• A recent report from India is a stark reminder of ricin’s accessibility and the pressing need for effective countermeasures.
• Ricin is a potent toxin capable of causing death within days of exposure because it stops protein synthesis inside cells, leading to organ failure.
• Soligenix has demonstrated meaningful preclinical efficacy for its ricin vaccine candidate.

A recent “Times of India” report spotlighted the danger posed by ricin, a highly toxic plant-derived compound with no known antidote and a history of attempted misuse by extremist actors. Soligenix (NASDAQ: SNGX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on biodefense solutions, is developing a vaccine candidate known as RiVax(R) to protect against ricin exposure, positioning the company’s work at the center of biodefense preparedness as public awareness of ricin’s lethality grows.

In a counter-terrorism operation in India, authorities recently foiled a ricin plot, underscoring how easily accessible castor beans can be transformed into the deadly toxin using common tools such as a coffee grinder. The report is a stark reminder of ricin’s accessibility and the pressing need for effective countermeasures. Ricin is derived from the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) and has been used in previous plots, including a 2018 incident in Germany where a couple manufactured ricin from castor seeds at home, illustrating that ricin’s danger extends beyond laboratory settings and into real-world security concerns.

Ricin is a potent toxin capable of causing death within days of exposure because it stops protein synthesis inside cells, leading to organ failure. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that there is currently no cure for ricin poisoning, and treatment is limited to supportive care such as respiratory support and fluids to manage symptoms. Ricin’s lethality is well documented; inhalation, ingestion or injection can all trigger severe systemic effects, and even small exposures are dangerous.

Because no targeted treatment exists, the public health and biodefense communities classify ricin as a serious biological threat. The toxin’s stability, ease of manufacture and high toxicity make it of concern to national security agencies. CDC and similar authorities designate ricin a level B biothreat with potential uses in bioterrorism. The “Times” article reinforces that these risks are not merely theoretical; law enforcement around the world continues to intercept ricin-related threats, highlighting the real-world urgency of effective countermeasures.

Soligenix has demonstrated meaningful preclinical efficacy for RiVax in animal models. Data show that the vaccine has provided up to 100% protection in mice and nonhuman primates (“NHPs”) exposed to lethal doses of ricin toxin delivered systemically or by aerosol, a route considered most dangerous for human exposure. Thermostabilization of RiVax using Soligenix’s ThermoVax(R) technology enables the vaccine to withstand elevated temperatures, a key attribute for biodefense stockpiles that may be stored outside stringent cold-chain environments. The vaccine also has shown extended protection, with vaccinated animals surviving lethal challenge long after immunization.

Further supporting its development, RiVax has earned regulatory recognitions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has granted Fast Track designation to the vaccine, a status intended to expedite the development and review of medical countermeasures addressing serious conditions. Additionally, RiVax has received Orphan Drug designation in both the United States and Europe, reflecting its potential importance as a medical countermeasure for a rare but high-impact threat.

In addition to its ricin vaccine work, Soligenix’s broader public health solutions business segment includes other high-priority biologics and vaccine candidates targeting emerging pathogens. The company leverages ThermoVax technology to enhance the stability of multiple vaccine formats, addressing the logistical challenges associated with cold-chain storage that hamper rapid response and stockpile management.

The threat of ricin plots arising from seemingly mundane materials highlights the gap in available countermeasures for such biological toxins. The absence of an antidote and the extreme toxicity inherent to ricin underscore the need for preparedness solutions beyond traditional therapeutic approaches. In this context, a proven vaccine capable of preventing systemic effects from ricin exposure represents a significant public health and biodefense advantage.

RiVax’s durability, evidenced by thermostability and strong protective efficacy in animal models, could allow for strategic stockpiling in national stockpiles and rapid deployment to first responders, military personnel and vulnerable civilian populations should a ricin incident occur. Continued development and regulatory progression of the vaccine may also inform broader strategies for biodefense and emergency readiness in a world where accessible biological threats continue to challenge health security systems.

For more information, visit www.Soligenix.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SNGX are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SNGX

Disseminated on behalf of Powermax Minerals Inc. (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF) and may include paid advertising.

• The field exploration program generated a substantial geological, geochemical, and radiometric dataset across multiple target areas.
• Mapping identified granitic and pegmatitic units considered favorable hosts for rare earth element mineralization.
• Radiometric surveys returned elevated readings that warrant further investigation, with pending assay results from 426 samples expected to guide next exploration steps.
• The companies increasing progress aligns with rising investor focus on securing non-Chinese rare earth supply chains.

Powermax Minerals (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF), a Canadian mineral exploration company, has completed its 2025 field exploration program at the Atikokan Rare Earth Elements property, marking a key technical milestone as the company advances its portfolio of REE-focused assets. The property is located in the Atikokan–Ignace–White Otter Lake district of northwestern Ontario, a region with established infrastructure and a history of mineral exploration.

Details of the completed program were outlined in a December 17, 2025, announcement which described a systematic exploration campaign designed to evaluate the geological and geochemical potential of the Atikokan property. The 2025 field program combined geological mapping, prospecting, ground-based radiometric surveys, and geochemical sampling across several priority target areas (https://ibn.fm/BaIsZ).

In total, 426 samples were collected, including quality assurance and quality control material. The sample set comprised 251 soil samples, 10 sediment samples, and 165 rock samples, providing broad coverage of both outcropping and overburden-covered areas.

Geological mapping identified three principal lithological domains across the property. Block A is dominated by granodiorite to granite, while Block B consists mainly of gneissic tonalite, with granodiorite and granite appearing in its northern portion. Block C is also largely gneissic tonalite, with granodiorite and granite becoming more prominent toward the north-northeast.

