Latest news with #SFE
Geek Wire
15-05-2025
- Business
- Geek Wire
Seattle-area company VerAvanti lands $31.5M to develop scopes to prevent strokes, heart attacks
VerAvanti team members from the left: Jason Capodanno, chief operating officer; CEO and co-founder Gerald McMorrow; and Juan Vegarra, chief marketing officer. (VerAvanti Photo) Medical technology company VerAvanti announced $31.5 million in funding to advance its work on ultra-thin imaging scopes that can be used in the prevention of strokes and heart attacks. The Bothell, Wash.-based business also shared that it has signed a lease on a manufacturing facility near its headquarters. The company has raised $40 million, including today's Series A round, from friends, family and other 'high-net worth individuals,' according to a spokesperson. It has not taken any venture capital funding. The investment allows the business 'to move from 'research' into 'development and manufacturing' mode,' said CEO Gerald McMorrow, in statement. The company, he added, is working to comply with feedback from a pre-submission meeting that it held with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ahead of seeking FDA approval for its device. VerAvanti aims to release a commercial product by the first quarter of next year. McMorrow and Russell Garrison launched VerAvanti 2013. The pair previously co-founded another medical device company called Verathon, which they sold in 2009 for $300 million. Garrison left VerAvanti in 2018. VerAvanti was founded on technology licensed from the University of Washington to develop Scanning Fiber Endoscopy (SFE) technology. The devices include sterile, single-use imaging catheters with a 1 millimeter diameter. The laser-scanning scopes give doctors and surgeons a real-time look inside a patient's intravascular anatomy to better detect the causes of strokes and cardiac events. The company's new facility will include construction of a larger 'clean room,' allowing it to expand its production capacity to meet anticipated demand. Its headcount is less than 20 and comprised mostly of engineers. VerAvanti also announced a letter of intent with Dr. Patrick McVeigh, a vascular surgeon in Toronto, and his team. The partnership includes a collaboration on an 'SFE 'see-through blood' research project,' the company said, describing the effort as 'a breakthrough initiative with the potential to dramatically advance diagnostic capabilities and improve outcomes across multiple therapeutic areas.'
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top overall performers, rankings implications from OT7 Week 1
DALLAS -- OT7 kicked off Week 1 of action of a multi-week long 7-on-7 this weekend with a star-studded collection of squads from around the country. The schedule kicked off this weekend at Dallas College Mountain View Campus. Here is all of the Rivals coverage from the event. Here are the top performers from the first weekend of action action headlined by USC-bound QB Jonas Williams. Jonas Williams was Rivals' Day 1 top performer and finished the weekend off as the overall MVP from Week 1 of the OT7 season. We love the future Trojans' arm talent -- and his ability to make high-level throws consistently throughout the weekend of competition. Williams was timely and accurate working in the middle of the field -- and has outstanding arm power and deep-ball accuracy to attack downfield. Williams was able to send out lasers in the red zone and level throws effectively -- and showed excellent chemistry with his receivers, despite being a victim of several drops in on Saturday. More importantly, the USC verbal impressed going through his progressions and delivering big-time throws in timely situations. Williams had 16 tournament in Week 1, including nine on Day 2. Chris Stewart had a busy day on Saturday reeling in nearly 20 receptions in a single game -- and the Texas commitment was even more involved in the offense and more productive on Sunday. The four-star WR excelled in the slot. Stewart sat in zones and picked apart opposing defenses. He's electric after the catch and smooth in open space with the rock in his hands. Stewart was able to get open quickly and carve up zone defenses routinely -- and found the end zone repeatedly. Havon Finney Jr. was on-point throughout the weekend manning an outside cornerback spot for SFE. The five-star CB who reclassified into the 2026 cycle had a game-closing interception along with several timely pass breakups during Saturday's action -- then was equally as impactful on Day 2 with another pick and several strong passes defensed on the day. We love Finney's elite length for the position -- and more so his ability to turn and run and break on the ball at 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds. Samari Matthews was all over the defensive secondary and constantly around the ball during Week 1 of OT7 action. The top-50 recruit from North Carolina manned multiple spots in the secondary -- showing off not only his coverage skills but also his versatility. Matthews stepped in front of several passes in his direction over the course over the weekend, including on Sunday -- coming up with a tipped pass that led to a pick and an. interception of his own. Matthews constantly put himself in the middle of the action. He can cover a ton of ground in a hurry and is sound in coverage and playing the football. Tedarius Hughes was a ball-hawking presence back deep for SFE -- and came away with multiple interceptions over the course of the weekend and especially in Sunday's action. Hughes is hard to avoid at 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds -- and he boasts superb range at the back end of the secondary. The four-star SAF committed to Florida State also notched several more pass breakups over the top and was a force on this star-studded defense. Salesi Moa turned heads with big plays on both sides of the ball during OT7 Week 1. The top recruit from Utah saw snaps at wide receiver and at cornerback -- and was up to the challenge at both premier skill positions. The four-star ATH was sure-handed and a playmaker after the catch -- a favorite target for five-star QB Ryder Lyons working underneath and in the middle of the field, coming back to the football, as well as one of his top deep threats in Sunday's action as the offense kicked into gear. Moa also impressed in coverage -- often working opposite opposing team's top receivers and clamping them down along the way. Dia Bell showcased excellent arm talent and his ability to push the ball downfield effectively and deliver in the red zone. The future Longhorn out of South Florida got better as the tournament progressed. Bell was smooth operating and moving within the pocket with outstanding touch on his deep balls. He has a big arm and is able to deliver high-level throws outside -- and do so at a high clip. The Texas verbal was surgical working in the red zone -- and showcased his ability to improvise and operate out of structure rather seamlessly. Steve Sarkisian is getting another good one in Bell -- who has many athletic traits that separate him at this premium position. Eric McFarland was one of a handful of 2028 prospects to take his game to different heights in Week 1 of the OT7 season. No defensive back