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FluoroPharma Medical, Inc. (FPMI) Expands Global Patent Position with Patent Rights for BFPET in Australia
Today, shortly after the opening bell, FluoroPharma Medical announced that BFPET, its imaging agent for measuring cardiovascular blood flow, has been granted patent rights in Australia. BFPET is a novel cardiovascular blood flow imaging agent that, when used in conjunction with stress-testing, identifies patients with suspected and proven coronary artery disease (CAD). The patent expiration date is 2025.
Symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) affects millions of patients worldwide and, according to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the world. The demand for faster, more accurate diagnostic tools continuously drives the development of non-invasive techniques with increased sensitivity and accuracy for the detection and assessment of acute and chronic CAD.
“Phase I clinical trial for BFPET indicates that the compound has an acceptable dosimetry and safety profile and provides high resolution images of the heart,” commented Dr. David Elmaleh, FluoroPharma’s Chairman of the Board of Directors and inventor of the technology. “Since BFPET has the potential to be a more sensitive marker than the currently available blood flow agents, we believe that BFPET will have strong advantages over currently marketed products in the detection of acute and chronic ischemia.”
“The future for diagnostic imaging procedures with higher specificity is extremely promising as they provide early and more accurate information to enable more effective treatment and follow-up of its efficacy,” added Thijs Spoor, FluoroPharma’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We look at this as an evolution to more effective and efficient care. Early treatment means saving the patient from long and expensive hospital stays, which results in less time away from family and work.”
In November of last year, FluoroPharma announced that it had been granted patent rights in China for BFPET and another imaging agent, AZPET, for imaging of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to Australia and China, patents related to FluoroPharma’s portfolio of imaging compounds have been issued in the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada, Finland, Portugal, Ireland, and Mexico.
Today’s announcement enhances FluoroPharma’s position in the Pacific Rim and strengthens its growing patent estate, further validating the importance and value of FluoroPharma’s technology in important growth markets where diagnostic imaging is playing an increasingly significant role in the early detection of disease.
For more information, see the company website at www.FluoroPharma.com
FluoroPharma Medical, Inc. (FPMI) Expands Global Patent Position with Patent Rights for BFPET in Australia
Today, shortly after the opening bell, FluoroPharma Medical announced that BFPET, its imaging agent for measuring cardiovascular blood flow, has been granted patent rights in Australia. BFPET is a novel cardiovascular blood flow imaging agent that, when used in conjunction with stress-testing, identifies patients with suspected and proven coronary artery disease (CAD). The patent expiration date is 2025.
Symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) affects millions of patients worldwide and, according to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the world. The demand for faster, more accurate diagnostic tools continuously drives the development of non-invasive techniques with increased sensitivity and accuracy for the detection and assessment of acute and chronic CAD.
“Phase I clinical trial for BFPET indicates that the compound has an acceptable dosimetry and safety profile and provides high resolution images of the heart,” commented Dr. David Elmaleh, FluoroPharma’s Chairman of the Board of Directors and inventor of the technology. “Since BFPET has the potential to be a more sensitive marker than the currently available blood flow agents, we believe that BFPET will have strong advantages over currently marketed products in the detection of acute and chronic ischemia.”
“The future for diagnostic imaging procedures with higher specificity is extremely promising as they provide early and more accurate information to enable more effective treatment and follow-up of its efficacy,” added Thijs Spoor, FluoroPharma’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We look at this as an evolution to more effective and efficient care. Early treatment means saving the patient from long and expensive hospital stays, which results in less time away from family and work.”
In November of last year, FluoroPharma announced that it had been granted patent rights in China for BFPET and another imaging agent, AZPET, for imaging of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to Australia and China, patents related to FluoroPharma’s portfolio of imaging compounds have been issued in the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada, Finland, Portugal, Ireland, and Mexico.
Today’s announcement enhances FluoroPharma’s position in the Pacific Rim and strengthens its growing patent estate, further validating the importance and value of FluoroPharma’s technology in important growth markets where diagnostic imaging is playing an increasingly significant role in the early detection of disease. FluoroPharma’s imaging products will give clinicians the ability to detect and assess pathology before clinical manifestation of diseases.
