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Expereo acquires Videns IT Services, the experts in NextGen SD-WAN & SASE

AMSTERDAM, Feb. 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Expereo, the global provider of managed Internet, Cloud access, and SD–WAN solutions, announces the acquisition of nextgen SD–WAN & SASE solutions provider Videns IT Services, bolstering Expereo's SD–WAN network transformation and management capabilities for its multinational enterprise customers.

Videns IT Services is a network independent managed services provider delivering fully managed SD–WAN and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).

The acquisition illustrates Expereo's ambition and commitment to simplifying global networking and cloud access with flexible, agile and secure network and cloud access solutions for multinational enterprises. Acquiring Videns will strengthen Expereo's SDWAN offering with deep sector experience and know–how in leading SDWAN and SASE solutions, adding depth and breadth to its nextgen global network and cloud access solutions.

“Videns expertise is built upon SD–WAN implementations for numerous multinational as well as domestic enterprise customers. Since 2012 we never stopped investing in good partnerships and technology that enabled us to establish ourselves as one of the leaders in Managed SDWAN and SASE services," says Ruud van Straaten, Managing Director of Videns.

“Expereo's global leadership position in nextgen internet–centric managed network services is the perfect stepping stone for the Videns team to achieve global scale and presence. Joining Expereo will enable us to further invest and scale the development of class leading SDWAN and SASE solutions with our technology partners, continuing to service our customers with our best practice expertise throughout their network transformation journey," van Straaten explains.

“Videns has a rich history and early on established a market–leading position in managed SDWAN and SASE services. The Videns team, capabilities and market recognition fuels our ambition of global leadership in the nextgen SDWAN and SASE market, guiding our enterprise clients through their network transformation challenges and delivering on superior, agile, cost effective cloud access and global network solutions," explains Expereo CEO, Irwin Fouwels. "Videns cuts through the hype, walks the talk, based on a wealth of experience and customer use cases; a great fit in every aspect with Expereo," adds Fouwels.

About Videns IT Services

Founded in 2012, Videns IT Services is the leading network–independent service provider of managed SD–WAN and SASE solutions. Videns is the alternative for enterprises that are looking to replace their traditional telco services with flexible, cost–effective, cloud–enabled and secure WAN services. Videns combines deep customer knowledge with specialist SD–WAN and SASE knowhow. Videns supports more than 45 multinational enterprise customers with 3.500 customer locations across 70 countries.

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About Expereo

Expereo is the leading provider of managed network solutions, including Global internet connectivity, SD–WAN, and Cloud Acceleration services. Expereo is the trusted partner of 30% of Fortune 500 companies and powers enterprise and government sites worldwide, helping to enhance every business' productivity with flexible and optimal Internet performance.

In Feb 2021, Vitruvian Partners international growth capital and buyout firm, acquired a majority stakeholding in Expereo, alongside to the leading European private equity firm Apax Partners sas, and company management.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8154830)

TigerGraph Raises $105 Million to Accelerate Graph Analytics on the Cloud 

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Feb. 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TigerGraph, provider of the leading graph analytics platform, today announced it has raised $105 million in Series C funding, the largest funding round to date within the graph database and analytics market. The round was led by Tiger Global and brings TigerGraph's total funding raised to over $170 million.

The investment reflects TigerGraph's growth and the massive potential as businesses continue to move to the cloud. With the transactional and analytical workloads moving to the cloud made possible by companies like Snowflake, Confluent, and Databricks, TigerGraph is quickly becoming the graph database of choice to connect, analyze and learn new insights from the data. With its distributed native graph architecture, TigerGraph helps organizations scale fast and analyze many different aspects of data to be used with each other to form new models and generate new insights. These new patterns and insights enhance a company's analytics or machine learning capabilities and can be deployed anywhere with multi–cloud flexibility and support the data security requirements for regulatory compliance.