Granitic and pegmatitic rocks are commonly associated with late-stage magmatic processes, during which incompatible elements such as rare earths can become concentrated. By contrast, gneissic tonalite is generally viewed as less prospective unless it has been overprinted by later intrusions or fluid-driven alteration.

Powermax reported the presence of granitic and pegmatitic units across parts of the Atikokan property, which management considers a favorable geological indicator. While the company cautioned that there is no assurance of economic mineralization, the mapping results provide a framework for prioritizing future sampling and drill targets.

Radiometric surveying was another central component of the 2025 program. These surveys measure natural gamma radiation, reported in counts per second, which can reflect the presence of potassium, thorium, and uranium, elements that frequently occur alongside REEs in granitic and pegmatitic systems.

Background radiometric levels in gneissic tonalite typically ranged from 60 to 80 cps, considered low in a regional context. However, where pegmatite bands and pods were present within tonalite, readings increased to approximately 250 to 400 cps. Granitic and granodioritic units returned higher values overall, ranging from about 100 to as high as 2,700 cps, with the strongest responses recorded in pegmatitic zones.

From an exploration standpoint, readings above 200–300 cps are often viewed as anomalous in granitoid terrains, while values exceeding 500 cps generally justify closer follow-up. The elevated responses observed at Atikokan therefore support continued geological and geochemical evaluation.

The ground program complements a high-resolution helicopter-borne magnetic and radiometric survey that Powermax has already completed over the property. The company is awaiting final interpretation from the survey contractor, which will integrate airborne geophysical data with the 2025 field results. Management expects this integrated dataset to help refine structural controls, prioritize anomalies, and shape the next phase of exploration.

All samples collected during the program were transported under chain-of-custody procedures to AGAT Laboratories in Calgary, an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited facility, for multi-element geochemical analysis. Assay results have not yet been released and will be a near-term focus for investors assessing the project’s potential.

Chief Executive Officer Paul Gorman described the program as a foundational step for the Atikokan asset, noting that the scale and systematic approach have produced a robust technical dataset to support evaluation of both rare earth and critical metals potential.

The work at Atikokan takes place against a broader backdrop of rising strategic interest in rare earth elements. Global demand is projected to grow sharply, driven by electric vehicles, wind power, and defense applications. At the same time, supply chains remain heavily concentrated in China, which controls a majority of mining and processing capacity.

Powermax is positioning its portfolio to align with these trends. In addition to Atikokan, the company holds options on the Cameron REE Property in British Columbia and the Pinard REE Property in northern Ontario, and owns a 100% interest in the Ogden Bear Lodge Project in Wyoming.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PowermaxMinerals.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PWMXF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PWMXF

• The algorithm outlined in the patent application describes an approach to enhancing the detection precision and accuracy of AI when used to detect small objects in drone imagery.
• This patent filing is the latest in the company’s IP portfolio which includes other awarded and filed patents.
• Safe Pro Group has expanded international filings to protect the company’s IP rights in several countries and jurisdictions.

Safe Pro Group (NASDAQ: SPAI), a developer of AI-powered security and defense solutions, recently announced the filing of the company’s most recent patent application (https://ibn.fm/G982Q).

The patent is for Safe Pro’s AI-powered computer vision technology that helps to rapidly and autonomously detect small explosive threats in drone-based videos and images. The patent, titled “Object Detection Precision Enhancement Methods, Tools and Systems,” outlines an algorithm that details an approach to enhancing the detection precision and accuracy of AI when used to detect small objects in drone images.

This approach to analyzing these drone images has already shown improved effectiveness over traditional methods in wide-scale operations where rapid analysis and processing is required. Safe Pro will be highlighting these enhanced capabilities at numerous upcoming events with the U.S. Army.

Speaking about the company’s technology, Chairman and CEO of Safe Pro Group Inc., Dan Erdberg, said that “Our AI team continues to rapidly enhance our unique AI-powered computer vision technology, greatly improving the accuracy of threat detection, capabilities built on growing real-world data and usage. The result is a leap in precision and operational reliability for large-scale missions that depend on trustworthy object detection, from landmine clearance to broader security and inspection applications.”

Safe Pro’s current IP portfolio includes the awarded US Patent No. 12,146,729, which incorporates 21 claims made in the company’s original patent application titled, “Systems and Methods for Detecting and Identifying Explosives.” This patent is valid until 2043 and captures the ground-breaking nature of the company’s SpotlightAI(TM) platform and how it can transform the humanitarian, demining, agriculture, and defense industries.

The company has also expanded international filings by entering into the national phase of a previously filed international application that it filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”) in Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Ukraine, and Israel. Recently, the company also took a step towards acquiring international IP protection as it received notice of official publication of the company’s application in Europe, Australia, and Israel.

About Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI)

Safe Pro Group is a tech company that delivers advanced AI-driven solutions in the defense and security industries. At the heart of the company’s mission is a patented computer vision software technology that is used to detect and identify small objects, such as landmines and other unexploded ordnance (“UXO”), in drone-based imagery and videos.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SafeProGroup.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SPAI are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SPAI

• Chairman and CEO Moishe Gubin used his NobleCon21 presentation to outline Strawberry Fields REIT’s disciplined expansion strategy and long-term approach to healthcare real estate.
• The company now holds long-term leasehold interests in 142 healthcare facilities with more than 15,500 licensed beds across 10 states.
• Gubin emphasized a conservative acquisition philosophy, with each property evaluated from an operator’s perspective despite the company’s role as a self-administered REIT.
• The REIT has consistently collected 100% of rents and maintains long-term triple-net leases with 3% annual increases.
• Third-quarter 2025 results showed continued momentum, including rental income of $39.7 million and AFFO of $18.1 million.
• The company maintains a payout ratio below 50%, allowing retained cash flow to fund acquisitions and support long-term AFFO growth.

