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Bombardier Closes Sale of its Transportation business to Alstom

  • Net proceeds to Bombardier of ~$3.6 billion, including ~$600 million in Alstom shares
  • Proceeds strengthen liquidity and will allow the Company to begin debt paydown1; Pro–forma net debt as of December 31, 2020 ~$4.7 billion2
  • Completes Bombardier's repositioning as a pure–play business jet company

All amounts in this press release are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. Amounts in EUR in this press release are converted to USD at an exchange rate of 1.22, except for certain transaction cash proceeds fixed at an exchange rate of 1.17.

MONTREAL, Jan. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bombardier (TSX: BBD.B) confirmed today the closing of the previously announced sale of its Transportation business to Alstom.

Total proceeds to the vendors after the deduction of debt–like items and transferred liabilities are $6.0 billion3. After deducting la Caisse de dpt et placement du Qubec equity position of $2.5 billion, transaction costs, and including the impact from closing adjustments and obligations related to achieving a minimum cash balance at Bombardier Transportation at the end of 2020, Bombardier expects net proceeds of approximately $3.6 billion. This amount includes $488 million of cash from the redemption of equity and a $125 million loan reimbursement by Transportation4, settled in conjunction with the transaction closing. Net proceeds also include approximately $600 million of Alstom shares (500 million representing 11.5 million shares for a fixed subscription price of 43.465 per share), monetizable starting in late April 2021.

"With this transaction now complete, Bombardier begins an exciting new chapter focused exclusively on designing, building and servicing the world's best business jets," said ric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc. "With an unmatched product portfolio, a world class customer services network and incredibly talented employees, we have a strong foundation to build upon as we use the proceeds from the transaction to begin addressing our balance sheet challenges through debt paydown."

Proceeds from the transaction were lower than previous estimates as a result of Transportation's lower than expected cash generation in the fourth quarter due in part to unfavorable market conditions, as well as disagreements between the parties as to certain adjustments which Bombardier intends to challenge.

Pro–forma net debt2 is approximately $4.7 billion, which includes long–term debt of $10.1 billion, net of $1.8 billion cash on hand at Bombardier Inc. (excluding Transportation) as of December 31, 2020, and the approximately $3.6 billion proceeds from the Transportation sale. The Company intends to deploy available proceeds from the sale of Transportation towards debt paydown and continues to evaluate the most efficient debt reduction strategies.

About Bombardier
Bombardier is a global leader in aviation, creating innovative and game–changing planes. Our products and services provide world–class experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Headquartered in Montral, Canada, Bombardier is present in more than 12 countries including its production/engineering sites and its customer support network. The Corporation supports a worldwide fleet of approximately 4,900 aircraft in–service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments and private individuals.

News and information is available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @bombardierjets.

Bombardier is a trademark of Bombardier Inc. and its subsidiaries.

For Information
Jessica McDonald Patrick Ghoche
Advisor, Media Relations Vice President, Corporate Strategy and
and Public Affairs Investor Relations
Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Inc.
+1 514 861 9481 +1 514 861 5727
jessica.mcdonald@bombardier.com

1. See the forward–looking statements disclaimer at the end of this press release.
2. Non–GAAP financial measure. Pro–forma net debt is defined as Long–term debt of $10.1 billion less cash and cash equivalents at Bombardier Inc. (excluding Transportation) of $1.8 billion as of December 31, 2020 less net proceeds of approximately $3.6 billion from the sale of Bombardier Transportation, which includes approximately $600 million of Alstom shares. Non–GAAP financial measures are mainly derived from the consolidated financial statements but do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. The exclusion of certain items from non–GAAP performance measures does not imply that these items are necessarily non–recurring. Other entities in our industry may define the above measures differently than we do. In those cases, it may be difficult to compare the performance of those entities to ours based on these similarly–named non–GAAP measures.
3. Includes the amount paid by Alstom to redeem Bombardier and CDPQ's capital injections of 400 million ($488 million) and 350 million ($427 million), respectively, in BT Holdco made in 2020 to support working capital.
4. Represents the redemption by Alstom of Bombardier's share of the capital injection made in BT Holdco in 2020 amounting to 400 million ($488 million) and the pre–closing reimbursement by BT Holdco of the intercompany subordinated loan of 103 million ($125 million) made by Bombardier in 2019.
5. Because shares were issued by Alstom following the execution of the SPA, Bombardier's share subscription price was adjusted from 47.50 per share to 43.46 per share in accordance with the previously agreed upon anti–dilution adjustment mechanism.