FPMI Expands Global Patent Position with Patent Rights for BFPET in Australia
Today, shortly after the opening bell, FluoroPharma Medical announced that BFPET, its imaging agent for measuring cardiovascular blood flow, has been granted patent rights in Australia. BFPET is a novel cardiovascular blood flow imaging agent that, when used in conjunction with stress-testing, identifies patients with suspected and proven coronary artery disease (CAD). The patent expiration date is 2025.
Symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) affects millions of patients worldwide and, according to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the world. The demand for faster, more accurate diagnostic tools continuously drives the development of non-invasive techniques with increased sensitivity and accuracy for the detection and assessment of acute and chronic CAD.
“Phase I clinical trial for BFPET indicates that the compound has an acceptable dosimetry and safety profile and provides high resolution images of the heart,” commented Dr. David Elmaleh, FluoroPharma’s Chairman of the Board of Directors and inventor of the technology. “Since BFPET has the potential to be a more sensitive marker than the currently available blood flow agents, we believe that BFPET will have strong advantages over currently marketed products in the detection of acute and chronic ischemia.”
“The future for diagnostic imaging procedures with higher specificity is extremely promising as they provide early and more accurate information to enable more effective treatment and follow-up of its efficacy,” added Thijs Spoor, FluoroPharma’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We look at this as an evolution to more effective and efficient care. Early treatment means saving the patient from long and expensive hospital stays, which results in less time away from family and work.”
In November of last year, FluoroPharma announced that it had been granted patent rights in China for BFPET and another imaging agent, AZPET, for imaging of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to Australia and China, patents related to FluoroPharma’s portfolio of imaging compounds have been issued in the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada, Finland, Portugal, Ireland, and Mexico.
Today’s announcement enhances FluoroPharma’s position in the Pacific Rim and strengthens its growing patent estate, further validating the importance and value of FluoroPharma’s technology in important growth markets where diagnostic imaging is playing an increasingly significant role in the early detection of disease. FluoroPharma’s imaging products will give clinicians the ability to detect and assess pathology before clinical manifestation of diseases.
We are on it.
Cross Border Resources, Inc. (XBOR) Releases Financial and Operational Results for 2011
Cross Border Resources reported large year-over-year increases in sales as well as oil and gas production in 2011. The company benefited from increased development of its properties and continuing high prices for crude oil.
Cross Border Resources reported sales of $7.3 million in the year ending December 31, 2011, up from $3.8 million in 2010. The company’s sales in 2011 also benefited from the sale of oil and gas properties for approximately $600,000.
Oil and gas production also rose in 2011, reaching 98,855 barrels of oil (BOE) equivalent for the year, compared to 77,501 BOE in 2010. Cross Border Resources realized an average of $86.70 per barrel for crude oil sold during the year, compared to $74.51 per barrel in 2010.
In 2012, Cross Border Resources expects to increase drilling and completion work relative to 2011, and plans to focus on the Bone Spring formation on its acreage in New Mexico. The company is currently permitting wells with the proper regulatory authorities.
Cross Border Resources estimates that almost half the company’s 2012 drilling program will be comprised of horizontal wells. The company has budgeted $12.5 million in capital for its drilling program in 2012 and expects this level of spending to cover 3.2 net wells during the year.
For more information on the company, go to www.xbres.com
The Supremacy of Social Media
Before you understand the power of social media, it’s important to recognize and respect the sweeping reach of the Internet and its applications.
According to U.S. Census Bureau, most recent 2012 numbers estimate that more than 7 billion people currently inhabit the earth. Obviously this number is progressive and impossible to immediately pinpoint.
As of February 2012, since its conception in 2007, Facebook has grown from 0 to 845 million users, making it the most used social network service worldwide. Twitter went viral in 2006, and at mid-year 2011, reported more than 100 million daily users, an 82 percent increase over beginning-year 2011 users.
Though in the grand scheme of things, the number of Facebook and Twitter users compared to earthly population might not knock your socks off, the rapidity of growth is unarguably staggering. Put it this way: say you have 500 Facebook friends in need of some gentle gesture toward an interesting investment opportunity. Each user sees your recent Facebook or Twitter post about a trade you’re watching, or your company’s most recent news.
Let’s say 30% of your friends share this idea with their friend or follower base of an average 300 friends; 45,000 people are automatically exposed to your message. Estimate reaching that same number of people in a four-hour period via word of mouth or digital advertisement, and your estimate generally will fall short.