Strawberry Fields REIT (NYSE American: STRW), a self-administered real estate investment trust specializing in healthcare-related properties, recently attended NobleCon21, where it reinforced how key concepts of disciplined acquisition, predictable cash flow, and long-term stability form the core of its strategy. Speaking at the annual growth event hosted by Noble Capital Markets, Chairman and CEO Moishe Gubin described a methodical expansion approach that has allowed the company to build one of the larger skilled-nursing-focused real estate portfolios in the United States (https://ibn.fm/62vC3).

The company concentrates on the acquisition, and leasing of skilled nursing and other healthcare-related properties. It does not develop or operate the facilities it owns. Instead, Strawberry Fields enters long-term triple-net leases with skilled operators, a structure that places operating costs, maintenance, taxes, and insurance obligations on the tenant while delivering predictable rental income to the REIT.

Gubin noted that the company’s portfolio has expanded significantly since 2015, when it spun out with 33 properties concentrated in Indiana and Illinois. Strawberry Fields now holds long-term leasehold interests in 142 facilities and more than 15,500 licensed beds, representing roughly 1% of U.S. nursing home capacity. This growth aligns with a broader demographic trend: the U.S. elderly care market, valued at $49.29 billion in 2024, is projected to nearly double to $98.19 billion by 2032 (https://ibn.fm/dgMsV).

While the company has grown its geographic footprint, which today spans Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas, Gubin emphasized that expansion has been steady rather than hurried. He described reviewing roughly 300 potential acquisitions each year, submitting offers on a fraction, and ultimately closing five to ten properties annually. According to Gubin, the limiting factor is discipline, not access to capital.

A notable feature of the company’s approach is the use of master leases by geography. Rather than lease each building individually, Strawberry Fields groups properties into larger portfolios for one or two operators in each state. Gubin explained that this reduces risk: tenants cannot “cherry-pick” preferred facilities, and the performance of the portfolio as a whole supports rent coverage. This structure has contributed to the company’s record of collecting 100% of rents for seven to eight consecutive years.

The company’s leases typically begin at a 10% unlevered return, with 3% annual increases. The company targets an effective, levered, return of around 17% over time. Because rent levels are fixed rather than indexed to operator performance, rental income remains consistent regardless of operational variability at the tenant level.

At NobleCon21, Gubin reiterated that the company evaluates each property “as if we were the operator,” even though it remains strictly a landlord. He stressed that integrity, operational experience, and financial stability are the criteria he considers when selecting tenants. These tenant relationships often extend beyond formal asset management, with Gubin himself maintaining regular direct communication.

The presentation also highlighted portfolio diversification. While the company began with concentration in two states and a single tenant group, today the tenant base spans multiple independent operators in ten states.

Financial performance has remained a central element of the company’s message. For the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, Strawberry Fields reported rental income of $39.7 million, up $6.6 million from the prior year, driven by recent acquisitions in Missouri and Oklahoma. Funds From Operations rose to $20.7 million from $15.2 million in 2024, while Adjusted FFO expanded to $18.1 million from $14.3  million. Net income increased to $8.9 million to $6.9 million during the same period (https://ibn.fm/2TbZV).

The company maintains a payout ratio of roughly 47%, which Gubin said is intentionally conservative. Retained cash flow is deployed toward additional acquisitions, supporting the AFFO growth he sees as a key differentiator relative to REITs that distribute nearly all free cash.

Strawberry Fields reports approximately $1.1 billion in assets, at historical cost, and a market capitalization of about $750 million. Its debt mix includes long-duration HUD financing, Israeli bond issuances, and conventional debt. Gubin said a future step for the company is to secure a traditional unsecured line of credit, a feature common among large REITs and one he believes may help align market perception with available liquidity.

For investors tracking the senior housing and skilled nursing segments, Strawberry Fields presents a REIT model built on long-term leases, consistent rent collection, and measured expansion. The company’s approach avoids development exposure and operational risk, focusing instead on cash-flow stability in a sector expected to expand steadily over the next decade. Strawberry Fields is positioning its portfolio to meet rising demand through continued disciplined acquisition and tenant-focused underwriting, a strategy Gubin describes as central to both the company’s current performance and its long-term trajectory.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.StrawberryFieldsREIT.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to STRW are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/STRW

• A central pillar of Search Mineral’s commitment to the community is its long-standing partnership with the NunatuKavut Community Council
• The company further reinforces this partnership through its governance structure
• Search Minerals also maintains frequent dialogue with leaders in St. Lewis, Mary’s Harbour and Port Hope Simpson

Disseminated on behalf of Search Minerals Inc. (TSX.V: SMY) (OTC: SHCMF) and may include paid advertising.

Search Minerals (TSX.V: SMY) (OTC: SHCMF) is advancing rare earth development in Labrador with a strong focus on community partnership, Indigenous engagement and responsible long-term stewardship. As the company advances work across its Critical Rare Earth Element (“CREE”) Districts, it is committed to the principle that technical advancement must move in step with meaningful relationships. 

Search Minerals has built this foundation by collaborating closely with the NunatuKavut Community Council, inviting Indigenous leadership into its boardroom and maintaining open dialogue with municipal leaders in nearby communities. This collaborative model shapes environmental assessments, land-use planning and community engagement, underscoring the company’s commitment to ethical development and a durable social license.

A central pillar of that commitment is the company’s long-standing partnership with the NunatuKavut Community Council, which represents many Indigenous communities in southern and central Labrador. Search Minerals and NunatuKavut first entered a collaboration agreement in 2012 to guide communication, consultation processes and shared planning. Their renewed agreement, announced in 2021, strengthens this cooperative framework and outlines commitments related to project monitoring, employment pathways and culturally informed decision-making. 

