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V2X Delivers Solid Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Results

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Fourth Quarter 2023 Summary

Reported record revenue of $1.04 billion, up +6.4% y/y Achieved y/y revenue growth of 31% in the Pacific and 18% in the Middle EastOperating income of $38.5 million; adjusted operating income1 of $76.2 million Net income (loss) of ($0.5) million, up $10.1 million y/yAdjusted EBITDA1 of $82.1 million with a margin1 of 7.9%Diluted EPS of ($0.02); Adjusted diluted EPS1 of $1.22Strong year-to-date cash flow from operations of $188.0 million; Achieved net debt reduction of $137.1 millionAwarded first substantial foreign military sales program valued at $400 million over 5 years

2024 Guidance:

Establishing full-year 2024 guidance with revenue and adjusted EBITDA1 growth of 5% at mid-point

MCLEAN, Va., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — V2X, Inc. (NYSE:VVX) announced fourth quarter and full-year 2023 financial results.

“I’m pleased to report a strong finish to 2023, with record revenue and strong operational performance which drove significant cash generation and net debt reduction,” said Chuck Prow, President and Chief Executive Officer of V2X. “I’d like to thank our teams that demonstrated agility and excellent performance, delivering 8% pro forma revenue1 growth for the full-year and 6% for the quarter. We made significant progress advancing V2X as a leader in the operational segment of the federal services market while continuing to position the company for long-term growth. The leading indicators for our business remain strong with a backlog of approximately $13 billion, $9 billion of bids submitted currently under evaluation, and a robust pipeline of opportunities valued at $15 billion expected to be submitted over the next twelve months. Our capabilities and position in an expanding market, present opportunities to drive continued growth and value for our shareholders and clients.”  

“V2X achieved several milestones during the fourth quarter, which includes our first substantial foreign military sales (FMS) win valued at approximately $400 million over the next five years,” said Mr. Prow. “This program is a long-term aviation support and training contract in the Middle East and was a direct result of our multi-year FMS campaign. Importantly, our evolution as a company has been an enabler to participate in this market. With this opportunity, the total value of V2X FMS’ portfolio is approximately $700 million with accretive margins. We plan to build on this success and continue pursuing FMS opportunities that leverage our geographic footprint, strong partnerships, and core capabilities.”

Mr. Prow continued, “Our ability to provide full life cycle solutions from concept to fielding and sustainment is a significant differentiator that’s yielding results. During the quarter, we demonstrated our capabilities through the fielding of a defense platform that modernized existing systems. This program launched as an engineering development and prototyping effort with a new client and today has yielded a brand-new product that’s designed, produced, and sustained by V2X. Additionally, our engineering, integration, modernization and sustainment solutions resulted in approximately $70 million of awards to V2X in the fourth quarter.”

Mr. Prow concluded, “I’d like to thank our teams for their contributions in 2023 and progress executing our strategic framework: Expand the Base, Capture New Markets, Deliver with Excellence, and Enhance Culture. Looking ahead, V2X continues to transform to deliver enhanced capabilities in an expanding market. We have strong momentum, robust backlog, a highly aligned pipeline, limited recompetes, and high free cash generation that provides an excellent fundamental profile to support value creation.” 

Fourth Quarter 2023 Results

“V2X reported revenue of $1.0 billion in the quarter, which represents 6.4% year-over-year growth,” said Shawn Mural, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “Revenue growth in the quarter was achieved through exceptional team performance delivering milestones ahead of schedule, expansion on existing programs, and new business. This solid execution resulted in year-over-year revenue growth of 31% in the Pacific and 18% in the Middle East.” 

“For the quarter, the Company reported operating income of $38.5 million and adjusted operating income1 of $76.2 million. Adjusted EBITDA1 was $82.1 million with a margin of 7.9%. Fourth quarter GAAP diluted EPS was ($0.02), due primarily to merger and integration related costs, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and interest expense. Adjusted diluted EPS1 for the quarter was $1.22.”

