Latest news with #MDIs
The Market Online
5 days ago
- Business
- The Market Online
Buzz on the Bullboards: Aviation, cannabis, and industrial stocks undeterred by tariff drama
Any momentum the TSX would have gathered this week quickly eroded by escalating global trade tensions. The index opened the week on a positive note, buoyed by rising energy and materials stocks, reflecting investor optimism around strong commodity prices and a rebound in global demand. However, sentiment quickly shifted midweek following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminum—from 25 per cent to 50 per cent. The move, part of his so-called 'Liberation Day' trade strategy, rattled markets and reignited fears of a broader trade war. The tariffs, set to take effect in early July, will apply to all countries except the United Kingdom, which recently reached a preliminary trade agreement with Washington. There is a lot going on to keep track of, though this is considered a time where activity seasonally slows down. Even so, users have wasted little time in searching for things to get riled up about. I'll take 'Things that never happened' for $100. Meanwhile, the Bank of Canada held its benchmark interest rate steady at 2.75 per cent, the second consecutive rate hold following a series of seven cuts, citing tariff uncertainty as a reason to be cautious. This stance shows the strength and diversity of Canadian equities, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. MediPharm Labs (TSX:LABS, Forum), a pharmaceutical business in precision-based cannabinoids, has announced the commencement of production for its novel cannabis metered dose inhalers (MDIs) aimed at the European Union and United Kingdom markets. These discreet, smoke-free devices offer patients a fast-acting, pharmaceutical-grade alternative to traditional cannabis consumption methods. What the 'Buzz' Our Bullboards have up to 2 million pageviews a day. Get the inside scoop on conversations around the most significant trends and stock appreciations in our weekly wrap up. Get 'Buzz on the Bullboards' delivered to your inbox every third Thursday! Buzz on the Bullboards | Sign Up Here Manufactured under stringent Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), the MDIs are distributed exclusively by Blackpoint Ltd., MediPharm's regional partner. The company has already launched the product in Canada and anticipates further rollouts in Australia, the EU, and the UK by Q3 2025. This expansion comes on the heels of a $4.5 million cash sale of its Hope facility, a move aimed at streamlining operations. However, internal turbulence looms. A proxy battle with dissident shareholder Apollo Technology Capital Corp. has raised concerns about governance and financial stability. Despite these headwinds, MediPharm reported an 11 per cent revenue increase in Q1, signaling operational momentum amid strategic uncertainty. MediPharm published a response, calling Apollo Capital 'dissidents' and they 'do not believe they are the well-intentioned and successful business leaders they portray themselves to be', saying the company is currently 'under attack'. Even so, MediPharm stock has risen more than 7 per cent in the past five days. Bombardier (TSX:BBD, Forum) has reached a major milestone in its Global 8000 program, with the first production aircraft completing its inaugural flight on May 16. Departing from the company's Aircraft Assembly Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, the flight marks a pivotal step toward the aircraft's entry into service in the second half of 2025. The Global 8000 is positioned as the next evolution of the Global 7500, offering a top speed of Mach 0.94 and an industry-leading range of 8,000 nautical miles. It's designed to connect global cities like Singapore to Los Angeles and London to Perth without refueling, while also offering access to shorter runways typically reserved for smaller jets. Inside, the aircraft redefines luxury with four true living spaces, a dedicated crew rest area, and the lowest cabin altitude in its class. With over 250,000 flight hours logged by the Global 7500, Bombardier's latest innovation is poised to capture a significant share of the ultra-long-range business jet market. Bombardier stock has lifted nearly 2 per cent in the past five days. Advanced materials innovator PyroGenesis (TSX:PYR, Forum) has secured a major endorsement from aerospace giant Boeing (NYSE:BA, Forum). The company's Ti64 'coarse' metal powder—used in additive manufacturing—has been officially approved and added to Boeing's qualified supplier list. This qualification is a significant validation of PyroGenesis' proprietary plasma atomization technology, which produces high-purity metal powders for 3D printing in aerospace and defense applications. The approval opens the door to broader adoption of PyroGenesis' materials in Boeing's manufacturing ecosystem, potentially unlocking new revenue streams and long-term contracts. In the past five days, PyroGenesis stock has climbed nearly 2 per cent. As the aerospace industry increasingly turns to additive manufacturing for lightweight, high-performance components, PyroGenesis is well-positioned to benefit from this structural shift. These three TSX-listed companies—MediPharm Labs, Bombardier, and PyroGenesis—are each making headlines for different reasons, from product innovation and international expansion to strategic partnerships and shareholder activism. While the TSX continues to climb, investors would be wise to dig deeper into these stories, assess the risks and opportunities, and consider how these developments align with their investment goals. As always, thorough due diligence remains the cornerstone of smart investing. For previous editions of Buzz on the Bullboards, click here. Join the discussion: Find out what everybody's saying about these stock on Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards. The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here.
