• TechForce Robotics deploys AI-powered service robots that automate operational tasks across hospitality, pharmaceutical, laboratory, and industrial environments
• BIM-E, TIM-E, and LIM-E are designed to improve labor efficiency, operational consistency, and scalability rather than serve as novelty attractions
• The company’s expanding robotics ecosystem aligns with growing enterprise demand for automation solutions that deliver measurable business value and return on investment

Not long ago, service robots were largely regarded as attention-grabbing tools, used to create outstanding customer experiences but offering little in terms of operations. Today, that perception is quickly changing. As persistent labor shortages, rising operational costs, and increased demand for efficiency reshape industries globally, businesses are increasingly evaluating robotics based on measuring outcomes, including productivity gains, workforce optimization, cost savings, and return on investment (ibn.fm/KK2Gw).

Nightfood Holdings (OTCQB: NGTF), operating under the name TechForce Robotics, is strategically positioning itself at the nexus of this evolution by developing AI-driven automation solutions that perform practical, repeatable operations tasks across pharmaceutical, hospitality, laboratory, and industrial environments. Rather than building robots designed mainly to entertain, the company is focused on technologies that assist organizations in improving operational performance while reducing dependence on manual labor.

The company’s growing portfolio, including BIM-E, TIM-E and LIM-E, underscore this shift toward customized automation. Rather than serving as customer attractions, these platforms are designed to automate routine operational workflows, improve service consistency and allow employees to focus on higher-value responsibilities.

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is fueling investment across the broader technology ecosystem, creating ripple effects that extend well beyond data centers and cloud computing. As semiconductor manufacturers, AI hardware providers and enterprise technology companies continue scaling the infrastructure needed to support sophisticated AI models, commercial robotics developers are gaining access to more capable processing power, improved AI functionality and a mature technology stack. These advancements are accelerating the deployment of intelligent robotic systems capable of performing real-world tasks with greater autonomy, reliability and precision.

Through TechForce Robotics, the company is making inroads into laboratory automation, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and industrial applications, sectors where repeatability, precision, and operational efficiency are important. The company’s recently announced partnership with Jiun Jiang (“JJ Enterprise”) to advance AI infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing automation and pharmaceutical robotics illustrates its commitment to engage in some of today’s fastest-growing technology sectors while broadening its commercial opportunities.

This diversified approach reflects a larger transformation taking place throughout enterprise automation. Rather than deploying isolated robotic solutions to solve individual problems, organizations are investing in integrated AI-enabled platforms capable of improving productivity across multiple operational functions. Companies that can offer adaptable automation technologies spanning several industries may be well positioned as enterprise adoption continues to accelerate.

For investors, the conversation surrounding service robotics is evolving from technological novelty to commercial execution. The key question is no longer whether autonomous systems can perform useful tasks, but whether they can consistently improve operational performance while generating measurable returns. Through TechForce Robotics, Nightfood Holdings is building its strategy around that shift, combining AI-powered automation, an expanding robotics portfolio and targeted acquisitions to position itself alongside the growing enterprise demand for scalable, ROI-driven automation solutions.

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

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

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

• Powermax recently commenced its 2026 exploration program at its Cameron REE Project, building on encouraging results from previous exploration and intended to guide the company’s next phase of exploration
• The program is designed to integrate geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and targeted geophysical surveys, to better define and prioritize exploration targets
• The company’s earlier exploration at the property revealed consistent enrichment of both light and heavy rare earth elements across multiple lithological units
• The three-week field program has been designed to follow up encouraging results from previous stream sediment, soil, and rock geochemical surveys

Powermax Minerals (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF), a Canadian mineral exploration company, recently announced that it had commenced its 2026 exploration program at its 100%-owned Cameron Rare Earth Element (“REE”) project located in the Kamloops Mining Division of British Columbia. The three-week program is a follow-up to the encouraging results from previous stream sediment, soil, and rock geochemical surveys, which were conducted as part of the company’s Phase 2 exploration program at the property (https://ibn.fm/We2oM).

The 2026 exploration program will be conducted using road-supported access and limited, supplementary helicopter support where necessary. It will include detailed geological mapping and prospecting, selective rock sampling, infill soil sampling, additional stream sediment sampling, ground radiometric sampling, and the integration of datasets into a comprehensive target ranking model to support future trenching and first-pass drill planning.

This program aims to refine the location and continuity of previously identified REE target corridors; better define potential bedrock sources responsible for anomalous stream sediments and soil geochemistry; improve geological understanding of pegmatite-hosted REE mineralization; and integrate geological, geochemical, and radiometric information to prioritize targets for follow-up trenching and drill testing.

“We are pleased to commence this important 2026 exploration program at the Cameron REE Project. Building on encouraging results from previous exploration, this program has been designed to integrate geological mapping, geochemical sampling and targeted geophysical surveys to better define and prioritize exploration targets. We look forward to completing the program and using the results to guide the next phase of exploration,” commented Paul Gorman, CEO of Powermax Minerals.

The Cameron REE Property is a 2,984-hectare project located strategically within a tier-1 mining jurisdiction. It boasts world-class infrastructure, with Canada’s Highway 23 traversing the property and connecting to the Trans-Canada Highway 1 30 kilometers to the north. The project contains three contiguous mining claims whose historic exploration shows potential REE, niobium, and other mineralization. 

Phase 1 and Phase 2 Exploration Programs

Powermax Minerals completed its Phase 1 exploration, which confirmed the presence of light rare earth element (“LREE”) and heavy rare earth element (“HREE”) mineralization across the property. The Phase 1 results showed total REE (“TREE”) values ranging from 17 ppm to 1,943 ppm, while the heavy mineral concentrates samples had TREE values ranging from 365 ppm to 7,561 ppm. The results also showed consistent enrichment of both LREEs and HREEs across multiple lithological units, with LREEs being more abundant than HREEs. 

These results encouraged the company to commence its Phase 2 exploration program in October 2025. The Phase 2 program’s objectives included geological mapping and systematic rock sampling, additional stream sediment and soil geochemical surveys, and the integration of geological, geochemical, and geophysical datasets in a GIS platform to refine and prioritize drill targets (https://ibn.fm/TAUzx).

