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In a recent interview with InvestorNews host Peter Clausi, Dan Blondal, CEO, Director, and Founder of Nano One Materials Corp. (TSX: NANO), discussed the innovative processes and strategic alliances shaping the future of lithium-ion battery production. Nano One is renowned for its patented, scalable, and low carbon intensity process for producing high-performance lithium-ion battery cathode materials. Blondal explained, “Our laboratory in Burnaby and our significantly larger facility in Candiac, Quebec, use a one-pot reactor to mix key battery materials, creating a slurry that is dried and crystallized to form functional cathode material.” He highlighted the efficiency of this process, noting that it reduces the need for wastewater treatment and sulfate waste handling, which are substantial hurdles in scaling up production for global markets.



Blondal also detailed Nano One’s recent strategic alliance with Worley Limited (ASX: WOR), a global engineering leader listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. This partnership aims to tackle the scaling challenges of cathode material production by standardizing and marketing a comprehensive cathode plant design package, termed the ‘CAM package.’ “We and Worley share the philosophy that to scale cathode materials worldwide, we must address fundamental issues like cost reduction and environmental impact,” Blondal stated. The CAM package includes the One-Pot process and integrates flow sheets, engineering designs, and essential equipment, aiming to facilitate rapid and widespread deployment across multiple plants globally. This approach not only streamlines manufacturing but also aligns with both companies’ commitment to sustainable practices and cost efficiency, paving the way for faster adoption and implementation of their innovative technology in the burgeoning electric vehicle and renewable energy storage markets.

Dennis Higgs, President, and Director of Austin Gold Corp. (NYSE American: AUST), shared insights into the company's genesis and strategic vision in an interview with InvestorNews host Tracy Weslosky. Higgs reflected on the catalyst for founding Austin Gold in 2020, citing the experience and market sentiment of key team members, including Joseph Ovsenek, Kenneth McNaughton, and himself, who previously spearheaded multibillion-dollar ventures. The company's IPO in 2022 saw significant success, raising $15 million and positioning Austin Gold as a notable player in the gold exploration sector.



Higgs elaborated on the company's key projects in Nevada and Oregon, highlighting the promising results from the Stockade Mountain project. Discussing the geological potential, he emphasized the pursuit of high-grade vein systems beneath known mineralization. Moreover, Higgs shed light on Austin Gold's unusual listing on the NYSE American, attributing the decision to the team's extensive experience and the broader reach and liquidity offered by the exchange. Lastly, Higgs provided insights into the gold market dynamics, underscoring geopolitical factors and the growing trend of de-dollarization driving gold demand. Through strategic networking and leveraging the expertise of its board and advisors, Austin Gold has secured promising assets, increasing the odds of success in the gold exploration landscape in the USA.

In a recent interview with Jack Lifton of InvestorNews, Darren Hazelwood, CEO of Panther Metals PLC (LSE: PALM), discussed the company’s strategic focus on critical minerals, particularly graphite and copper, within the Obonga Greenstone Belt in Ontario, Canada. Hazelwood highlighted a significant graphite intercept from late 2023, which placed Panther Metals on the global map for graphite exploration. “We hit 27 meters at just over 2.25% graphitic carbon,” Hazelwood noted, emphasizing the importance of this find. Hazelwood noted, emphasizing the importance of this find, as it marked one of the top graphite intercepts globally in early 2024. This discovery has led to the delineation of a 21 square kilometer exploration zone, spurred by strong conductive readings in the area, potentially indicating the presence of graphite or sulfides.



Furthering the conversation, Hazelwood elaborated on Panther Metals’ exploration activities, which also include copper through Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) deposits. With only six drill holes, the company has already identified two separate VMS sites, underlining the clustering nature of these deposits which are known as “junior company makers” due to their high-grade, low-tonnage characteristics. This exploration is part of a broader strategy to enhance North American critical mineral resources amidst market dominance by other global players, particularly China. “Graphite is really underappreciated in the automotive space… China dominates, with 85% of the market,” Hazelwood stated, stressing the strategic importance of developing local supplies to reduce reliance on Chinese imports. This strategic focus aligns with Panther Metals’ recent submission of an Exploration Permit application for further drilling in the Awkward East area of the Obonga Project, aiming to deepen their understanding and development of graphite resources in the region.