The Market Online
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Market Online
Buzz on the Bullboards: Bombardier vs Boeing, MediPharm 'under attack'
Even with Wall Street operating on a shortened schedule due to the Memorial Day holiday, the TSX has shown resilience—hitting fresh highs twice this week. This bullish momentum underscores the strength and diversity of Canadian equities, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. Among the standout performers are three companies capturing investor attention with bold moves and strategic milestones: MediPharm Labs, Bombardier, and PyroGenesis. MediPharm Labs (TSX:LABS, Forum), a pharmaceutical business in precision-based cannabinoids, has announced the commencement of production for its novel cannabis metered dose inhalers (MDIs) aimed at the European Union and United Kingdom markets. These discreet, smoke-free devices offer patients a fast-acting, pharmaceutical-grade alternative to traditional cannabis consumption methods. What the 'Buzz' Our Bullboards have up to 2 million pageviews a day. Get the inside scoop on conversations around the most significant trends and stock appreciations in our weekly wrap up. Get 'Buzz on the Bullboards' delivered to your inbox every third Thursday! Buzz on the Bullboards | Sign Up Here Manufactured under stringent Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), the MDIs are distributed exclusively by Blackpoint Ltd., MediPharm's regional partner. The company has already launched the product in Canada and anticipates further rollouts in Australia, the EU, and the UK by Q3 2025. This expansion comes on the heels of a $4.5 million cash sale of its Hope facility, a move aimed at streamlining operations. However, internal turbulence looms. A proxy battle with dissident shareholder Apollo Technology Capital Corp. has raised concerns about governance and financial stability. Despite these headwinds, MediPharm reported an 11 per cent revenue increase in Q1, signaling operational momentum amid strategic uncertainty. MediPharm published a response, calling Apollo Capital 'dissidents' and they 'do not believe they are the well-intentioned and successful business leaders they portray themselves to be', saying the company is currently 'under attack'. Bombardier (TSX:BBD, Forum) has reached a major milestone in its Global 8000 program, with the first production aircraft completing its inaugural flight on May 16. Departing from the company's Aircraft Assembly Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, the flight marks a pivotal step toward the aircraft's entry into service in the second half of 2025. The Global 8000 is positioned as the next evolution of the Global 7500, offering a top speed of Mach 0.94 and an industry-leading range of 8,000 nautical miles. It's designed to connect global cities like Singapore to Los Angeles and London to Perth without refueling, while also offering access to shorter runways typically reserved for smaller jets. Inside, the aircraft redefines luxury with four true living spaces, a dedicated crew rest area, and the lowest cabin altitude in its class. With over 250,000 flight hours logged by the Global 7500, Bombardier's latest innovation is poised to capture a significant share of the ultra-long-range business jet market. Advanced materials innovator PyroGenesis (TSX:PYR, Forum) has secured a major endorsement from aerospace giant Boeing (NYSE:BA, Forum). The company's Ti64 'coarse' metal powder—used in additive manufacturing—has been officially approved and added to Boeing's qualified supplier list. This qualification is a significant validation of PyroGenesis' proprietary plasma atomization technology, which produces high-purity metal powders for 3D printing in aerospace and defense applications. The approval opens the door to broader adoption of PyroGenesis' materials in Boeing's manufacturing ecosystem, potentially unlocking new revenue streams and long-term contracts. As the aerospace industry increasingly turns to additive manufacturing for lightweight, high-performance components, PyroGenesis is well-positioned to benefit from this structural shift. These three TSX-listed companies—MediPharm Labs, Bombardier, and PyroGenesis—are each making headlines for different reasons, from product innovation and international expansion to strategic partnerships and shareholder activism. While the TSX continues to climb, investors would be wise to dig deeper into these stories, assess the risks and opportunities, and consider how these developments align with their investment goals. As always, thorough due diligence remains the cornerstone of smart investing. For previous editions of Buzz on the Bullboards, click here. Join the discussion: Find out what everybody's saying about these stock on Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards. The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here.