You could easily get lost in the numbers, but common sense rules that the power and reach of social media easily outweighs the traditional word of mouth or average digital advertisement in an instantaneous moment. It is virtually impossible to create a comparable advertising strategy with the reach and speed that social media creates.
If you’re honed in on the investment community and focused on a broader strategy of reaching current and potential shareholders, it’s important to realize the power you have at your fingertips. Social media is the most effective method of increasing brand visibility on a global scale while simultaneously addressing the immediate communicative needs of individual investors.
To learn more about our Social Media Relations (SMR) services, reach out to our team at http://Contact.MissionIR.com
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Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (CYTX) Receives 510(k) Clearance from the FDA on Puregraft 850
Cytori Therapeutics is developing cell therapies based on autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) to treat cardiovascular disease and repair soft tissue defects. The company believes ADRCs improve blood flow, moderate the immune response, and keep at-risk tissues from dying.
The company announced today that it has received 510 (k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the Puregraft 850 system for body contouring using a patient’s own fat. It had already received European clearance. This product line extension from Cytori provides optimized and sterile processing in only 15 minutes of up to 850 milliliters of tissue. Cytori’s best-in-class Puregraft products standardize the preparation of fat grafts. Fat grafting is an important trend in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.
The increased amount of tissue processed is a significant step from Cytori’s previous Puregraft 250 system which processed up to 250 milliliters. The larger tissue volumes processed expands the range of soft tissue procedures for which Cytori’s product line may be used. This is important in a growing market. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ most recent report, more than 57,000 fat grafting procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2010, a 14% increase over the prior year.
For additional information about Cytori Therapeutics and its Puregraft line of products, please visit the company’s website at www.cytori.com
GlobalWise’s Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solutions can be implemented for any size company, anywhere in the world. They have already expanded to a number of states.
Although the company has not said specifically that it has a nationwide sales initiative in place, GlobalWise’s management team is working hard to expand its business and is implementing the very best growth strategies to methodically accelerate company growth and grow shareholder value.
Canadian Solar, Inc. (CSIQ) and Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd. Complete Four Solar Projects in England
Yesterday, one of the world’s largest solar companies, Canadian Solar, announced that it has been working with Lightsource Renewable Energy, a leading solar developer, in the completion of four solar power plants throughout England. The new ground-mounted PV plants have a combined capacity of 6.4 MW. They are now located in Cornwall (Bodmin), Lincolnshire (Spalding), and Somerset (Taunton).
Nicholas Boyle, CEO of Lightsource, remarked, “With its ease of installation and speed of deployment, solar energy continues to offer benefits to all involved and the Spalding installations, which were built on a Butterfly and Wildlife Park, are a great example of how large scale solar farms can be integrated into the countryside successfully. As our pipeline continues to develop, we see the UK having great potential for further solar power generation. Clean, renewable and reliable solar power will be vital in contributing to the UK’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.”
Canadian Solar was selected to work on the projects on the basis of its competitive price-to-performance ratio and high performing, quality products. The company was given a time scale of 9-12 weeks to complete the projects.
“We share our partner’s commitment to the expansion of solar power. Throughout the project we were confident that we could meet the ambitious installation schedule given our extensive track record in other similar installations and the confidence we had in working with Lightsource, a high calibre partner on these projects,” said Dr Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar. “We look forward to continuing to promote the expansion of solar power in the UK.”
Oncothyreon, Inc. (ONTY) Begins Phase 1 Trial of ONT-10 Vaccine
Oncothyreon recently announced that the company had enrolled the first patient for the Phase 1 trial of their ONT-10 vaccine product, intended for cancer patients. The trial is intended to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of ONT-10 in patients.
Oncothyreon is focused on developing therapeutic products for cancer treatment, with the goal of bringing to market synthetic vaccines and targeted small molecules that could give cancer patients a higher quality of life and better outcome after diagnosis. ONT-10 targets MUC1, a tumor-associated antigen present on many types of human malignant tumors, including lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, and ovarian cancer. ONT-10 is intended to stimulate the immune response in patients. Preclinical testing in mice has shown effective against MUC1.
The Phase 1 trial will consist of two parts: to discover the maximum recommended dose of ONT-10 either once every other week or once every week over an eight week period via an escalating schedule of administration of the drug. The second part will investigate the safety of administering the drug at its maximum dosage over a further period.