The company further reinforces this partnership through its governance structure. Search Minerals appointed NunatuKavut representative Diane Poole to its board of directors, integrating Indigenous leadership directly into strategic oversight. Her involvement provides an essential perspective on cultural considerations, community priorities and collaborative development practices. Her appointment highlights the importance of Indigenous representation within corporate decision-making.  

These relationships guide the company’s plans as it advances environmental and technical studies for the Foxtrot and Deep Fox deposits. Search Minerals continues to refine its development model using its patented direct extraction technology, designed to reduce emissions, lower chemical use and minimize waste relative to traditional rare earth processing methods. By linking improved environmental performance with strong community relationships, the company aims to align its projects with both global supply chain needs and local sustainability expectations.

Search Minerals also maintains frequent dialogue with leaders in St. Lewis, Mary’s Harbour and Port Hope Simpson, three communities located near its exploration and development activities. Municipal consultations allow residents and officials to share priorities related to land use, environmental protection, economic development and long-term regional planning. These discussions help ensure that communities have a meaningful voice in shaping how rare earth development evolves in their region. 

These engagements directly influence the preparation of environmental assessments and regulatory filings. By incorporating feedback from NunatuKavut and local municipalities, Search Minerals works to ensure that baseline studies, cultural resource reviews, wildlife considerations and mitigation proposals reflect both regulatory expectations and community values. This approach strengthens transparency and helps build a durable social license as the company moves through successive stages of exploration and permitting.

Search Minerals has also outlined its commitment to creating long-term benefits for the region. The company has identified potential opportunities for local employment, training, business partnerships and community investment aligned with responsible resource development. These commitments complement broader provincial and federal goals to develop domestic critical minerals supply chain. The government of Canada has emphasized the importance of rare earth production within its national critical minerals strategy and has previously invested in technology development supporting REE.

As global demand for rare earth elements continues to rise, Search Minerals is positioning its Labrador district as a responsible contributor to the North American supply chain. By integrating Indigenous leadership, community consultation and environmental stewardship into every stage of its planning, the company demonstrates that ethical development and critical mineral production can advance together. Its collaborative approach strengthens trust, enhances transparency and reinforces the social foundations necessary for long-term success in Labrador.

For more information, visit the company’s website at https://searchminerals.ca.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SHCMF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SHCMF

• Director Michael Blisko’s open-market share purchase signals ongoing insider confidence in OptimumBank’s outlook.
• The Bank posted its strongest quarter on record in Q3 2025, with net earnings of $4.32 million and ROE of about 22.6%.
• Net interest margin expanded to 4.37%, supported by higher-yielding loans and disciplined funding costs.
• Assets topped $1.08 billion and deposits approached $960 million, extending multi-year growth trends.
• Management continues to emphasize relationship banking and selective expansion across South Florida.

OptimumBank Holdings (NYSE American: OPHC), a community and business bank serving Florida, entered the final quarter of 2025 with a visible signal of internal confidence and a set of financial results that place it among the stronger performers in the U.S. community banking sector. The company disclosed earlier this month that Director Michael Blisko purchased additional shares of OptimumBank stock in the open market, a move that coincided closely with management’s characterization of the third quarter as the strongest in the Bank’s history.

According to a Form 4 filing, Blisko acquired 7,600 shares at an average price of $4.09, for a total investment of roughly $31,000 (https://ibn.fm/EIiIa). Insider purchases are closely watched by investors, particularly in smaller financial institutions, as they often reflect directors’ conviction in the sustainability of earnings and balance sheet strength. In this case, the transaction followed a quarter in which OptimumBank delivered record profitability and continued balance sheet expansion.

Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, OptimumBank Holdings is a one-bank holding company that owns 100% of OptimumBank, a relationship-driven financial institution serving business and consumer clients both within Florida and beyond. Founded in 2000, the bank has built its franchise around personalized, high-touch banking, combining deep community roots with the ability to support clients across multiple markets without sacrificing service or discipline.

In the third quarter of 2025, OptimumBank reported net earnings of $4.32 million, or $0.37 per basic share, compared with $3.60 million in the prior quarter and $3.30 million in the year-earlier period (https://ibn.fm/WVxp9). For the first nine months of the year, net earnings reached $11.8 million, up from $9.17 million during the same period in 2024.

Net interest income was a primary driver. It rose to $11.05 million in the quarter, an increase of $810,000 from Q2 and more than $2 million from Q3 2024. Management attributed the improvement to higher yields on loans and other earning assets, coupled with stable funding costs as older, lower-rate loans rolled off the balance sheet.

That dynamic pushed OptimumBank’s net interest margin to 4.37% in the quarter, up five basis points sequentially and ahead of the 4.24% year-to-date margin reported earlier in the year. During the Q3 earnings call, executives noted that new loan originations are being booked at higher rates while efforts to reduce interest expense continue, supporting margin expansion (https://ibn.fm/bsg8Y).

Balance sheet growth has remained brisk. Total assets increased by nearly $84 million during the quarter to $1.08 billion, representing an annualized growth rate of roughly 34%. Deposits rose by $80.6 million to $959.5 million, a 9.17% quarter-over-quarter increase and nearly 37% on an annualized basis. Since the third quarter of 2024, deposits have grown by approximately $153 million.

Significantly for a community bank operating in a competitive rate environment, a meaningful portion of that funding remains relationship-based. Core noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased by more than $54 million during the quarter to about $314 million. The bank reported no borrowings in Q3, underscoring the strength of its deposit franchise.