Over the last 12 months with the COVID–19 pandemic, companies have embraced digital transformation at a faster pace, driving an urgent need to find new insights about their customers, products, services, and suppliers. Graph technology connects these domains from the relational databases, offering the opportunity to shrink development cycles for data preparation, improve data quality, and identify new insights such as similarity patterns to deliver the next best action recommendation. Data–driven solutions require intelligent apps and connected data that leverage powerful graph engines to connect, analyze and learn from the data companies are storing in the cloud. These events helped TigerGraph experience massive growth, more than doubling revenues and customers over the past year. It has also continued building a very active and fast–growing developer community, receiving the highest marks in a recent analyst report — TigerGraph was named a leader for Graph Data Platforms in the analyst report.

"By 2023, graph technologies will facilitate rapid contextualization for decision making in 30 percent of organizations worldwide," according to Gartner.1 Mark Beyer, Distinguished VP Analyst with Gartner, shared the following in a Gartner report regarding the adoption of graph technology in the enterprises, "To Graph or Not to Graph? That Is Not the Question "" You Will Graph."2 Organizations of all sizes are adopting graph–based analytics and AI by leveraging the relationships in the connected data to drive better outcomes. TigerGraph is galvanizing the graph and AI community, organizing the first open industry Graph + AI Conference featuring presentations by innovators including UnitedHealth Group, Jaguar Land Rover, Intuit, Intel, Xilinx and Accenture. TigerGraph is deeply involved and on the steering committee for the development of the Graph Query Language standard, GQL, along with other database vendors such as Oracle and Neo4j, and will enthusiastically support the GQL standard immediately upon finalization.

"For over 40 years, businesses' #1 data management challenge has been how to easily ask business questions across all of their data in real–time to guide their operations. The human brain connects data to derive new insights and helps us decide what to do next. TigerGraph's mission is to power an enterprise brain with graph and AI that discovers these new insights within the enterprise data stored in the cloud and on–prem," said Dr. Yu Xu, founder and CEO of TigerGraph. "TigerGraph is leading the paradigm shift in connecting and analyzing data via scalable and native graph technology with pre–connected entities versus the traditional way of joining large tables with rows and columns. This funding will allow us to expand our offering and bring it to many more markets, enabling more customers to realize the benefits of graph analytics and AI."

TigerGraph's innovation has been recognized with several recent industry awards and accolades including:

The company will use the funding for product innovation and development to better support its customers, including TigerGraph Cloud on Google Cloud Platform (available March 2021), plus further multi–region support on AWS and Azure. It is also expanding its global reach with local support in Asia and Australia/New Zealand. Meanwhile, the company will scale up with additional hiring in the Americas, EMEA, and APAC to meet increased product demand. The company is hiring in every department – apply now at https://www.tigergraph.com/join–us/.

Helpful Links
Get TigerGraph
TigerGraph Cloud
TigerGraph Website
TigerGraph Blog
TigerGraph on Twitter
TigerGraph on LinkedIn

1 Gartner Press Release, Gartner Identifies Top 10 Data and Analytics Technology Trends for 2020, 22 June 2020
2 Gartner, Graph Steps Onto the Main Stage of Data and Analytics: A Gartner Trend Insight Report, 14, December 2020

About TigerGraph
TigerGraph is a platform for advanced analytics and machine learning on connected data. Based on the industry's first and only distributed native graph database, TigerGraph's proven technology supports advanced analytics and machine learning applications such as fraud detection, anti–money laundering (AML), entity resolution, customer 360, recommendations, knowledge graph, cybersecurity, supply chain, IoT, and network analysis. The company is headquartered in Redwood City, California, USA. Start free with tigergraph.com/cloud.

Media Contact
Cathy Wright
Offleash PR for TigerGraph
cathy@offleashpr.com
650–678–1905


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8154215)

Bombardier Announces Full Repayment of Senior Secured Credit Facility

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bombardier (TSX: BBD.B) today announced that it has initiated the repayment of the total outstanding balance of $750 million drawn on its $1 billion senior secured term loan facility (the “Facility”) established on August 19, 2020. Payout of the Facility, including all accrued interest and associated fees, will be completed on February 19, 2021.

