Sitansisk Chief Allan Polchies wins 4th termQB Josh Allen and coach Sean McDermott deserve credit in Bills latest AFC East-clinching season

TUSTIN, Calif., Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avid Bioservices, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDMO), a dedicated biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) working to improve patient lives by providing high quality development and manufacturing services to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, today announced financial results for the second quarter and six months ended October 31, 2024. Highlights from the Quarter Ended October 31, 2024: "We delivered solid results in a competitive environment, with increased revenues and backlog offset by increased costs,” stated Nick Green, president and CEO of Avid Bioservices. "We are pleased to reach the separately announced agreement with GHO and Ampersand, which will provide our stockholders with significant, immediate and certain cash value for their shares. The transaction also provides us with partners who are committed to leveraging their deep industry experience, focused strategy, and collaborative approach to drive growth beyond the Company's standalone plan.” Financial Highlights for the Second Quarter and Six Months Ended October 31, 2024 Acquisition of Avid Bioservices by GHO Capital Partners and Ampersand Capital Partners The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the Avid Board of Directors, is currently expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Avid's stockholders and receipt of required regulatory approvals. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition. The companies will continue to operate independently until the proposed transaction is finalized. Upon completion of the transaction, Avid common stock will no longer be listed on any public stock exchange. The company will continue to operate under the Avid name and brand. In light of the proposed transaction, Avid will not host an earnings conference call and is suspending its practice of providing financial guidance. Avid Bioservices (NASDAQ: CDMO) is a dedicated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on development and CGMP manufacturing of biologics. The company provides a comprehensive range of process development, CGMP clinical and commercial manufacturing services for the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries. With more than 30 years of experience producing biologics, Avid's services include CGMP clinical and commercial drug substance manufacturing, bulk packaging, release and stability testing and regulatory submissions support. For early-stage programs the company provides a variety of process development activities, including cell line development, upstream and downstream development and optimization, analytical methods development, testing and characterization. The scope of our services ranges from standalone process development projects to full development and manufacturing programs through commercialization. www.avidbio.com Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release, which are not purely historical, including statements regarding the company's projected revenue ramp and expected continued momentum, expected future sustained profitability, the estimated annual revenue-generating capacity of the company's facilities, the expected benefits to the company's business from customers with later stage programs, the anticipated timing for recognizing revenue from the company's backlog, the realization of the company's strategic objectives, the company's revenue guidance, and other statements relating to the company's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the proposed transaction that could delay the consummation of the proposed transaction or cause the parties to abandon the proposed transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement entered into in connection with the proposed transaction; the possibility that the company's stockholders may not approve the proposed transaction; the risk that the parties to the merger agreement may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of the company's common stock; the risk of any unexpected costs or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; the risk of any litigation relating to the proposed transaction; and the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of the company to retain and hire key personnel and to maintain relationships with customers, vendors, partners, employees, stockholders and other business relationships and on its operating results and business generally, the risk the company may experience delays in engaging new customers, the risk that the company may not be successful in executing customers projects, the risk that changing economic conditions may delay or otherwise adversely impact the realization of the company's backlog, the risk that the company may not be able to convert its backlog into revenue within the contemplated time periods, the risk that the company may experience technical difficulties in completing customer projects due to unanticipated equipment and/or manufacturing facility issues which could result in projects being terminated or delay delivery of products to customers, revenue recognition and receipt of payment or result in the loss of the customer, the risk that the company's