Loan growth has been led by commercial real estate. Gross loans increased by $29.2 million in the quarter to $813.7 million, with commercial real estate balances rising by $46.6 million. Consumer loans also grew modestly, while land and construction loans declined as projects transitioned into permanent financing and management moderated exposure.

Capital strength remains a central theme. Total stockholders’ equity increased to $116.9 million at September 30, 2025, and the Tier 1 capital-to-assets ratio stood at 11.71%, well above the regulatory minimum. During the earnings call, management indicated that this capital position provides flexibility to pursue organic growth and consider mergers and acquisitions if opportunities align with the Bank’s strategy.

Chairman Moishe Gubin framed the results within the context of OptimumBank’s 25th anniversary, pointing to disciplined deposit pricing, targeted lending, and operational focus as drivers of performance. He has also emphasized the Bank’s community orientation, noting in a recent interview that OptimumBank is highly competitive based upon strong customer service and long-term relationships.

“Our momentum continues to build as we expand our customer base, strengthen our core earnings, and deliver meaningful value to our shareholders. Despite ongoing industry headwinds, our team’s disciplined approach to deposit pricing, targeted lending, and operating efficiency continues to drive results. With a growing foundation of loyal customers and a well-capitalized balance sheet, we are entering our next chapter with confidence, agility, and excitement for the opportunities ahead,” Gubin said.

For more information, visit the Bank’s website at www.OptimumBank.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to OPHC are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/OPHC

• Earlier this year, Forward Industries pivoted toward digital asset management, transforming into the world’s largest Solana-based DAT.
• The Oak Ridge report observes a notable expansion in institutional activity even amid the downturn in the crypto market.
• The report highlights the company’s rapid expansion of its digital infrastructure.

Forward Industries (NASDAQ: FWDI) is the focus of a new analyst report from Oak Ridge Financial, which reiterates a Buy rating and establishes a $10 price target. The report highlights the company’s ongoing transformation into the world’s largest Solana-based Digital Asset Treasury (“DAT”) and evaluates why analysts believe the company may be positioned for long-term value creation.

Forward Industries previously operated as a design, manufacturing and sourcing group, but earlier this year, the company pivoted toward digital asset management. Following a $1.65 billion private placement that provided significant cash and stablecoin commitments, the company now centers its business strategy on acquiring Solana, deploying those holdings across staking, DeFi strategies and institutional partnerships, and growing its asset value through active management. The firm currently holds nearly seven million Solana tokens and maintains approximately $30 million in operating capital for strategic deployment. This shift has made the company one of the most prominent participants in the emerging Solana DAT category.

The report acknowledges the volatility in the broader crypto market. Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana have each fallen significantly from recent highs as tighter liquidity and fewer expected interest rate cuts have pressured risk assets. Yet Oak Ridge observes a notable expansion in institutional activity even amid the downturn. The number of publicly traded Solana DATs has doubled from 9 to 18, and combined token holdings across the group have risen 35%. Growth in staking-focused ETFs has also gained momentum, with inflows increasing from about $400 million to more than $880 million since the firm’s earlier research. Oak Ridge interprets both developments as signs of deepening structural adoption.

Within that expanding landscape, Forward Industries stands out for its scale and evolving strategy. The company holds 6.92 million Solana tokens, generating native staking yields between 6.8% and just over 7% before fees. It recently partnered with Sanctum to launch a liquid staking token called fwdSOL, which represents 25% of its holdings. 

This arrangement allows the company to continue earning staking yield while simultaneously deploying the token into additional on-chain strategies, including borrowing against the asset to pursue vetted DeFi or institutionally originated yield opportunities. The Oak Ridge report emphasizes that these approaches could allow the company to accrue Solana at a faster rate than traditional staking alone.

The report also highlights the company’s rapid expansion of its digital infrastructure. Since adopting the DAT model, Forward Industries has launched a $4 billion at-the-market program, partnered with Superstate to enable tokenization of its publicly traded shares on the Solana blockchain, established an institutional-grade validator on the network, authorized a $1 billion share repurchase program and formed a 25-member advisory board. 

Oak Ridge views these developments as evidence of strong governance and strategic backing from major digital asset leaders including Galaxy Digital, Multicoin Capital and Jump Crypto. The firm also notes key executive appointments, including a new chief investment officer and general counsel, which it believes strengthen the company’s ability to execute advanced capital markets and yield strategies.

In assessing valuation, the report noted that Oak Ridge originally anticipated some reversion of the company’s premium to its mark-to-net asset value (“mNAV”) but did not expect the level of decline that occurred following recent market pressure. With the company now trading at roughly 0.73 times its mNAV, Oak Ridge observes that the valuation may represent an unjustified discount. 

The firm’s $10 price target is based on an assumed mNAV of 1.1 times, the company’s current token holdings, and an estimated Solana price of $150 in fiscal year 2026. While Oak Ridge acknowledges the difficulty in forecasting token prices, it cites technical support levels and the company’s ability to generate incremental yield as reasons for applying a premium multiple over time.

The report also noted risks, including the company’s concentrated exposure to Solana, potential leverage-driven vulnerabilities if token prices fall, and competitive or technological risks related to blockchain ecosystem development. Still, Oak Ridge concludes that Forward Industries offers a compelling opportunity for investors who are comfortable with the volatility of digital assets and interested in the long-term potential of the DAT model.

