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BlockBeats News, March 18th, the Trump administration temporarily waived a century-old shipping mandate, the Jones Act, to lower the transportation costs of oil, natural gas, and other commodities within the United States. This is the latest move to address the energy price surge triggered by the Iran conflict. Authorized vessels flying foreign flags will be able to transport a range of goods between U.S. ports in the next 60 days. According to White House officials, these products include coal, crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, natural gas liquids, fertilizers, any product primarily derived from refined petroleum, and other energy derivatives. However, some analysts believe that given the scale of the supply chain disruption, this waiver is expected to have only a limited impact. (FX678)

As of March 18, 2026, data shows that the trading volume in the first 15 minutes before the US market opens is at the highest level in the past 30 days, significantly higher than the 30-day average, and overall remains in a relatively high range, indicating a clear increase in trading activity during the opening phase. Meanwhile, the momentum for market continuation is at the 97th percentile, noticeably higher than the 30-day average, and overall stays at a high level, reflecting strong market sustainability.

This stock price fluctuation was triggered by the company's announcement that its experimental cancer drug has been granted a patent by the Japan Patent Office. **Background of Drug Development and Market Positioning** This experimental drug belongs to the field of immunotherapy and aims to combat cancer cells by modulating the human immune system. Currently, the global cancer immunotherapy market continues to expand, with many biotechnology companies competing for market share. Japan, as a major global pharmaceutical market, is often seen as an important indicator of a drug's commercialization prospects due to its patent approval process. The granting of this patent may lay the foundation for AIM ImmunoTech's future expansion in the Asian market. **Patent Value and Commercialization Pathway** The patent protection period is 20 years, covering the drug's composition and specific application methods. Analysts point out that the granting of the patent not only enhances the company's intellectual property asset value but may also attract potential partners or acquirers. However, the drug is still in the experimental stage and must complete clinical trials and obtain regulatory approval before it can be marketed. The company's next steps include conducting more clinical studies to verify the drug's safety and efficacy. **Market Reaction and Investor Focus** Pre-market trading volume increased significantly, indicating a positive market response to the news. The biotechnology sector has recently been active overall, driven by progress in anti-cancer drug development, with several small biotech companies gaining market attention due to research breakthroughs. Investors will focus on the company's subsequent clinical progress and fundraising capabilities to assess its long-term value.