The Market Online
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Market Online
What is going on with MediPharm Labs?
MediPharm Labs (TSX:LABS) has commenced production for its novel cannabis metered dose inhalers (MDIs) tailored for the European Union and United Kingdom markets these inhalers are manufactured to global pharmaceutical standards and will be distributed exclusively by Blackpoint Ltd., MediPharm's dedicated U.K. sales and distribution partner MediPharm has already introduced the product in Canada's adult use and wellness and medical channels and anticipates launches in Australia, the E.U., and the U.K. in Q3 2025 MediPharm Labs stock (TSX:LABS) last traded at $0.07 MediPharm Labs (TSX:LABS) has announced the commencement of production for its novel cannabis metered dose inhalers (MDIs) tailored for the European Union and United Kingdom markets. In a media release, the pharmaceutical company specializing in precision-based cannabinoids explained that these inhalers are manufactured to global pharmaceutical standards and will be distributed exclusively by Blackpoint Ltd., MediPharm's dedicated sales and distribution partner in the region. The discreet, smoke-free inhalers can offer patients a fast-acting alternative to traditional cannabis consumption methods, delivering precise doses of cannabis active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) without combustion or heating. Produced under strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), the MDIs incorporate GMP-qualified components and excipients, working to ensure pharmaceutical-grade quality and consistency. MediPharm has already introduced the product in Canada's adult use and wellness and medical channels and anticipates launches in Australia, the E.U., and the U.K. in Q3 2025. As part of the exclusive agreement, MediPharm Labs will serve as the sole supplier and manufacturer of the cannabis MDIs for Blackpoint. The partnership includes minimum purchase obligations, ensuring a consistent supply across the designated markets. MediPharm aims to leverage its established relationships and distribution networks to expand its footprint in the rapidly growing European medicinal cannabis sector, which Prohibition Partners estimates will reach a market value of €834 million in 2024. This announcement follows a significant milestone for the company, as MediPharm recently advanced toward the $4.5 million cash sale of its Hope facility. However, the company also faces internal challenges. Shareholders have been alerted to allegations made against a a dissident shareholder in multiple litigation filings. Apollo Capital has issued a warning to shareholders, citing concerns over continued value destruction and potential insolvency risks following what it described as 'disastrous' Q1 financial results. Despite these concerns, MediPharm reported an 11 per cent revenue increase in revenue for the quarter. MediPharm develops and manufactures pharmaceutical-quality cannabis concentrates, active pharmaceutical ingredients and advanced derivative products. MediPharm Labs stock (TSX:LABS) last traded at $0.07. Though up 25.00 per cent since the year began, the stock has lost 6.25 per cent since this time last year. Join the discussion: Find out what everybody's saying about this medical cannabis stock's Brazilian expansion on the MediPharm Labs Corp. Bullboard and check out Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards. The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here.
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Can Community Banks Keep Up With The OCC's New Pro-Crypto Custody Rules?