could contain McFarland for long. The freshman did a little bit of everything -- from stretching the field deep, to turning short receptions into massive gains, and making highlight-level receptions in the end zone throughout the weekend. McFarland is twitchy and can separate with ease as an underclassman. We anticipate hearing his name over and over again in multiple settings the next few years. James Scott emerged as one of the top pass-catchers in this tournament -- finding his rhythm as game action went on. The 6-foot-5, 200-pounder is a mismatch working downfield. Scott is able to play above the rim and make contested catches with defenders in his face. He also came up with some big grabs in the red zone -- working on the perimeter and taking advantage of 50-50 balls thrown in his vicinity. We love the 2026 receiver's range and upside -- and is due for a rankings bump as a true perimeter weapon that can make big plays in various settings. Dakota Guerrant was one of many very productive receivers for SFE. The 2027 top-100 WR from Michigan was incredibly efficient compiling yardage after the catch. Guerrant is elusive in the open field and able to maneuver well working with defenders in his face, too. He has strong hands and is able to play above the rim and work through tight coverage, and made receptions at different levels of the field. He's a stock-up WR in the 2027 class with massive upside playing in the slot or working on the perimeter. --2028 QB Niemann Lawrence: Lawrence was one of the Day 1 top performers. Lawrence took advantage of each the weapons around of him -- delivering accurate throws with fantastic timing and even better anticipation -- for a freshman or a passer at any level. Lawrence can make high-level throws and operates well above the curve for the position, and there is still room for growth for the touted passer slowly becoming a household name --Four-star SAF Chace Calicut: The Texas four-star SAF was another ball-hawk for SFE. Calicut snagged multiple interceptions on Saturday and again on Sunday. He boasts excellent range and length at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds -- with plus coverage skills and an innate feel for the position playing back deep. --Four-star WR Jaylen Pile (Michigan commit): Pile has an extremely high floor and was consistently open for RG3 Takeover this weekend. Pile was impactful working in the slot and also outside. He's sure-handed and a crisp route-runner -- with a professionalism about how he operates. --Four-star WR Daniel Odom: Odom was one of Bell's top pass-catchers for Hellstar and elevated his game in a big way during Sunday's action. The Oklahoma verbal was at his best near the end zone. He comes back to the football very strong and can certainly play above the rim in jump-ball situations. Odom also used his big 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame to work in the middle of the field effectively. --Four-star WR Jabari Mack: No player came up with more highlights grabs over the course of the weekend than Mack, a top-100 WR from The Boot. Mack came away with several touchdowns and several more highlight-reel sort of receptions in Week 1 action -- turning heads a few times throughout the action. --Four-star WR Easton Royal: The 2027 four-star WR from New Orleans was outstanding getting open deep and separating in the middle of the field. Royal is dynamic with the ball in his hands and is a big play waiting to happen. Royal ran fantastic routes and came up with several clutch grabs for Fleaux this weekend. --2029 QB CJ Cypher: As an incoming freshman, Cyper stood tall with several of the nation's best quarterbacks in the 2026 class. Cypher, who will play for Carrollton (Ga.) High in Georgia, was on time and accurate throughout the weekend. He was in-rhythm, on-point, and capable of making throws at all levels of the field this weekend. Our eyes remain on Cypher as he steps into the varsity ranks. --Three-star QB Grant Smith had a massively productive weekend operating the RG3 Takeover. Smith made use of all of his talented receivers -- making tough throws into tight windows for two days in a row. Smith is a big-armed passer that can push the ball downfield -- and did his best operating in the short-passing game and by the red zone making strong decisions time and time again.
Egypt Today
04-03-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egyptian Gov't looks to advance public offerings program, PM reviews program progress
Cairo – March 4, 2025: As part of ongoing efforts to advance the government's Initial Public Offering (IPO) and privatization program, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reaffirmed the state's dedication to leveraging the initiative as a fundamental pillar of economic reform. During a meeting on Tuesday with key ministers, Madbouly underscored the objective of broadening the ownership structure and enabling greater private sector participation in Egypt's economic landscape. The PM pointed out the significant opportunities available for public business sector companies, either through public listings on the Egyptian stock exchange or by attracting strategic investors. To enhance the efficiency of state-owned enterprises, the government is working closely with specialized institutions to improve governance, transparency, and competitive neutrality—ensuring the best returns on state assets, according to an official statement from the Cabinet. Currently, the Investment Ministry is overseeing the transfer of the administration of all state-owned companies to the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (SFE), which is now under the ministry's supervision. A committee has been established by the SFE to assess the financial and structural status of state-owned firms. The first phase of this transition will prioritize companies that demonstrated profitability in FY2024/2025 and have straightforward ownership structures. This approach aims to bypass entities entangled in complex ownership agreements between various government agencies, banks, and other institutions. The meeting also reaffirmed the importance of continuing the program to expand the ownership base on the Egyptian stock exchange, attract direct investment, and ensure diversification across different economic sectors. Officials underscored that the program plays a crucial role in meeting the state's financial needs, increasing private sector involvement in economic activities, and boosting public-private investments in the coming years. Madbouly further explained that the government is following a structured timeline that considers key factors such as the readiness of companies for offering and the optimal timing based on local and global market conditions. Cabinet spokesperson Mohamed El-Homsany reported that the meeting reviewed the current status of the public offerings program. Discussions included the offerings completed so far, those expected to take place this year, and the ongoing preparations for new offerings across various economic sectors. The meeting was attended by Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Public Business Sector Mohamed Shimi, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones Hossam Heiba, and other relevant officials.
