Category: Africa

Carl D Francis takes the helm at medtech group focused on reversal of diabetes, NASH, and obesity

LONDON, Feb. 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today Keyron, the medical technology group focused on reversing type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and obesity via an innovative medical device platform, announced the appointment of Carl D Francis as Chief Executive Officer.

“The continuing rise in obesity, diabetes, and all forms of fatty liver disease is one of the biggest health challenges the world faces today. Literally billions of people are affected, and the numbers continue to rise rapidly,” Francis said. “Keyron’s technology is a complete game-changer. An innovative, non-surgical, endoscopically-delivered, fully reversible treatment as an alternative to drastic bariatric surgeries is as exciting as it gets. I am really proud and honoured to be part of Keyron.”

The American Diabetes Association states that today 37m Americans suffer from diabetes, with 96m having pre-diabetes. The link between obesity and diabetes is well established, and according to The World Obesity Federation’s forecast in their recently released 2022 Atlas, 67% of women and 51% of men in the Americas will be living with obesity (BMI ≥ 30) by 2030.

Keyron’s patented technology is designed to be a fully endoscopic, outpatient procedure providing the same or greater metabolic benefits of gastric bypass surgery, including a reversal of type 2 diabetes and obesity, as well as NASH and liver fibrosis.

Following successful rodent studies in 2019 and swine studies in 2022, Keyron’s first-in-human trials are planned to begin in early 2024. Keyron is targeting to achieve FDA clearance by 2028, and a US launch is planned as the first target market. The company is now making plans to raise a $15m Series A funding round.

Dr Giorgio Castagneto Gissey, Keyron’s Chairman, said, “We are thrilled that Carl will be leading Keyron as we enter this critical stage of our development. Carl brings energy, focus, and senior leadership experience to ensure we realize our full potential. Keyron has always had high profile, world-leading board members and medical advisors, and we continue to bring onboard remarkable people. We are truly delighted to have been able to attract Carl.”

Francis was previously CEO of successful nano-technology group P2i. During his tenure the group grew from a handful of employees to global leadership in the functional nano-coating space. He was most recently CEO of UK-based medtech group Eyoto which specializes in advanced technologies in the optical and ophthalmic industries. He started his career as a US CPA, is a member of Mensa, and has a BSc from the University of Cincinnati.

CONTACT

For further information please contact:

• In the USA – Carl D Francis at c.francis@keyron.com or +1 (912) 429-3800
• In Europe – Dr Giorgio Castagneto Gissey at gcgissey@keyron.com or +44 7975 911101

ABOUT KEYRON

Keyron is a UK-based, preclinical-stage medical device and technology platform company aimed at a highly-effective treatment of metabolic diseases. Keyron’s patented ForePass is an innovative medical device designed to safely reverse type-2 diabetes, as well as NASH, and obesity. The company has already demonstrated a full reversal of insulin resistance in animal studies, and recently published the results in The Lancet EBioMedicine. Keyron has upcoming clinical trials in South America and aims to then carry out further clinical trials in the USA. Its founders, directors, advisors and investors include some of the most well-known and cited professors and KOLs worldwide in the metabolic diseases space. The company is backed by multiple institutional investors based in the USA and EMEA.

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8743797

TEMECULA, Calif., Feb. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nikkiso Clean Energy and Industrial Gases Group (“Group”), a part of Nikkiso Co., Ltd (Japan), and operating under Cryogenic Industries, Inc. (USA), completed the acquisition of Cryotec Anlagenbau GmbH (Cryotec), located in Wurzen, Saxony, Germany for an undisclosed amount.

A global plant engineering and construction company, Cryotec provides planning, project management, manufacturing, and engineering services of skid-mounted/containerized air separation and liquefaction plants, and CO2 technologies offering tailored solutions to their customers.

Cryotec will operate as part of the Group’s GmbH facility, based in Neuenburg am Rhine, Germany.

The Group consists of six functional business units: Cryogenic Pumps, Heat Exchanger Systems, Process Systems, Fueling & Solutions, Energy Infrastructure & Strategic Projects, and Service. Cryotec will be acting as the Nikkiso Clean Energy and Industrial Gases Group competence and production center in Europe.

“Nikkiso will promote and sell globally the intelligent packaged solutions from Cryotec that reduce and recover carbon dioxide emissions, and further support the sustainability goals of the Group. Cryotec will have full access to the innovative technologies developed in California and elsewhere in the Nikkiso Group and offer localized packages, solutions, and stations for LH2 (Liquid Hydrogen) LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), ammonia, and cryogenic energy storage applications within Germany and Europe. We will support the growth of Cryotec, by adding resources and increasing our manufacturing and assembly activities in Saxony and supplying Cryotec solutions to Germany and the global market”, according to Peter Wagner, CEO of Cryogenic Industries and President of the Group.