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 @Bombardier.

Bombardier is a trademark of Bombardier Inc. and its subsidiaries.
All amounts in this press release are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

For Information
Mark Masluch
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Bombardier
Mark.Masluch@aero.bombardier.com
+1–514–855–7167

Patrick Ghoche
Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations
Bombardier Inc.
+1–514 861 5727


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8154574)

GreenBox POS Announces Nasdaq Listing and Pricing of an Upsized $43.6 Million Public Offering

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GreenBox POS (NASDAQ:GBOX) (the "Company") previously (OTCQB:GRBX), an emerging financial technology company leveraging proprietary blockchain security to build customized payment solutions today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 4,150,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $10.50 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $43,575,000 prior to deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and other offering expenses. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 45–day option to purchase up to an additional 622,500 shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The offering is expected to close on February 19, 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The Company has received approval to list its common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "GBOX", with trading expected to begin on February 17, 2021.

Kingswood Capital Markets, division of Benchmark Investments, Inc., is acting as sole bookrunning manager for the offering.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) declared effective a registration statement on Form S–1 relating to these securities on February 12, 2021. A final prospectus relating to this offering will be filed with the SEC. When available, copies of the final prospectus relating to this offering can be obtained at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or from Kingswood Capital Markets, division of Benchmark Investments Inc., 17 Battery Place, Suite 625, New York, NY 10004, Attention: Syndicate Department, or via email at syndicate@kingswoodcm.com or telephone at (212) 404–7002. Before investing in this offering, interested parties should read in their entirety the prospectus, which provides more information about the Company and such offering.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About GreenBox POS

GreenBox POS is an emerging financial technology company leveraging proprietary blockchain security to build customized payment solutions. The Company's applications enable an end–to–end suite of turnkey financial products, helping to reduce fraud and improve the efficiency of handling large–scale commercial processing volumes for its merchant clients globally. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.greenboxpos.com.

Forward–Looking Statements

This press release contains forward–looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward–looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward–looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and elsewhere. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward–looking statement made herein. All forward–looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Investor Relations Contact:

Mark Schwalenberg
MZ Group – MZ North America
312–261–6430
GRBX@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8154380)

Study Highlights Potential Clinical Value of ePlex® Blood Culture ID Panels

CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. (NASDAQ:GNMK), a leading provider of automated, multiplex molecular diagnostic testing systems, announced today the publication of a manuscript in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology that highlights strong performance and the potential clinical impact of the ePlex Blood Culture Identification (BCID) Panels. The study, "Evaluation of Microbiological Performance and the Potential Clinical Impact of the ePlex Blood Culture Identification Panels for the Rapid Diagnosis of Bacteremia and Fungemia," looked prospectively at the identification of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes, as well as retrospectively analyzing clinical outcomes, based on ePlex BCID Panel results compared to standard of care.

Key Study Findings

In an analysis of 158 bloodstream infection episodes, the ePlex Blood Culture Identification Panels were utilized to assess potential therapeutic interventions in a timelier manner compared to conventional microbiology. With an overall sensitivity of 98%, the rapid result from the ePlex BCID Panels would have allowed the clinical team to modify treatment in 45% of patients. Moreover, lack of an ePlex BCID result was considered a loss or a probable loss of opportunity for modification of therapy in 28% of patients.

"Acceleration of the diagnosis of bacteremia using new rapid assays should become the new gold standard to improve the management and the prognosis of septic patients," said Yvan Caspar, PhD, PharmD, Hospital–University Practitioner, Bacteriology Laboratory, National Reference Center for Francisella, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital. (Full citation: Bryant, S. et. al. (2020) Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. Doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.594951). Dr. Caspar will be presenting these and other findings in a webinar hosted by XTalks and sponsored by GenMark on February 23, 2021. For more information or to register for the webinar visit: https://xtalks.com/webinars/rapid–blood–culture–identification–a–retrospective–clinical–analysis/