The soil geochemical sampling program returned total rare earth oxide (“TREO”) values ranging between approximately 135 ppm and 2,840 ppm, while the surface rock samples returned TREO values ranging from 36 ppm to 740 ppm (https://ibn.fm/N9mva). Moreover, the results from the stream sediment sampling showed elevated light rare earth oxides (“LREOs”), heavy rare earth oxides (“HREOs”) and TREO (https://ibn.fm/n57E5). By completing these programs and reporting the results, the company is taking important steps to systematically advance the project, which could add significant value for its shareholders.

Exploration Target Cautionary Statement

The exploration targets discussed are conceptual, and there is currently not enough data to confirm a mineral resource. Further exploration may not yield successful results.

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

• AZIO AI is building an integrated technology infrastructure platform focused on AI data centers, enterprise GPU compute, high-performance computing and digital power solutions.
• In July 2026, the company completed its merger with AZIO AI Corporation and subsequently changed its corporate name and Nasdaq ticker symbol from EVTV to AZIO, completing its transformation into a dedicated AI infrastructure company.
• AZIO AI has announced a $27.9 million AI infrastructure and capacity agreement with Power Champion Investment Limited that is scalable to as much as $100 million as deployment expands. The company has reported receiving initial deposits under the agreement.
• The company recently executed a Master Services Agreement with AT&T to provide enterprise fiber connectivity for its planned 500-megawatt Texas AI infrastructure platform.
• Under the AT&T agreement, AZIO AI has committed approximately $2.4 million for high-capacity fiber services designed to support AI training, inference, GPU cloud computing, enterprise colocation and other high-performance computing workloads.
• AZIO AI has also reported entering into a Power Purchase and Hosting agreement with a GPU customer, supporting the need for an initial modular buildout at the company’s Texas site.
• The company’s business model encompasses AI data center development, GPU and server infrastructure sales and distribution, power hosting, compute leasing and strategic technology investments.
• AZIO AI’s strategy is designed to create multiple potential revenue channels across infrastructure development, equipment sales, hosting, power services and recurring compute capacity.
• The company is pursuing domestic and international opportunities serving enterprise, institutional, hyperscale and government-related customers.
• AZIO AI is positioning its Texas campus around scalable, energy-backed infrastructure intended to address rising demand for power-intensive AI and GPU computing workloads.

Azio AI Holdings (NASDAQ: AZIO) is a technology infrastructure company focused on developing, owning and operating artificial intelligence data centers, enterprise GPU compute infrastructure, high-performance computing systems, digital power solutions and digital asset mining operations.

The company is building an integrated AI infrastructure platform designed to serve enterprise, institutional, hyperscale and government-related customers across domestic and international markets. Its operating strategy encompasses the development of AI data center capacity, the sale and distribution of enterprise-grade GPU systems and server infrastructure, GPU cloud computing, power hosting, compute leasing and strategic technology investments.

In July 2026, the company completed its merger with AZIO AI Corporation. Following the transaction, the combined company adopted the AZIO AI Holdings name and began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “AZIO.” The rebranding aligned the company’s public-market identity with its strategic focus on AI infrastructure, GPU computing and energy-supported data center development.

Through this diversified strategy, AZIO AI is working to establish multiple potential revenue streams while addressing three of the most important requirements supporting the continued expansion of artificial intelligence: computing capacity, data center infrastructure and reliable power.

AI Data Center Development

AZIO AI is advancing the development of scalable AI data center infrastructure designed to support GPU-intensive computing workloads.

The company’s initial Texas platform is planned around a site with up to 500 megawatts of power availability. The campus is intended to support AI training and inference, GPU cloud computing, enterprise colocation, high-performance computing and other power-intensive technology applications.

The Texas location is situated in an area intended to accommodate large-scale industrial infrastructure, potentially reducing some of the land-use and community constraints encountered by data center projects located in densely populated urban markets.

AZIO AI’s development strategy emphasizes modular infrastructure that can be deployed incrementally as customer commitments, financing, power availability and construction milestones are achieved.

Enterprise Connectivity and AT&T Agreement

In July 2026, AZIO AI executed a Master Services Agreement with AT&T to provide enterprise fiber connectivity supporting the company’s planned 500-megawatt Texas AI infrastructure platform.

The agreement establishes a standardized connectivity framework intended to provide the high-capacity, low-latency network infrastructure required for AI training, inference, GPU cloud computing, enterprise colocation and high-performance computing workloads.

Under the agreement, AZIO AI has committed approximately $2.4 million for high-capacity fiber services. Management expects the framework to help streamline network deployment at the initial Texas campus and provide a repeatable operating model that could support future infrastructure expansion.

The fiber agreement represents an important development milestone because large-scale AI data centers require both substantial power capacity and reliable, high-bandwidth network connectivity to support customer workloads.

GPU Compute and Server Infrastructure

AZIO AI’s GPU compute business includes the sale and distribution of enterprise GPU systems, server racks and supporting infrastructure for customers deploying artificial intelligence and high-performance computing environments.

The company is pursuing commercial opportunities involving enterprise customers, data center operators, hyperscale platforms and international infrastructure programs. Its strategy combines infrastructure sourcing, system integration, deployment coordination and customer allocation management.

This segment is intended to generate equipment and infrastructure revenue while also supporting AZIO AI’s longer-term data center, hosting and recurring compute-capacity strategy.

Power Hosting and Compute Services

Power availability has become one of the principal constraints affecting the development of large-scale AI infrastructure. AZIO AI’s strategy therefore integrates data center development with digital power and hosting solutions.

The company has reported entering into a Power Purchase and Hosting agreement with a GPU customer that is expected to require an initial modular buildout at the Texas property. This commercial interest provides a potential foundation for phased development as AZIO AI advances site infrastructure and customer deployment planning.

Over time, the company intends to pursue revenue opportunities from power hosting, enterprise colocation, GPU cloud computing and compute leasing as its infrastructure becomes operational.

Power Champion Infrastructure Agreement

In July 2026, AZIO AI announced a $27.9 million AI infrastructure agreement with Power Champion Investment Limited. The agreement involves a capacity reservation that may scale to as much as $100 million as deployment expands.

AZIO AI has reported receiving initial deposits under the agreement, representing early commercial validation of its infrastructure pipeline. The agreement supports the company’s strategy of aligning infrastructure development with identifiable customer demand and staged deployment commitments.

The timing and ultimate value of any expanded deployment will depend on customer performance, financing, infrastructure availability and other customary commercial and development conditions.