“V2X’s ability to generate strong cash flow with low capital expenditures is an important attribute of our business and one that we are extremely focused on as a primary avenue to enhance value for shareholders. I’m pleased to announce that during the quarter, our teams demonstrated outstanding performance in all aspects of cash conversion, driving significant collections, a record low DSO, and operating cash flow that exceeded our guidance. Net cash provided by operating activities was $188.0 million year to date. Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities1 year to date was $159.5 million, adding back $26.9 million of M&A and integration costs with $13.4 million of CARES act payments, and removing the contribution of the master accounts receivable purchase or MARPA facility of $68.8 million.”

“Solid cash generation enabled net debt reduction of $137.1 million for the year.  At the end of the quarter, net debt for V2X was $1,083.6 million.  Net consolidated indebtedness to EBITDA1 (net leverage ratio) was 3.3x, improved from 3.7x at the end of 2022.  Additionally, we believe our strong fundamentals will allow V2X to achieve a net leverage ratio at or under 3.0x by the end of 2024.”  

“Total backlog as of December 31, 2023, was $12.8 billion. Funded backlog was $2.8 billion. Bookings in the quarter were $0.6 billion, resulting in a trailing twelve-month book-to-bill of 1.1x. It’s important to note that backlog and bookings do not include the full performance period of the $400 million FMS program as the contract is being definitized and the $458 million F-5 Adversary aircraft award, discussed last quarter, as it remains in protest,” said Mr. Mural.

Full-Year 2023 Results

Full-year revenue was $3.963 billion, up 8% pro forma year-on-year. The Company reported full-year operating income of $124.4 million and adjusted operating income1 of $271.4 million. Full-year EBITDA1 was $293.9 million with a margin of 7.4%. Full-year GAAP diluted EPS was ($0.73), due primarily to merger and integration related costs, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and interest expense. Adjusted diluted EPS1 for 2023 was $3.74.

2024 Guidance

Mr. Mural concluded, “Based on the positive trends in our business we are setting the mid-point of our guidance for revenue and Adjusted EBITDA1 at $4.150 billion and $308 million, respectively, representing approximately 5% year-over-year growth. We expect revenue and adjusted EBITDA to be weighted more heavily in the second half of the year. Importantly, guidance at the mid-point assumes approximately 90% of revenue from existing contracts and less than 5% from recompetes.”

Guidance for 2024 is as follows:       

$ millions, except for per share amounts

2024 Guidance

2024 Mid-Point

Revenue

$4,100

$4,200

$4,150

Adjusted EBITDA1

$300

$315

$308

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share1

$3.85

$4.20

$4.03

Adjusted Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities1

$145

$165

$155

The Company is not providing a quantitative reconciliation with respect to this forward-looking non-GAAP measure in reliance on the “unreasonable efforts” exception set forth in SEC rules because certain financial information, the probable significance of which cannot be determined, is not available and cannot be reasonably estimated. For example, unusual, one-time, non-ordinary, or non-recurring costs, which relate to M&A, integration and related activities cannot be reasonably estimated. Forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested here, including those factors set forth in the Safe Harbor Statement below. 

Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call with analysts and investors at 8:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. U.S.-based participants may dial in to the conference call at 877-407-3982, while international participants may dial 201-493-6780. A live webcast of the conference call as well as an accompanying slide presentation will be available here: https://app.webinar.net/WrwGVYwl6dA

A replay of the conference call will be posted on the V2X website shortly after completion of the call and will be available for one year. A telephonic replay will also be available through March 19, 2024, at 844-512-2921 (domestic) or 412-317-6671 (international) with passcode 13743860 .

Presentation slides that will be used in conjunction with the conference call will also be made available online in advance on the “investors” section of the company’s website at https://gov2x.com/. V2X recognizes its website as a key channel of distribution to reach public investors and as a means of disclosing material non-public information to comply with its obligations under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Regulation FD.

Footnotes:

1 See “Key Performance Indicators and Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for descriptions and reconciliations.

About V2X

V2X builds smart solutions designed to integrate physical and digital infrastructure – by aligning people, actions, and outputs. Formed by the merger of Vectrus and Vertex, we bring a combined 120 years of successful mission support. Our lifecycle solutions improve security, streamline logistics, and enhance readiness.

The Company delivers a comprehensive suite of integrated solutions across the operations and logistics, aerospace, training, and technology markets to national security, defense, civilian and international clients. Our global team of approximately 16,000 employees brings innovation to every point in the mission lifecycle, from preparation to operations, to sustainment, as it tackles the most complex challenges with agility, grit, and dedication.