About ePlex BCID Panels

The trio of ePlex BCID Panels (Gram–Negative, Gram–Positive and Fungal Pathogen) can save days over conventional methods in the identification of pathogens that cause bloodstream infections (BSI) and sepsis. The ePlex BCID Panels are the broadest FDA–cleared panels on the market with 60 organism targets and 10 resistance genes, allowing clinicians to rapidly identify the causative agent(s) of BSI and sepsis for more patients. The panels also include identification of more organisms that are often considered contaminants, potentially leading to faster de–escalation of unnecessary antimicrobial treatment. Since unnecessary overuse of antibiotics is the primary driver of antibiotic resistance today, rapid de–escalation of therapy can help reduce the proliferation of further resistance while also saving patients from unnecessary adverse effects.

About GenMark Diagnostics
GenMark Diagnostics (NASDAQ: GNMK) is a leading provider of multiplex molecular diagnostic solutions designed to enhance patient care, improve key quality metrics, and reduce the total cost–of–care. Utilizing GenMark's proprietary eSensor detection technology, GenMark's eSensor XT–8 and ePlex systems are designed to support a broad range of molecular diagnostic tests with compact, easy–to–use workstations and self–contained, disposable test cartridges. GenMark's ePlex: The True Sample–to–Answer Solution is designed to optimize laboratory efficiency and address a broad range of infectious disease testing needs, including respiratory, bloodstream, and gastrointestinal infections. For more information, visit www.genmarkdx.com.

Forward–Looking Statements
This press release includes forward–looking statements regarding events, trends and business prospects, which may affect our future operating results and financial position. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the particular clinical value of our BCID Panels in respect of a particular institution or patient population, the impact of our BCID Panels on antimicrobial stewardship outcomes, our ability to satisfy the supply demands of our customers, and other risks and uncertainties described under the “Risk Factors” in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no responsibility to update or revise any forward–looking statements to reflect events, trends or circumstances after the date they are made.

Media Contact
Lauren Martin
(815) 592–6296
lmartin@pcipr.com

Investor Relations Contact
Leigh Salvo
(415) 937–5404


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8153197)

Lithium Werks Elects Jack Perkowski to Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director

AUSTIN, Texas and ENSCHEDE, The Netherlands, Feb. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lithium Werks BV is proud to announce the election of Jack Perkowski as a non–executive director to the Lithium Werks Board of Directors. Perkowski joins founders T. Joseph Fisher, III and Christian R. Ringvold as directors of the company.

Perkowski brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in fields of corporate strategy, raising capital and assembling management teams.

Perkowski founded ASIMCO Technologies in 1994, and from 1994 to 2008, served as the Chairman of ASIMCO's Board of Directors and the company's Chief Executive Officer. Under Perkowski's leadership, ASIMCO became one of the most important players in China's automotive components industry and gained a reputation for developing local management and integrating a broad–based China operation into the global economy.

In 2009, Perkowski founded JFP Holdings, a merchant banking firm focused on China, where he now serves as Chairman. JFP Holdings was established to help integrate the world's greatest providers of technology and know–how with China's rapidly growing economy by helping foreign companies gain access to the China market and helping domestic companies develop global footprints.

Perkowski currently also serves on the China Advisory Council of Magna International Inc., one of the world's largest auto suppliers; the Board of Advisers for the Center for Emerging Markets at Northeastern University; the International Advisory Board of Management and Economics (IABME) at Tianjin University in China; and as a member of the Board of Directors for ADOMANI, Inc., a publicly traded electric vehicle company.

Widely recognized as an expert on doing business in China, Perkowski authored Managing the Dragon: How I'm Building a Billion Dollar Business in China. Perkowski is a frequent speaker and commentator on the subject of China to the broadcast media.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jack to our Board. His international contacts and global business acumen will be of great benefit to Lithium Werks as we continue to grow and expand our international presence," commented T. Joseph Fisher, III, who is co–founder and Chief Executive Officer.

Lithium Werks possesses the world's most comprehensive portfolio of Lithium Iron Phosphate materials, cells, intellectual property LFP patents and products. Lithium Werks operates in China, Europe, and the United States. For more information, please visit us at www.lithiumwerks.com.

Contact:
lwmarketing@lithiumwerks.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8153115)

LeddarTech Partners With Seoul Robotics to Deliver Robust Solid-State LiDAR-Based Perception Solutions

QUEBEC CITY and SEOUL, Korea, Feb. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech , an industry leader in environmental sensing solutions for autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems from Level 1 to Level 5, is proud to announce that Seoul Robotics, the leading 3D computer vision company using AI and machine learning to power the future of mobility, has joined the Leddar Ecosystem. The Leddar Ecosystem comprises leading technology companies that have partnered with LeddarTech through the contribution of their expertise in various technologies that enhance ADAS and AD solutions.

Seoul Robotics, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, has demonstrated expertise in LiDAR perception technology utilizing its proprietary SENSR 3D software. This platform analyzes and processes LiDAR data with high accuracy, enabling more industries, including retail, logistics, and smart cities, to apply 3D insights. Seoul Robotics has garnered much attention in recent years, with the company earning the "No. 1 Tech Startup" spot for South Korea by DB–Stars in 2019.

LeddarTech and Seoul Robotics are collaborating to develop real–time advanced perception solutions to complement LeddarTech's Leddar Pixell, designed for shuttles, robotaxis, ADVs, buses, and heavy commercial vehicles. The Leddar Pixell, a 3D flash solid–state 180–degree sensor, is considered the most robust LiDAR available. The product recently received the Outstanding & Innovative Product Award by the Shenzhen Automotive Electronics Industry Association and Best of Innovation Award Honoree recognition at CES 2020. The partnership of LeddarTech and Seoul Robotics harnesses the technical expertise of both to provide customers with an enhanced LiDAR–based solution that will increase performance and robustness while shortening time–to–market and reducing costs.

"Robust LiDAR sensors like the Leddar Pixell require the most advanced 3D perception software to process and interpret data in real time," shared Mr. HanBin Lee, co–founder and CEO of Seoul Robotics. "Our industry–leading perception platform, SENSR, enables stronger understanding and interpretation of 3D data, better serving the market with highly detailed, LiDAR–based perception. Through our collaboration in the Leddar Ecosystem, we will provide object detection and classification, as well as speed measurement, direction, and location information without a need for map data, all while reducing cost and increasing efficiency."

"By partnering with Seoul Robotics, a respected leader in 3D perception software for LiDAR sensors, LeddarTech and our customers benefit from Seoul Robotics' advanced and innovative LiDAR–based perception technology," said Charles Boulanger, CEO of LeddarTech. "The collaboration yields a solution to greatly ease and accelerate the integration of the Leddar Pixell in a wide range of applications in mobility and industrial markets," concluded Mr. Boulanger.

About Seoul Robotics

Seoul Robotics is a 3D computer vision company building a perception platform that uses AI and machine learning to power the future of mobility. Founded in 2017, Seoul Robotics has partnered with OEMs, system integrators, and government agencies around the world to diversify the use of 3D data. The company has developed its own proprietary software, which is compatible with nearly all LiDAR and 3D data sensors, to increase accuracy and efficiency and to ensure safety across a range of industries and applications. Seoul Robotics has offices in Seoul, Silicon Valley, Munich, and Detroit and is backed by leading global financial institutions. For more information, visit www.seoulrobotics.org.

Contact: LaunchSquad for Seoul Robotics at seoulrobotics@launchsquad.com.

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 shuttles, trucks, buses, delivery vehicles, smart cities/factories, 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 8153114)

2021 Indiaspora Government Leaders List recognizes more than 200 public officials of Indian heritage in senior government positions across the globe

SAN FRANCISCO and WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Indiaspora, a nonprofit community of global Indian diaspora leaders from various backgrounds and professions, released today their list recognizing public officials of the Indian diaspora who are leaders in their countries' governments.