Digital Power and Digital Asset Infrastructure

In addition to AI data centers and GPU computing, AZIO AI’s broader platform includes digital power solutions and company-operated digital asset mining infrastructure.

These operations are intended to provide the company with additional opportunities to monetize available computing equipment and power capacity while larger AI data center projects progress through their development and deployment stages.

The company’s diversified model is designed to provide flexibility in allocating infrastructure among AI computing, hosting, enterprise colocation and digital asset workloads based on customer demand and market conditions.

Market Opportunity

The rapid adoption of generative AI, large language models, advanced analytics and AI-enabled enterprise applications is driving significant demand for GPU systems, data center capacity, network infrastructure and electrical power.

AI workloads require substantially greater computing density and power consumption than many traditional data center applications. As enterprises and governments expand their AI capabilities, infrastructure providers must address constraints involving GPU availability, energy capacity, high-speed connectivity, cooling and deployment timelines.

According to IDC figures cited by the company when announcing the completion of its merger, global AI infrastructure-related spending was projected to reach approximately $487 billion in 2026 and exceed $1 trillion by 2029.

AZIO AI is positioning itself within this expanding market through an integrated strategy combining GPU distribution, AI data center development, enterprise connectivity, digital power and customer hosting arrangements.

Growth Strategy

AZIO AI’s growth strategy centers on several principal initiatives:

• Advancing phased development of its planned Texas AI data center platform.
• Establishing the power and fiber infrastructure required to support AI and high-performance computing workloads.
• Securing customer commitments and capacity reservations ahead of major infrastructure deployments.
• Expanding enterprise GPU system and server infrastructure sales.
• Developing recurring revenue opportunities through power hosting, colocation, GPU cloud computing and compute leasing.
• Pursuing strategic technology investments, commercial partnerships and selected infrastructure opportunities in domestic and international markets.
• Using modular construction and staged capital deployment to align infrastructure expenditures with contracted or identifiable customer demand.

Leadership Team

Chris Young serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of AZIO AI Holdings. He has nearly two decades of experience as an entrepreneur, operator, early-stage investor and strategic advisor involved in building and advising technology and consumer-focused businesses. Before completion of the merger, he served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of AZIO AI Corporation.

Sir Elgin Tracy serves as Chief Operating Officer of AZIO AI Holdings and is involved in advancing the company’s infrastructure development and operational strategy. His responsibilities include supporting the development of AZIO AI’s Texas platform, enterprise connectivity framework and scalable infrastructure deployment model.

For more information, visit the company’s website at https://www.azioai.ai.

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

• Safe Pro Group has announced that it expects revenue in Q2 2026 to increase over 1,300% year-over-year, to more than 1.3 million.
• This large growth is driven by multiple U.S. Army subcontract awards for Safe Pro’s AI-powered threat detection and mapping software packages.
• Safe Pro has also expanded its AI offering from just the air, to the ground, supporting both drones and autonomous unmanned ground vehicles (“UGVs”).

Safe Pro Group (NASDAQ: SPAI), a tech company that delivers AI-powered security and defense solutions, recently announced that it expects year-over-year revenue to climb dramatically in Q2 2026, based on preliminary and unaudited financial data (https://ibn.fm/rHBLc).

Specifically, Safe Pro expects Q2 2026 revenue to rise to over $1.3 million, which would be 1,300% growth over Q2 2025’s $92,753. This growth is primarily being driven by multiple U.S. Army subcontract awards for its threat detection and mapping software packages.

At the center of Safe Pro’s mission is the Safe Pro Object Threat Detection (“SPOTD”) technology, which allows for the rapid analysis of drone imagery to identify and map potential explosive threats and hazards, improving both mission speed and the safety of those on the ground. Safe Pro’s technology is built on an AI dataset of more than 2.9 million drone images, and it has more than 51,750 confirmed detections across over 37,835 acres of land in Ukraine.

The U.S Army and defense prime contractors continue to select Safe Pro’s software and advanced solutions to map threats, improving situational awareness, and help with planning missions.

In addition, as evidenced by multiple recent rewards, Safe Pro is actively expanding the AI offering to not only run on multiple drone platforms, but also autonomous unmanned ground vehicles (“UGVs”) that the U.S. Army uses.

This expansion also includes the potential use of Safe Pro’s technology by other defense customers, like the U.S. Air Force, as well as for post-conflict reconstruction, rebuilding, and rare earth mineral and agricultural reclamation efforts.

Safe Pro is also increasingly participating in U.S. Army-sponsored operational and technological evaluation events, which opens up the door to additional pathways to potential contracts in the future.

Thanks to having significant cash reserves, no long-term debt, and a growing high-margin revenue stream, Safe Pro is expanding its government business development and contract capture efforts, creating a strong pipeline that’s expected to support continued growth.

Speaking about Safe Pro’s Q2, Dan Erdberg, the Chairman and CEO of Safe Pro, said that “During the second quarter, Safe Pro has continued to capitalize on the growing momentum we have seen in the defense markets for our novel, AI-powered threat detection and mapping technologies. Supported by massive government commitments to the adoption of AI, autonomous vehicles and drones at unprecedented scales, the rapid increase we are seeing in contract award activity provides confidence that we are well positioned to benefit from the broad defense sector demand for our unique AI software technologies.”

About Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI)

Safe Pro Group is a mission-driven tech company that delivers advanced AI-powered security and defense solutions to customers within industries like defense, homeland security, law enforcement, and humanitarian, as well as commercial markets. The core of Safe Pro’s mission is computer vision software technology that can detect, identify and map small objects in drone video and imagery which helps enable safer field operations and offers better situational awareness.

For more information, visit Safe Pro Group’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

• The company will host a stakeholder update call on August 13, 2026, to discuss second-quarter financial results and business initiatives.
• Beeline is using artificial intelligence and automation to shorten mortgage approval and closing timelines while serving both homebuyers and real estate investors.
• Beeline is addressing financing challenges facing Millennials and Generation Z through digital underwriting designed to provide rapid qualification assessments.
• The company is also expanding products aimed at older homeowners seeking to access home equity without refinancing existing low-rate mortgages.
• Q1 2026 results showed revenue and loan originations more than doubling from the prior-year period despite a challenging mortgage market.
• Beeline’s strategy combines mortgage origination, title services and software solutions to create multiple revenue opportunities within residential real estate finance.

