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OUR NEW PROFILE IS: (Nasdaq: AVCO)
AVALON GLOBOCARE EXPANDS IP PORTFOLIO; FILES 16 NEW PATENT APPLICATIONS
- AVCO said the co-inventors of the new property include international universities and developers of cellular therapy.
- The 16 patent applications cover three types of cellular therapies and related technologies, including the engineering of CAR-T cells
AVCO RAN 33% IN 6 SESSIONS THE LAST TIME WE LOOKED AT IT
Avalon insiders currently own 63% of available shares, which could indicate a strong belief in the company’s outlook
Avalon just announced a new research study applying artificial intelligence (AI) enhanced protein design “QTY Code” technology – which is expected to accelerate the development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer
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CHECK OUT THE INVESTOR PRESENTATION HERE
*****BREAKING NEWS THIS MORNING*****
Avalon GloboCare Signs Definitive Agreement for Transformational Acquisition of Leading Laboratory with 2021 Unaudited Revenue in Excess of $25 Million
Company to acquire a majority interest in Laboratory Services MSO, LLC, a leading reference laboratory with 2021 unaudited revenue in excess of $25 million, net income in excess of $10 million and over 600,000 tests completed since inception
Cash portion to be financed with a private placement of $15 million of Avalon preferred stock, convertible at a floor of $1.00 per share, with leak-out provisions, no warrants and a 9-month lock up
Company to Begin Trading under New Symbol “ALBT” on November 10, 2022
FREEHOLD, N.J., Nov. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Avalon GloboCare Corp. (“Avalon” or the “Company”)(NASDAQ: AVCO), a leading global developer of innovative cell-based technologies and therapeutics, today announced that it has signed a definitive acquisition agreement (the “Acquisition Agreement”) to acquire a 60% interest in Laboratory Services MSO, LLC, a premier reference laboratory. In connection with the transaction, and to reflect the expanded focus on lab testing and services, Avalon will be changing its ticker symbol from “AVCO” to “ALBT.” Shares of Avalon’s common stock will begin trading under the new ticker symbol “ALBT” on the Nasdaq Capital Market on Thursday, November 10, 2022. Until such time, Avalon’s common stock will continue to trade under the symbol “AVCO.”
Headquartered in Costa Mesa California, Laboratory Services provides a broad portfolio of diagnostic tests including drug testing, toxicology, and a broad array of test services, from general bloodwork to anatomic pathology, and urine toxicology. Specific capabilities include STAT blood testing, qualitative drug screening, genetic testing, urinary testing, sexually transmitted disease testing and more. Laboratory Services has developed a premier reputation for customer service and fast turnaround times in the industry. Laboratory Services has completed over 450,000 tests since inception, operates with 2021 unaudited annual revenue in excess of $25 million and has two locations in California.
Total consideration for the acquisition will be $31 million, consisting of (i) $15 million in cash, (ii) $15 million in shares of the Company’s Series B preferred stock and (iii) $1,000,000 payable on the first anniversary of the closing date. The preferred shares will be restricted from conversion for 12 months and thereafter will have leak-out provisions restricting conversion to only 10% of total holdings.
The Company paid a $5 million refundable cash advance in connection with the signing of the definitive agreement. Additionally, the seller will have an earnout tied to 2022 and 2023 positive cash flow targets of up to $10 million, payable in a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock. At closing of the transaction, Sarah Cox, the Co-founder and CEO of Laboratory Services, will become Chief Operating Officer of the Company and will join the Company’s Board of Directors.
The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement is subject to customary conditions to closing, including completion of financing for the remainder of the cash purchase price. The transaction is expected to close in 30 days, subject to a 90 day right of extension by the Company.
In connection with the transaction, the Company completed a private placement of $5 million in shares of the Company’s Series A preferred stock, which shares are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at the greater of $1.00 or 90% of the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the day prior to conversion. The Company intends to raise an additional $10 million to finance the remaining cash purchase price under the same terms. The holders of the Series A preferred stock will be restricted from selling the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A preferred stock for a period of 9 months and will be limited to selling no more than 10% of their shares of common stock in any calendar month. In connection with the acquisition, the Company will be issuing to the seller $15 million in shares of the Company’s Series B preferred stock, which shares will be convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $0.575 per share. The holders of the Series B preferred stock will be restricted from selling the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series B preferred stock for a period of 12 months from closing and will be limited to selling no more than 10% of their shares of common stock in any calendar month.
David Jin, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Avalon, commented, “This is a transformative acquisition for Avalon as it brings significant revenue and positive cash flow and is expected to be highly accretive to earnings while adding strong clinical synergies to the existing Avalon portfolio. Laboratory Services has an impressive history of growth and is an established leader within the highly fragmented market for lab testing and services. Laboratory Services’ diagnostic business is highly synergistic with our existing precision companion diagnostic business and cellular technology platforms.”