Drawing from government websites and other publicly available resources, the 2021 Indiaspora Government Leaders List recognizes more than 200 leaders of Indian heritage who have ascended to the highest echelons of public service in 15 countries across the globe, with more than 60 of these leaders holding Cabinet positions.

"It is a huge source of pride to have the first woman and first person of color as the Vice President of the world's oldest democracy be someone of Indian heritage. We wanted to use this seminal moment on Presidents' Day to highlight a host of others in the diaspora who also are in public service," said Indiaspora Founder MR Rangaswami, a Silicon Valley–based entrepreneur and investor. "These leaders are building a legacy for future generations, and one that extends beyond our community to all of the constituents and communities that they serve."

The List also includes diplomats, legislators, heads of central banks and senior civil servants from countries with significant histories of diaspora migration, such as Australia, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.

"It is an honor to be included on the 2021 Indiaspora Government Leaders List. As the longest–serving Indian–American Member of Congress, I am proud to be a leader in the Indian American community, which has become an integral part of American life and society," said Congressman Ami Bera, Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia.

With more than 32 million people of Indian origin or (PIOs) globally, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs, Indians are the largest diaspora population in the world.

The officials on the 2021 Indiaspora Government Leaders List collectively represent more than 587 million constituents, and their countries account for an estimated USD $28 trillion in GDP, demonstrating the impact that these leaders are having globally.

"It truly is inspiring to note the remarkable contribution that government leaders of Indian heritage have made to advance the societies that they now represent," said Rosy Akbar, Fiji's Minister of Education, Heritage, and Arts. "For a sizable segment of the population, it is government policy addressing social injustices that lead to a transformative path of sustainable socio–economic progress."

The List includes immigrants from India, as well as professionals born in countries such as Singapore, South Africa, England, Canada and the U.S.

"As a proud Indo–Canadian, it is an honour to be included in the 2021 Indiaspora Government Leaders List alongside an accomplished and diverse group of leaders from the India diaspora," said Senator Ratna Omidvar. "I am eternally proud of my Indian heritage but also being Canadian. Canada has given me its protection and its opportunities, and in return, I am committed to making it a better place so that it continues to be a land of protection and opportunity for future Canadians."

While some of the officials are part of their country's first wave of immigration, arriving as refugees or for economic opportunities, others serving in their governments are part of subsequent waves of diaspora, who came for educational opportunities, or are of subsequent generations.

“It is inspiring to see the number of Indian diaspora who are entering the public arena,” said Indiaspora Board Member Arun Kumar, Chairman and CEO at KPMG India, who served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce in the Obama administration. “Having had the opportunity to serve, I can speak to what a memorable and fulfilling experience it was. Above all, it was a meaningful way to give back. My hope is that this cohort of leaders will set an example for even more of the Indian diaspora to aspire to public service."

For additional resources, including information and news about the honorees, and additional quotes from officials, please visit the 2021 Indiaspora Government Leaders List website.

More on the Indiaspora Lists

The Indiaspora Lists highlight the advances of the Indian diaspora and raise their profile in the global consciousness in areas such as government, business, academia, and philanthropy.

The second of the Indiaspora Lists, the inaugural Indiaspora Business Leaders List, released in July 2020, featured the Indian diaspora who are leading the largest global companies""CEOs, Presidents, or Chairpersons of the Board of Directors.

Indiaspora (www.indiaspora.org) is a nonprofit community of powerful global Indian leaders from diverse backgrounds and professions who are committed to inspiring the diaspora to be a force for positive impact by providing a platform to collaborate, engage, and catalyze social change.