Beeline Holdings (NASDAQ: BLNE), a fast-growing digital mortgage platform offering a quicker and easier path to homeownership, is preparing to provide investors with its latest operating update as the mortgage technology company continues expanding its digital lending platform during a period of ongoing change in the U.S. housing market.

The company announced it will host a stakeholder update call on August 13, 2026, following the release of its second-quarter financial results. Chief Executive Officer Nick Liuzza and Chief Financial Officer Chris Moe are expected to review quarterly performance and discuss the company’s strategic initiatives. (https://ibn.fm/pYl3T).

The upcoming call arrives as mortgage lenders continue adapting to elevated interest rates, affordability constraints and changing borrower demographics that have reshaped residential real estate finance over the past several years. Rather than relying solely on traditional mortgage origination, Beeline has positioned itself as a technology-focused platform that uses artificial intelligence, automation and digital workflows to streamline the lending process.

Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, the company operates primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beeline Loans Inc., offering conventional mortgages alongside non-qualified mortgage (Non-QM) products designed for borrowers whose financial profiles may not fit traditional underwriting models. 

Beeline’s strategy centers on reducing friction throughout the mortgage process. The company’s proprietary technology platform incorporates its AI-powered virtual assistant, Bob, together with its production engine known as Hive, allowing borrowers to complete much of the mortgage process digitally. According to the company, loans can close in approximately 14 to 21 days, significantly below traditional industry timelines.

Artificial intelligence also plays an expanding role in the underwriting process. Management says the platform can provide prospective borrowers with an initial qualification assessment in roughly seven to eight minutes while delivering approximately 90% certainty regarding mortgage eligibility. The objective is to give applicants earlier clarity while reducing delays typically associated with manual underwriting.

The company’s technology strategy is particularly relevant for younger borrowers facing persistent barriers to homeownership. According to reporting by National Mortgage Professional, homeownership rates remain relatively low among younger generations, with only 26.1% of Generation Z consumers and 54.9% of Millennials owning homes during 2024. Limited access to mortgage financing continues to be one of the principal challenges confronting first-time buyers.

Beeline is attempting to address that gap by serving not only traditional owner-occupied purchases but also younger consumers seeking to purchase residential investment properties. Management believes many Millennials and Gen Z borrowers increasingly view income-producing real estate as an alternative pathway toward long-term wealth creation, particularly as affordability challenges continue affecting primary housing markets.

This emphasis on investment-property financing distinguishes part of Beeline’s business model from lenders focused primarily on owner-occupied mortgages. The company has continued expanding its portfolio of debt-service coverage ratio loans and bank-statement lending products, which are frequently used by self-employed borrowers and residential property investors who may not qualify under conventional income documentation requirements.

Recent financial results suggest the strategy is gaining traction. During the first quarter of 2026, Beeline reported revenue of $2.7 million, more than doubling from the same period a year earlier. Loan originations increased to $85.6 million across 288 loans, compared with $39.8 million and 128 loans during the prior-year quarter.

Rather than pursuing origination volume alone, management has indicated that profitability and operational efficiency remain priorities while interest rates and housing activity continue to fluctuate. During the company’s first-quarter earnings discussion, executives emphasized expanding lending categories that offer stronger economics while continuing to automate internal processes.

Operational data released by the company also points to improving customer engagement. Management reports that Bob has increased lead-to-lock conversion rates by approximately 8% among online borrowers, while Beeline’s self-service mortgage workflow generated a 131% improvement in application-to-lock pull-through during early deployment.

At the same time, Beeline is broadening its addressable market beyond younger homebuyers. Through BeelineEquity, the company is targeting homeowners who accumulated substantial home equity during years of rising residential property values but are reluctant to refinance mortgages originated during the historically low interest-rate environment of 2020 and 2021.

Management estimates that older homeowners collectively hold approximately $10 trillion in housing equity. BeelineEquity is designed to help homeowners access a portion of that equity without replacing their existing mortgages. Because the platform primarily generates fee income rather than holding loans on its balance sheet, the business provides an additional revenue stream that differs from traditional mortgage lending.

The company is also investing in complementary software capabilities that extend beyond mortgage origination. Beeline maintains a minority interest in MagicBlocks, an artificial intelligence platform supporting sales automation that management says has begun attracting adoption among larger financial institutions.

Beeline is balancing growth with operational discipline while expanding across multiple segments of residential real estate finance. As housing affordability, demographic shifts and digital adoption continue reshaping the mortgage industry, the company’s strategy reflects a broader trend toward technology-enabled lending platforms designed to serve a wider range of borrowers, including younger consumers entering both homeownership and property investing, as well as long-time homeowners seeking new ways to access accumulated housing equity.

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

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

• We believe that the decision between debt and equity is one of the most consequential a business owner will ever make, and it is rarely as simple as comparing interest rates to dilution percentages.
• The challenge is that middle-market businesses do not always have clean access to traditional bank financing.
• That diagnostic work is precisely where Market Street Capital’s capital markets practice seeks to add value.

When a founder needs capital to grow, two doors open simultaneously; choosing the wrong one can reshape the company’s future in ways that take years to fully understand. A boutique capital markets and financial advisory firm, Market Street Capital’s team members have spent more than two decades helping established middle-market business owners think clearly about exactly that choice. The company works at the intersection of strategic advisory and sophisticated capital raising, helping founders navigate the debt-versus-equity decision with the kind of institutional expertise that has historically been reserved for much larger companies.

The decision between debt and equity is one of the most consequential a business owner will ever make, and it is rarely as simple as comparing interest rates to dilution percentages. Both paths carry long-term implications for ownership, control, cash flow and strategic flexibility. Getting it right requires understanding not just the mechanics of each instrument, but the moment the business is in, the trajectory it is on and what the capital is intended to accomplish.

At its core, the tradeoff is straightforward. Debt preserves ownership and avoids dilution but creates fixed repayment obligations regardless of business performance. Interest payments are typically tax deductible, which reduces the true cost of borrowing, though founders should consult their own tax advisors, but covenant packages and collateral requirements can constrain operational flexibility.

Equity, by contrast, carries no repayment burden and aligns investors’ returns with the company’s success. However, it permanently reduces the founder’s share of future profits and can introduce new governance dynamics, including board seats and investor influence over major decisions.