Contact Information

Investor Contact

Media Contact

Mike Smith, CFA

Angelica Spanos Deoudes

IR@goV2X.com

Communications@goV2X.com

719-637-5773

571-338-5195

Safe Harbor Statement

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”): Certain material presented herein includes forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Act. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, all the statements and items listed under “2024 Guidance” above and other assumptions contained therein for purposes of such guidance, other statements about our 2024 performance outlook, revenue, contract opportunities, and any discussion of future operating or financial performance.

Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “potential,” “continue” or similar terminology. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of the Company based on information currently available to management.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions, or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors, many of which are outside our management’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.  In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s historical experience and our present expectations or projections. For a discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements, see the risks and other factors detailed from time to time our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings with the SEC.

We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

V2X, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME

Year Ended December 31,

(In thousands, except per share data)

2023

2022

2021

Revenue

$   3,963,126

$   2,890,860

$   1,783,665

Cost of revenue

3,628,271

2,595,848

1,623,245

Selling, general and administrative expenses

210,439

239,241

98,400

Operating income

124,416

55,771

62,020

Loss on extinguishment of debt

(22,298)

Interest expense, net

(122,442)

(61,879)

(7,985)

Other expense, net

(4,194)

(Loss) income from operations before income taxes

(24,518)

(6,108)

54,035

Income tax (benefit) expense

(1,945)

8,222

8,307

Net (loss) income

$      (22,573)

$       (14,330)

$        45,728

(Loss) earnings per share

Basic

$          (0.73)

$          (0.68)

$            3.91

Diluted

$          (0.73)

$          (0.68)

$            3.86

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic

31,084

20,996

11,705

Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted

31,084

20,996

11,836

 

 

V2X, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31,

(In thousands, except shares and per share data)

2023

2022

Assets

Current assets

  Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

$           72,651

$         116,067

  Receivables

705,995

728,582

  Inventory, net

46,981

44,974

  Prepaid expenses and other current assets

49,242

42,309

  Total current assets

874,869

931,932

  Property, plant, and equipment, net

85,429

78,715

  Goodwill

1,656,926

1,653,822

  Intangible assets, net

407,530

497,951

  Right-of-use assets

41,215

52,825

  Other non-current assets

15,931

17,858

  Total non-current assets

2,207,031

2,301,171

Total Assets

$      3,081,900

$      3,233,103

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Current liabilities

  Accounts payable

$         453,052

$         406,706

  Compensation and other employee benefits

158,088

168,038

  Short-term debt

15,361

11,850

  Other accrued liabilities

213,700

196,538

Total current liabilities

840,201

783,132

  Long-term debt, net

1,100,269

1,262,811

  Deferred tax liabilities

11,763

15,813

  Operating lease liabilities

34,691

41,083

  Other non-current liabilities

104,176

133,185

 Total non-current liabilities

1,250,899

1,452,892

Total liabilities

2,091,100

2,236,024

Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

Shareholders’ Equity

Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; No shares issued and outstanding

Common stock; $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 31,191,628 and 30,470,475 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively

312

305

Additional paid in capital

762,324

748,877

Retained earnings

230,851

253,424

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(2,687)

(5,527)

Total shareholders’ equity

990,800

997,079

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

$      3,081,900

$      3,233,103

 

V2X, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year Ended December 31,

(In thousands)

2023

2022

2021

Operating activities

Net (loss) income

$      (22,573)

$      (14,330)

$        45,728

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:

  Depreciation expense

22,408

13,472

6,526

  Amortization of intangible assets

90,423

48,643

10,028

  Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment

683

59

65

  Stock-based compensation

32,843

32,736

8,331

  Deferred taxes

(7,509)

(15,554)

(7,280)

  Amortization of debt issuance costs

9,067

7,805

912

  Loss on extinguishment of debt

22,298

  Gain on disposition of business

(450)

(2,082)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

  Receivables

19,064

(52,311)

(36,376)

  Inventory, net

(311)

(3,600)

(5,232)

  Other assets

12,076

14,962

(7,613)

  Accounts payable

43,153

71,837

56,985

  Compensation and other employee benefits

(9,901)