Robert L. Kirkman, M.D., president and CEO of Oncothyreon, said, “We are excited to begin this trial of our proprietary therapeutic vaccine candidate ONT-10. We hope that this trial will demonstrate in cancer patients that ONT-10 can stimulate both antibodies and immune cells directed at MUC1, as it has in animal models. We are also looking forward to obtaining the first human data with the adjuvant component of ONT-10, a fully synthetic lipid A analog called PET-Lipid A, which was developed at Oncothyreon.”
The Remarkable Pro-Drug from VistaGen Therapeutics (VSTA)
Currently in Phase 1b clinical development, VistaGen Therapeutics’ lead drug candidate, AV-101, is showing promising potential for the treatment of neuropathic pain and depression. These are huge markets with notable growth prospects, and the unique properties of AV-101 continue to be tested and verified.
One of the most notable properties of AV-101 is its ability to essentially trick the body into letting it get past the formidable blood-brain barrier, a separation of the body’s blood circulation from the brain extracellular fluid in the central nervous system. The blood-brain barrier has long represented a major obstacle for drug manufacturers seeking ways to treat nerve and brain related diseases. Because of its extraordinary chemical design, AV-101 is able to readily cross this barrier. It is then converted into a variation of itself, a chemical which does the work needed to be done, such as relieving neuropathic pain. AV-101’s development plan is such that it can allow Phase 1 safety studies to support potential Phase 2 development for the treatment of other neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and depression.
AV-101 highlights include the following:
• Readily crosses the blood-brain barrier
• Anticonvulsant that protects against NMDA receptor-mediated neurotoxicity
• Preferentially converted to the GlyB antagonist, 7-Cl-KYNA, by activated glial cells at the desired sites of therapeutic action, thereby reducing the potential risk of side effects even in chronic treatment regimens
• A pro-drug with no therapeutic activity until metabolic conversion
• Generates therapeutically-meaningful brain levels of 7-Cl-KYNA with oral administration
• Converted to 4-Cl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, which blocks the synthesis of quinolinic acid (an endogenous convulsant and NMDA receptor agonist) which may further reduce glutamatergic toxicity associated with epilepsy and other neurodegenerative diseases
• Antagonists of the GlyB site, such as 7-Cl-KYNA, have a favorable safety profile compared to other NMDA receptor antagonists
• May stimulate the expression and/or development of dopamine positive neurons
• Comparable efficacy to gabapentin in three animal models of neuropathic pain
For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.VistaGen.com
Lihua International, Inc. (LIWA) Posts Q4, FY 2011 Financial Results
Lihua International, a Chinese developer, designer, and manufacturer of low-cost, high-quality alternatives to pure copper products, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.
Lihua reported fourth-quarter 2011 sales at $177.6 million, up 31 percent compared to sales of $135.5 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $19.7 million, down 5 percent from gross profit of $20.7 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2010. As a percentage of total sales, gross margin declined to 11.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, from 15.2 percent for the same period last year.
The company reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2011 at $12.7 million, or $0.42 per share based on 30.0 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, compared with net income of $9.9 million, or $0.33 per share based on 30.0 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, reported for the comparable quarter of 2010.
As of December 31, 2011, Lihua reported cash and cash equivalents of $105.6 million compared with $90.6 million as of December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, Lihua had working capital of $157.9 million and no debt.
For full-year 2011 the company reported a 72 percent year-over-year increase in revenues to $637.1 million. Gross profit increased 22 percent year-over-year to $75.7 million. Net income increased 38 percent to $53.1 million, or $1.77 per diluted share, compared with $38.5 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, for full-year 2010.
“2011 was a year of progress and positioning for Lihua, as we achieved strong double-digit growth and record results across each of our key operating metrics. We are particularly proud of our 72 percent revenue growth for the year, which provides clear evidence of the continued strong demand for our industry-leading products,” Jianhua Zhu, Lihua’s founder, chairman and CEO stated in the press release. “We took an important step forward in the fourth quarter, increasing copper rod and anode production capacity to meet increasing customer demand. As a result, we expect to see a higher concentration of refined copper products in our revenue mix going forward. We continue to see positive cash flow from operations, and increased cash position by $15 million over prior year.”