Media contact:

Mansi Patel

Director of Communications, Indiaspora

mansi@indiaspora.org

cell: 772–486–0351

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/731d4d25–879e–4dc5–a50c–e80ae43f357d


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8153024)

Centrient Pharmaceuticals to acquire Astral SteriTech, expanding its product portfolio with sterile injectable antibiotic finished dosage forms

Rotterdam, the Netherlands, February 15th, 2021, Feb. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

  • Further strengthens Centrient Pharmaceuticals' position as the global business–to–business industry leader in beta–lactam antibiotics
  • Broadens Centrient Pharmaceuticals' product portfolio with sterile injectable Semi–Synthetic Cephalosporin and Semi–Synthetic Penicillin finished dosage forms, able to further meet the needs of customers in these segments and become a preferred partner for customers
  • Brings in–house manufacturing capabilities for high–quality sterile antibiotic powder injectable finished dosage forms with two US FDA–approved production lines

Centrient Pharmaceuticals ("Centrient"), the business–to–business leader in sustainable, enzymatic antibiotics, next–generation statins and anti–fungals, today announced the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of Astral SteriTech Private Limited ("Astral SteriTech"), a leading international manufacturer specialised in sterile antibiotic injectable finished dosage forms. With the acquisition of Astral SteriTech, Centrient strengthens its position as the global business–to–business industry leader in beta–lactam antibiotics.

The acquisition of Astral SteriTech is an important step on Centrient's journey to become the leading, diversied and fully integrated partner to generics marketers.

The products offered by Astral SteriTech are sterile injectable finished dosage forms for Semi–Synthetic Cephalosporins and Semi–Synthetic Penicillins. Being close to Centrient's core products of beta–lactam antibiotics, the acquired product portfolio provides Centrient a diversification opportunity within the attractive growing niche segment of sterile injectable antibiotics.

With the broadened product portfolio, Centrient can further meet the needs of its customers in Semi–Synthetic Cephalosporin and Semi–Synthetic Penicillin finished dosage forms and become the preferred partner in these segments.

Astral SteriTech has a US FDA–approved manufacturing site with two manufacturing lines and serves customers in highly regulated markets like the United States and other regions such as South Asia.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

Rex Clements, CEO at Centrient said: "The acquisition of Astral SteriTech is a significant step forward on the journey we at Centrient have undertaken to become the preferred commercial partner to our customers in Semi–Synthetic Cephalosporin and Semi–Synthetic Penicillin antibiotics.

By broadening of our product portfolio and adding advanced manufacturing capabilities, we will strengthen the delivery of our value proposition of Quality, Reliability and Sustainability.

These finished dosage forms are critical medicines in healthcare but face increasing risks of supply shortage. At Centrient, we are committed to ensuring a sustainable supply of these products in healthcare, in line with our purpose to improve lives by being at the centre of sustainable and accessible healthcare."

Dr. Dushyant Patel, Chairman and Managing Director at Astral SteriTech said: "We are proud that with Astral SteriTech's core competencies and proven strong track record in sterile injectable Semi–Synthetic Cephalosporin and Semi–Synthetic Penicillin finished dosage forms, we can contribute to synergize and consolidate Centrient's antibiotics product portfolio, to support their geographical expansion agenda.

Centrient's vision and strategies for global success blended with Astral SteriTech's strong fundamentals in the niche area will not only enhance quality of service to existing clients but will help expand the business horizon."

For the transaction, Barclays acted as the exclusive financial advisor, and Sidley Austin LLP and Trilegal as legal advisors to Centrient Pharmaceuticals. J.P. Morgan acted as the exclusive financial advisor and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co as legal advisor to Astral SteriTech.

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About Astral SteriTech Private Limited

Astral SteriTech is a leading international contract manufacturer specialized in sterile antibiotic powder injectable finished dosage forms.

Established as Astral Pharmaceutical Industries in 1991 by Dr. Dushyant Patel, current Chairman and Managing Director, and renamed into Astral SteriTech Private Limited in 2012, the company carved its niche as a preferred Contract and Development Manufacturing Organisation in the industry segment of sterile antibiotic injectable formulations. The company has a US FDA–approved manufacturing site with two dedicated manufacturing lines, located in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, and serves customers in high regulated markets like the United States and other regions such as South Asia.

