potential risks to XOMA meeting these expectations are described in more detail in XOMA’s most recent filing on Form 10-K and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Consider such risks carefully when considering XOMA’s prospects. Any forward-looking statement in this press release represents XOMA’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. XOMA disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable law.

EXPLANATORY NOTE: Any references to “portfolio” in this press release refer strictly to milestone and/or royalty rights associated with a basket of drug products in development. Any references to “assets” in this press release refer strictly to milestone and/or royalty rights associated with individual drug products in development.

As of the date of this press release, all assets in XOMA’s milestone and royalty portfolio, except faricimab, are investigational compounds. Efficacy and safety have not been established. There is no guarantee that any of the investigational compounds will become commercially available.

XOMA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended

December 31,
Year Ended

December 31,
2021 2020 2021 2020
Revenues:
Revenue from contracts with customers $ 35,424 $ 27,188 $ 36,518 $ 27,941
Revenue recognized under units-of-revenue method 520 392 1,642 1,444
Total revenues 35,944 27,580 38,160 29,385
Operating expenses:
Research and development 42 36 171 170
General and administrative 5,537 3,672 20,460 16,799
Total operating expenses 5,579 3,708 20,631 16,969
Income from operations 30,365 23,872 17,529 12,416
Other (expense) income, net:
Interest expense (360 ) (461 ) (1,844 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt (300 )
Other (expense) income, net (430 ) (821 ) (879 ) 1,225
Income before income tax 29,935 22,691 15,889 11,797
Income tax (expense) benefit (91 ) (25 ) (91 ) 1,501
Net income and comprehensive income $ 29,844 $ 22,666 $ 15,798 $ 13,298
Net income and comprehensive income available to common stockholders, basic $ 19,744 $ 15,555 $ 7,787 $ 8,793
Net income and comprehensive income available to common stockholders, diluted $ 20,136 $ 15,957 $ 7,968 $ 9,010
Basic net income per share available to common stockholders $ 1.75 $ 1.40 $ 0.69 $ 0.82
Diluted net income per share available to common stockholders $ 1.67 $ 1.32 $ 0.65 $ 0.78
Weighted average shares used in computing basic net income per share available to common stockholders 11,313 11,082 11,288 10,674
Weighted average shares used in computing diluted net income per share available to common stockholders 12,079 12,059 12,192 11,503
XOMA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash $ 93,328 $ 84,222
Restricted cash 2,049 1,611
Short-term equity securities 774
Trade and other receivables, net 209 263
Income tax receivable 1,526
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 613 443
Total current assets 96,973 88,065
Long-term restricted cash 531
Property and equipment, net 13 21
Operating lease right-of-use assets 200 359
Long-term royalty and commercial payment receivables 69,075 34,575
Long-term equity securities 1,693
Other assets 301 41
Total assets $ 166,562 $ 125,285
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 1,072 $ 456
Accrued and other liabilities 525 642
Income taxes payable 91
Contingent consideration under royalty purchase agreements and commercial purchase payment agreements 8,075 75
Operating lease liabilities 195 179
Unearned revenue recognized under units-of-revenue method 1,641 1,452
Contingent liabilities 1,410
Current portion of long-term debt 8,088
Preferred stock dividend accrual 1,368
Total current liabilities 12,967 12,302
Unearned revenue recognized under units-of-revenue method – long-term 11,685 13,516
Long-term debt 12,764
Long-term operating lease liabilities 34 229
Other liabilities – long-term 50
Total liabilities 24,686 38,861
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred Stock, $0.05 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized:
8.625% Series A cumulative, perpetual preferred stock, 984,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively 49 49
8.375% Series B cumulative, perpetual preferred stock, 1,600 and zero shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
Convertible preferred stock, 5,003 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
Common stock, $0.0075 par value, 277,333,332 shares authorized, 11,315,263 and 11,228,792 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively 85 84
Additional paid-in capital 1,307,030 1,267,377
Accumulated deficit (1,165,288 ) (1,181,086 )
Total stockholders’ equity 141,876 86,424
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 166,562 $ 125,285
Investor contacts:
Juliane Snowden Justin Frantz
XOMA Solebury Trout
+1-646-438-9754 +1-937-441-9731
juliane.snowden@xoma.com jfrantz@troutgroup.com
Media contact:
Kathy Vincent
KV Consulting & Management
+1-310-403-8951
kathy@kathyvincent.com



Primary Logo

Posted on

Timmins winter hiking event highlights outdoor survival, adventure and education

Timmins winter hiking event highlights outdoor survival, adventure and education


The Wintergreen Fund for Conservation‘s first winter hiking day after a pandemic hiatus saw a healthy turnout of people looking to learn more about the Hersey Lake Conservation Area and the opportunities for adventure and education within it.


Members of the board said it was encouraging to see people brave the elements so that volunteers could show them aspects of their local trails that may have passed them by.


“They just get to see a different aspect of the different seasons,” said board member Michele Lepage.