42,878

1,133

  Other liabilities

(23,303)

(51,020)

(11,868)

  Net cash provided by operating activities

187,968

93,495

61,339

Investing activities

Purchases of capital assets and intangibles

(25,021)

(12,425)

(9,776)

Proceeds from the disposition of assets

16

9

16

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

193,677

262

Disposition of business

1,349

(5,303)

Distributions from (contributions to) joint venture

1,007

(3,145)

  Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

(22,649)

175,958

(12,643)

Financing activities

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

250,000

Repayments of long-term debt

(432,603)

(108,400)

(8,600)

Proceeds from revolver

922,750

392,000

529,000

Repayments of revolver

(922,750)

(472,925)

(594,000)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

34

408

379

Payment of debt issuance costs

(8,818)

(2,325)

(17)

Prepayment premium on early redemption of debt

(1,600)

Payments of employee withholding taxes on share-based compensation

(18,036)

(1,994)

(2,347)

  Net cash used in financing activities

(211,023)

(193,236)

(75,585)

Exchange rate effect on cash

2,288

1,337

(3,325)

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(43,416)

77,554

(30,214)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – beginning of year

116,067

38,513

68,727

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – end of year

$        72,651

$      116,067

$        38,513

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

Interest paid

$      117,482

$        54,267

$          5,801

Income taxes paid

$          8,356

$        13,416

$          9,703

Non-cash investing activities:

Purchase of capital assets on account

$          3,043

$          2,716

$             277

Common stock issued for business acquisition

$               —

$      630,636

$               —

 

Key Performance Indicators and Non-GAAP Measures

The primary financial performance measures we use to manage our business and monitor results of operations are revenue trends and operating income trends. Management believes that these financial performance measures are the primary drivers for our earnings and net cash from operating activities. Management evaluates its contracts and business performance by focusing on revenue, and operating income. Operating income represents revenue less both cost of revenue and selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses. Cost of revenue consists of labor, subcontracting costs, materials, and an allocation of indirect costs, which includes service center transaction costs. SG&A expenses consist of indirect labor costs (including wages and salaries for executives and administrative personnel), bid and proposal expenses and other general and administrative expenses not allocated to cost of revenue.

We manage the nature and amount of costs at the program level, which forms the basis for estimating our total costs and profitability. This is consistent with our approach for managing our business, which begins with management’s assessing the bidding opportunity for each contract and then managing contract profitability throughout the performance period.

In addition to the key performance measures discussed above, we consider adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted operating cash flow, and pro forma revenue to be useful to management and investors in evaluating our operating performance, and to provide a tool for evaluating our ongoing operations. This information can assist investors in assessing our financial performance and measures our ability to generate capital for deployment among competing strategic alternatives and initiatives. We provide this information to our investors in our earnings releases, presentations, and other disclosures.

Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, and pro forma revenue, however, are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP.  Definitions and reconciliations of these items are provided below.

Pro forma (PF) revenue is defined as the combined results of our operations as if the Merger had occurred on January 1, 2021.Adjusted operating income is defined as operating income, adjusted to exclude items that may include, but are not limited to, significant charges or credits, and unusual and infrequent non-operating items that impact current results but are not related to our ongoing operations, such as M&A, integration, and related costs.Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income, adjusted to exclude depreciation and amortization of intangible assets, and items that may include, but are not limited to, significant charges or credits, and unusual and infrequent non-operating items that impact current results but are not related to our ongoing operations, such as M&A, integration, and related costs.Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue.Adjusted net income is defined as net income, adjusted to exclude items that may include, but are not limited to, significant charges or credits, and unusual and infrequent non-operating items that impact current results but are not related to our ongoing operations, such as M&A, integration and related costs, amortization of acquired intangible assets, amortization of debt issuance costs, and loss on extinguishment of debt.Adjusted diluted earnings per share is defined as adjusted net income divided by the weighted average diluted common shares outstanding.Cash interest expense, net is defined as interest expense, net adjusted to exclude amortization of debt issuance costs.Adjusted net cash provided by (used in) operating activities or adjusted operating cash flow is defined as net cash provided by (or used in) operating activities adjusted to exclude infrequent non-operating items, such as M&A payments and related costs.Net leverage ratio is defined as net debt (or total debt less unrestricted cash) divided by trailing twelve-month (TTM) bank EBITDA.