“We are delighted to welcome Sarah Cox, Co-founder and CEO of Laboratory Services, and the entire Laboratory Services team to Avalon. Sarah and her team have a proven track record and tremendous reputation within the industry,” concluded Dr. Jin.
Sarah Cox, Co-Founder and CEO of Laboratory Services, further noted, “We could not be more excited to join forces with Avalon, as we share a common culture and commitment to putting the patient’s needs first. We have become a one stop shop for most clinical testing and each client is provided white glove treatment. We believe that the combination of our established infrastructure with Avalon’s resources, as well as cutting edge diagnostic and immune-therapy platform, is expected to establish Avalon as a formidable force in this rapidly growing industry.”
A more complete description of the terms of and conditions of the proposed transaction, conditions to closing and related matters will be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which report will be available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
The securities described above were and will be offered in a private placement pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and have not been and will not be registered under the Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the SEC or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.
Advisors
Revere Securities LLC is acting as an advisor to Avalon in the transaction. Lowenstein Sandler LLP is acting as legal counsel to Avalon in the transaction. Blythe Global LLC is acting as accounting advisor.
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Hello Everyone,
We have another low priced Nasdaq company that we want you to have on your radar for today’s session.
Pull up AVCO immediately.
Let’s get right down to business…………
T-Cells are your immune system’s frontline soldiers in the fight against common infections and everyday maladies.
When you’re stuck at home on bedrest, your T-Cells are hard at work getting you back into healthy shape.
Sometimes though, they’re no match for deadly conditions like blood cancer (more specifically leukemia and non-Hodgkins Lymphoma).
That’s where Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (or “CAR-T”) therapy comes in.4
CAR-T therapy works by extracting your body’s own T-Cells, then genetically modifying them with a receptor that directly attacks specific types of cancers. The cells are then grown and multiplied in the lab before being re-introduced to the body, where they can hunt down cancerous elements in the body’s bloodstream.
That’s why the experts refer to CAR-T therapy as a potential “Living Cure” for some of the world’s deadliest diseases.
Even in its earliest forms as a treatment for blood cancer, this relatively non-invasive treatment leads to lasting remission in no less than 30-40% of patients.
But one company could potentially drive that success rate much higher …
Avalon is a clinical-stage, vertically integrated, leading “CellTech” bio-developer dedicated to advancing and empowering innovative, transformative immune effector cell therapy, exosome technology, as well related diagnostics and therapeutics.
The Company also provides strategic advisory and outsourcing services to facilitate and enhance its clients’ growth and development, as well as competitiveness in healthcare and CellTech industry markets.
Through its subsidiary structure with unique integration of verticals from innovative R&D to automated bioproduction and accelerated clinical development, the Company is establishing a leading role in the fields of cellular immunotherapy (including CAR-T/NK), exosome technology (ACTEX™), and other related vaccine and therapeutics.
Their core focus at the moment is their 3rd Generation CAR-T therapy that can potentially be useful in the treatment of cancer and other life-threatening diseases along with their FLASH-CAR technology and stem cell derived Exosome technology called ACTEX. ACTEX can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, from neurodegenerative disorders to immune health, orthopedic applications, wound management and even weight management.2
Avalon GloboCare successfully filed for a $50 Million shelf offering (S3) in January of 2019, and was also staked a $20 Million credit facility from Chairman Daniel Lu.
That same Daniel Lu also happens to be chairman of the Lu DaoPei hospital group, China’s largest hematology and CAR-T treatment center.3
Those types of connections are key to Avalon GloboCare’s vertical integration:
- Upstream: Innovation, R&D, IPs – QTY-code engineered novel targets; AVA-Trap ™ – Next-Gen multi-target, RNA-based Flash-CAR ™ – Angiogenic Exosomes; ACTEX ™
- Midstream: Process development, Bio-production, QC/QA – UPMC: Accredited cGMP/cGTP/FACT/aaBB/CLIA/CAP Facility
- Downstream: Clinical Programs – Medical Team: Lu Daopei Hospital network and over 100 affiliated hospitals, the world’s single largest BMT and CAR-T treatment center; – Commercialization: B-to-B model for product development and global marketing (ACTEX ™ecosystem)
This kind of integration is a tremendous advantage for companies working in the clinical stage of the process, because it gives Avalon GloboCare a real-world path to market (and to potential revenues) without the imminent need to involve third parties or secure new funding.
That means the company has a direct pipeline that can take compelling research and new ideas, rapidly transform them into a marketable product, and then potentially fast-track the testing process.
Their lead CAR-T candidate, AVA-001, has already completed a pilot first-in-human trial in patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with a stated remission rate far higher than the industry standard.2 Avalon is currently expanding patient recruitment and indication.