FORWARD–LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release includes forward–looking statements, which may involve, but are not limited to: statements with respect to our objectives, anticipations and outlook or guidance in respect of various financial and global metrics and sources of contribution thereto, targets, goals, priorities, market and strategies, financial position, market position, capabilities, competitive strengths, credit ratings, beliefs, prospects, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions; general economic and business outlook, prospects and trends of an industry; expected demand for products and services; growth strategy; product development, including projected design, characteristics, capacity or performance; expected or scheduled entry–into–service of products and services, orders, deliveries, testing, lead times, certifications and project execution in general; competitive position; expectations regarding revenue and backlog mix; the expected impact of the legislative and regulatory environment and legal proceedings; strength of capital profile and balance sheet, creditworthiness, available liquidities and capital resources and expected financial requirements; productivity enhancements, operational efficiencies and restructuring initiatives; expectations and objectives regarding debt repayments and refinancing of bank facilities and maturities; expectations regarding availability of government assistance programs, compliance with restrictive debt covenants; expectations regarding the declaration and payment of dividends on our preferred shares; intentions and objectives for our programs, assets and operations; and the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on the foregoing and the effectiveness of plans and measures we have implemented in response thereto. As it relates to the transaction discussed herein, this press release contains forward–looking statements with respect to the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Transportation business, the evaluation of debt reduction strategies and our intentions with respect to challenging the determination of proceeds.

Forward–looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward–looking terminology such as "may", "will", "shall", "can", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "anticipate", "plan", "foresee", "believe", "continue", "maintain" or "align", the negative of these terms, variations of them or similar terminology. Forward–looking statements are presented for the purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding certain key elements of our current objectives, strategic priorities, expectations, outlook and plans, and in obtaining a better understanding of our business and anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

By their nature, forward–looking statements require management to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecast results set forth in forward–looking statements. While management considers these assumptions to be reasonable and appropriate based on information currently available, there is risk that they may not be accurate. The assumptions underlying the forward–looking statements made in this press release in relation to the transaction discussed herein include the following material assumptions: the realization of the intended benefits therefrom (including intended use of proceeds) within the anticipated timeframe; our ability to retain key management and employees following completion of the transaction; our ability to satisfy our liabilities and meet our financial covenants and debt service obligations following completion of the transaction; our ability to access the capital markets as needed following completion of the transaction; and fulfillment by the other parties of their respective obligations, commitments and undertakings pursuant to transaction documentation. For additional information, including with respect to the other assumptions underlying the forward–looking statements made in this press release, refer to the assumptions below the Forward–looking statements in the MD&A of our financial report for the three–and nine–month periods ended September 30, 2020 and the Strategic Priorities and Guidance and forward–looking statements sections in the applicable reportable segment in the MD&A of our financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Given the impact of the changing circumstances surrounding the COVID–19 pandemic and the related response from Bombardier, governments (federal, provincial and municipal), regulatory authorities, businesses and customers, there is inherently more uncertainty associated with our assumptions as compared to prior periods.

With respect to the transaction discussed herein specifically, certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward–looking statements include, but are not limited to: uncertainty regarding all or part of the intended benefits therefrom not being realized, or it is determined, necessary or required to direct all or part of the anticipated proceeds therefrom towards other uses than those identified in this press release the failure by the parties to fulfill their obligations, commitments and undertakings pursuant to transaction documentation; Bombardier being unable to satisfy its liabilities and meet its financial covenants and debt service obligations following completion of the transaction; the failure to retain our key management, personnel and clients following completion of the transaction and risks associated with the loss and replacement of key management and personnel; and the impact of the announcement of the transaction on our relationships with third parties, including potentially resulting in the loss of clients, employees, suppliers, business partners or other benefits and goodwill of the business.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors that may affect the transaction discussed herein, future growth, results and performance is not exhaustive and undue reliance should not be placed on forward–looking statements. For more details, see the Risks and uncertainties sections in Other in the MD&A for the three– and nine– month period ended September 30, 2020 and in the MD&A of our financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material could also cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward–looking statements. The forward–looking statements set forth herein reflect management's expectations as at the date of this press release and are subject to change after such date. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we expressly disclaim any intention, and assume no obligation to update or revise any forward–looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward–looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8144024)

Brunswick Announces Closing of Transaction Regarding Sale of Its Burkina Faso Assets

MONTREAL, Jan. 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brunswick Exploration Inc., ("Brunswick" or the "Corporation"; TSX–V: BRW, previously Komet Resources Inc.) announces that it has closed, on January 20, 2021, its previously announced transaction relating to the to sale of all the issued and outstanding shares that it held in the share capital of its Burkina Faso subsidiaries, namely Komet Ressources Afrique SA and Guiro Exploration SARL, to CINI Solutions, a private corporation located in Qatar.

The closing of this transaction allows Brunswick to cease all activities in Africa.