Human Crowd Forming Bitcoin Symbol Cryptocurrency Concept. 3D Render The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) made headlines on May 7, 2025, when it issued Interpretive Letter 1184, giving federally regulated banks and savings associations the green light to custody, buy, sell, and outsource digital asset services. This long-anticipated guidance, coupled with similar moves by the Federal Reserve and FDIC, reverses previous constraints and opens a new chapter for crypto banking in the United States. So, prudential regulators are now aligned with President Trump's pro-crypto agenda. But beyond the 'U.S. as crypto capital' headlines lies a more pressing question: Who stands to benefit from this shift—and who might be left behind? While major financial institutions are now poised to expand into the digital asset economy at scale, community banks and minority depository institutions (MDIs) may face far more obstacles than opportunities. The result? A looming two-tier crypto economy that risks reinforcing the very disparities crypto was supposed to disrupt. Interpretive Letter 1184 reaffirms the OCC's earlier position (first stated in Interpretive Letter 1170) that crypto custody is a 'modern form' of legacy safekeeping. Banks are now permitted to provide these services directly or through partnerships with sub-custodians and third-party tech vendors. They can also facilitate cash-to-crypto transactions, tax reporting, and trade execution, all with the regulatory green light from the federal banking regulators. Acting Comptroller Rodney Hood summed it up clearly: Yet Hood was also careful to note that with this opportunity comes significant responsibility. That expectation may be manageable for large national banks, many of whom have long been allocating resources to prepare for this pivot. But for smaller, community-focused institutions, it presents a significant challenge. In financial innovation, timing is everything. And history tells us that access often arrives too late or on worse terms for marginalized, under-resourced communities and the institutions who serve them. We saw it with subprime mortgages, with the fintech credit boom, and with algorithmic lending models. Today, crypto runs that same risk, offered as the next great frontier of finance, but developed primarily with early crypto adopters, high-net-worth speculators, and large institutions in mind. According to the FDIC's most recent national survey, 4.2% of U.S. households (representing approximately 5.6 million Americans) remain unbanked. That figure is disproportionately composed of Black, Hispanic, and disabled Americans. These are the very communities crypto was supposed to empower. But unless the rails of access are extended by institutions they trust (like community banks) crypto may simply become another financial product for the already financially privileged. Community banks, defined as locally controlled institutions with under $10 billion in assets, play an outsized role in fostering financial stability. As Tess Bower put it in her 2023 article, Community Banks: The Lifeline of Local Economies, these institutions are 'economic catalysts, community builders, and educators.' They lead in small business lending, expand mortgage access in underserved areas, and reinvest locally. So why aren't they expected to lead in the crypto transformation? Unlike national banks, community banks often lack the capital reserves, legal infrastructure, and cybersecurity staffing to vet or deploy digital asset services. Even with the OCC's allowance for outsourcing, onboarding third-party providers still carries significant costs and compliance responsibilities. Without consortium-based infrastructure or government-backed grants, many institutions may find the operational lift too risky to justify. Community banks have historically exercised greater caution when regulatory guidance is ambiguous. Now, even as prior supervisory 'non-objection' requirements are lifted, the compliance burden remains. As Hood emphasized, crypto activities must be conducted with 'strong risk management controls'—a standard easier said than implemented without specialized teams. For MDIs and Black-owned banks already under frequent examination, a single misstep could have outsize consequences. The question isn't whether they want to serve crypto-curious clients—it's whether they can safely afford to try. Community-focused banks, particularly those serving historically marginalized populations, face an additional layer of scrutiny. These institutions are trusted not just to provide services, but to uphold values. If crypto offerings appear speculative, opaque, or inconsistent with long-term wealth-building, they risk eroding customer trust or undermining financial education progress. While megabanks race ahead, equipped with in-house legal teams and tech budgets measured in billions, community institutions may remain stuck on the sidelines. The result? A bifurcated system where crypto is: This bifurcation risks cementing crypto as a premium financial service—exactly the opposite of what many early blockchain advocates envisioned. And without inclusive rollout strategies, digital assets may simply reinforce the economic status quo. Even where community banks do engage, new risks emerge. As banks increasingly rely on third-party crypto vendors, they may inadvertently surrender more than technical capacity; they may cede control of customer data, product design, and even brand equity. Many of these vendors operate on a white-label basis, delivering services under the bank's name while collecting proprietary data and deepening their own customer relationships. If unchecked, this dynamic could relegate community banks to front-end distribution partners in a system where value flows upward and out. To avoid this future, community banks need more than permission. They need resources, infrastructure, and support to onboard crypto offerings safely and meaningfully. Some solutions worth exploring include: The OCC has opened the gates. But whether those gates lead to equitable access or further entrenchment depends on who gets to walk through them, and how. And also, when. Remember, timing in emerging economic opportunities is often everything. Interpretive Letter 1184 is a welcome milestone, to be sure. It clarifies what banks can do. But it does not guarantee what they will do—or who they will serve in doing so. The most important question now is not whether crypto will be offered by banks. That's settled. The real question is: Will digital assets become a bridge to financial empowerment or just another product for those who already have options? The institutions that rise to meet this moment won't be those that move the fastest but those that move with the most intention. That means partnering with care, building with community in mind, and refusing to let a digital divide become crypto's legacy.