The company's core competencies include advanced aseptic fill and finish technologies and processes, the highest quality standards supported by its robust Quality System, regulatory services along all product development stages, and extensive product development knowledge.

For more information on Astral SteriTech please visit www.astralsteritech.com.

About Centrient Pharmaceuticals

Centrient Pharmaceuticals is the global leader in the production and commercialisation of sustainable antibiotics, next–generation statins and anti–fungals. We produce and sell intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished dosage forms.

We stand proudly at the centre of modern healthcare, as a maker of essential and life–saving medicines. With our commitment to Quality, Reliability and Sustainability at the heart of everything we do, our over 2200 employees work continuously to meet our customers' needs. We work towards a sustainable future by actively participating in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Founded 150 years ago as the "Nederlandsche Gist– en Spiritusfabriek', our company was known as Gist Brocades and more recently DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals. Headquartered in Rotterdam (Netherlands), we have production facilities and sales offices in China, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Egypt, the United States and Mexico. Centrient Pharmaceuticals is wholly owned by Bain Capital Private Equity, a leading global private investment firm.

For more information please visit www.centrient.com or contact Centrient Pharmaceuticals Corporate Communications, Alice Beijersbergen, Director Branding & Communications. E–Mail: alice.beijersbergen@centrient.com.

Forward–looking statements

This press release may contain forward–looking statements with respect to Centrient Pharmaceuticals' future financial

performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of Centrient and information currently available to the company. Centrient cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. Centrient has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of the press release is governing.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8152934)

GreenBox POS Joins Visa’s Fintech Fast Track Program

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GreenBox POS (OTCQB: GRBX) (“GreenBox”, the “Company”), an emerging financial technology company leveraging proprietary blockchain security to build customized payment solutions today announced that it has joined Visa's Fintech Fast Track program, speeding up the process of integrating with Visa. By joining Fast Track, GreenBox is able to more easily leverage the reach, capabilities, and security that VisaNet, the company's global payment network, offers. Through Visa Fast Track and working with Visa Fast Track partners, GreenBox will be issuing a co–branded Visa card and enabling direct push–to–card payments.

GreenBox operates a private and proprietary blockchain payment platform that offers security and data privacy, as well as enhanced fraud protection and rapid speed to settlement. Serving as the settlement engine for financial transactions, GreenBox's blockchain technology is a distributed ledger that uses digitally encrypted keys to verify, secure and record details of each transaction conducted within GreenBox's private ecosystem. The speed and security of the platform allows GreenBox to log immense volumes of immutable transactional records in real time.

Visa's Fintech Fast Track Program provides companies like GreenBox the ability to access Visa's growing partner network, and experts who can provide guidance in helping them get up and running in the most efficient way possible. Learn more about Visa's Fintech Fast Track program at https://Partner.Visa.com.

“Our partnership with Visa marks another important step aligned with our goal to help move society towards cashless, secure payments where digital currency can be moved anywhere at any time," said Fredi Nisan, Chief Executive Officer of GreenBox POS. "Being able to issue payment credentials and send near real–time payments across the Visa network significantly enhances our payment solutions offering."

"By joining Visa's Fast Track program, exciting Fintechs like GreenBox POS gain extraordinary access to Visa experts, technology, and resources," said Terry Angelos, SVP and Global Head of Fintech, Visa. "Fast Track lets us provide new resources that rapidly growing companies need to scale with efficiency."

About GreenBox POS

GreenBox POS (OTCQB: GRBX) is an emerging financial technology company leveraging proprietary blockchain security to build customized payment solutions. The Company's applications enable an end–to–end suite of turnkey financial products, helping to reduce fraud and improve the efficiency of handling large–scale commercial processing volumes for its merchant clients globally. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.greenboxpos.com.

Forward–Looking Statements Disclaimer

This release contains forward–looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward–looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward–looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set out in the Company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward–looking statements.

Investor Relations Contact
Mark Schwalenberg
MZ Group – MZ North America
312–261–6430
GRBX@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8152109)