About Brunswick

The Corporation is part of the Osisko Group of companies and is a Montreal–based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX–V under symbol BRW. It is now focused on exploration and development of gold and base metal properties in Eastern Canada. Current projects include gold–polymetallic vein systems in southern New Brunswick (Fundy Gold Project) and base metal VMS in the Bathurst Mining Camp in northern New Brunswick and in the Chibougamau region of Quebec (Waconichi).

Investor Relations/information

Mr. Killian Charles, President (info@brwexplo.ca).

More information about the Corporation is available at: http://kometgold.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8143315)

Rhotex Inc Launches Environmentally-Sound Options to Crypto Mining

TORONTO, Jan. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rhotex (www.rhotex.com) has officially launched 3 miner cases configured with an in–built factory cooling system to ensure 100% efficiency as the chips generate heat. From Rhotex, this first of its kind innovation designed by seasoned crypto industry experts provides an environmentally responsible solution to today's challenges with the traditional miners by consuming lesser power supply compared to the output performance.

Rhotex currently offers a range of products in their new offer: RHO Lite, RHO Pro, and RHO Rack which comes with incredible features such as low power consumption, high–performance output, Wi–Fi/ Ethernet connection, easy setup and productive compatibility with various blockchain options. These combined with its inbuilt cooling system increases expected hash rate conversion hence giving it an edge in the industry. All products in the RHO series were painstakingly analyzed and tried under intense conditions.

Rhotex Inc.'s algorithm solutions integrate world–class hardware and software technologies for edge and cloud–to–edge enterprise solutions and mines Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin and Dash at high levels in remarkable time. Hash rate powers in the series include:

RHO Lite: 1000 TH/s – Bitcoin, 5 GH/s – Ethereum

RHO Pro: 1800 TH/s – Bitcoin, 10 GH/s – Ethereum and

RHO Rack: 4100 TH/s – Bitcoin, 20 GH/s – Ethereum.

Roberts Evans, CEO for Rhotex Inc. in a statement says the RHO series is an easy to use miner that optimizes energy efficiency while providing maximum output. “It's our way of contributing our quota to a green environment by creating an eco–friendly design with an in–built cooling system that has very low carbon emission. This is the first of its kind. We are very delighted by the opportunities this innovation offers,” he further added.

To access the wide range of products on offer and learn more about Rhotex visit www.rhotex.com.

About Rhotex:

Rhotex Inc. is the company behind the RHO Miner series which are eco–friendly high–quality cryptocurrency miners with an in–built cooling system that delivers extremely high hash power with low energy consumption. Their partners include Equinix, Avenga, Etiya, Altiostar, and many more. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the company currently has facilities in Australia.

Contact Information:
Harry Sapra
747–216–1067
Rhotex Inc.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8142701)

Virgin Hyperloop Unveils Passenger Experience Vision

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Just months after their first passenger testing, Virgin Hyperloop today unveiled its vision for the future hyperloop experience. The newly–released concept video takes the viewer step–by–step through a hyperloop journey, from arriving at the portal to boarding the pod.

"Showing the passenger experience of Virgin Hyperloop is a glimpse of the future, following the success three months ago when people rode in a hyperloop pod for the first time," said Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop and Group Chairman and CEO of DP World. "We have demonstrated the maturity of our technology. We are getting closer to commercialization of what will be the first new mass–scale transportation mode in a century."

"Designing a new mode of transportation from scratch is both an opportunity and a responsibility," said Sara Luchian, Virgin Hyperloop's Director of Passenger Experience and one of the first people to ride the hyperloop in November. "Hyperloop technology "" and what it enables "" is paradigm–shifting. It follows that the passenger experience should be nothing short of extraordinary."

Virgin Hyperloop worked with world–class partners across disparate industries "" including Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) for the portal designs, Teague for the pod designs, SeeThree for the video and animation, and Man Made Music for the score and sonic identity "" to design a comprehensive, multi–sensory passenger experience that surpasses that of any other form of mass transit.

"Virgin Hyperloop can accelerate the future of mobility on land. The new mode of travel at supersonic speed rethinks transportation and the perception of space, landscape, time, and distance," said Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Creative Director, BIG–Bjarke Ingels Group. "In this day and age, Virgin Hyperloop taking off from our portals provides holistic, intelligent transportation for a globalized community to travel across vast distances in a safer, cleaner, easier, and faster way than airlines."

Far from a dystopian future where dark colors, stark lighting, and screens abound, Virgin Hyperloop's counter narrative is a more optimistic view of the future: a greener, smoother, safer, and more pleasant mass transit experience.

