Electric Car Wave Offers Opening to Startups

Source: MSNBC, Paul Eisenstein (11/17/10)

"A potentially industry-changing David-vs.-Goliath battle."

General Electric's announcement that it will switch to battery power for half its huge sales and service fleet comes as good news for proponents of electric propulsion.

General Motors alone stands to pick up orders for at least 12,000 Volt plug-in hybrids in a deal that is likely to be much-discussed at the annual Los Angeles Auto Show, which opens this week.

Proponents of what industry insiders refer to as "electrification" see GE's move as just the breakthrough battery cars need. Fleet buyers, rather than retail, may be the force that gives the nascent green technology the momentum it needs to reach critical mass, said Robbie Diamond, CEO of the Electrification Coalition, a trade group.

"Fleet owners and operators," he said, following the GE announcement, can "lead the way in this transformation. . .to accelerate the development of electric vehicles.

In a potentially industry-changing David-vs.-Goliath battle, fledgling makers such as Amp, Aptera, Think, Tesla and Fisker, among others, are betting they can take on the well-funded giants who have long dominated the automotive market.

"It's the first time where that's been possible in more than a half-century," said Jim Taylor, a former General Motors executive.

Aaron Bragman, an automotive analyst with HIS Global Insight, says he remains skeptical about the viability of electric propulsion, overall, particularly when it comes to the consumer market. But there's a real potential among fleet buyers, he adds, who are more likely to have a clear understanding of their daily driving requirements—and a significant desire to curb fuel costs.

Which, if any, automaker will make the battery market pay off remains to be seen, and it's far too early to tell whether it will be David or Goliath who can claim victory.

Novavax Shares Shoot 65% Higher on Phase 3 COVID-19 Vaccine Trial's 89.3% Effectiveness
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/29/2021)

Novavax Inc. shares established a new 52-week high after the firm's COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated an 89.3% efficacy rate in a Phase 3 trial in the U.K. and also showed efficacy against the South African variant in a Phase 2b trial.

Abiomed Shares Gain 8% After Firm Announces Record Q3 Revenue of $232 Million
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/28/2021)

Shares of cardiac medical device maker Abiomed Inc. traded higher after the company reported record revenue for Q3/21 despite the impact from COVID-19.

Sorrento Shares Rise 35% After Firm Posts Positive Data from Phase 1b ICU COVID-19 Trial
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/27/2021)

Shares of Sorrento Therapeutics traded higher after the company released positive preliminary results from it of Phase 1b COVI-MSC™ Study for treatment of hospitalized ICU COVID-19 patients.

Junior Mining Sector 'the Best Value in the Space'
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/27/2021)

The StreetSmart Live! Broadcast on Jan. 26, 2021, focused on metals and why now is a good time for investors to be looking at them and the mining space. John Newell, independent analyst and portfolio manager, and John Feneck, mining sector expert and president of Feneck Consulting, addressed the status of the current metals market. CEOs of the three metals-focused companies comprising the Metallic Group of Companies—Group Ten Metals, Metallic Minerals and Granite Creek Copper—discussed their projects.

Vir Shares Climb 48% on Initial Phase 1 Chronic Hepatitis B Trial Data
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/26/2021)

Vir Biotechnology shares traded higher after the company reported data from its Phase 1 Chronic Hepatitis B Study that showed VIR-3434 significantly and rapidly reduced hepatitis B surface antigen.

Aurinia Pharma Shares Open at 52-Week High as FDA Approves Adult Lupus Nephritis Drug
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/25/2021)

Shares of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals traded 30% higher after the company reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its LUPKYNIS™ (voclosporin) for use in treating adults with active lupus nephritis.

AzurRx Doses First Two People in Expanded Phase 2b Trial of Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/22/2021)

AzurRx BioPharma shares traded 45% higher after the firm advised it had dosed the first two patients in its Phase 2b OPTION 2 Extension Study of MS1819 for treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in patients with cystic fibrosis.

NGL Energy Shares Rise 21% as It Seeks to Raise $2.05 Billion from Senior Secured Note Offering
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/21/2021)

Shares of NGL Energy Partners LP traded higher after the firm made a series of announcements over the past three days regarding an update on financial operations, a settlement with a customer in bankruptcy, a quarterly Class D unit distribution and a $2.05 billion senior secured debt offering.

Explorer Discovers New Gold Mineralization at Abitibi Gold Belt Property
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/21/2021)

iMetal Resources is setting out to see if the multi-million ounce gold resource next door continues onto its Gowganda West property in Ontario.

Gritstone Oncology Licenses LNP Platform from Genevant Sciences to Develop COVID-19 Vaccine
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/20/2021)

Shares of Gritstone Oncology reached a new 52-week high price after the company advised it entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Genevant Sciences to develop and commercialize self-amplifying RNA vaccines for use against SARS-CoV-2.