later-stage customers do not receive regulatory approval or that commercial demand for an approved product is less than forecast, the risk that one or more existing customers terminates its contract prior to completion or reduces or delays its demand for development or manufacturing services which could adversely affect guided fiscal 2025 revenues, the risk that expanding into a new biologics manufacturing capability may distract senior management's focus on the company's existing operations, the risk that the company may experience delays in hiring qualified individuals into the cell and gene therapy business, the risk that the company may experience delays in engaging customers for the cell and gene therapy business, and the risk that the cell and gene therapy business may not become profitable for several years, if ever. Our business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, but not limited to, our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, as well as any updates to these risk factors filed from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, and we disclaim any obligation, and do not undertake, to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release except as may be required by law. CONTACT: Contacts: Stephanie Diaz (Investors) Vida Strategic Partners 415-675-7401 [email protected] Tim Brons (Media) Vida Strategic Partners 415-675-7402 [email protected]

The Hood is set to Revolutionise Connections in the Maritime SectorLISBON, Portugal (AP) — The goals are flying in again for Arsenal — and it just happens to coincide with the return from injury of Martin Odegaard. Make that eight goals in two games since the international break for Arsenal after its 5-1 hammering of Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday, tying the English team’s heaviest ever away win in the competition. Odegaard is back in Arsenal’s team after missing two months with an ankle injury . In that time, Mikel Arteta’s attack stuttered, with a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth and a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle dropping the Gunners well off the pace in the Premier League. There was also a 0-0 draw at Atalanta in the Champions League as well as a 1-0 loss to Inter Milan last month, when Odegaard made his comeback from injury as an 89th-minute substitute. Since then, Arsenal hasn’t lost and the goals have returned. After a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday came the cruise in Lisbon — and Odegaard was at the heart of everything as Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end. “He’s an unbelievable player,” Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka said of Odegaard. “The day he returned, there was a big smile on my face. You can see the chemistry we have. I hope he stays fit for the rest of the season.” Odegaard was involved in the build-up to Arsenal’s first two goals against Sporting — scored by Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz — and was fouled to win the penalty converted by Saka in the 65th to restore Arsenal’s three-goal lead at 4-1. Odegaard was seen flexing his leg after that but continued untroubled and was substituted in the 78th minute. The last thing Arteta would want now is another injury to Odegaard as Arsenal attempts to reel in first-place Liverpool in the Premier League. Liverpool is already nine points ahead of fourth-place Arsenal after 12 games. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Despite technological advancements and evolving workplace dynamics, people’s relationship with work ... [+] remains strained. Is work working? Despite technological advancements and evolving workplace dynamics, people’s relationship with work remains strained. A new worldwide study from HP reveals a disconnect between employees and their jobs despite many companies rethinking workplace tools and offering employees more flexibility. HP’s second annual Work Relationship Index , a survey of over 15,600 individuals across 12 countries, finds that only 28% of knowledge workers report a healthy relationship with work. The new WRI shows a consistent trend in employee engagement drivers, with scores remaining relatively stable compared to 2023. For example, the scores for workspace (defined as flexibility and trust in where employees work) and tools (the right technology to drive employee engagement) both remained flat at 25 and 26 out of 100, respectively. People-centricity, now at 24, and leadership, at 26, each went up by one point. Skills—meaning building confidence by tapping into the enthusiasm to learn new skills—also increased one point, but its overall score of 32 indicates that it is a stronger driver of a healthy work relationship. While the stability of these drivers suggests that the fundamental elements of a positive work experience remain the same, it also indicates that not much has changed in the past 12 months regarding building a better worker experience. This is especially clear in the answers to questions about trust in senior leadership and how workers want to be seen as individuals. The key takeaway? Work isn’t working because the way we work is outdated. Companies haven’t adapted to the needs of today’s workers, who crave individuality and tailored experiences instead of being treated like cogs in a machine. But there’s hope. The WRI identifies two potential