“We leveraged decades of experience designing how people and things move across various modalities "" taking some of the best aspects from aviation, rail, automotive, and even hospitality to create a new and better passenger experience that is distinct to Virgin Hyperloop," said John Barratt, CEO & President, Teague. "Recessed seat wells provide a greater sense of space, while the raised aisle is a touch of the unexpected and unique. Bands of greenery and wood textures subvert the aesthetic of typical mass transit materials with something optimistic and fresh. All lighting in the pod""including the unassuming information displays""are dynamic and adjust based on traveler activity and journey milestones.”

Beyond the typical touchpoints in transportation, Virgin Hyperloop also researched and incorporated findings from more non–traditional interactions, such as sound.

"Through proprietary research and a design thinking approach to creating sound and sonic solutions for Virgin Hyperloop, Man Made Music was able to address a myriad of potential challenges for this new mode of transportation, from how to evoke a sense of privacy and space to an enhanced sense of safety and calm," said Joel Beckerman, Founder and Lead Composer at Man Made Music. "We respond to sound quicker than any other sense, so sound actually drives the multi–sensory experiences. The sonic cues of the Virgin Hyperloop identity system serves as a guide for passengers throughout their experience while instilling confidence, safety, and clarity "" you "feel' it rather than "hear' it. Just like a great movie score, it tells you the story. We know when we've got it right when you don't notice the sound at all: the interface is humanized in ways that are both fresh and familiar."

A key pillar of Virgin Hyperloop's passenger experience is accessibility, ensuring that this new form of transportation will expand opportunities for the masses. While ticket prices will vary depending on the exact route, a recent study in Ohio found that hyperloop fares would be more akin to the cost of driving, rather than flying.

"It's simple. If it's not affordable, people won't use it," said Jay Walder, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop. "Daily high–speed transport is currently not feasible for most people, but we want to change that notion. Imagine being able to commute between cities that are currently hours apart in minutes "" and the endless possibilities that opens up."

On demand and direct to destination, the hyperloop system would be able to transport thousands of passengers per hour, despite the fact that each vehicle carries up to 28 passengers. This high throughput is achieved by convoying, where vehicles are able to travel behind one another in the tube within milliseconds, controlled by Virgin Hyperloop's machine intelligence software.

Following their successful passenger testing, Virgin Hyperloop is currently paving the way for the regulation and certification of hyperloop systems around the world. The company aims to achieve safety certification by 2025, with commercial operations "" such as those depicted in this video "" beginning in 2030.

Media Assets
Media assets can be found here. Please credit Virgin Hyperloop.

About Virgin Hyperloop
Virgin Hyperloop is the only company in the world that has successfully tested hyperloop technology with passengers, launching the first new mode of mass transportation in over 100 years. The company successfully operated an occupied hyperloop vehicle using electric propulsion and electromagnetic levitation under near–vacuum conditions, realizing a fundamentally new form of transportation that is faster, safer, cheaper, and more sustainable than existing modes. The company is now working with governments, partners, and investors around the world to make hyperloop a reality in years, not decades. Learn more about Virgin Hyperloop's technology, vision, and ongoing projects here.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d400d35–2c54–4683–87d7–f3cb2259c4a4

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90132511–1046–4516–ae24–2703fd6a5f59


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8142203)

Virgin Hyperloop Unveils Passenger Experience Vision

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Just months after their first passenger testing, Virgin Hyperloop today unveiled its vision for the future hyperloop experience. The newly–released concept video takes the viewer step–by–step through a hyperloop journey, from arriving at the portal to boarding the pod.

"Showing the passenger experience of Virgin Hyperloop is a glimpse of the future, following the success three months ago when people rode in a hyperloop pod for the first time," said Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop and Group Chairman and CEO of DP World. "We have demonstrated the maturity of our technology. We are getting closer to commercialization of what will be the first new mass–scale transportation mode in a century."

"Designing a new mode of transportation from scratch is both an opportunity and a responsibility," said Sara Luchian, Virgin Hyperloop's Director of Passenger Experience and one of the first people to ride the hyperloop in November. "Hyperloop technology "" and what it enables "" is paradigm–shifting. It follows that the passenger experience should be nothing short of extraordinary."

Virgin Hyperloop worked with world–class partners across disparate industries "" including Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) for the portal designs, Teague for the pod designs, SeeThree for the video and animation, and Man Made Music for the score and sonic identity "" to design a comprehensive, multi–sensory passenger experience that surpasses that of any other form of mass transit.

"Virgin Hyperloop can accelerate the future of mobility on land. The new mode of travel at supersonic speed rethinks transportation and the perception of space, landscape, time, and distance," said Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Creative Director, BIG–Bjarke Ingels Group. "In this day and age, Virgin Hyperloop taking off from our portals provides holistic, intelligent transportation for a globalized community to travel across vast distances in a safer, cleaner, easier, and faster way than airlines."

Far from a dystopian future where dark colors, stark lighting, and screens abound, Virgin Hyperloop's counter narrative is a more optimistic view of the future: a greener, smoother, safer, and more pleasant mass transit experience.

“We leveraged decades of experience designing how people and things move across various modalities "" taking some of the best aspects from aviation, rail, automotive, and even hospitality to create a new and better passenger experience that is distinct to Virgin Hyperloop," said John Barratt, CEO & President, Teague. "Recessed seat wells provide a greater sense of space, while the raised aisle is a touch of the unexpected and unique. Bands of greenery and wood textures subvert the aesthetic of typical mass transit materials with something optimistic and fresh. All lighting in the pod""including the unassuming information displays""are dynamic and adjust based on traveler activity and journey milestones.”

Beyond the typical touchpoints in transportation, Virgin Hyperloop also researched and incorporated findings from more non–traditional interactions, such as sound.

"Through proprietary research and a design thinking approach to creating sound and sonic solutions for Virgin Hyperloop, Man Made Music was able to address a myriad of potential challenges for this new mode of transportation, from how to evoke a sense of privacy and space to an enhanced sense of safety and calm," said Joel Beckerman, Founder and Lead Composer at Man Made Music. "We respond to sound quicker than any other sense, so sound actually drives the multi–sensory experiences. The sonic cues of the Virgin Hyperloop identity system serves as a guide for passengers throughout their experience while instilling confidence, safety, and clarity "" you "feel' it rather than "hear' it. Just like a great movie score, it tells you the story. We know when we've got it right when you don't notice the sound at all: the interface is humanized in ways that are both fresh and familiar."

A key pillar of Virgin Hyperloop's passenger experience is accessibility, ensuring that this new form of transportation will expand opportunities for the masses. While ticket prices will vary depending on the exact route, a recent study in Ohio found that hyperloop fares would be more akin to the cost of driving, rather than flying.

"It's simple. If it's not affordable, people won't use it," said Jay Walder, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop. "Daily high–speed transport is currently not feasible for most people, but we want to change that notion. Imagine being able to commute between cities that are currently hours apart in minutes "" and the endless possibilities that opens up."

On demand and direct to destination, the hyperloop system would be able to transport thousands of passengers per hour, despite the fact that each vehicle carries up to 28 passengers. This high throughput is achieved by convoying, where vehicles are able to travel behind one another in the tube within milliseconds, controlled by Virgin Hyperloop's machine intelligence software.

Following their successful passenger testing, Virgin Hyperloop is currently paving the way for the regulation and certification of hyperloop systems around the world. The company aims to achieve safety certification by 2025, with commercial operations "" such as those depicted in this video "" beginning in 2030.

Media Assets
Media assets can be found here. Please credit Virgin Hyperloop.

About Virgin Hyperloop
Virgin Hyperloop is the only company in the world that has successfully tested hyperloop technology with passengers, launching the first new mode of mass transportation in over 100 years. The company successfully operated an occupied hyperloop vehicle using electric propulsion and electromagnetic levitation under near–vacuum conditions, realizing a fundamentally new form of transportation that is faster, safer, cheaper, and more sustainable than existing modes. The company is now working with governments, partners, and investors around the world to make hyperloop a reality in years, not decades. Learn more about Virgin Hyperloop's technology, vision, and ongoing projects here.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cf4e853d–a2f3–4174–ac1d–91e661551c71

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/95c8d171–9f3e–4e9a–9482–b0f2dbc35144


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8142044)

LeddarTech Announces Significant Growth in Customer Engagements, Partnerships, and Investment in 2020

QUEBEC CITY, Jan. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech , a global leader in Level 1–5 ADAS and AD sensing technology, announces notable and significant growth in 2020.

Despite the pandemic, LeddarTech, a pioneer in automotive sensing technology, boosted growth in investment, units sold, ecosystem partnerships, strategic customer engagements, and acquisitions in 2020. In November of 2020, LeddarTech was recognized by Tracxn in a category of only six Canadian corporations as a Unicorn, defined by Tracxn as one with a valuation exceeding the billion, and even the multi–billion–dollar mark in some cases, representing the elite of the Canada Tech start–up sector.

Major 2020 Achievements:

  • Reached over $350 million of investments from industry leaders.
  • Contracted six Tier–1 and OEM customers to develop LiDAR measurement software, sensor fusion, and perception technology to enable ADAS and autonomous driving applications with a lifetime value over US$1.5 billion, supporting a growing opportunity funnel well over US$4.0 billion.
  • Signed strategic partnership agreements with three global automotive Tier–1/2 customers for LiDAR platform development.
  • Delivered over 9,000 low–cost solid–state LiDAR sensors to customers, a double–digit increase over 2019.
  • Announced volume production of the award–winning Leddar Pixell with manufacturing partner Faurecia–Clarion Malaysia.
  • Announced the addition of four major global technology companies as collaborative partners for joint delivery of LiDAR solutions to the market within the Leddar Ecosystem, including STMicroelectronics, Flex, dSPACE, and Ningbo Sunny Optical. LeddarTech expects to report further additions to the Leddar Ecosystem H1 of 2021.
  • Expanded collaboration with Renesas to accelerate autonomous driving and ADAS development. This platform combines LeddarTech's industry–leading raw data sensor fusion stack and LiDAR technology with Renesas' newly launched R–Car V3U, a best–in–class ASIL D system–on–chip (SoC) for ADAS and AD systems.
  • Accelerated automotive sensing solutions through two acquisitions:
    • Phantom Intelligence: This acquisition advanced LeddarTech's strategy to aggregate and consolidate automotive sensing technologies, enabling the company to offer comprehensive solutions to our customers at lower cost.
    • VayaVision: This acquisition added a vital building block by combining sensor fusion and perception technology with LeddarTech's proven LeddarEngine platform. The LeddarEngine platform built on an open software architecture combined with LeddarVision enables LeddarTech to address customers' need for sensing solutions that are hardware agnostic, scalable, and adaptable to any vehicle and sensor configuration.

The acquisitions of VayaVision and Phantom Intelligence, combined with over a decade of expertise in groundbreaking L1–5 ADAS and AD sensing technologies, demonstrate LeddarTech's commitment to continuous innovation and service to our Tier 1–2, OEM, and autonomous mobility customers.

LeddarTech also expanded operations in Israel and augmented the existing engineering team with world–class AI and machine learning engineers.

"2020 was the most challenging year in recent history, but meeting challenges is in LeddarTech's DNA," stated Mr. Charles Boulanger, CEO of LeddarTech. "We are very proud of the advances we have made as an organization and the faith that our customers and strategic partners have placed in us," concluded Mr. Boulanger.

"Our partners and customers recognize that they can rely upon LeddarTech's ingrained expertise in sensing solutions that have been achieved through over 10 years of pioneering experience," said Mr. Frantz Saintellemy, President and COO.

About LeddarTech

LeddarTech is a leader in environmental sensing platforms for autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems. Founded in 2007, LeddarTech has evolved to become a comprehensive end–to–end environmental sensing company by enabling customers to solve critical sensing and perception challenges across the entire value chain of the automotive and mobility market segments. With its LeddarVision sensor–fusion and perception platform and its cost–effective, scalable, and versatile LiDAR development solution for automotive–grade solid–state LiDARs based on the LeddarEngine, LeddarTech enables Tier 1–2 automotive system integrators to develop full–stack sensing solutions for autonomy level 1 to 5. These solutions are actively deployed in autonomous shuttle, truck, bus, delivery vehicle, smart city/factory, and robotaxi applications. The company is responsible for several innovations in cutting–edge automotive and mobility remote–sensing applications, with over 95 patented technologies (granted or pending) enhancing ADAS and autonomous driving capabilities.

Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Contact:
Daniel Aitken, Vice–President, Global Marketing, Communications, and Product Management, LeddarTech Inc.
Tel.: + 1–418–653–9000 ext. 232
daniel.aitken@leddartech.com

Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarEngine, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, LeddarCore, VAYADrive, VayaVision, and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8141976)

Telefónica Germany selects Opanga Networks Inc for RAN Optimization

MUNICH, Germany, Jan. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Telefnica Germany GmbH & Co. OHG announced that it has selected Seattle based Opanga Networks, Inc as its RAN Optimization partner in Germany. "Mobile Network performance is under intensifying strain from the continual growth in data traffic," said Jochen Bockfeld, Director Core & Network Services at Telefnica Germany. "RAN Optimization software, that can be deployed rapidly in the mobile core, is mission critical to our being able to provide the best–in–class mobile experience for our customers."

Opanga's highly innovative software solutions are founded on advanced machine learning techniques that provide immediate benefit to mobile network customer experience. When Opanga's software is deployed, the network runs much faster to sustain the best possible user experience.

"We are very proud to call Telefnica Germany our customer," said Ben Hadorn, Head of European Operations for Opanga Networks. "Telefnica Germany is a flagship operator as well as an innovation leader in our industry and our solutions will be pivotal in helping the Telefnica team sustain the very best possible experience for their customers."

As the Mobile Core migrates to the cloud, new opportunities to leverage innovative software technologies incorporating state of the art machine learning become available to network designers. The mobile industry is at a vital point where innovation and software must augment the "build a bigger" network approach.