According to Carta’s 2025 year-end State of Private Markets report, median dilution across all rounds from seed through Series C fell from approximately 18% to 16% last year, continuing a multiyear downward trend. That said, founders raising equity at any stage should still expect to give up a meaningful share of ownership per round, and those figures reflect a market where investor selectivity has increased alongside deal sizes.

For middle-market founders running established, cash-generating businesses, debt is frequently the more efficient tool. According to PitchBook’s NVCA Venture Monitor, U.S. venture debt volume reached $58.7 billion in 2024, double the volume from 2023, reflecting strong founder demand for growth capital that does not require giving up ownership. Established companies with predictable revenue streams are well positioned to service debt, and doing so allows them to fund acquisitions, expansion or recapitalizations without reducing their share of the upside. According to Phoenix Strategy Group, the after-tax cost of debt financing typically runs between 3 and 8%, while equity investors generally expect returns of 15 to 25%, making debt significantly less expensive for founders who have the cash flow to support it.

The challenge is that middle-market businesses do not always have clean access to traditional bank financing. Post-2008 regulatory requirements pushed banks toward tighter lending standards, particularly for companies without investment-grade credit ratings or substantial hard assets. That structural gap created the conditions for a private credit market that has grown dramatically in response.

According to Morgan Stanley, the private credit market stood at approximately $2 trillion in 2020, grew to $3 trillion entering 2025, and is projected to reach approximately $5 trillion by 2029. Much of that growth is driven by middle-market borrowers who cannot access broadly syndicated loan markets but need flexible, sophisticated financing solutions. For founders in this segment, the universe of debt options has expanded substantially and can include senior debt, unitranche facilities, mezzanine financing, asset-based lending and specialty structures. Each option offers different risk profiles, covenant packages and pricing dynamics.

Mezzanine financing and unitranche structures occupy particularly important roles in middle-market finance, offering borrowers alternatives to traditional bank lending. Mezzanine debt sits between senior debt and equity in the capital stack, providing subordinated capital that fills the gap between what a senior lender will provide and the equity a borrower wants to contribute. Unitranche financing combines senior and subordinated debt into a single credit facility governed by one loan agreement and one blended interest rate, simplifying the borrowing process and often accelerating deal timelines compared to traditional multi-tranche structures.

Both instruments generally provide greater flexibility than conventional bank loans and can reduce the need for an immediate equity raise. These financing solutions are especially common in acquisitions, recapitalizations and growth initiatives where a company requires more capital than traditional senior lenders are willing to provide but seeks to minimize equity dilution.

Equity, however, remains the right answer in specific circumstances. In corporate finance, debt is often best suited for investments with relatively predictable cash flows and identifiable returns, while equity can be a better fit for strategic initiatives that carry greater uncertainty but offer transformational upside. For founders pursuing a genuinely transformational initiative, such as entering a new market, making a significant platform acquisition or funding a new product line that may not generate returns for several years, patient equity capital from aligned investors can provide greater financial flexibility than debt, which requires scheduled principal and interest payments regardless of business performance. Ultimately, the question is not which financing instrument is inherently superior but which one best aligns with a company’s objectives, cash flow profile, and long-term strategy.

That diagnostic work is precisely where Market Street Capital’s capital markets practice adds value. The firm’s Debt Capital Markets and Specialty Lending practice is built specifically for the middle market, connecting clients with senior debt facilities, unitranche and mezzanine structures, asset-based lending and tailored specialty financing through relationships with banks, private credit funds, insurance companies and specialty finance providers.

For founders who determine that equity is the right path, Market Street’s Private Equity Raises practice structures and executes customized raises with access to institutional investors, family offices and private equity sponsors across a large investor network. The company describes its philosophy as ensuring that financing structures support sustainable growth and long-term enterprise value, not just the immediate transaction. For founders confronting the debt-versus-equity question, that kind of independent, structuring-focused advisory can help inform a capital decision that supports the company’s long-term flexibility and options.

Securities transactions offered through Pickwick Capital Partners, LLC, an SEC registered broker dealer member of FINRA and SIPC. Principals of Market Steet Capital are registered representatives of Pickwick.

This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, nor an offer to provide any investment, advisory, tax, or legal service. It is not investment, tax, or legal advice, and recipients should consult their own advisors. Market-data statistics are attributed to the third-party sources identified herein, which Market Street Capital believes to be reliable but has not independently verified and does not guarantee. Any statements regarding transaction processes or outcomes are illustrative; results depend on individual facts and market conditions and are not guaranteed, and past or current market conditions may not continue.

For more information, visit www.MarketStreetCP.com.

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

• The company is expanding its presence in the global surgical robotics market through its proprietary SSi Mantra robotic surgery platform.
• The company’s strategy combines world-class robotic systems, including telesurgery capabilities, with affordability, physician training, and international market expansion.
• More than 200 SSi Mantra systems have been installed worldwide, supporting over 12,000 robotic procedures across more than 170 surgical indications.
• SS Innovations continues pursuing U.S. FDA clearance and European regulatory approvals while building its installed base internationally.
• Growing demand for minimally invasive surgery and broader access to robotic procedures continues to create opportunities for emerging high-tech medical technology companies.

The market for robotic-assisted surgery continues to evolve as healthcare systems seek technologies that can improve surgical precision while expanding patient access. Within that landscape, SS Innovations International (NASDAQ: SSII), a developer of innovative surgical robotic technologies, has positioned itself around a strategy centered on unmatched technology, physician training, international expansion, and affordability. Serving as the foundation of its commercial efforts is the company’s proprietary SSi Mantra surgical robotic system.

Unlike many developers focused primarily on premium hospital systems, SS Innovations has concentrated on reducing the economic barriers that have limited adoption of robotic surgery in many regions. The company believes lowering acquisition and operating costs can allow more hospitals to introduce robotic-assisted procedures without sacrificing advanced functionality.

That strategy has translated into continued operational growth. According to the company, more than 200 SSi Mantra systems have now been installed globally, supporting more than 12,000 multi-specialty robotic procedures, including cardiac surgery, pediatric procedures and robotic telesurgery. The platform has also been used across more than 170 different surgical procedures, illustrating its applicability across multiple clinical specialties.

Cardiac surgery remains an area of particular differentiation. While several robotic platforms are designed primarily for soft-tissue procedures, SS Innovations has invested heavily in robotic cardiac surgery, one of the most technically demanding surgical disciplines. The company reports that the SSi Mantra has supported more than 650 cardiac procedures, providing surgeons with robotic capabilities for complex minimally invasive operations.

