Latest news with #Devonian
Hamilton Spectator
4 hours ago
- Science
- Hamilton Spectator
Researchers discover ancient predatory, fanged fish that swam in Nova Scotia waters
HALIFAX - Researchers have discovered a new species of ancient fish with hooked front fangs that made them a fearsome and effective predator. A paper published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology this week says the long, curved jaw of the animal sheds light on how fish were evolving smaller, front teeth that acted like fishing hooks, about 350 million years ago. Meanwhile, the centimetre-long back fangs were used to chew the catch before digestion into a body that may have been almost a metre long. They hunted for prey in the inland waters of Nova Scotia, in what was likely a vast inland lake. Lead author Conrad Wilson, a doctoral candidate in paleontology at Carleton University, said in an interview Friday that the fish has been named Sphyragnathus tyche, with the first phrase meaning 'hammer jaw.' 'I would say it's a fairly fearsome looking fish. If its mouth is open, you would see those fangs in the jaw,' he said. But the fossil is also significant for the clues it offers to the evolution of ray-finned fish — a huge and diverse vertebrate group that occupies a wide range of aquatic and semi-aquatic environments around the globe. 'These fish were the last major group of vertebrates to be identified and we still have big gaps in our knowledge about their early evolution,' said the researcher, who published his paper with Chris Mansky, a fossil researcher at the Blue Beach Fossil Museum in Hantsport, N.S., and Jason Anderson, a professor of anatomy at the veterinary faculty at the University of Calgary. 'The fossils are telling us about what the fish existing right after a mass extinction looked like,' said Wilson, referring to the transition from the Devonian to the Carboniferous periods. Wilson says paleontologists have wondered how ray-finned fish recovered from the extinction period as other groups of fish, such as the heavily armed category referred to as placoderms, were disappearing. 'The beach where this fossil was discovered tells us is ... this is a group of animals that is doing well, pretty quickly, after a mass extinction,' he said. The paper theorizes that the feeding methods of the evolving teeth may have played a role, creating an evolutionary advantage for the species. Wilson noted 'that particular feature of the curved and pointy fang at the front and processing fangs at the back became a feature of many species in times to come.' The area where the fossil was found — at Blue Beach on the Minas Basin, about 90 kilometres north of Halifax — was believed to be part of a vast freshwater lake not far from the ocean. The research team's paper credits Sonja Wood, former director of the Blue Beach Fossil Museum, for finding the fossilized jaw by urging Mansky to check along a creek that flowed onto the beach. Wood, who died last year, was in a wheelchair and had urged her colleague to search the area. 'She had a good feeling about what could be found ... and she said he should go and have a look,' said Wilson. 'He went down and sure enough it (the jaw fossil) was sitting right there,' said the researcher, adding that Mansky managed to recover the fossil before a storm rolled through that night. Wilson said more discoveries are possible as examination of the fossils from the Blue Beach area continues. 'We have lots of different anatomies that simply haven't been described yet. And we'll be working on that in a paper that's coming up in a few months,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2025.
Int'l Business Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Passion, Plants, and Phase III: Devonian Health Group Is on a Mission to Disrupt Inflammation Therapy
While the industry might be dominated by synthetic compounds, billion-dollar VC funds, and long, uncertain development timelines, Devonian Health Group Inc. is proving there is another way. As a publicly traded company, under the leadership of its founder and CEO, Dr. André P. Boulet, Devonian has quietly advanced multi-target drug candidates and a cutting-edge cosmeceutical line, backed not by institutional investors but by a network of Canadian family offices made up of dentists, physicians, engineers, and entrepreneurs. Boulet's journey to this unconventional success story reads like a masterclass in risk, reinvention, and scientific conviction. "I'm a venture capitalist in my heart," Boulet says. "But I'm also a scientist. When I saw the anti-inflammatory results of this botanical extract technology from a university agriculture project, I knew this had real potential. So, I followed my instinct and took the risk." With a PhD in physiology-endocrinology, postdoctoral training in biochemistry and biophysics, and experience leading cardiovascular clinical research programs, Boulet's transition from academia to venture capital was swift. After climbing the pharmaceutical ladder and managing funds in Montreal, he exited his partnership and launched what would become Devonian Health Group in 2015. At its core, Devonian is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, with its lead drug candidate, Thykamine ™, poised to enter Phase III clinical trials for atopic dermatitis and soon pediatric eczema. "Traditional pharma was built on the 'silver bullet,' one target, one mechanism," Boulet explains. "But now science is evolving. We're moving toward therapies that modulate multiple pathways. That's exactly what Thykamine does without shutting down important immune functions like TNF-alpha. That's why our efficacy is high, but side effects are minimal." What sets Devonian apart isn't just its marquee drug but the platform behind it. The company's patented SUPREX™ technology allows for water-based extraction, purification, and stabilization of Active Botanical Ingredients (ABIs) from plants and algae. These complexes modulate inflammation at the genetic level across multiple diseases, offering a broad pipeline of possibilities. To date, Thykamine™ has demonstrated strong results in its Phase II trial. Both gastrointestinal (ulcerative colitis) and dermatological (eczema) models have shown significant symptom relief and safety comparable to placebo. Remarkably, all this has been achieved without traditional VC backing. Boulet credits this to his deep network of entrepreneurial allies and his belief in business-first partnerships. "We've raised funds to advance to Phase III, built an extraction and production facility, and kept the company debt-free," he says. While the pharmaceutical arm garners headlines, Devonian's cosmeceutical division is equally ambitious. Operating under the Purgenesis™ brand, the company has developed a premium line of anti-aging creams containing its patented botanical ingredient R-Spinasome®, a photosynthetic cell extract with dynamic antioxidant properties. What makes Purgenesis™ unusual in the beauty space is its clinical rigor. Devonian has conducted peer-reviewed, pharma-grade clinical trials on the entire product line, something virtually unheard of in the cosmeceutical industry. "We've scientifically proven a reduction in wrinkles," says Boulet. "Not just pretty pictures, but peer-reviewed, published data. We're the only ones doing cosmeceuticals the pharma way." With day, night, and eye creams already developed and a professional-grade serum in the pipeline, Devonian is currently seeking commercial partners to bring Purgenesis™ to a global market hungry for results-backed skincare. Perhaps the most unusual aspect of Devonian's success is how personal it all feels. There are no Silicon Valley investors or hedge fund suits behind the curtain, just a network of entrepreneurs who believe in the mission. "Working with family offices is stimulating," Boulet says. "You get input from pharmacists, dentists, and industrialists. We face challenges together, and we have fun doing it." The company's headquarters in Québec includes a full-scale extraction and production facility, providing complete traceability from seed to pill. This vertical integration helps with both cutting costs, yes, but also ensuring product consistency. For Boulet, the journey has been one of passion and perseverance. "In life, there's always a risk," he reflects. "But if you surround yourself with the right people and believe in what you're building, that risk becomes your fuel. That's what Devonian is about: science, instinct, and community." As the company readies for Phase III trials in both pharmaceuticals and final-stage commercialization of its skincare line, Devonian Health Group stands as a testament to the power of conviction and the potential of plants to reshape the future of medicine.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Devonian Appoints New Officers and Announces Grant of Stock Options
QUÉBEC CITY, June 09, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Devonian Health Group Inc. ("Devonian" or the "Corporation") (TSXV: GSD; OTCQB: DVHGF), a clinical stage corporation focused on developing unique solutions to inflammatory diseases, today announced the appointment of Dr. André Boulet as Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, replacing Mr. Luc Gregoire who will continue in the new role of Executive Vice-President Strategy of the Corporation, effective June 9, 2025. "As we enter a new phase of development, we are fortunate to retain Luc's deep strategic insight and leadership in a role focused on long-term planning and innovation. As Executive Vice President of Strategy, he will continue to drive key initiatives, ensuring continuity and alignment with our mission while supporting the executive team through this important transition," stated Dr. Boulet, President & CEO of the Company. "I look forward to continuing to advise the executive team and help garner support from external stakeholders, as the Company sharpens its focus on its high potential anti-inflammatory clinical programs," said Luc Gregoire. The Corporation also announced that its board of directors has approved the grant of options to purchase common shares of the Corporation (the "Stock Options") primarily for a director of the Corporation and the Chief Financial Officer, both of whom joined the organization in the past few months. The Stock Options were granted at an exercise price of $0.15 for a period of 10 years from the date of grant, which ends on June 9, 2035. An aggregate of 438,596 Stock Options was granted to a director of the Corporation and an aggregate of 850,000 Stock Options was granted to employees of the Corporation. 50.33% of these Stock Options are exercisable immediately, 12.42 % shall vest upon the date that is 12 months from the date of issuance; 12.42 % shall vest upon the date that is 24 months from the date of issuance 12.42 % shall vest upon the date that is 36 months from the date of issuance and the remaining 12.42 % shall vest upon the date that is 48 months from the date of issuance. About Devonian Devonian Health Group Inc. is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of drugs for various auto-immune inflammatory conditions with novel therapeutic approaches to targeting unmet medical needs. Devonian's core strategy is to develop prescription drugs for the treatment of inflammatory autoimmune diseases including but not limited to ulcerative colitis and atopic dermatitis. Based on a foundation of over 15 years of research, Devonian's focus is further supported by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration set of regulatory guidelines favoring a more efficient drug development pathway for prescription botanical drug products over those of traditional prescription medicines. Devonian is also involved in the development of high-value cosmeceutical products leveraging the same proprietary approach employed with their pharmaceutical offerings. Devonian also owns a commercialization subsidiary, Altius Healthcare Inc., focused on selling prescription pharmaceutical products in Canada, under license from brand name pharmaceutical companies. Devonian Health Group Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Québec, Canada where it owns a state-of-the art extraction facility with full traceability 'from the seed to the pill'. Devonian is traded publicly on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") (TSXV: GSD) and on OTCQB exchange (OTCQB: DVHGF). For more information, visit Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to those relating, the appointment of Ms. Krasteva as Chief Financial Officer and, generally, the above "About Devonian" paragraph, which essentially describes the Corporation's outlook, constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of certain securities laws, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct and there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important risk factors and future events could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made in our other filings with the applicable securities regulators of Canada. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. View source version on Contacts Devonian Health Group Inc. Dr. André BouletChief Executive OfficerTelephone: 1 (514) 248-7509E-mail: investors@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Devonian Appoints New Officers and Announces Grant of Stock Options
QUÉBEC CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Devonian Health Group Inc. (' Devonian ' or the ' Corporation ') (TSXV: GSD; OTCQB: DVHGF), a clinical stage corporation focused on developing unique solutions to inflammatory diseases, today announced the appointment of Dr. André Boulet as Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, replacing Mr. Luc Gregoire who will continue in the new role of Executive Vice-President Strategy of the Corporation, effective June 9, 2025. 'As we enter a new phase of development, we are fortunate to retain Luc's deep strategic insight and leadership in a role focused on long-term planning and innovation. As Executive Vice President of Strategy, he will continue to drive key initiatives, ensuring continuity and alignment with our mission while supporting the executive team through this important transition, ' stated Dr. Boulet, President & CEO of the Company. 'I look forward to continuing to advise the executive team and help garner support from external stakeholders, as the Company sharpens its focus on its high potential anti-inflammatory clinical programs,' said Luc Gregoire. The Corporation also announced that its board of directors has approved the grant of options to purchase common shares of the Corporation (the ' Stock Options ') primarily for a director of the Corporation and the Chief Financial Officer, both of whom joined the organization in the past few months. The Stock Options were granted at an exercise price of $0.15 for a period of 10 years from the date of grant, which ends on June 9, 2035. An aggregate of 438,596 Stock Options was granted to a director of the Corporation and an aggregate of 850,000 Stock Options was granted to employees of the Corporation. 50.33% of these Stock Options are exercisable immediately, 12.42 % shall vest upon the date that is 12 months from the date of issuance; 12.42 % shall vest upon the date that is 24 months from the date of issuance 12.42 % shall vest upon the date that is 36 months from the date of issuance and the remaining 12.42 % shall vest upon the date that is 48 months from the date of issuance. About Devonian Devonian Health Group Inc. is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of drugs for various auto-immune inflammatory conditions with novel therapeutic approaches to targeting unmet medical needs. Devonian's core strategy is to develop prescription drugs for the treatment of inflammatory autoimmune diseases including but not limited to ulcerative colitis and atopic dermatitis. Based on a foundation of over 15 years of research, Devonian's focus is further supported by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration set of regulatory guidelines favoring a more efficient drug development pathway for prescription botanical drug products over those of traditional prescription medicines. Devonian is also involved in the development of high-value cosmeceutical products leveraging the same proprietary approach employed with their pharmaceutical offerings. Devonian also owns a commercialization subsidiary, Altius Healthcare Inc., focused on selling prescription pharmaceutical products in Canada, under license from brand name pharmaceutical companies. Devonian Health Group Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Québec, Canada where it owns a state-of-the art extraction facility with full traceability 'from the seed to the pill'. Devonian is traded publicly on the TSX Venture Exchange (the ' Exchange ') (TSXV: GSD) and on OTCQB exchange (OTCQB: DVHGF). For more information, visit Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to those relating, the appointment of Ms. Krasteva as Chief Financial Officer and, generally, the above 'About Devonian' paragraph, which essentially describes the Corporation's outlook, constitute 'forward-looking information' or 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of certain securities laws, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct and there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important risk factors and future events could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made in our other filings with the applicable securities regulators of Canada. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HORIZON PETROLEUM PROVIDES AN OPERATIONS UPDATE OF ITS PREPARATION FOR FIRST PRODUCTION IN POLAND
CALGARY, AB, June 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Horizon Petroleum Ltd. (the "Company" or "Horizon") (TSXV: HPL) (FRA: HPM) (Tradegate: HPM) is pleased to provide an operations update on progress made towards first production from its cornerstone Lachowice gas development in the Bielsko-Biala concession, southern Poland. David Winter, CEO of the Horizon commented: " We are pleased with the continuing progress in our operations towards first production from the Lachowice 7 well. Board and Management recognise the efforts of our operating team in Poland in ensuring that the initial development program is executed as planned. We also recognise the very positive relationships that we enjoy with our neighbours at Lachowice, and the positive contributions from our contractors, local authorities and government. We look forward to our continuing work with all stakeholders and will update shareholders as the initial development program progresses". Assuming a successful workover result, gas and/or electrical power sales from the Lachowice 7 (L7) well will provide the Company with its first cashflow and will provide a long-term test of the production performance of the naturally fractured, Devonian aged, limestone and dolomite reservoirs in the L7 well. Preparatory work for the L7 workover is progressing on schedule: The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Permit for the L7 workover has been approved by the Ministry of Climate and the Environment (the "Ministry"). With the funds from the recent successful debenture financing, long lead time materials and services have been sourced and ordered with expected deliveries in August and September. These materials include the tubing, wellhead and completion equipment. The Company has received confirmation from its electrical contractor that the local utility company will move the power line that crosses the L7 wellsite by the end of June. Final civil engineering design for the wellsite and access road has been completed and tendering for the construction works to be awarded in the next 3-4 weeks. Wellsite and access road construction to commence in July once the above-mentioned electricity line has been moved. The Company is working with a local service provider to choose the appropriate rig for the workover, now scheduled to commence in September with long-term production testing of the well in October. Early Production System (EPF) The Company continues the work towards finalizing the early production scheme for the initial development at the L7 well following the workover and testing. As previously disclosed, the Company contracted a local electrical engineering company and a mechanical engineering company to review options to monetize gas production from the initial development at L7 and the full field development Lachowice gas field. The reviews and investigations are largely completed: Gas to Power: The company has identified two access points into the local electricity transmission grids. The first with 2MW capacity is located with 300m of the L7 wellsite. The second with 4MW capacity is located approximately 1km from the L7 wellsite. Horizon has made an application to secure the 2MW capacity that will be the first tie-in point for G2P. The company continues to work towards securing the 4MW at the second location. The preliminary design of the gas processing facility that will be required to separate the liquid condensate and any free water from the L7 gas stream has been completed. The Company has commenced sourcing the required vessels and other process equipment. Work on the EIA for the production facility is underway targeting submission in mid-June. Full Field Development Plan The Company has commenced the preliminary work for the EIA for the planned 100km2 3D seismic survey over the Lachowice gas field. A third-party evaluation has identified a high-pressure gas network tie-in point approximately 14 km northeast of L7, half the distance of the previous plan, which will result in reduced pipeline costs and faster approvals. Takeaway capacities have been confirmed and are consistent with Horizon's short and long-term forecast production volumes. The Company has commenced discussions with pipeline operator and owner to secure access and pipeline capacity. The Company will shortly commence the initial work on the EIA for the full field development facility site and commence the process to rezone the land for industrial use. Lachowice 7 Well Workover Operations Program The L7 workover is scheduled to be conducted in September/October of this year subject to receiving the necessary long lead items, equipment and services as planned. A detailed program has been completed and application to the Polish Mining authority for the program will be submitted shortly. The workover program will consist of: Upgrade the wellhead to execute the workover and eventual production. Drill out a surface cement plug and downhole mechanical plug in the wellbore. Pressure test the existing well casing to ensure wellbore security and integrity Drill and recover an existing packer located above the zone that originally tested up to 8.9mmscf/d gas Reperforate, acid stimulation and production test of this same zone Complete the well for production in anticipation of the EPF to be installed on site in first half 2026. The Company is targeting gas/electricity sales and first cash flow by the first half of 2026. About Horizon Petroleum Ltd. Calgary-based Horizon is focused on the appraisal and development of natural gas and oil reserves in Europe. The Management and Board of Horizon consist of oil & gas professionals with significant international experience. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release contains "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, forecasts, estimates, expectations and objectives for future operations that are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Horizon. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. This press release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to, among other things the timing of re-entry of the well, the moving of the infrastructure in the area, timing of sales gas, and other operational matters in this news release, all of which are subject to change. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and in some instances to differ materially from those anticipated by Horizon and described in the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Although Horizon believes that the material factors, expectations and assumptions expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available to it on the date such statements were made, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements and such statements are not guarantees of future performance. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Horizon Petroleum Ltd. Sign in to access your portfolio