In a recent interview with InvestorNews, Dave Mehalick, Chairman, President, and CEO of Coeptis Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: COEP), discussed the company’s innovative approaches in cell therapy, highlighting their focus on making such treatments more universally accessible. Mehalick explained, “What we are working on is not failing, it’s working. We’ve been able to create cells, not have to match those cells at all to the individual patient. Put those same cells in any patient and their body is accepting them and they are going to work.” This strategy represents a shift from the traditional and costly autologous cell therapy to a more cost-effective allogeneic approach, potentially lowering the future cost of cell therapies and making them accessible to a broader population.



Furthermore, Coeptis Therapeutics has been actively forming partnerships with top academic institutions such as Duke University and the University of Pittsburgh. Mehalick shared details about their exclusive license agreement with the University of Pittsburgh, which now includes autoimmune indications for their SNAP-CAR T and SNAP-CAR NK cells. This expansion is significant as it allows the same cellular structures to be used not only against various cancers but also autoimmune diseases like lupus, potentially revolutionizing treatment paradigms across these conditions. He noted, “The beauty of SNAP-CAR is you could use the same cellular structure to attack not only a cancer, any type of cancer at any point on the cancer, but we could use that same cellular structure to attack things like lupus.” This adaptability could lead to more cost-effective treatments and significantly impact patient care in oncology and autoimmune diseases alike.

In a recent interview with InvestorNews host Tracy Weslosky, André Larente, President, CEO, and Director of DIAGNOS Inc. (TSXV: ADK | OTCQB: DGNOF), discussed the evolving role of optometrists in the face of advancing technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging. Larente highlighted how AI is transforming optometry from traditional roles, such as prescribing eyewear, to more complex tasks including monitoring diseases like diabetes and hypertension. He emphasized the imminent obsolescence of refraction equipment, predicting that “the role of the optometrist will change” to focus more on eye health and disease monitoring. This shift, according to Larente, positions optometrists closer to the medical field and specialists, enhancing their role in healthcare.



Larente also shared insights on DIAGNOS’ pioneering efforts in AI for eye health, noting the company’s seven-year history of data collection across 14 countries involving roughly 400,000 patients. This extensive data has facilitated the development of predictive models for diseases affecting the retina. He elaborated on DIAGNOS’ strategic plans, including obtaining Health Canada and US FDA approvals for four new AI analysis modules aimed at expanding the company’s diagnostic capabilities beyond diabetic retinopathy. Larente stated, “These four tests… will actually multiply our revenue potential 4x’s….” underlining the strategic importance of these developments for DIAGNOS’ growth. The company’s commitment to compliance with new regulatory requirements for AI and ongoing partnerships, such as with EssilorLuxottica, further underscore its proactive approach in a competitive field.

In a recent interview with Tracy Weslosky of InvestorNews, Guy Bourassa, CEO and Director of Scandium Canada Ltd. (TSXV: SCD | OTCQB: SCDCF), highlighted the transformative potential of scandium in the aluminum industry. Describing scandium as a “game changer,” Bourassa explained, “You just put a little bit of scandium, very little quantities of scandium, you mix it with aluminum and other minerals and you obtain super strength alloys. Lightweight, as strong as titanium, strength of armor.” He emphasized the significant role scandium could play in achieving global net-zero goals by reducing the weight of components, which is critical in industries such as aerospace where scandium is currently utilized in Russian fighter jets like the MiG-29.



Bourassa also discussed Scandium Canada’s efforts to secure a stable and long-term supply of scandium outside of China and Russia, the current major producers. This initiative is crucial as it addresses the limited commercial production due to insufficient supply. He noted, “There’s a big, huge potential latent demand for aluminum with scandium. The only thing that restricts the adoption is the fact that there’s no long-term safe supply.” Recent milestones under his leadership, such as the signing of a pre-development agreement with the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, underscore the company’s progress and commitment to socially responsible mining. This agreement, he stated, is paramount for the success of the project, allowing pre-development work in harmony with indigenous rights and environmental stewardship.



Moreover, Bourassa pointed out the significant government interest and financial support for critical mineral projects, reflecting the strategic importance of scandium in national supply chains. He revealed ongoing efforts to refine scandium extraction methods and the exploration of its uses in 3D printing technologies, which could revolutionize various industrial applications. The CEO’s vision is clear: establishing a reliable scandium supply in the West could dramatically boost the metal’s adoption across multiple industries, unlocking new technological potentials and reinforcing Scandium Canada’s position in the market.