The company said it expects full-year 2012 gross profit to be between $93 million and $96 million, and non-GAAP net income between $61 million and $64 million, representing year-over-year growth between 23 percent – 27 percent and 22 percent – 28 percent, respectively. Lihua’s outlook for 2012 stems largely from its expectations of continued strong demand in China for recycled copper and copper alternative products in the overall copper consumption market, including the household appliance, consumer white goods and infrastructure markets, as well as the increase production capacity.
For more information visit: www.lihuaintl.com
Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. (CCLR) Partners with Nash Group, Secures Exclusive Rights for Hooters Venture in Brazil
Chanticleer Holdings, a business development company focused on expanding the Hooters casual dining restaurant brand in international markets, today announced it has secured exclusive rights to operate Hooters restaurants in three of the most populated states of Brazil, with the first restaurant slated for open in the third quarter of 2012.
Chanticleer has partnered with restaurant operating company Nash Group, which has development rights to the São Paulo state and is the current owner and operator of the existing São Paulo Hooters location. The two companies formed a joint-venture company, Chanticleer & Nash Brasil Foods Participações Ltda (CNBF), in which Chanticleer will own 60 percent of the operating entity.
“We selected the Nash Group as our partner in Brazil because they are proven operators with a great history of success in Brazil. We look forward to leveraging their more than eight years of brand knowledge and the success of their existing store in São Paulo to execute our growth strategy for Hooters throughout Brazil,” Michael Pruitt, CEO of Chanticleer stated in the press release.
Per the franchise agreement signed with CNBF and Hooters of America (HOA) on March 13, 2012, CNBF has the exclusive rights to open and operate Hooters restaurants in three states, including Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Espirito Santo, over the next 20 years.
“This is another tremendous milestone for the Hooters brand,” said Terry Marks, CEO of HOA. “Over the past 2 decades, millions of consumers have become loyal Hooters fans. Latin America is very important to us, and with over 190 million people and the 6th-largest economy in the world, Brazil is a particularly attractive market to open new restaurants. Chanticleer and Nash Group are the ideal partners to launch a successful expansion.”
For more information visit www.chanticleerholdings.com or www.hooters.com
Aegis Capital Corp. Announces Key Additions to Health Care Equity Research Department
Aegis Capital has been in business for 26 years and maintains a conflict-free service platform catering to the needs of private clients, institutions, and corporations. The full service investment banking firm has clients from all over the globe and 12 locations in the United States.
The company recently announced that it had made two very important hires for its newly-established Health Care Equity Research Department. Aegis brought on board Dr. Raghuram Selvaraju, Ph.D., who was formerly a senior vice-president and senior biotechnology analyst with Morgan Joseph TriArtisan. He will be responsible for actually setting up Aegis Capital’s new Health Care Research Department.
Dr. Selvaraju started in the securities industries with Rodman & Renshaw as a biotechnology equity research analyst. He was ranked as the top biotech analyst in the Wall Street Journal’s ‘Best on the Street’ survey in 2006. Dr. Selvaraju went on to become the head of healthcare equity research for Hapoalim Securities. While there, he was regularly featured on many media outlets, including Bloomberg TV, CNBC, Reuters/AP, The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and BioWorld Today.
His industry experience began at Europe’s largest biotechnology company, Serono S.A., where he started out as a technician designing models and user interfaces for analysis of gene expression data. He went to work as a pharmaceutical researcher, leading teams developing animal models to identify novel therapeutic products.
Dr. Selvaraju discovered the first novel protein candidate ever developed entirely at Serono. This led him to becoming the youngest-ever recipient of Serono’s Inventorship Award for exceptional innovation and creativity.
Joining Dr. Selvaraju at Aegis Capital’s new department will be Dr. Yi Chen, Ph.D., a former equity research associate at Morgan Joseph TriArtisan. He has been associated with Zhang Capital Management as an associate for trading support. Additionally, Dr. Chen was a post-doctoral researcher in molecular and cell biology with the Research Foundation of the City University of New York.
Additional information about Aegis Capital Corporation can be found at the following website www.aegiscapitalcorporation.com
TONIX Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (TNXP) is “One to Watch”
TONIX Pharmaceuticals, a New York based company developing treatments for challenging disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), has a unique approach to drug research and development. Instead of going through the time and expense of discovering and developing a new drug from scratch, the company uses ongoing advances in science and medicine to search for potential therapeutic solutions among already existing prescription pharmaceutical agents, drugs that have been used successfully for treating other conditions. Once a promising candidate has been determined, TONIX researches and creates new dose formulations for the agents, with the ultimate goal of producing a new product that may be safer and more effective than currently available treatments.