Avalon recently announced a new research study applying artificial intelligence (AI) enhanced protein design “QTY Code” technology. The method is expected to accelerate the development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer. (12)
The research demonstrates a novel method for quickly predicting the design of so-called “water-loving” or hydrophilic variant structures of the 14 glucose transport membrane proteins in cells, which allows researchers to study the proteins more easily in water. Glucose transport membrane proteins are deregulated in many tumor types and are a potentially important target for cancer therapy. (12)
The “QTY Code” breakthrough technology, developed by Avalon and the laboratory of Dr. Shuguang Zhang, Ph.D. MIT’s Media Lab in Boston, MA, is a protein-design platform that can turn water-insoluble transmembrane receptor proteins into water-soluble proteins, enabling their use in many clinical applications, including drug development. (12)
A team of scientists led by Dr. Zhang applied the QTY code to the 14 glucose transport membrane proteins that transport sugar to cells. They used Google’s AlphaFold2, a DeepMind AI program, which can accurately and quickly predict how proteins fold. Dr. Zhang and his team used the QTY code with the open-source AlphaFold2 to predict the structures of these proteins in both their natural hydrophobic shapes and their QTY-code altered water-soluble shapes. (12)
Recently, Avalon jointly filed 16 patent applications, and co-invented with key strategic partners, including a top-5 U.S. university, a leading education and research center in Europe, as well as a premier multi-national developer of cellular therapies in the field of oncology. Patents were filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), and under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) covering 36 countries.
The new intellectual property covers three core patent families:
Engineering and bio-manufacturing of novel CAR T-cells related to the mRNA-based Flash-CARTM cellular therapy platform. This technology has been applied to Avalon’s AVA-011 CAR-T cell therapy candidate, which is currently at the process development stage to generate cGMP-grade CAR-T cells for upcoming first-in-human clinical trials.
Soluble, antibody-like cytokine/chemokine decoy receptors derived from the QTY protein design, with potential applications including mitigation of the “cytokine storm” associated with COVID-19 and cellular immunotherapy delivery, as well as broadening the range of therapeutic targets addressable by CAR T-cell therapies.
Novel S-layer coated emulsome technology (SLET)-derived fusion proteins intended for mucosal vaccine development, which are designed to trigger robust protective immune responses at the predominant sites of pathogen infection. The SLET platform provides a “molecular GPS system” to guide the trafficking and delivery of a payload to a targeted destination in the body.
Avalon’s HQ Sits In The Hotbed For Successful Biotech Development
Avalon’s headquarters is in Freehold, NJ, and for those who don’t know, New Jersey has one of the hottest breeding grounds for Biotech.
New Jersey’s biotechnology cluster has grown from a mere 30 companies in the early 1990s to approximately 3,200 establishments in the state today, with 46 of those firms responsible for a staggering 70 new FDA drug approvals between 2020 and 2021, according to the trade association BioNJ. And some experts believe that despite recent IPO and capital market challenges, the biotech cluster’s ascension will continue. (14)
Scientific advances and an advantageous New Jersey environment have fueled industry growth. (14)
Avalon’s positioning in New Jersey could prove to be a positive catalyst for growth.
Aggressive M&A Activity In The Space
At first, the trend was slow, but then quickly picked up as CAR-T therapies like Kymriah, Yes Carta, Tecartus, Breyanzi, and Abecma have reached the marketplace and created a CAR-T funding craze. (16)
Needless to say, CAR-T funding and investment activity are on the rise.
CAR-T start-ups have been richly funded by investors eager to get into this trending area of regenerative medicine. (16)
In total, financing rounds by CAR-T companies are approaching a total value of $4 billion, while CAR-T industry partnerships contribute another $2 billion. (16)
M&A activity has seemingly been aggressive with deals like:(16)
- Celgene Snagged Juno Therapeutics For $9 Billion In 2018
- Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) Acquired Celgene For $74B In 2019.
- Gilead’s Acquisition Of Kite Pharma For $11.9 Billion
- Astellas Pharma’s Acquisition Of Xyphos Biosciences And Its CAR-T Technology For $665 Million.
In aggregate, there has been nearly $100 billion of market capitalization from CAR-T companies within recent years. (16)
Ranging from small start-ups to billion-dollar companies, CAR-T companies are proliferating in all healthcare markets worldwide.(16)
Maybe that’s why Avalon insiders are holding tight?
According market research portal Finviz.com, Avalon insiders own over 63% of the company shares as of 7/29/22: (15)
CORE PRODUCTS
Avalon achieves and fosters seamless integration of unique verticals to bridge and accelerate innovative research, bio-process development, clinical programs and product commercialization.
Avalon’s upstream innovative research includes:
- Novel therapeutic and diagnostic targets development utilizing QTY-code protein design technology with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Co-development of next generation, transposon-based, multi-target CAR-T, CAR-NK and other immune effector cell therapeutic modalities with Arbele Corp.