By combining substantial token holdings, advanced yield strategies and the structural advantages of a public DAT, Forward Industries is positioned to benefit from the ongoing institutionalization of the crypto ecosystem. The Buy rating reflects the Oak Ridge’s belief that the current discount to mNAV provides an attractive entry point for risk-tolerant investors willing to look beyond near-term market volatility.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ForwardIndustries.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to FWDI are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/FWDI

• Research indicates that the advantages of nanoparticle delivery in pharma are significant
• Oncotelic Therapeutics has advanced nanoparticle-based delivery strategies through its joint venture entity, involving its Deciparticle platform
• Oncotelic is leveraging the very concepts of nanoparticle-mediated delivery in a real-world clinical context

In the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical innovation, nanoparticles are rapidly transforming how we think about drug delivery, and Oncotelic Therapeutics (OTCQB: OTLC) is placing itself at the heart of that transformation by applying ultra-small carrier technologies to elevate existing cancer therapies. The company is pioneering how nanotechnology can enhance bioavailability, precision targeting and therapeutic performance of anticancer compounds.

At their core, nanoparticles are engineered particles typically in the 1–100 nm range that act as vehicles or “carriers” for therapeutic agents, enabling enhanced absorption, improved tissue penetration and reduced off-target effects. As one review explains, “nanoparticles have been developed to overcome the limitations of free therapeutics and navigate biological barriers-systemic, microenvironmental and cellular” (ibn.fm/SJYnl).

In the pharmaceutical space, this means a shift from simply discovering new drug molecules to optimizing how well those molecules reach the target site, release at the right time and avoid toxicity. Research has indicated that nanoparticles used as drug-delivery systems can transport proteins, antibiotics, vaccinations and gene therapies, offering benefits such as site-targeted drug activity at an appropriate therapeutic rate and dosing regimen (ibn.fm/vKKdL).

The advantages of nanoparticle delivery in pharma are significant. For example, a 2025 formulation-oriented review highlights how modern nanomedicine platforms allow more precise control of particle size, surface properties and API release kinetics, which in turn enable better therapeutic index and improved patient outcomes (ibn.fm/yGYAp). Engineering precision nanoparticles also helps traverse notoriously difficult biological barriers such as the tumor microenvironment or the blood-brain barrier, which historically limit chemotherapies or biologics (ibn.fm/mvbmf). Furthermore, such systems allow for reduced dosage, less systemic toxicity, and improved targeting of hard-to-reach tumors or metastatic niches. The contemporary view holds that nanocarrier-enabled formulations may be as transformative for drug delivery as the advent of monoclonal antibodies was for biologics.

Into this context, Oncotelic Therapeutics, which in its most recent news has advanced nanoparticle-based delivery strategies through its joint venture entity, involving its Deciparticle(TM) platform. The company is now preparing its first-in-human study of an intravenous Everolimus (Afinitor(R)) nanoformulation (Sapu-003) that it codevelops via its subsidiary/partner Sapu Nano. According to the company, Sapu003 is designed to overcome the absorption and tumor-penetration limits of conventional oral Everolimus (Afinitor(R)) by delivering full bioavailability via intravenous nanoparticle delivery (ibn.fm/8kKQd).

Oncotelic’s latest publication (in partnership with Sapu) further underscores the platform’s scientific foundations: a peer-reviewed article on sub-15 nm nanoparticles for drug delivery highlights how ultra-small nanoparticle carriers can deliver deeper tumor diffusion, faster renal clearance (reducing systemic exposure) and enhanced barrier crossing, all attributes that directly support Oncotelic’s planned pipeline (ibn.fm/3NyyT).

The company has reached several strategic milestones. First, the company’s joint venture is preparing to enroll patients in its Sapu003 Phase 1 human trial in Australia, targeting hard-to-treat hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer and other indications. Second, Oncotelic emphasizes that by optimizing an already-approved drug (everolimus) through a nanoparticle formulation, the risk profile is, in theory, reduced because the molecule is established but its delivery remains untapped. Third, the broader implication is that Oncotelic’s Deciparticle platform might serve as a delivery engine for multiple drugs suffering from low absorption, high toxicity or limited tissue access, not only oncology but potentially neurological, rare or immunology niches.

What ties this back to the larger pharmaceutical role of nanoparticles is clear: Oncotelic is leveraging the very concepts of nanoparticle-mediated delivery in a real-world clinical context. The company is positioned at the intersection of nanotechnology and oncology therapeutics: By repacking existing compounds into a nanoparticle architecture, Oncotelic is working to extract additional value, improve efficacy and potentially accelerate time-to-market relative to whole new chemical entities.

The recent peer-review publication on sub-15 nm design features lends technical credibility to the work, while the announced human trial of Sapu003 marks the transition from concept to execution. While challenges remain, Oncotelic’s alignment with the core principles of nanoparticle drug delivery suggests it is well positioned. Beyond oncology, the modular nature of the Deciparticle engine offers the potential to expand into multiple therapeutic areas, thereby extending the platform’s value and relevance.

The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly recognizing that controlling how a drug is delivered is as important as which drug is delivered, and in that paradigm shift, nanoparticles are emerging as the critical enabler. Oncotelic Therapeutics is leveraging that shift through its nanoparticle-based Deciparticle formulation strategy and its Sapu003 program, aligning the company with both the technological evolution of drug delivery and the clinical need for more efficient, safer therapies. As the Sapu003 human study unfolds and additional assets potentially join the platform, Oncotelic stands to emerge as a noteworthy player in the growing nanomedicine space.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Oncotelic.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to OTLC are available in the company’s newsroom at ibn.fm/OTLC

Disseminated on behalf of SPARC AI Inc. (CSE: SPAI) (OTCQB: SPAIF) and may include paid advertising.