The platform incorporates three to five modular robotic arms, an open-console surgeon workstation, high-definition 3D visualization and a portfolio of more than 40 robotic surgical instruments. The company has also developed complementary SSi Mudra instruments that support a broad range of minimally invasive procedures.

Beyond the operating room, SS Innovations has devoted considerable resources to telesurgery. Although remote robotic surgery remains an emerging field and is not currently the company’s primary commercial business, it represents an area receiving increasing attention across healthcare. The SSi Mantra platform has now been used in more than 170 telesurgery procedures, including more than 20 cardiac telesurgeries, which the company says makes it the only robotic surgical platform to have performed cardiac telesurgery.

Management views telesurgery as part of a broader effort to extend specialist surgical expertise into communities where experienced robotic surgeons may not be physically available. Related teleproctoring technologies also allow experienced physicians to mentor surgeons remotely during procedures.

Equally important to the company’s long-term strategy is physician education. Earlier this month, SS Innovations graduated the inaugural class of its SS International Centre for Robotics Surgery (“SSICRS”) cardiac robotic surgery training program. The five-day course brought together 33 healthcare professionals from seven countries for classroom instruction, laboratory sessions, live surgical demonstrations and hands-on robotic training.

The company intends to expand the educational program beyond cardiac surgery into additional specialties including urology, gynecology, thoracic surgery, gastrointestinal procedures, colorectal surgery and general surgery.

Corporate leadership continues to evolve alongside commercial expansion. SS Innovations recently announced the appointment of veteran medical technology executive Sarah M. Romano as Chief Financial Officer, effective August 3. Romano brings more than two decades of public-company finance and capital markets experience, including leadership positions with emerging medical technology companies. According to the company, she has helped raise more than $100 million during her career.

Management believes the appointment strengthens financial leadership as SS Innovations expands internationally while continuing preparations for U.S. regulatory review.

Regulatory progress remains another important focus. The company continues pursuing U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) clearance for the SSi Mantra platform while also advancing European certification activities. Entry into additional regulated markets could significantly expand the company’s commercial opportunities over time, although regulatory review remains an ongoing process.

Artificial intelligence also forms part of SS Innovations’ longer-term development roadmap. According to CEO and founder Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, AI already contributes to certain safety functions within the robotic platform, while future development may incorporate additional imaging capabilities, workflow automation and greater surgical assistance. The company is also evaluating specialty-specific robotic platforms, pediatric applications, mobile operating units and robotics designed for military and disaster-response environments.

The broader market backdrop continues to support interest in robotic surgery. Hospitals increasingly seek minimally invasive techniques that may shorten recovery times and improve procedural precision. The unmatched technology behind the SSi Mantra robotic surgery platform meets this need, while also offering affordability for healthcare providers balancing clinical benefits against capital costs.

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

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

• Exit readiness is one of the most important and most overlooked strategic disciplines for founders of privately held businesses.
• One of the most common mistakes founders make is waiting until they are emotionally ready to sell before beginning any preparation.
• Market Street Capital’s advisory practice helps founders organize their records, align their team and prepare their narrative.

Most business owners spend years building something worth selling, then spend far too little time thinking about how to actually sell it. That gap between building a valuable company and knowing when and how to exit is where significant value is won or lost. Market Street Capital exists to close that gap.

Based in Houston, Market Street Capital is a boutique capital markets and financial advisory firm with more than 14 years of experience helping established middle-market businesses navigate pivotal moments in their development, including mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”), capital raises, restructurings, valuations and IPO readiness. The firm’s tagline — Where Main Street Meets Wall Street — reflects its founding principle: Founders and business owners deserve the same institutional-quality advisory that larger companies receive as a matter of course.

Exit readiness is one of the most important and most overlooked strategic disciplines for founders of privately held businesses. Many owners assume they will know when the time is right to sell. The reality is more complicated. Timing a business sale involves reading the market, understanding what buyers are paying, knowing what a business looks like from the outside and being operationally prepared for the scrutiny that follows. Each of those elements requires advance work, and most of that work needs to happen long before a founder ever speaks to a potential buyer.

The current market environment makes this conversation more relevant than ever. According to Capstone Partners’ Middle Market M&A Valuations Index, average M&A valuations for middle-market businesses settled at 9.8x EV/EBITDA in 2025, up from 9.4x in 2024 and 9.0x in 2023. That trend reflects resilience in quality assets even against a backdrop of macroeconomic uncertainty. Middle market M&A volume rose 10.7% year-over-year in Q1 2026, and total exit value surged 57.1% in 2025 to $589.2 billion, reflecting a concentration of larger, high-quality deals clearing the market. For well-prepared founders, current conditions can be constructive; however, market conditions vary and may change, and capitalizing on them requires preparation, not just intention.

One of the most common mistakes founders make is waiting until they are emotionally ready to sell before beginning any preparation. A well-run sell-side M&A process typically takes nine to twelve months from kickoff through close, with faster timelines possible when financials are clean and diligence is straightforward. That means the decision to sell needs to precede the sale itself by a full year or more. Owners who wait until they are burned out, or until a buyer approaches them unsolicited, typically negotiate from a weaker position and leave value behind.

Exit readiness preparation means building the kind of company that buyers want to buy, not just the kind that operates well. Buyers examine three to five years of audited financials, customer concentration, recurring revenue quality, employee key-person dependencies, and legal and compliance records. The findings that most frequently move price or kill deals include customer concentration above 40% of revenue, working capital shortfalls, undisclosed litigation, and key-person dependencies. A founder who has addressed those issues before coming to market is far better positioned than one who discovers them in the middle of a due diligence process.

These figures are averages, however, and the range for any individual business is shaped by profitability, growth rate, customer quality, management depth and operational consistency. Understanding where a business falls within that range, and what it would take to move it toward the upper end, is fundamental strategic work that is best done well before a sale process begins.

The due diligence process itself is another area where founders are frequently unprepared. For a middle-market deal between $50 million and $500 million, due diligence typically runs six to twelve weeks and covers financial records, legal matters, operations, customer relationships, employee agreements, technology systems and environmental considerations. Running a business while simultaneously responding to a buyer’s due diligence requests is genuinely difficult, and the founders who navigate it best are those who have organized their records, aligned their team and prepared their narrative before the process begins.

This is exactly where Market Street Capital’s advisory practice adds meaningful value. The firm’s Strategic Planning and Advisory offering is built to guide founders and shareholders through the full strategic decision cycle, from evaluating whether and when to sell, to structuring the right kind of process, to managing the transaction through close.

The firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions practice covers the full spectrum of sell-side advisory, helping founders craft compelling narratives, manage competitive buyer processes and negotiate terms intended to manage downside risk and pursue value. With access to a syndication network of more than 8,000 investors, family offices, venture capital firms and banks, Market Street brings the buyer relationships that determine whether a sale process generates genuine competition or a single take-it-or-leave-it offer.

Founders who have built something substantial deserve both a process that reflects that value and an advisor who understands what the business is worth and what the right exit actually looks like. That is the work Market Street Capital was built to do.

Securities transactions offered through Pickwick Capital Partners, LLC, an SEC registered broker dealer member of FINRA and SIPC. Principals of Market Steet Capital are registered representatives of Pickwick.

This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, nor an offer to provide any investment, advisory, tax, or legal service. It is not investment, tax, or legal advice, and recipients should consult their own advisors. Market-data statistics are attributed to the third-party sources identified herein, which Market Street Capital believes to be reliable but has not independently verified and does not guarantee. Any statements regarding transaction processes or outcomes are illustrative; results depend on individual facts and market conditions and are not guaranteed, and past or current market conditions may not continue.

For more information, visit www.MarketStreetCP.com.

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

• Regulatory clarity: ATF Ruling 2026-2, effective July 2, 2026, classified the BolaWrap(R) 150 as a federally recognized instrument of restraint rather than a firearm or “any other weapon” — which may remove longstanding procurement barriers across law enforcement, corrections, and government markets and is helping agencies move from extended evaluation toward department-wide programs.
• Counter-drone sensing: A strategic transaction with Israeli AI sensing company Frenel Imaging Ltd. gives WRAP exclusive U.S. and NATO distribution rights to Division of Focal Plane (“DoFP”) polarimetric sensing technology, which detects drones by their physical light-scattering signatures rather than radio-frequency emissions — enabling detection, the company says, even after a drone stops transmitting. WRAP describes it as the detection layer of its emerging WrapShield(TM) platform.
• A three-part response layer: With the first operational Wraptor MX(TM) prototype and an early-adopter program, WRAP is positioning a three-component Non-Lethal Response(TM) architecture — BolaWrap(R) 150 (handheld restraint), Wraptor MX(TM) (multi-shot platform), and the developing DFR-X(TM) (drone-deployed restraint) — around a common operating framework.

For the agencies adopting them, non-lethal tools share a single measure of success: a tense encounter that ends with everyone going home safely — the person in crisis, the officer responding, and the community watching. That standard sits at the center of Wrap Technologies (NASDAQ: WRAP) pitch to public safety buyers, and the company is now expanding the range of situations its platform is built to address.

Wrap Technologies entered the third quarter of 2026 reporting continued adoption of its Non-Lethal Response(TM) system across public safety agencies, alongside approximately $1.2 million in international orders and a reaffirmed target of roughly 100% year-over-year revenue growth in 2026, according to the company. WRAP also announced a strategic transaction with Israeli AI sensing company Frenel Imaging Ltd., acquiring exclusive U.S. and NATO distribution rights to physics-based polarimetric sensing technology that it says will underpin its emerging WrapShield(TM) counter-unmanned aircraft system (“UAS”) platform.

Taken together with the recent unveiling of the company’s Wraptor MX(TM) multi-shot restraint platform, the announcements point to both near-term commercial traction and a longer-term shift in how WRAP positions itself: less as a maker of a single device and more as a provider of an integrated system spanning restraint instruments, operational doctrine, sensing technology, and command-and-control — a platform the company says addresses several public safety and security markets at once.

The newly reported orders span two markets. In Brazil, distributors placed orders supporting deployments with multiple public safety agencies, while an additional order in India strengthens the company’s presence in one of the world’s largest public safety markets. WRAP says much of the activity reflects repeat customer demand, which it characterizes as a sign that agencies are moving beyond initial evaluation toward broader operational use. The company reports its Non-Lethal Response(TM) system has been validated by more than 1,000 agencies across 60+ countries, with headquarters in Miami, Florida and manufacturing in Norton, Virginia.

“We are entering the third quarter with meaningful commercial momentum already in place,” said Scot Cohen, Chief Executive Officer of WRAP (ibn.fm/v4TtD). “Opening the quarter with significant international orders is encouraging on its own, but what matters more is what those orders represent — repeat customers expanding their deployments and new markets adopting our technology.”

The company also pointed to ATF Ruling 2026-2, effective July 2, 2026, issued by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), which classified the BolaWrap(R) 150 as an instrument of restraint rather than a firearm or “any other weapon.” WRAP’s management believes the decision clarifies a longstanding regulatory question that had complicated procurement in certain markets and expects it to support both domestic and international interest, though the commercial impact will play out over time. According to the company, some agencies that had kept the BolaWrap(R) 150 under extended evaluation are now moving to formal, department-wide Non-Lethal Response(TM) programs — pairing the instrument with WrapTactics(R) operational doctrine training. Management characterizes that shift, from device evaluation to institutional commitment, as its most significant domestic adoption signal since commercial launch, though independent confirmation of the pace of that conversion is not yet available.

While the BolaWrap(R) 150 remains the anchor of its commercial business, WRAP is broadening the WrapShield(TM) platform. Alongside the counter-drone sensing initiative, the company recently introduced the first operational prototype of WraptorMX(TM), a modular multi-shot restraint platform aimed at tactical teams, corrections, and perimeter security. According to WRAP, the prototype extends the platform’s non-lethal response layer beyond the handheld BolaWrap(R) 150 and complements a developing drone-deployed restraint system, DFR-X(TM), forming a family of proportionate response options built around a common operating architecture.

Through the Frenel Imaging transaction, WRAP acquired exclusive U.S. and NATO distribution rights to proprietary Division of Focal Plane (“DoFP”) polarimetric sensing technology, which the company says detects objects by their physical light-scattering signatures rather than their electronic emissions — enabling detection even after a drone stops transmitting. WRAP describes the technology as the detection layer of WrapShield(TM), an integrated platform intended to combine threat detection, AI-assisted decision support, and multiple non-lethal response options under a single operating architecture.

The move targets a growing problem for governments and security agencies. Consumer drones have become common tools for smuggling contraband into correctional facilities, conducting unauthorized surveillance, supporting cross-border criminal activity, and disrupting military installations and critical infrastructure. Traditional counter-drone systems often rely on radar or radio-frequency detection, which can leave gaps when drones operate autonomously or cease transmitting — a limitation the company argues its newly licensed sensing technology helps address. Independent validation of that capability in the field is not yet publicly available.

Collectively, the steps mark a measured evolution from a single-product provider toward an integrated public safety platform. The BolaWrap(R) 150 remains the commercial foundation; Wraptor MX(TM) broadens response options for multi-engagement scenarios; and DFR-X(TM) would extend those capabilities to drone-based deployment. Combined with WrapShield(TM)’s AI-enabled sensing and command architecture, WRAP is assembling a layered system meant to help agencies detect, assess, and respond to evolving threats using proportionate, non-lethal options.

As governments continue investing in officer safety and modern public safety technology, WRAP is positioning across several complementary markets rather than relying on a single product. Whether that breadth translates into sustained growth will depend on execution, the pace of agency adoption, and how quickly the newer platforms move from prototype to deployment. As Cohen put it, management believes the developments reinforce its conviction that WRAP is building “a differentiated public safety technology platform positioned for long-term growth.”

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

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

About / Disclaimer

This article was produced by IBN Editorial Staff and is intended for informational purposes only. It is not investment advice and should not be relied upon as the basis for any investment decision. Statements attributed to Wrap Technologies Inc. or its management, including any forward-looking statements regarding revenue growth, product development, or market opportunities, reflect the company’s views and are subject to risks and uncertainties; actual results may differ materially. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult a qualified professional. Additional company information is available at wrap.com.

• The company has appointed antibody therapeutics specialist Dr. Christoph Erkel as Chief Scientific Officer.
• The leadership change comes as the company advances its proprietary BiTAC(R) technology platform toward clinical development.
• VERAXA is building a diversified oncology pipeline that includes conditionally active T-cell engagers, bispecific ADCs and other engineered antibody therapeutics.
• Recent regulatory feedback from Germany’s Paul-Ehrlich-Institute has provided additional clarity for development of the company’s lead BiTAC(R)-TCE program.
• Investors are watching companies developing next-generation immunotherapies that seek to improve efficacy while reducing treatment-related toxicity.

VERAXA Biotech (NASDAQ: VRXA), an emerging leader in designing novel cancer therapies, has appointed antibody therapeutics researcher Christoph Erkel, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer, reinforcing the company’s focus on advancing its proprietary BiTAC(R) technology platform as it prepares its lead oncology programs for clinical development. The announcement comes at a time when the biotechnology company is moving several elements of its research pipeline forward while expanding its scientific and regulatory capabilities.

According to the company, Dr. Erkel previously served as Vice President of Research & Development, where he helped oversee development of VERAXA’s antibody therapeutics portfolio. In his new role, he will lead scientific strategy across the company’s BiTAC(R) platforms and broader oncology pipeline while directing efforts to accelerate product candidates toward human clinical trials (https://ibn.fm/fc9tP).

Dr. Erkel brings approximately two decades of experience in antibody engineering, immuno-oncology research and preclinical drug development. Before joining VERAXA, he led therapeutic research programs at MorphoSys AG, where he worked on conditionally active T-cell engagers and other antibody-based therapies prior to the company’s acquisition by Novartis. His career has also included leadership positions in antibody engineering and molecular biology, spanning both scientific discovery and candidate development.

The appointment reflects a broader phase of development for VERAXA as it seeks to translate laboratory research into clinical-stage oncology programs. The company’s strategy centers on antibody therapeutics designed to improve the precision of cancer treatment. While traditional immunotherapies have transformed oncology, researchers continue searching for approaches that preserve anti-tumor activity while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

VERAXA’s lead development program is built around its proprietary BiTAC(R)-TCE technology, a conditionally active bispecific T-cell engager designed to recognize two tumor-associated markers before activating an immune response. Management believes this dual-targeting approach may improve selectivity by directing immune cells primarily toward cancer cells expressing both markers, potentially reducing activity against healthy cells displaying only one target.

Earlier this month, the company also announced encouraging regulatory progress after receiving Scientific Advice from Germany’s Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, which supported the biological rationale and proposed non-clinical development strategy for its lead BiTAC(R)-TCE candidate. The feedback provided additional clarity as the program advances toward future regulatory submissions.

Initial preclinical findings presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (“AACR”) Annual Meeting in April demonstrated that the company’s lead candidate selectively attacked cancer cells expressing both target molecules while sparing cells expressing only one marker. According to VERAXA, those studies also indicated efficacy comparable to conventional T-cell engagers while suggesting the potential for an improved therapeutic index if confirmed in future development.

Questions Investors May Be Asking About BiTAC(R)

What makes BiTAC(R) different from conventional T-cell engagers?

Traditional T-cell engagers generally activate immune cells whenever a single target is detected, which can increase the risk of attacking healthy tissues that also express that marker. VERAXA’s BiTAC(R) technology is designed to require recognition of two tumor-associated targets before triggering immune-cell activation, an approach intended to increase selectivity and potentially improve safety. A conditionally active T-cell binding CD3 domain adds another layer of safety control to BiTAC-TCEs.

Why is there continued demand for new T-cell engager technologies?

Although T-cell engagers have become an important area of cancer drug development, many researchers continue working to reduce treatment-related toxicity while expanding their use against solid tumors. Technologies that improve targeting precision could broaden the range of patients who may benefit from these therapies if clinical results support the approach.

Where do antibody-drug conjugates (“ADCs”) fit into VERAXA’s strategy?

Beyond BiTAC(R), VERAXA is developing a broader pipeline that includes other bispecific antibody-drug conjugate formats. ADCs combine antibodies with potent therapeutic payloads that are delivered directly to cancer cells, while bispecific formats seek to further improve targeting by recognizing multiple biomarkers simultaneously. Together, these platforms provide multiple development opportunities across different cancer indications.

VERAXA’s broader strategy extends beyond a single product candidate. The company is building a diversified oncology pipeline that includes conditionally active T-cell engagers, bispecific antibody-drug conjugates and additional engineered antibody formats designed for solid tumors and other cancer types.

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

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