In this document, the Company presents certain forward-looking non-GAAP metrics. The Company does not provide outlook on a GAAP basis because the items that the Company excludes from GAAP to calculate the comparable non-GAAP measure can be dependent on future events that are less capable of being controlled or reliably predicted by management and are not part of the Company’s routine operating activities. Additionally, management does not forecast many of the excluded items for internal use and therefore cannot create or rely on outlook done on a GAAP basis.  The occurrence, timing, and amount of any of the items excluded from GAAP to calculate non-GAAP could significantly impact the Company’s fiscal 2023 GAAP results.

 

 

Non-GAAP Tables

($K, except per share data)

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,
2023

December 31,
2022

December 31,
2023

December 31,
2022

Revenue

$      1,040,307

$        978,167

$      3,963,126

$      2,890,860

Net income (loss)

$               (492)

$         (10,619)

$          (22,573)

$          (14,330)

Plus:

Income tax expense (benefit)

8,420

10,675

(1,945)

8,222

Other expense, net

1,859

4,194

Interest expense, net

28,497

30,971

122,442

61,879

Loss on extinguishment of debt

246

22,298

Amortization of intangible assets

22,606

20,046

90,423

48,643

M&A, integration and related costs

15,055

26,379

56,610

87,108

Adjusted operating income

$          76,191

$          77,452

$        271,449

$        191,522

Plus:

Depreciation expense

5,875

4,809

22,408

13,472

Adjusted EBITDA

$          82,066

$          82,261

$        293,857

$        204,994

Adjusted EBITDA margin

7.9 %

8.4 %

7.4 %

7.1 %

Minus:

Cash interest expense, net

26,305

27,069

113,375

54,074

Income tax expense, as adjusted

9,101

19,654

35,430

36,295

Depreciation expense

5,875

4,809

22,408

13,472

Other expense, net

1,859

4,194

Adjusted net income

$          38,926

$          30,729

$        118,450

$        101,153

 

($K, except per share data)

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,
2023

December 31,
2022

December 31,
2023

December 31,
2022

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$               (0.02)

$               (0.35)

$               (0.73)

$               (0.68)

Plus:

M&A, integration and related costs

0.45

0.69

1.42

3.28

Amortization of intangible assets

0.68

0.53

2.26

1.84

Amortization of debt issuance costs and Loss on extinguishment of debt

0.11

0.10

0.79

0.29

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

$                 1.22

$                 0.97

$                 3.74

$                 4.73

Average shares outstanding

Basic, as reported

31,192

30,465

31,084

20,996

Diluted, as reported

31,192

30,465

31,084

20,996

Adjusted diluted

31,822

31,284

31,567

21,346

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Revenue by client branch, contract type, contract relationship, and geographic region for the periods presented below was as follows: 

Revenue by Client

Year Ended December 31,

(In thousands)

2023

%

2022

%

2021

%

Army

$     1,633,525

41 %

$     1,342,406

46 %

$     1,134,849

64 %

Navy

1,233,463

31 %

713,732

25 %

224,407

13 %

Air Force

538,698

14 %

459,849

16 %

266,291

15 %

Other

557,440

14 %

374,873

13 %

158,118

8 %

Total revenue

$     3,963,126

$     2,890,860

$     1,783,665

 

Revenue by Contract Type

Year Ended December 31,

(In thousands)

2023

%

2022

%

2021

%

Cost-plus and cost-reimbursable

$     2,209,241

56 %

$     1,625,196

56 %

$     1,271,167

71 %

Firm-fixed-price

1,626,262

41 %

1,159,743

40 %

452,112

25 %

Time-and-materials

127,623

3 %

105,921

4 %

60,386

4 %

Total revenue

$     3,963,126

$     2,890,860

$     1,783,665

 

Revenue by Contract Relationship

Year Ended December 31,

(In thousands)

2023

%

2022

%

2021

%

Prime contractor

$     3,726,199

94 %

$     2,695,067

93 %

$     1,663,828

93 %

Subcontractor

236,927

6 %

195,793

7 %

119,837

7 %

Total revenue

$     3,963,126

$     2,890,860

$     1,783,665

 

Revenue by Geographic Region

Year Ended December 31,

(In thousands)

2023

%

2022

%

2021

%

United States

$     2,286,052

58 %

$     1,494,255

52 %

$       578,255

32 %

Middle East

1,193,598

30 %

1,024,674

35 %

1,000,877

56 %

Asia

264,346

7 %

167,629

6 %

61,927

3 %

Europe

219,130

5 %

204,302

7 %

142,606

9 %

Total revenue

$     3,963,126

$     2,890,860

$     1,783,665

 

 

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SOURCE V2X, Inc.

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HEIDELBERG, Germany, Dec. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — European Wellness Biomedical Group (EWBG) has launched a new research initiative focused on Klotho, a protein with transformative potential in longevity medicine. Led by Professor Dr. Mike Chan, this project will explore Klotho’s role in combating age-related diseases and its ability to regenerate critical organs, including the brain, kidneys, and heart.

Klotho, identified in 1997, is emerging as a key protein in longevity and regenerative medicine. It plays a pivotal role in regulating oxidative stress, mineral metabolism, and inflammation. The research will investigate how boosting Klotho levels could help address chronic conditions like neurodegenerative diseases, kidney failure, and heart disease, ultimately improving healthspan and extending lifespan.

“Klotho represents the next frontier in longevity medicine,” said Professor Mike Chan, Chief Scientist at EWBG. “Our research aims to understand how Klotho affects aging and how we can use it to treat chronic diseases that have long been associated with aging.”

Research Focus Areas

The new initiative will focus on three primary research areas:

Neurological health: Investigating Klotho’s neuroprotective effects and its potential to slow cognitive decline in diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.Kidney function: Examining Klotho’s role in regulating mineral metabolism and its regenerative potential in treating chronic kidney disease (CKD).Cardiovascular health: Studying Klotho’s influence on vascular function and its ability to prevent vascular calcification, a key contributor to heart disease.

This research builds on existing collaborations at EWBG, where leading scientists focus on advancing Klotho-based therapies for regenerative health.

Klotho: A Potential Breakthrough in Longevity Medicine

Klotho is gaining attention for its ability to regenerate tissues and reverse damage caused by age-related diseases. Unlike NAD+, which primarily enhances cellular metabolism and energy production, Klotho offers a broader range of therapeutic applications, including tissue regeneration, cognitive function improvement, and cardiovascular health.

As we age, Klotho levels naturally decline, leading to conditions such as cognitive decline, heart disease, and kidney failure. Research suggests that restoring Klotho levels can reverse the effects of oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular senescence, offering new treatment possibilities for a range of age-related diseases.

Professor Mike Chan: Leading the Charge in Klotho Research

Professor Mike Chan, a leading expert in stem cell therapy and longevity medicine, is spearheading this groundbreaking initiative at EWBG. His extensive experience in bio-regenerative medicine positions him as a key figure in exploring Klotho’s potential to revolutionize the treatment of age-related diseases. Through FCTI, a subsidiary of EWBG, Professor Chan and his team are developing therapies that combine stem cell technology and Klotho proteins to stimulate tissue regeneration in the brain, kidneys, and heart.

“By harnessing Klotho’s regenerative properties, we hope to address chronic conditions that were previously untreatable,” said Professor Chan. “Our ultimate goal is to improve quality of life and provide lasting solutions for those affected by aging-related diseases.”

The Future of Klotho in Longevity Medicine

The future of Klotho-based therapies looks promising, with Professor Mike Chan and EWBG at the forefront of this innovative field. As more research is conducted, Klotho is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing longevity medicine, offering a new approach to treating aging and chronic diseases. The potential applications of Klotho are vast, from neurodegenerative disease treatment to kidney regeneration and cardiovascular health.