“We are fortunate to have these trails and this conservation so close to our municipality… To have this access is just great. We just have to make people aware of what we have.”


Wintergreen held guided hikes with focuses on birdwatching, forest therapy, forest education and the history of the conservation area.


The day also saw the return of survival demonstrations from Timmins Porcupine Search and Rescue—which included crash courses on making signal fires when lost in the bush, Swedish fire logs, snow trenches for staying out of harsh winds and classic Canadian quinzees for quick shelter from the elements.


“It feels good to be out in the community and interact and see people again,” said search and rescue volunteer Shane Lebrun.


“It’s been a long two years and it’s nice to see people outdoors.”

Posted on

Week of Events Highlights Sustainable Development Goals

The campus community is invited to participate in a variety of events that increase awareness of and encourage actions that advance the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Celebrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Action and Awareness Week

Celebrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Action and Awareness Week

Sustainable Development Goals Action and Awareness Week 2022 is Feb. 28 – March 4. The campus community is invited to participate in a variety of events that increase awareness of and encourage actions that advance the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They address the world’s most monumental challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and peace and justice. Some of the objectives are improved industry, innovation, and infrastructure; affordable and clean energy; and sustainable cities and communities. The SDGs appear by name in the Institute’s strategic plan as long-term goals that should guide teaching, research, and operations.

SDG Action and Awareness Week 2022 will begin with an interactive campus discussion, titled Engaging With the SDGs Across Campus, focusing on how the goals are being realized across the Institute and ways to better work together across disciplines and departments to amplify our impact. President Ángel Cabrera will moderate the discussion with participants from the College of Sciences, Serve-Learn-Sustain, Interdisciplinary Research, and Engineers Without Borders.

Other events during the week include a Tech Dining Sustainability Showcase, a panel on Infrastructure and Sustainability, Changing Relationships: You and Your Aging Parents, Toilet Talk With Shan and Shannon, A Healthy Georgia: Exploring the Impact of the Energy Transition on Public Health, the Association for Sustainable Investment Podcast Club Kickoff, and Engaging With the SDGs to Advance Sustainability in Atlanta. View a full listing of the week’s events.

In Fall 2020, a panel discussion and keynote address by Cabrera introduced the Tech community to the 17 goals. The event covered their relevance to the Institute and emphasized how Georgia Tech can lead the region in implementing and advancing these goals.

“If we are committed to improving the human condition, then we should embrace the SDGs to guide our actions as a university,” Cabrera said when introducing the SDGs.

SDG Action and Awareness Week is part of a larger global effort through the University Global Coalition, whose partners are hosting a variety of online events that are open to all. 

 

Posted on

Superb skate by teen Schizas highlights Canada’s fourth place finish in team event

Superb skate by teen Schizas highlights Canada's fourth place finish in team event

BEIJING — A terrific Olympic debut by teenager Madeline Schizas highlighted Canada’s fourth place finish in figure skating’s team event at the Beijing Olympics.

Schizas, an 18-year-old from Oakville, Ont., who only a year ago didn’t consider the Olympics in her near-future plans, was third in women’s singles event on Monday, following up a solid short program two days earlier.

Skating to Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” she was virtually flawless en route to scoring 132.04 points.

Russia’s Kamila Valieva scored 178.92 to win the women’s portion, while Kaori Sakamoto of Japan was second (148.66).

Russia won gold with 74 points from all events, while the U.S. took the silver with 65, and Japan won bronze (63).

The Canadians finished with 53 points to edge China (50).

Despite solid skates by reigning world ice dance bronze medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier and pairs team Vanessa James and Eric Radford, a medal was already out of reach when the day began.

Gilles, from Toronto, and Poirier, from Unionville, Ont., were third in dance, scoring 124.39 for their free dance to Govardo’s cover of The Beatles ballad “The Long and Winding Road.”

Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates led the way with 129.07, while Russians Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov were second with 128.17.

James, from Toronto, and Radford, from Balmertown, Ont., scored 130.07 to finish fourth with their pairs free program to Harry Styles’ “Falling.”

A day earlier, James collided with Italian Matteo Guarise. They were both skating backward when they crashed, Guarise almost coming over James’ back. James said both she and Guarise were bruised by the incident.

The Canadians are making their Olympic debut together. Radford won two world titles and Olympic bronze with Meagan Duhamel, but came out of retirement at age 36 last spring to skate with James, a Toronto native who previously competed for France.

Russia’s Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov led the way with 145.20 points, to keep Russia in the lead with 55 points. The U.S. and Japan are tied for second with 48, while Canada and China are out of the medal running with 37 each.

Canada began the day in fourth place, after an excellent women’s singles program by Schizas on Sunday clinched the Canadians a berth among the top-five countries that advanced to skate the free programs.

Canada captured silver when the team event made its Olympic debut in 2014 in Sochi. A team by ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir and including world champions Patrick Chan, Kaitlyn Osmond, and Duhamel and Radford won gold four years ago in Pyeongchang.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 7, 2022.

Lori Ewing, The Canadian Press