• Fiber-optic drones have become essential for evading electronic warfare but leave hazardous cable webs across battlefields that force soldiers to move with extreme caution
• SPARC AI’s GPS-free navigation and targeting technology eliminates the need for physical tethers, delivering precision without leaving battlefield debris
• The company’s recent STRIKE-1 drone acquisition and pixel-level geolocation capability position it as a software-first alternative to hardware-dependent solutions in contested environments

On modern battlefields, the solution to one problem has created another. To counter pervasive electronic warfare and signal jamming, both Russian and Ukrainian forces have turned to fiber-optic FPV drones controlled by physical cables instead of radio frequencies. These un-jammable systems have become so widespread that their fiber-optic cables now litter combat zones, creating tangled webs that Ukrainian special operator Khyzhak describes as a dangerous tactical obstacle. Soldiers must now navigate carefully around these threads, unable to distinguish between harmless cables and deliberate booby traps.

SPARC AI (CSE: SPAI) (OTCQB: SPAIF) offers a different approach entirely. Rather than replacing one physical dependency with another, the company has developed software-only solutions that enable drones and robotic systems to acquire targets and navigate autonomously without GPS, sensors, radar, lidar, or physical tethers. In signal-jammed environments where fiber-optic drones currently dominate, SPARC AI’s technology delivers the same jamming resistance without leaving physical evidence behind.

The Software Alternative to Physical Tethers

Traditional drone warfare relied on radio-frequency connections until both sides mastered signal jamming. The fiber-optic response solved the jamming problem but introduced new complications. These cables range from 10 to 50 kilometers in length, get tangled in trees and terrain, and force ground troops to slow their movements or halt entirely when encountering suspicious webbing. The cables become battlefield litter that complicates operations long after the drones have completed their missions.

SPARC AI’s approach eliminates these issues through mathematical modeling instead of hardware. The company’s patented technology builds three-dimensional spatial understanding of terrain and position using only basic telemetry data from cameras. This enables drones to determine precise geolocations and navigate autonomously in Denied, Degraded, Intermittent, and Limited environments where GPS and radio communications fail.

On November 25, 2025, SPARC AI announced delivery of two custom STRIKE-1 drones specifically designed to demonstrate these capabilities. The platforms provide consistent testing environments for the company’s target acquisition system and autonomous navigation technology, supporting both internal validation and customer trials. This hardware acquisition marks a shift from purely software development to integrated demonstration capability.

Recent Technological Advancements

The company’s December 2 announcement of pixel-level target acquisition capability represents a significant technical milestone. The new Image Targeting module within the Overwatch platform calculates latitude, longitude, and military MGRS coordinates for any pixel in a still image. Testing demonstrated the system’s ability to measure object height from single images, with one scenario accurately determining a building that stood 13.62 meters tall at 318 meters distance while the drone operated at 60 meters above ground level.

This capability transforms ordinary photographs into spatially referenced intelligence. Field personnel can capture standard images that enable mission control to identify both operator position and target coordinates without additional hardware. For military operations in signal-denied environments, this converts any smartphone or camera into a precision targeting tool.

SPARC AI integrates these capabilities into its Overwatch Intelligence Platform, which combines targeting and navigation into a unified workflow. The system operates with zero detectable emissions, ensuring complete operational security in contested environments. Unlike competitors such as Visual-Aided Inertial Navigation Systems that require accelerometers, gyros, and visual sensors, SPARC AI’s software-first architecture eliminates weight, power draw, and hardware dependencies.

Strategic Positioning and Market Approach

The company’s business model centers on recurring annual fees per connected device, targeting defense, security, and commercial markets. SPARC AI’s successful integration with the Parrot ANAFI USA GOV military drone establishes a proven benchmark for lightweight, battle-ready applications. Parrot features SPARC AI on its Solution Partner website, providing validation for the technology’s defense readiness.

With 15 years of research and development backing registered patents in seven countries including the United States, SPARC AI has built substantial intellectual property around its core technology. The company’s mission targets to connect one million devices to the Overwatch platform, enabling target acquisition and autonomous navigation across any device type without GPS dependency.

The Broader Electronic Warfare Context

Modern warfare increasingly centers on electronic warfare capabilities. The proliferation of fiber-optic drones in Ukraine demonstrates how quickly combatants adapt to jamming environments. Russian forces have deployed fiber-optic variants with 50-kilometer range, exceeding typical cable limitations. Ukraine has responded with protective netting over supply routes, though this provides incomplete defense against the threat.

These developments highlight the strategic value of technologies that operate effectively in signal-denied environments without creating new vulnerabilities. Fiber-optic drones trade radio-frequency vulnerability for physical cable limitations. SPARC AI’s approach sidesteps both issues through mathematical precision that requires neither radio signals nor physical connections.

NATO leadership has taken notice of innovations emerging from the conflict, using battlefield lessons to inform military planning. Technologies proven in Ukraine’s high-intensity electronic warfare environment carry significant credibility for defense procurement decisions globally.

For defense contractors and military planners evaluating GPS-denied navigation solutions, SPARC AI represents a fundamentally different architecture. Rather than adding sensors to compensate for GPS loss, or tethering systems with fiber-optic cables, the company’s software calculates position and targeting through terrain-based mathematical models. This zero-signature, hardware-independent approach addresses the core problem that fiber-optic drones solve while eliminating the battlefield debris they create.

The tangled webs forcing Ukrainian soldiers to advance with caution illustrate how tactical solutions can introduce new complications. SPARC AI’s technology offers precision without cables.

For more information, visit the company’s website at https://sparcai.co.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SPAIF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SPAIF

Disseminated on behalf of Fairchild Gold Corp. (TSX.V: FAIR) (OTCID: FCHDF) and may include paid advertising.