The company’s lead product candidate is TNX-102, a new optimized dosage of cyclobenzaprine, a popular muscle relaxant. TONIX sees TNX-102 as a possible treatment for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome (FM). FM is a condition of the central nervous system characterized by diffuse musculoskeletal pain, including a heightened and painful response to pressure, often together with fatigue and disturbed sleep. Some FM patients suffer from sensitivity to other stimulations, including odors, noise, bright lights, medications, and even certain foods. It is estimated to affect as many as 1 in 50 Americans.
The company’s other leading product candidate is TNX-105, also based upon cyclobenzaprine, to treat the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), considered a psychiatric disorder brought on by highly traumatic experiences. PTSD can be triggered by war experiences, crime experiences, severe accidents, or even a serious personal loss such as a death or divorce. PTSD can manifest itself in sleep disorders, hyperarousal to certain stimuli, inability to concentrate, and various other symptoms.
For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.TonixPharma.com
TONIX Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (TNXP) Directs Additional Funding Toward Drug Development
Earlier this month, when TONIX Pharmaceuticals, developer of drugs for treating central nervous system disorders, announced the closing of the final tranche of a private placement financing deal resulting in total net proceeds of $5.9 million, the company indicated that the proceeds, from institutional and accredited investors, would fund further development of its two lead drug candidates, TNX-102 and TNX-105.
Unlike most new drugs, which face a full set of costly efficacy and safety evaluations, the two lead candidates from TONIX are based upon a drug which is already being used safely by millions of people around the world, cyclobenzaprine. The drug is used primarily as a muscle relaxant, to relieve pain from muscle injuries, but TONIX believes that, in the proper doses, cyclobenzaprine can be effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
FM and PTSD affect a larger number of people than might be expected. In the case of PTSD, it is believed that approximately 30% of war veterans, 45% of battered women, 50% of sexually abused children, and 35% of adult rape victims will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lifetime. PTSD symptoms can be disabling when severe, and can include amnesia, flashbacks, and a reduced ability to focus on a task. And PTSD doesn’t just result from extreme cases of violence or abuse. Studies have shown that police, firefighters, and even healthcare workers are far more likely to suffer PTSD than the average person. In some cases, even the loss of a loved one, a divorce, or loss of a career can bring with it the risk of PTSD.
TONIX uses sophisticated technologies to identify existing prescription pharmaceutical agents, drugs already established and verified, that have the potential for treating other CNS diseases. The company then does the research necessary to develop new dosage formulations that optimize the drug’s efficacy for the new application. The goal is to create options that are superior to existing CNS disease treatments.
For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.TonixPharma.com
AdCare Health Systems, Inc. (ADK) Continues Aggressive M&A Campaign; Acquires Two Skilled Nursing Facilities in Oklahoma
AdCare Health Systems, a leading long-term care provider, just announced that it has inked definitive purchase agreements for two skilled nursing facilities in Oklahoma for a total consideration of $11.6 million. Adding 239 beds in service and an estimated $10.3 million in gross annualized revenues, the transaction is anticipated to be completed in the next 90 days. AdCare said it plans to use traditional bank loans to finance the acquisitions.
“Including the two new acquisitions announced today, we have a total of 12 skilled nursing facilities we expect to close in established markets over the next 120 days,” stated Boyd Gentry, AdCare’s president and chief executive officer. “Together, these facilities have existing estimated gross annualized revenues of $49.0 million, which is prior to our optimization process that we believe will increase sub-acute census and revenues.”
“We are especially excited about the significant upside of our Arkansas expansion, which includes three Little Rock facilities,” he continued. “One of these is a recently fully renovated 157 bed facility that we will open exclusively as a sub-acute facility. Once fully optimized, this facility’s revenues are anticipated to exceed $15 million. This transaction is scheduled to close at the end of this month.”
AdCare’s M&A program is driven by management’s commitment to acquire, develop, and manage facilities where it can leverage operational efficiencies and improve profitability. Staying true to this strategy, the company recently terminated an agreement to acquire or lease 15 skilled nursing facilities in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee that was announced in June of last year. The decision was reached after further due-diligence and renegotiation efforts.