solutions for fostering healthier work relationships: personalized work experiences and AI. The need for these solutions is becoming increasingly urgent, as reflected by the nearly three-quarters of leaders surveyed who agreed that it is critical to redefine the world’s relationship with work. The Personalized Employee Experience Large majorities of knowledge workers (68%), business leaders (75%) and IT decision makers (76%) said they desire personalized work experiences—including having access to the right technologies and workspaces and the ability to shape a flexible schedule. Well over half of the knowledge workers surveyed stated that having these needs met would make them more invested in their company’s growth, enhance their overall well-being and incentivize them to stay with their current employer. In fact, the WRI indicates that knowledge workers who feel their work experience is customized to their preferences are more than twice as likely to have a healthy relationship with work. Save Up To 75% With The Best Black Friday Clothing Deals That Are Still Running 10 Unofficial Hoka Cyber Week Sales You Don’t Want To Miss The WRI shows that this issue is important enough that employees are willing to put their money where their mouths are about it. A staggering 87% of workers globally report being willing to forgo a portion of their salary—14% on average—to achieve a more personalized work environment. Gen Z workers report being willing to give up as much as 19% on average to have a customized work environment. The Rise Of AI And Its Impact On Work-Life Balance Can AI help with customizing the workplace? The past year has seen an explosive surge in AI adoption, particularly in the workplace. In 2023, 38% of knowledge workers, 68% of business leaders and 63% of IT decision makers had used AI at work. In 2024, as AI started to shift from hype to realized benefits, knowledge workers (66%) and ITDMs (91%) each reported dramatic 28-point increases in AI usage, while business leaders (88%) showed a significant 20-point jump. Workers who use AI report greater job satisfaction and work-life balance. AI tools automate tasks, streamline workflows and give employees more time and opportunities to enjoy their work—so much so that 60% of WRI respondents who use AI credit it with contributing to a better work-life balance, while 68% say AI opens up new opportunities for them to enjoy their work. This correlation between AI usage and work-life balance highlights an urgency to integrate AI into the workplace, especially considering the growing fear of job displacement among non-AI users. It’s no accident that HP sponsored this research—and asked so much about AI—given the technology it deploys in the workplace. Like other big PC makers, HP has integrated AI into its latest generation of PCs, with features designed to optimize user experiences, boost productivity and enhance collaboration. For instance, HP offers an AI Companion to help users with tasks such as refining workflows and optimizing PC settings; in theory, this should make customizing work experiences much simpler without IT involvement. For remote collaboration, HP’s Poly Camera Pro leverages AI to enhance webcam capabilities, for example by intelligently blurring and replacing backgrounds on video calls. Features such as these can improve the quality of virtual interactions, which can be crucial considerations for remote workers. Computer OEMs are counting on rapid enterprise adoption of AI PCs , with many industry watchers predicting major upgrade cycles from now through 2025, and some industry insiders projecting that AI PCs will dominate the PC market by the end of this decade. If this does come to pass, it will be interesting to see if these technology upgrades have an impact on future versions of the WRI. The Leadership Gap And The Rise Of Female Leaders While the WRI highlights the importance of strong leadership in cultivating a healthy work relationship, it also reveals a concerning trend: only 44% of leaders express confidence in their human skills (sometimes called “soft” skills), such as empathy and communication. This is concerning because 78% of employees highly value empathy from their leaders, yet only 28% see it consistently. A lack of empathy in leaders can lead to misunderstandings, decreased morale and a decline in overall productivity. However, this gap in leadership presents an opportunity for positive change. The study found that female business leaders are significantly more confident than their male counterparts in both the “hard” technical skills and the human skills required to succeed at work. On average, women are 10 points more confident in their hard skills and 13 points more confident in their soft skills compared to their male counterparts. This suggests a potential shift in leadership paradigms, one in which more women can rise to leadership positions. This shift may also present a crucial challenge for men in leadership roles. To thrive in this evolving workplace, men must actively develop and embrace these essential human skills, which could create a more balanced and effective leadership environment for everyone. Looking Ahead: Embracing AI And Personalization Regardless of the specific leadership or technology developments that unfold in the future, it is clear that employer and employee expectations have evolved, and that leveraging both smarter management practices and smarter technology is essential to meeting the needs of today’s workforce. In particular, AI will shape the future of work by creating solutions and experiences that foster business growth while supporting personal and professional fulfillment. The findings of the HP Work Relationship Index serve as a wake-up call for organizations worldwide. By embracing AI, prioritizing personalization and fostering empathetic leadership, companies can cultivate a work environment where both employees and their organizations thrive.