About Telefnica Germany

Telefnica Germany offers telecommunication services for private and business customers as well as innovative digital products and services in the field of Internet of Things and data analysis. The company is one of the leading integrated telecommunications providers in Germany. In mobile communications alone, Telefnica Germany / O2 manages more than 42.7 million connections without M2M (as of 30.09.2020) – no other network operator connects more people in Germany. Under the core brand O2 as well as various second and partner brands, the company sells post– and prepaid mobile products with innovative mobile data services. The basis for this is the mobile network based on a highly resilient GSM, UMTS and LTE infrastructure. At the same time, the company is building a powerful and energy–efficient 5G network. Telefnica Germany also provides telephony and high–speed Internet products based on different technologies in the fixed network area. Telefnica Deutschland Holding AG has been listed in the Prime Standard on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (TecDAX) since 2012. In the 2019 financial year the company generated sales of 7.4 billion euros with almost 8,500 employees. The company is majority–owned by the Spanish telecommunications group Telefnica S.A. with headquarters in Madrid. With business activities in 14 countries and a customer base of around 350 million lines, the group is one of the largest telecommunications providers in the world.

About Opanga Networks

Opanga Networks is a software solutions company focused on developing products which make mobile networks much more efficient, faster and capable of ultra–high performance. Our products are installed in the mobile core, dramatically accelerating Radio Access Network (RAN) performance. Opanga solutions elevate QoE by relieving congestion on cell sites which are overburdened with unrelenting growth of data traffic. Opanga offers the only ultra–high RAN performance solutions which can be deployed network–wide in a matter of hours.

For more information, please contact Opanga Networks at lightningfastmobile@opanga.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8142224)

Nyxoah announces full-body 1.5T and 3T MRI compatibility for the Genio® system to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

PRESS RELEASE

Nyxoah announces full–body 1.5T and 3T MRI compatibility for the Genio system to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Mont–Saint–Guibert, Belgium "" 26th January, 2021 "" Nyxoah SA (Euronext: NYXH) ("Nyxoah" or the "Company"), a health–technology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative solutions and services to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), today announces the Company has received CE Mark Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) conditional labeling for the current Genio neurostimulation–based OSA therapy to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

This revised labeling ensures that patients who receive the Genio system and those already implanted can now undergo full–body 1.5T and 3T MRI diagnostic scans within approved parameters and access the benefits of Genio unique bilateral stimulation therapy.

Olivier Taelman, Chief Executive Officer of Nyxoah, commented: "We are delighted to announce full–body 1.5T and 3T MR conditional CE mark approval for the Genio system, resulting from the unique and unparalleled design of our technology. Such an extensive labeling is unique to Nyxoah in the field of neurostimulation–based OSA therapies. Currently other therapies cannot fully address this need due to limitations to 1.5T MRI scans and body areas exclusion. As a company, Nyxoah always puts the patient first and seeks to ensure minimal disruption of their daily life and optimal Quality of Life (QOL)."

Prof. Dr. Clemens Heiser, MD, MHBA, PhD, ENT surgeon from Klinikum Rechts der Isar "" Munich added: "Prevalence of MRI scans as diagnostic modality is growing, especially for OSA patients, as this condition is being associated with increased risk of comorbidities, such as cardiovascular diseases. The addition of 1.5T and 3T full–body MR conditional labeling for the Genio system will be another critical benefit for my patients and will help me ensure those who may need an MRI can benefit from Nyxoah's innovations with no fear for themselves and their implant during the exam".

– ENDS –

For further information, please contact:

Nyxoah
Milena Venkova, Corporate Communications Manager
milena.venkova@nyxoah.com
+32 490 11 93 57

About Nyxoah

Nyxoah is a healthtech company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative solutions and services to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Nyxoah's lead solution is the Genio system, a CE–validated, patient–centered, next generation hypoglossal neurostimulation therapy for OSA, the world's most common sleep disordered breathing condition that is associated with increased mortality risk1 and comorbidities including cardiovascular diseases, depression and stroke.
Following the successful completion of the BLAST OSA study in patients with moderate to severe OSA, the Genio system received its European CE Mark in 2019. The Company is currently conducting the BETTER SLEEP study in Australia and New Zealand for therapy indication expansion, the DREAM IDE pivotal study for FDA approval and a post–marketing EliSA study in Europe to confirm the long–term safety and efficacy of the Genio system.
For more information, please visit www.nyxoah.com.

Caution "" Genio is CE marked since 2019. Investigational device in the United States. Limited by U.S. federal law to investigational use in the United States.