Avalon’s downstream medical team and facility consists of top-rated affiliated hospital network and experts specialized in hematology, oncology, cellular immunotherapy, hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell transplant, as well as regenerative therapeutics.
Avalon GloboCare Receives Allowance for Joint U.S. Patent
Jointly with MIT, the Company also Submitted a New U.S. Patent Application for QTY Glucose Transporters
FREEHOLD, N.J., Sept. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Avalon GloboCare Corp. (NASDAQ: AVCO), a leading global developer of innovative cell-based technologies and therapeutics, today provided an update regarding the Company’s intellectual property portfolio featuring its QTY protein code technology.
The Company received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) related to its QTY fusion water-soluble receptor protein platform. The patent was jointly filed with Dr. Shuguang Zhang of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and covers seven claims related to the technology.
The Company also submitted a new patent application to the USPTO related to its QTY glucose transporter technology. This patent application was also jointly filed with Dr. Shuguang Zhang of MIT. QTY glucose transporters are deregulated in many tumor types and are potentially important targets for cancer therapy.
The “QTY Code,” is a breakthrough technology that can turn difficult to work with water-insoluble transmembrane receptor proteins into water-soluble proteins, enabling their potential use in many clinical applications, including drug development.
Avalon’s proprietary AVA-Trap™ technology utilizes the artificial intelligence (AI) enhanced QTY Code technology to turn receptor molecules into antibody-like decoy receptors that are able to mop up cytokines and chemokines, which are excessively produced during pathological conditions, such as COVID-19 and cancer metastasis.
“We continue to strengthen our IP portfolio as we believe our novel QTY code protein design technology holds great potential for biotechnology applications and could generate significant clinical advancements in cellular immunotherapy and immune-oncology,” said David Jin, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Avalon. “Our AI-enhanced protein design QTY Code technology co-developed with MIT’s Dr. Zhang is a novel platform that produces water-soluble proteins for a wide spectrum of biomedical applications including the design and construction of novel targets for application in cellular immunotherapy.”
“We are also pleased to submit a new patent application to the USPTO related to QTY glucose transporters, which are important cancer therapy targets. We believe using the QTY technology will accelerate our understanding of these proteins and the development of antibodies against them to treat cancer,” said Dr. Jin.
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Avalon Globocare (AVCO) – Investor Forum at the World Stem Cell Summit
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AVCO NEWS
AVCO MANAGEMENT TEAM
DAVID JIN
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
Dr. David Jin, MD, PhD, a director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and AHS. From 2009 to 2016, Dr. Jin has served as the Chief Medical Officer of BioTime, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTX), a clinical stage regenerative medicine company with a focus on pluripotent stem cell technology. Dr. Jin also acts as a senior translational clinician-scientist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Ansary Stem Cell Center at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University. Prior to his current endeavors, Dr. Jin was Chief Consultant/Advisor for various biotech/pharmaceutical companies regarding hematology, oncology, immunotherapy and stem cell-based technology development. Dr. Jin has been Principle Investigator in more than 15 pre-clinical and clinical trials, as well as author/co-author of over 80 peer-reviewed scientific abstracts, articles, reviews, and book chapters. Dr. Jin studied medicine at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, NY. He received his clinical training and subsequent faculty tenure at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital (the teaching hospital for both Cornell and Columbia Universities) in the areas of internal medicine, hematology, and clinical oncology. Dr. Jin was honored as Top Chief Medical Officer by ExecRank in 2012, as well as recognized as Leading Physicians of the World in 2015.
MENG LI
Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Director
Ms. Li served on the Company’s board from October 2017 through July 2018 and was re-appointed in February 2019. Ms. Li has over 15 years of executive experience in international marketing, branding, communications, and media investment consultancy. Ms. Li served as Managing Director at Maxus/GroupM (a WPP Group company) where she was responsible for business P&L and corporate management from 2006 to 2015. Prior to joining Maxus/Group M, Ms. Li worked for Zenith Media (a Publicis Group company) from 2000 to 2006 as Senior Manager. Ms. Li received a Bachelor of Arts in International Economic Law from Dalian Maritime University in China.
LUISA INGARGIOLA
Chief Financial Officer
Luisa Ingargiola has almost 20 years of experience in public company finance, compliance and capital markets oversight. She currently serves as Audit Chair of FTE Networks (FTNW) and Audit Chair of Electra Mecchanica (ECCTF). She has held various positions as Chief Financial Officer or Audit Chair with several public companies and has helped manage over $100 Million in financing. Ms. Ingargiola has helped guide the uplist of several OTC companies to NASDAQ or the NYSE. She graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and received her MBA in Health Administration from the University of South Florida.