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — In a season that began with many questions and lowered expectations , it was apt watching Bills quarterback Josh Allen join coach Sean McDermott lay on the cold, wet sideline to make snow angels in celebrating Buffalo’s earliest clinching of a division title in team history. That Allen took part was no surprise. The newly engaged 28-year-old has maintained the happy-go-lucky approach he brought with him to Buffalo as a raw-talented athlete in 2018, while gradually blossoming into one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. For McDermott, it was a pleasant surprise to see the usually reserved eight-year coach finally let his hair down — figuratively, because the few jokes he does make are usually about being bald. With his latest do-it-all three-TD outing — one rushing, one receiving and, the coup de grace, being credited with receiving his own pass for a score off a lateral from Amari Cooper — in a 35-10 win over San Francisco on Sunday night , Allen continued making his strongest NFL MVP case. What’s also becoming apparent is how much McDermott deserves consideration for coach of the year honors. Without the two, the Bills (10-2) wouldn’t be in this position in becoming just the eighth NFL team — and first since Indianapolis in 2009 — to clinch a division title with at least five games remaining in their schedule. It’s reflective of how the two have grown together in what, on the outside, could be perceived as an odd couple relationship between an offensive-minded, swashbuckling quarterback and a defensive-minded coach, too often knocked for being too conservative. Perhaps, it’s Allen’s boyish nature that has brought out the risk-taker in McDermott, who has carried over the aggressive approach he takes to defense by placing trust in his quarterback. It’s become apparent in everything the Bills have accomplished so far in having at least 10 wins through 12 games for just the fifth time in team history, and first since 1991, when Buffalo was led by eventual Hall of Famers in coach Marv Levy and quarterback Jim Kelly. Buffalo has won seven straight since consecutive losses to Baltimore and Houston. And the Bills have scored 30 or more points in six straight outings, matching the team record set in 2004. Allen is doing more with less on an offense that was supposed to be hampered following the offseason departures of receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis and center Mitch Morse. The Bills are more balanced in leaning on their running attack, while Allen has also curtailed his turnover-prone ways. He's lost two fumbles and thrown just five interceptions after being picked off a career-worst 18 times last season. Meantime, McDermott has taken a different approach to fourth down situations. The Bills have converted 13 of 15 fourth down attempts after going 9 of 16 last season and 7 of 13 in 2022. The most fourth down attempts during McDermott’s tenure came in 2021, when Buffalo converted just 11 of 22. This is but an example of the bond the quarterback and coach have built in a shared objective of overcoming past playoff failures. Clinching a division title is but one step, with the Bills now focused on catching the Kansas City Chiefs (11-1), whom they’ve beaten already , for the AFC’s top seed. In calling it the team’s next goal, McDermott went off script from his usual game-at-a-time message by noting the importance of celebrating a division-clinching win, if only for one day. “Being 50 years old and 20-plus years in this league, I’ve learned to try and enjoy the moments,” McDermott said. “And this is a moment, right?” It certainly was. Turnover differential. Buffalo’s defense forced three fumbles, including one at its goal line, while the offense didn’t commit a giveaway. The Bills upped their league-leading turnover differential entering Monday to plus-17. Run defense. Though the conditions were snowy and slick, the Bills allowed 119 yards rushing in the first half before the 49ers were forced to start passing the ball once the score became lopsided. Buffalo particularly struggled in stopping Christian McCaffrey, who had 53 yards on seven carries before leaving the game with a potential season-ending knee injury . LB Matt Milano was in on five tackles while playing 37 of 48 defensive snaps in his first outing in nearly 14 months after being sidelined by a broken right leg and torn left biceps. CB Kaiir Elam, the 2022 first-round pick was a healthy inactive for a second straight outing, and still having difficulty finding a regular role. None reported. 9-0 — The Bills' home record going back to last season, marking their second-longest run in team history. Hit the road for two outings, starting with a trip to face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl