<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-22-025599.txt : 20220708
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-22-025599.hdr.sgml : 20220708
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20220708160544
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-22-025599
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEFA14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20220708
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20220708

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Riot Blockchain, Inc.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001167419
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-COMPUTER PROCESSING & DATA PREPARATION [7374]
		IRS NUMBER:				841553387
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DEFA14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-33675
		FILM NUMBER:		221074429

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3855 AMBROSIA STREET, SUITE 301
		CITY:			CASTLE ROCK
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80109
		BUSINESS PHONE:		303-794-2000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3855 AMBROSIA STREET, SUITE 301
		CITY:			CASTLE ROCK
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80109

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	Bioptix, Inc.
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20161201

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	Venaxis, Inc.
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20121218

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AspenBio Pharma, Inc.
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20051110
</SEC-HEADER>
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        <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"><a name="z_Hlk108099093"></a>UNITED STATES</div>
        <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</div>
        <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</div>
        <div><br>
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        <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;">SCHEDULE 14A</div>
        <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Amended</div>
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        <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Filed by the Registrant &#9746;</div>
        <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Filed by a Party other than the Registrant <font style="font-size: 1pt;">&#8201;</font>&#9744;</div>
        <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Check the appropriate box:</div>
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                <div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&#9744;</div>
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                <div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Preliminary Proxy Statement</div>
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                <div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font style="font-weight: bold;">Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))</font></div>
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                <div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Definitive Additional Materials</div>
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        <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 24pt; font-weight: bold;">RIOT BLOCKCHAIN, INC.</div>
        <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)</div>
        <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">&#8195;</div>
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      <div>Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):</div>
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                <div style="text-align: left;">No fee required</div>
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                <div style="text-align: left;">Fee paid previously with preliminary materials</div>
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                <div style="text-align: left;">Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11</div>
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      <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">RIOT BLOCKCHAIN, INC. ANNOUNCES $1.00 CHARITABLE DONATION IN BITCOIN TO NO KID HUNGRY ON BEHALF OF EVERY UNIQUE STOCKHOLDER THAT VOTES</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Castle Rock, CO, July 8, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Riot Blockchain, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIOT) (&#8220;<font style="font-weight: bold;">Riot</font>,&#8221; &#8220;<font style="font-weight: bold;">Riot Blockchain</font>&#8221;
        or the &#8220;<font style="font-weight: bold;">Company</font>&#8221;), an industry leader in Bitcoin (&#8220;<font style="font-weight: bold;">BTC</font>&#8221;) mining and hosting is pleased to announce that, to express its appreciation for stockholder participation, Riot
        will make a charitable donation of $1.00 in Bitcoin to No Kid Hungry on behalf of every unique stockholder that votes for matters pertaining to the Company&#8217;s upcoming Annual General Meeting of stockholders (the &#8220;<font style="font-weight: bold;">AGM</font>&#8221;).

        As many as 13 million children in the United States live in food insecure homes, meaning their households do not have enough food for every family member to lead a healthy life. No Kid Hungry is a national campaign committed to ending child hunger
        in the United States through a variety of food programs. A $50 gift to No Kid Hungry helps to provide up to 500 meals for a child struggling with hunger. As a stockholder, not only will your vote be used to determine important business decisions,
        but it will also contribute to a great cause.<a name="z_Hlk108099310"></a></div>
      <div>&#160;
        <div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">The proxy voting deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on July 26, 2022.</div>
        <div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
        </div>
        <div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">We encourage you to vote well in advance of the deadline.</div>
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              <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><a name="z_Hlk108099653"></a>Proposal</div>
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              <div>&#8203;</div>
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            <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: bottom; border-right: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);">
              <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Board</div>
              <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Recommendation</div>
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            <td style="width: 5%; vertical-align: top; border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" rowspan="1">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 82%; vertical-align: top;" rowspan="1">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 3.02%; vertical-align: middle;" rowspan="1">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; border-right: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" rowspan="1">&#160;</td>
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              <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">1.</div>
            </td>
            <td style="width: 82%; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Election of Hubert Marleau to serve on the Board of Directors.</div>
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              <div>&#8203;</div>
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              <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">&#8220;FOR&#8221;</div>
            </td>
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            <td style="width: 5%; vertical-align: top; border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 82%; vertical-align: top;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 3.02%; vertical-align: middle;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: middle; border-right: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);">&#160;</td>
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            <td style="width: 5%; vertical-align: top; border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">2.</div>
            </td>
            <td style="width: 82%; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ratification of the appointment of Marcum LLP as the Company&#8217;s independent registered public accounting firm.</div>
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            <td style="width: 3.02%; vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div>&#8203;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; border-right: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">&#8220;FOR&#8221;</div>
            </td>
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            <td style="width: 5%; vertical-align: top; border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 82%; vertical-align: top;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 3.02%; vertical-align: middle;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: middle; border-right: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);">&#160;</td>
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            <td style="width: 5%; vertical-align: top; border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">3.</div>
            </td>
            <td style="width: 82%; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Proxy Statement.</div>
            </td>
            <td style="width: 3.02%; vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div>&#8203;</div>
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            <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; border-right: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">&#8220;FOR&#8221;</div>
            </td>
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            <td style="width: 5%; vertical-align: top; border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 82%; vertical-align: top;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 3.02%; vertical-align: middle;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: middle; border-right: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);">&#160;</td>
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            <td style="width: 5%; vertical-align: top; border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">4.</div>
            </td>
            <td style="width: 82%; vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Approval to amend the Articles of Incorporation of Riot Blockchain, Inc. to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance.</div>
            </td>
            <td style="width: 3.02%; vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div>&#8203;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; border-right: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">&#8220;FOR&#8221;</div>
            </td>
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            <td style="width: 5%; vertical-align: top; border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 82%; vertical-align: top;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 3.02%; vertical-align: middle;">&#160;</td>
            <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: middle; border-right: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);">&#160;</td>
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              <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">5.</div>
            </td>
            <td style="width: 82%; vertical-align: top; border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Approval of the Third Amendment to the Riot Blockchain, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance.</div>
            </td>
            <td style="width: 3.02%; vertical-align: middle; border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div>&#8203;</div>
            </td>
            <td style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; border-right: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);">
              <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">&#8220;FOR&#8221;</div>
            </td>
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      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Riot Blockchain AGM</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The AGM is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, online at www.virtualstockholdermeeting.com/RIOT2022.</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Additional information concerning the proposals can be found in the definitive proxy statement dated June 17, 2022.</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="font-weight: bold;">How To Vote</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div>Please vote your shares, via the methods as set out below, by following the instructions included on your proxy card:</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
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            </td>
            <td style="width: 18pt; vertical-align: top;">&#10004;</td>
            <td style="width: auto; vertical-align: top;">
              <div style="font-weight: bold;">Vote by Internet:</div>
            </td>
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      </table>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="z2e9d14a760104aaba6b71f07714f6230" class="DSPFListTable" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; width: 100%; text-align: left; color: #000000;">

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            </td>
            <td style="width: 18pt; vertical-align: top;">&#8226;</td>
            <td style="width: auto; vertical-align: top;">
              <div>Before the Meeting &#8211; <u>www.proxyvote.com</u></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

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            </td>
            <td style="width: 18pt; vertical-align: top;">&#8226;</td>
            <td style="width: auto; vertical-align: top;">
              <div>During the Meeting &#8211; <u>www.virtualstockholdermeeting.com/RIOT2022</u></div>
            </td>
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      <div>&#160;</div>
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            <td style="width: 18pt; vertical-align: top;">&#10004;</td>
            <td style="width: auto; vertical-align: top;">
              <div><font style="font-weight: bold;">Vote by Phone: </font>1-866-620-9211 or<font style="font-weight: bold;">&#160;</font>1-800-690-6903</div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
      <div>&#160;</div>
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            <td style="width: 18pt; vertical-align: top;">&#10004;</td>
            <td style="width: auto; vertical-align: top;">
              <div><font style="font-weight: bold;">Vote by Mail:</font> c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.</div>
            </td>
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      </table>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Important Information</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in connection with the proposals to be considered at the Company&#8217;s upcoming AGM. In connection with the proposals, Riot filed a
        definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;<font style="font-weight: bold;">SEC</font>&#8221;) on June 17, 2022. Stockholders are urged to read the definitive proxy statement and all other relevant
        documents filed with the SEC because they contain important information about the proposals. An electronic copy of the definitive proxy statement is available on the Company&#8217;s EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov.</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Participants in the Solicitation</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Riot and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Riot Blockchain stockholders in respect of the proposals to be considered at the
        Company&#8217;s upcoming AGM. Information about the directors and executive officers of Riot Blockchain can be found in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as amended on Form 10-K/A, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2022
        and May 2, 2022 respectively, filings on Form 3, 4 and 5 filed with the SEC, and the Company&#8217;s definitive proxy statement for the upcoming AGM filed with the SEC on June 17, 2022.</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">About Riot Blockchain, Inc.</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Riot Blockchain&#8217;s (NASDAQ: RIOT) vision is to be the world&#8217;s leading Bitcoin-driven infrastructure platform.</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Our mission is to positively impact the sectors, networks and communities that we touch.&#160; We believe that the combination of an innovative spirit and strong community partnership allows the
        Company to achieve best-in-class execution and create successful outcomes.</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
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      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Riot is a Bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure company focused on a vertically integrated strategy. The Company has Bitcoin mining data center operations in central Texas, Bitcoin mining
        operations in central Texas and upstate New York, and electrical switchgear engineering and fabrication operations in Denver, Colorado.</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For more information, visit www.RiotBlockchain.com.</div>
      <div><br>
      </div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Investor Relations</div>
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      </div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Phil McPherson</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Riot Blockchain, Inc.</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">303-794-2000 ext. 110</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">IR@riotblockchain.com</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Safe Harbor</div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect management&#8217;s current expectations, assumptions, and estimates of future performance and
        economic conditions. Such statements rely on the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual
        results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as &#8220;anticipates,&#8221; &#8220;believes,&#8221; &#8220;plans,&#8221; &#8220;expects,&#8221; &#8220;intends,&#8221; &#8220;will,&#8221; &#8220;potential,&#8221; &#8220;hope,&#8221; and similar expressions are intended to identify
        forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of acquisitions, including financial and operating results, and the Company&#8217;s plans, objectives, expectations, and
        intentions. Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: unaudited estimates of Bitcoin production; our future hash rate growth
        (EH/s); the anticipated benefits, construction schedule, and costs associated with the Navarro site expansion; our expected schedule of new miner deliveries; our ability to successfully deploy new miners; M.W. capacity under development; we may not
        be able to realize the anticipated benefits from immersion-cooling; the integration of acquired businesses may not be successful, or such integration may take longer or be more difficult, time-consuming or costly to accomplish than anticipated;
        failure to otherwise realize anticipated efficiencies and strategic and financial benefits from our acquisitions; and the impact of COVID-19 on us, our customers, or on our suppliers in connection with our estimated timelines. Detailed information
        regarding the factors identified by the Company&#8217;s management which they believe may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements in this press release may be found in the Company&#8217;s
        filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;SEC&#8221;), including the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the sections entitled &#8220;Risk Factors&#8221; and &#8220;Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements&#8221; of the
        Company&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as amended, and the other filings the Company makes with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC&#8217;s website, www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements
        included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently
        occur, or of which the Company hereafter becomes aware, except as required by law. Persons reading this press release are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.</div>
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