With strong research partnerships, significant funding, and ongoing clinical trials, Klotho is poised to become a cornerstone of longevity medicine, transforming how we approach aging and disease. Professor Mike Chan’s leadership ensures that this promising protein will soon offer new hope to those seeking longer, healthier lives.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/european-wellness-biomedical-group-announces-new-klotho-research-initiative-led-by-prof-mike-chan-302338980.html

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Apas Port Launches $20M Vehicle Loan Initiative with HARVEST FLOW on Plume Network to Empower Financial Inclusion in Emerging Countries, Starting in Cambodia

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NEW YORK, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Apas Port Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based Web3 company dedicated to deploying “kando”—a Japanese term for deep emotional engagement—into the digital realm, has announced the launch of HARVEST FLOW, a social impact-driven cryptocurrency lending platform. Committed to “social action”ーdelivering stable returns alongside meaningful social impact, HARVEST FLOW’s inaugural project is a $20 million initiative offering loans to TukTuk and four-wheel vehicle drivers in Cambodia who don’t have access to the financial system. This venture is set to operate on Plume Network, the leading Layer 1 blockchain specialized in Real-World Asset Finance (RWAfi), offering the necessary infrastructure to transform HARVEST FLOW’s vision of financial inclusion into scalable action.

Bridging Real-World Challenges Through Blockchain Innovation

HARVEST FLOW’s mission is to empower underserved communities and small businesses by granting access to affordable financing solutions. By leveraging blockchain technology, the platform addresses critical societal issues such as poverty alleviation and economic development, creating pathways for stable financial growth while delivering measurable social impact.

The initial focus of this initiative is to provide affordable financing options for TukTuk and four-wheel vehicle drivers in Cambodia—vital tools for local livelihoods. The project not only supports job creation but also enhances financial inclusion in emerging economies.

Why Plume Network?

As the first fully integrated L1 modular blockchain tailored for RWAfi, Plume Network provides the foundation for scalable, secure, and transparent financial ecosystems. With over 180 projects onboarded in its private devnet, Plume enables seamless tokenization and distribution of RWAs through its composable, EVM-compatible infrastructure.

How Plume Powers HARVEST FLOW:

End-to-End Tokenization: Streamlines the conversion of vehicle loans into blockchain-based assets.Investor Transparency: Advanced tools to track and visualize the social and financial impact of investments.Global Scalability: Infrastructure designed to handle the growing demands of HARVEST FLOW’s multi-region projects.DeFi Integration: Unlocks liquidity through decentralized finance primitives within the Plume ecosystem.

IoT-Backed Innovation for Loan Security

HARVEST FLOW’s projects are uniquely supported by embedded IoT technology within TukTuk engines, ensuring an exceptionally low loan default rate while building investor confidence.

Justin Chen, Head of Asset Strategy at Plume Network, noted: “This project highlights the power of combining blockchain and IoT devices to create innovative financial products that drive real-world impact. We’re excited to see HARVEST FLOW’s success on Plume and the positive change it will bring to the urban motility market in Southeast Asia.”

Looking Ahead

Starting with the vehicle mobility sector through 2025, HARVEST FLOW plans to expand into other sectors addressing social challenges and needs beyond 2026. This approach aims to ensure sustainable growth while delivering meaningful societal benefits, powered by Plume’s blockchain technology.

Masaki Minamide, director of HARVEST FLOW, stated: “Plume’s infrastructure empowers us to amplify our impact and support communities in need while offering our investors transparent and reliable returns. With this launch, we continue our mission to combine blockchain technology with meaningful social action.”

For more information, visit Plume Network or contact press@plumenetwork.xyz.

About Plume Network
Plume is the first fully integrated L1 modular blockchain focused on RWAfi, offering a composable, EVM-compatible environment for onboarding and managing diverse RWAs. With 180+ projects on its private devnet, Plume provides an end-to-end tokenization engine and a network of financial infrastructure partners, simplifying asset onboarding and enabling seamless DeFi integration for RWAs.

About HARVEST FLOW
Founded in April 2023, Apas Port Co., Ltd. is a Web3 production company with a mission to deploy “kando” (deep emotional impact) globally. The company leverages blockchain technology to connect carefully curated content with a co-creative community, acting as a “passport” to a new world of Web3 experiences.

X: https://x.com/HarvestFlow_io
Website: https://www.harvestflow.io/

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SOURCE Plume Network

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South Clackamas Business Resource Center Launches Digital Community Platform

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The Business Resource Center (BRC) of South Clackamas County unveils a new digital platform featuring an innovative business mapping system developed by COBID-certified IronGlove Studio. The website integrates advanced mapping technology with resource management tools to serve local businesses across nine communities, offering free consultations and scholarship opportunities for eligible residents.

OREGON CITY, Ore. and SOUTH CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore., Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ —  The Business Resource Center of South Clackamas County (BRC) is proud to announce the launch of its new website, https://brcscc.org, developed by Oregon City-based IronGlove Studio, LLC. The launch marks a significant expansion of its online presence and services, representing a major step forward in the BRC’s mission to support and empower local businesses and community members in the South Clackamas area.

This initiative offers an unbiased and equitable opportunity for every small business in the South Clackamas region to connect, discover, and grow through access to training, resources, and support.

Who is the Business Resource Center of South Clackamas County

The Business Resource Center (BRC) of South Clackamas County is a vital hub for small business support, resources, and training opportunities, dedicated to fostering economic growth and development in the region. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and operating until December 31, 2024, or until funding is exhausted, the BRC provides free consultations, training programs, and scholarships to empower small business owners in Gladstone, Oregon City, Beavercreek, Canby, Molalla, Mulino, Colton, Eagle Creek, and Estacada. Through initiatives like its comprehensive website and Local Business Map, the BRC connects entrepreneurs with the community, creating opportunities for growth and promoting sustainable, community-based economic development.

Key Offerings

Free Business Resource Consultations: Local entrepreneurs can access expert advice and guidance at no cost, ensuring they are not alone in their small business journey.

Exclusive Scholarship Opportunities: The BRC offers scholarships for Clackamas Community College’s Career & Technical Education programs, covering up to $3,500 per semester for eligible students in select zip codes.

Local Business Map: As part of its marketing initiative, the BRC features an innovative Local Business Map developed by IronGlove Studio. This custom solution integrates advanced mapping technology with COBID certification filters, enabling small businesses to connect with one another while providing valuable demographic insights for community stakeholders.

Website Performance

Since its soft launch in August 2024, the BRC website has quickly become a vital resource for the South Clackamas business community. The platform has attracted nearly 3,000 visitors, with users spending an average of 4 minutes engaging with the site’s resources and information. The site’s success is particularly evident in its scholarship program, which has already received 82 applications, including 6 from Spanish-speaking community members, demonstrating the BRC’s commitment to serving our diverse business community.

Strategic partnerships with Here is Oregon and Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory allowed us to create targeted social media campaigns that have helped drive over 2,000 visitors to the site, resulting in more than 7,000 total pageviews. Visitors are actively engaging with the platform’s resources, averaging 2.7 actions per visit, including accessing business resources, downloading materials, and utilizing the local business map.

The platform, developed by IronGlove Studio, LLC of Oregon City, a COBID-certified firm, showcases innovative integration of WordPress with proprietary Angular mapping technology. “The BRC website demonstrates how enterprise-level solutions can be scaled down to serve community needs,” says Derek Neuts, Owner of IronGlove Studio. “By incorporating advanced features like COBID certification filters and demographic reporting capabilities, we’ve created a platform that not only connects consumers to businesses but also provides valuable insights for community development.”

Community Support

The BRC extends its gratitude to its advocates, partners and supporters, including the previous Oregon State Senator Bill Kennemer, previous Oregon State Representative (now Senator) — Mark Meek, the Chambers of Commerce for Canby, Estacada, Molalla and Oregon City, the Cities of Colton and Gladstone and the Hamlets of Beavercreek and Mulino.

“The launch of our comprehensive website marks a significant milestone in our commitment to supporting the South Clackamas County business community,” said Shatrine Krake, Director of Communications at the Business Resource Center of South Clackamas County. “This initiative offers an unbiased and equitable opportunity for every small business in the South Clackamas region to connect, discover, and grow through access to training, resources, and support.”

For more information or to schedule a free business consultation, visit https://brcscc.org.

Media Contact

Shatrine Krake, Director of Communications, Business Resource Center of South Clackamas County, 1 503-656-1619, shatrine@brcscc.org, https://brcscc.org/

Technical Development Contact: Derek Neuts, IronGlove Studio LLC, 1 503-501-4645, contact@ironglove.studio, https://www.ironglove.studio

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/south-clackamas-business-resource-center-launches-digital-community-platform-302338692.html

SOURCE Business Resource Center of South Clackamas County

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