Prime Minister of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer stated: “The acquisition of Cryotec Anlagenbau by Nikkiso strengthens the internationalization of a traditional Saxon company from Wurzen. Nikkiso has global experience in renewable energy, hydrogen, and energy storage. Renewable energies and green hydrogen play a key role in achieving the energy and climate targets in Saxony. The Free State of Saxony is already an important location for the research and application of hydrogen technologies. I am delighted that Nikkiso will contribute its expertise to Saxony in the future.”

“Nikkiso will be able to assist with this project realization as well as the supply and servicing of liquid hydrogen and LNG filling stations in the European Market”, according to Ole Jensen, Vice President, Europe. “This acquisition represents our commitment to and support the European Union targets to be climate-neutral by 2050.”

The purchase was effective February 3, 2023.

ABOUT Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group
Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group is part of the Industrial Division of Nikkiso co. Lt. Japan. The Group operates in the US, under Cryogenic Industries, Inc. (a member of Nikkiso Co., Ltd.). The Group member companies manufacture, and service engineered cryogenic gas processing equipment (pumps, turboexpanders, heat exchangers, etc.), and process plants for Industrial Gases, Natural Gas Liquefaction (LNG), Hydrogen Liquefaction (LH2) and Organic Rankine Cycle for Waste Heat Recovery. Founded over 50 years ago, Cryogenic Industries is the parent company of ACD, Nikkiso Cryo, Nikkiso Integrated Cryogenic Solutions, Cosmodyne and Cryoquip and a commonly controlled group of approximately 20 operating entities.

For more information, please visit www.NikkisoCEIG.com and www.nikkiso.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Anna Quigley
+1.951.383.3314
aquigley@cryoind.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5818ee3c-2c93-4ad0-b03b-a87bda21cfce

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8743139

Madrid, Feb. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gordon Brothers, the global advisory, restructuring and investment firm, is offering for immediate sale by private treaty machinery and equipment from four plants in the Canary Islands formerly leased by the firm to the Spanish food products manufacturer and distributor José Sánchez Peñate.

José Sánchez Peñate primarily produced dairy products from two plants in Tenerife, Spain and manufactured and supplied coffee and bakery products from two plants in Gran Canaria. The complete plant and available machinery equipment are as follows:

• Milk plant, including preparation, mixing, sterilization, cooling, packaging and palletizing systems.
• Yoghurt plant, including raw material reception, pasteurization of milk, mixing station, pasteurization of yoghurt, addition of starter, fermentation, packaging, palletizing, cooling and storage.
• Coffee plant, including raw materials reception, recipe preparation, roasting, milling, packing of coffee beans for restaurants or ground coffee, packaging, palletizing and storage.
• Bakery plant, including raw materials reception, kneading machines, forming machines, cutting and boarding, fermentation area, baking and cooling, packaging and palletizing.

“This unprecedented food manufacturing plant sale is already generating global interest and is an amazing opportunity to acquire machinery and equipment worth millions of euros,” said Duncan Ainscough, Managing Director, Commercial & Industrial at Gordon Brothers. “With over €95 billion of assets appraised and disposed in the food and beverage industry, we are a trusted partner with a deep understanding of this sector and a strong history in maximizing asset value for companies in Spain and throughout Europe.”

The machinery and equipment is installed and inspections are available by appointment only. To view the full list of available assets, visit Gordon Brothers’ website: www.gordonbrothers.com/JSP.

About Gordon Brothers

Since 1903, Gordon Brothers (www.gordonbrothers.com) has helped lenders, management teams, advisors and investors move forward through change. The firm brings a powerful combination of expertise and capital to clients, developing customized solutions on an integrated or standalone basis across four services areas: valuations, dispositions, financing and investment. Whether to fuel growth or facilitate strategic consolidation, Gordon Brothers partners with companies in the retail, commercial and industrial sectors to provide maximum liquidity, put assets to their highest and best use and mitigate liabilities. The firm conducts more than $100 billion worth of dispositions and appraisals annually and provides both short- and long-term capital to clients undergoing transformation. Gordon Brothers lends against and invests in brands, real estate, inventory, receivables, machinery, equipment and other assets, both together and individually, to provide clients liquidity solutions beyond its market-leading disposition and appraisal services. The firm is headquartered in Boston, with over 30 offices across five continents.

Lauren Nadeau
Gordon Brothers
+1.617.422.6599
lnadeau@gordonbrothers.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8741910