• Nevada Titan sits in the historic Goodsprings district, where recent sampling returned grades up to 34% copper with gold and silver credits across a 1.5-kilometer corridor
• Fairchild acquired Carlin Queen in October 2025, positioned at the intersection of the Carlin Trend (98 million ounces produced) and Midas-Hollister corridor
• Golden Arrow acquisition adds a NI 43-101 historic resource metric (from 2018 and currently being updated) of measured and indicated 12,172,000 million tons averaging 0.024 oz/ton Au and 0.33 oz/ton Ag, yielding 296,500 oz Au and 4,008,000 oz Ag 3,790,000 million tons averaging 0.013 oz/ton Au and 0.33 oz/ton Ag, for 50,400 oz Au and 1,249,000 oz Ag

America’s resource landscape is undergoing one of its most significant shifts in decades. Global copper inventories are tightening, new mine development is failing to keep pace with demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure and electrification, and the U.S. is rethinking the role domestic mining must play in national security. Federal agencies that once remained on the sidelines are now taking equity stakes in U.S. projects, funding early-stage exploration, and prioritizing critical minerals in policy discussions.

Nowhere is this change more evident than in Nevada. Long recognized for its gold endowment, the state is fast becoming a focal point for the broader strategic metals push. Ranked second globally for mining investment attractiveness by the Fraser Institute, Nevada combines world-class geology, permissive permitting, and a workforce skilled in modern mining. As the nation works to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, Nevada’s combination of stability, infrastructure, and mineral diversity places it at the center of a new domestic resource strategy.

Against this backdrop, junior explorers that can secure meaningful land positions and execute disciplined exploration programs are uniquely positioned. Fairchild (TSX.V: FAIR) (OTCID: FCHDF) represents this opportunity, methodically assembling a Nevada-focused copper and gold portfolio that aligns with both industry trends and emerging federal priorities.

The Nevada Titan Advantage

Fairchild’s flagship Nevada Titan project illustrates the structural opportunity emerging in America’s copper sector. Located just 35 kilometers from Las Vegas in the historic Goodsprings Mining District, the project sits within a belt that produced the equivalent of more than $250 million in minerals (in today’s dollars) between the late 1800s and mid-1900s. Historical miners focused primarily on zinc and lead, leaving extensive copper mineralization largely untested by modern techniques.

Recent surface sampling highlights why interest is returning to districts like Goodsprings. Copper grades reaching as high as 34% at the Copperside Mine area represent some of the strongest surface results reported in Nevada in recent years. Multiple samples exceeded 20% copper, confirming a 1.5-kilometer mineralized corridor containing both high-grade pods and broader system potential. Sample 350436 returned 34.0% copper alongside 1.27 grams per ton gold and 134 grams per ton silver, a signature consistent with a larger intrusive-driven system.

Geologically, the district offers compelling upside. The technical team believes a porphyry intrusive body may underline the skarn and vein mineralization, a model supported by the recent discovery of a steeply dipping hydrothermal breccia pipe, a classic porphyry indicator. If future drilling confirms a porphyry-skarn system like those of the American Southwest, Nevada Titan could represent a district-scale copper opportunity at a time when the U.S. needs it most.

The exploration plan is systematic and capital efficient. Drone magnetics completed in September 2025, followed by induced polarization surveys and AI-supported targeting, will culminate in a planned 2026 drill program. This methodical approach aligns with modern best practices while maximizing discovery probability.

Building a Nevada-Wide Platform

Beyond Titan, Fairchild is expanding strategically across Nevada’s most productive mineral belts.

In October 2025, the company acquired the Carlin Queen project, a drill-ready asset positioned at the intersection of the Carlin Trend (98 million ounces of past gold production) and the Midas-Hollister corridor. With multiple untested Carlin-type and epithermal targets just 11 miles from Nevada Gold Mines’ Goldstrike complex, Carlin Queen provides high geological optionality in a tier-one jurisdiction.

Even more transformative is the memorandum of understanding to acquire Golden Arrow near Tonopah. Hosting a historical NI 43-101 measured and indicated resource of approximately 296,500 ounces of gold and 4 million ounces of silver, plus inferred resources of 50,400 oz Au and 1,249,000 oz Ag across 16 million tons supported by 361 drill holes, Golden Arrow offers rare scale for a junior explorer. The acquisition structure, blending cash, shares, and a secured note, reflects creative deal-making that preserves exploration capital while securing advanced-stage assets.

Together, Nevada Titan, Carlin Queen, and Golden Arrow form a diversified, Nevada-wide metals platform with exposure to copper, gold, and silver across multiple deposit types and development stages. This approach mirrors the strategy historically used to consolidate major mining districts: acquire strategically, explore systematically, and build optionality across commodity cycles.

Copper’s Reemergence as a National Priority

Macroeconomic forces underscore the importance of domestic copper exposure. Global traders have warned that U.S. imports aimed at capturing the Comex premium could drain global inventories, while geopolitical trade considerations may accelerate domestic demand. With copper underpinning everything from power grids to data centers to defense technology, the U.S. is increasingly motivated to secure reliable domestic supplies.

In this context, high-grade North American copper projects carry greater strategic importance, and greater potential valuation leverage. Nevada Titan’s untested Copper Hill anomaly represents a meaningful future catalyst.

Positioning for Nevada’s Next Growth Cycle

Fairchild’s strategy, patient land assembly, disciplined exploration, and commodity diversification, positions it advantageously within Nevada’s modern mining renaissance. The company’s Strategic Advisory Board, which includes former U.S. Ambassador Hans Hertell and diplomatic advisor Jill Kelley, adds a policy-focused dimension unusual for a junior explorer. In a climate where the federal government is actively engaging with domestic mining firms, such connections may prove material.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.FairchildGold.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to FAIR are available in the company’s newsroom at ibn.fm/FAIR