1 Young T. et al: Sleep Disordered Breathing and Mortality: Eighteen–Year Follow–up of the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort, Sleep. 2008 Aug 1; 31(8): 1071""1078.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1000452644)

CargoChain Partners with FileVision on VaxTracks—Visibility Tracker for the COVID-19 Vaccines

ATLANTA, Jan. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CargoChain, Inc., supplier of the market's leading supply chain visibility and information sharing platform, today announced a partnership with global software solution provider FileVision to deliver VaxTracks""the only blockchain–based solution that provides immutable chain of custody for the COVID–19 vaccines as well as a patient self–service registration and proof of immunity.

"VaxTracks is designed to support the COVID–19 vaccine process with speed, standardization, safety and social equality," said Jonathan Colehower, chief executive officer, CargoChain. "The blockchain–enabled solution guarantees that patients and providers can verify the authenticity and safety of the vaccine, improving public trust and lifting overall participation. VaxTracks provides national and local authorities as well as pharmaceutical companies and healthcare organizations access to verifiable evidence of product supply, condition, location and socially equitable distribution."

The priorities for VaxTracks include:

  • Speed "" The self–service application accelerates registration, reduces documentation errors, automates patient communication and provides immutable certification for individual immunization.
  • Standardization "" VaxTracks is easily accessed and will be available to everyone""providing a standard reporting process.
  • Safety "" CargoChain's blockchain–enabled architecture guarantees that patients and providers can verify the authenticity and safety of the vaccine with VaxTracks, improving public trust and lifting overall participation.
  • Social equality ""Enables federal, state and local authorities to demonstrate with absolute certainty that vaccine availability is being distributed equally to every socio–economic segment across the United States and around the world. Verifiable data brings increased insurance to every socio–economic group, ensuring no group is overlooked.

VaxTracks will be available in February 2021. For more information, visit http://www.cargochain.com/vaxtracks.

CargoChain is one of the few supply chain solutions that has blockchain as an integral working part of its platform. All events are recorded on–chain, following the execution of a smart contract as cargo changes hands, while rich cargo data is stored off–chain. CargoChain's blockchain architecture provides immutable proof of all cargo events at any given point in time as cargo moves along the supply chain.

About CargoChain
CargoChain democratizes the information supply chain, powering applications that allow all participants, regardless of size, to make better business decisions— www.cargochain.com.

About FileVision
FileVision's mission is to deliver user friendly software solutions that simplify, automate and address the complex business requirements for organizations— www.filevision.com.

Allison Mills
allison@leadcoverage.com
706.200.2148


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8141053)

JETEX EXPANDS ITS PRESENCE IN DUBAI

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jetex, an award–winning global leader in executive aviation, signed an agreement with Falcon Aviation to manage its FBO and hangar at Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai. This is a significant milestone for the global private aviation industry as Jetex is now operating the world's largest private terminal in terms of VIP lounge space, which spans more than 32,000 square feet.

The new passenger lounge will complement Jetex's existing facilities to meet the growing demand for private jet travel in the region. As the world's leading FBO brand, Jetex will lend its expertise to enhance the lounge to ensure that all customers enjoy consistent world–class service standards the company is known for. Travelers will enjoy priority access to a range of new elegant extras, including dedicated spaces for those seeking utmost privacy, luxury en–suite bedrooms and a kids club.

Open to all operators, corporates and private individuals arriving with their business jets, it is the first in the region to facilitate quick and convenient helicopter charters between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in just 30 minutes.

Under the new agreement, Jetex will also manage Falcon Aviation's Code–F Plot hangar. The state–of–the–art facility is one of the largest in the Middle East, and it is perfectly designed and equipped to meet the growing demand for aircraft hangarage in Dubai. The air–conditioned hangar is located on a 258,000 square feet plot with an additional apron space of 140,000 square feet to handle and store aircraft safely, whether it is a long–term contract or a one night's stay.

"I am pleased to sign the management agreement with Falcon Aviation which will cement our position as a one–stop solution in the world of private aviation. It will allow international travelers to benefit from the enhanced passenger facilities at the Jetex VIP Terminal. With the dedicated hangar in Dubai, we will also be able to provide world–class support to aircraft owners and operators. This is an important milestone in the Jetex story, and we look forward to announcing more international locations soon," said Adel Mardini, Founder and CEO of Jetex.

With robust growth in private jet travel over the past months, Dubai is set to welcome even more international travelers in 2021 when the city is set to host the World Expo.

– END –

About Jetex:

An award–winning global leader in executive aviation, Jetex is recognized for delivering flexible, best–in–class trip support solutions to customers worldwide. Jetex provides exceptional private terminals (FBOs), aircraft fueling, ground handling and global trip planning. The company caters to both owners and operators of business jets for corporate, commercial and personal air travel. To find out more about Jetex, visit www.jetex.com and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8140782)