“AdCare will no longer pursue this acquisition as it has become significantly more expensive as consent negotiations with third-party landlords progressed,” commented Gentry. “Although we tried to negotiate suitable terms, we eventually decided it was in our best interest to focus on the other numerous acquisitions we have identified which could quickly take its place.”
The company plans to continue the execution of its aggressive M&A campaign throughout the rest of this year, focused on acquiring facilities that fit within its optimization strategy and have the ability to increase the company’s overall Medicare census and patient acuity.
“Our pipeline of potential acquisitions is as robust as ever, and we are working on several opportunities for owned facilities that we expect to announce soon,” added Gentry. “All of these facilities are within our existing seven state footprints, where we can leverage our existing regional operations teams.”
Combining its current annualized run-rate with transactions in the process of closing, AdCare projects annualized revenue run-rate to exceed $246 million. This would represent an increase of more than 62% over the company’s revenues in 2011, and an increase of more than 8 times revenues since the start of its M&A initiative in the fall of 2009.
“As our portfolio of skilled nursing facilities expands, we continue to focus on cost reduction strategies that improve margins going forward,” concluded Gentry. “We recently lowered our contract therapy costs, are currently leveraging a GPO program for our medical supplies and food purchases, negotiating with pharmacy providers and are in the final stages of outsourcing a large part of our IT infrastructure. We estimate that when fully implemented these cost reduction initiatives will save $4 million annually.”
Chris Brogdon, AdCare’s vice chairman and chief acquisitions officer, added, “Today’s new signing brings the total number of facilities we’ve put under contract to 47 since we began our current M&A program. This transaction also increases the total number of facilities we’ve put under contract to 12 in Oklahoma. With our M&A program and the integration of new facilities remaining our major focus in 2012, we continue to evaluate a number of opportunities that fit our acquisition strategy. And we demonstrated today that we are willing to walk away from those transactions that we discover are not aligned with this strategy.”
AdCare Health Systems, Inc. (ADK) Continues Aggressive M&A Campaign; Acquires Two Skilled Nursing Facilities in Oklahoma
AdCare Health Systems, Inc., a leading long-term care provider, just announced that it has inked definitive purchase agreements for two skilled nursing facilities in Oklahoma for a total consideration of $11.6 million. Adding 239 beds in service and an estimated $10.3 million in gross annualized revenues, the transaction is anticipated to be completed in the next 90 days. AdCare said it plans to use traditional bank loans to finance the acquisitions.
“Including the two new acquisitions announced today, we have a total of 12 skilled nursing facilities we expect to close in established markets over the next 120 days,” stated Boyd Gentry, AdCare’s president and chief executive officer. “Together, these facilities have existing estimated gross annualized revenues of $49.0 million, which is prior to our optimization process that we believe will increase sub-acute census and revenues.”
“We are especially excited about the significant upside of our Arkansas expansion, which includes three Little Rock facilities,” he continued. “One of these is a recently fully renovated 157 bed facility that we will open exclusively as a sub-acute facility. Once fully optimized, this facility’s revenues are anticipated to exceed $15 million. This transaction is scheduled to close at the end of this month.”
AdCare’s M&A program is driven by management’s commitment to acquire, develop, and manage facilities where it can leverage operational efficiencies and improve profitability. Staying true to this strategy, the company recently terminated an agreement to acquire or lease 15 skilled nursing facilities in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee that was announced in June of last year. The decision was reached after further due-diligence and renegotiation efforts.
“AdCare will no longer pursue this acquisition as it has become significantly more expensive as consent negotiations with third-party landlords progressed,” commented Gentry. “Although we tried to negotiate suitable terms, we eventually decided it was in our best interest to focus on the other numerous acquisitions we have identified which could quickly take its place.”
The company plans to continue the execution of its aggressive M&A campaign throughout the rest of this year, focused on acquiring facilities that fit within its optimization strategy and have the ability to increase the company’s overall Medicare census and patient acuity.
“Our pipeline of potential acquisitions is as robust as ever, and we are working on several opportunities for owned facilities that we expect to announce soon,” added Gentry. “All of these facilities are within our existing seven state footprints, where we can leverage our existing regional operations teams.”
Combining its current annualized run-rate with transactions in the process of closing, AdCare projects annualized revenue run-rate to exceed $246 million. This would represent an increase of more than 62% over the company’s revenues in 2011, and an increase of more than 8 times revenues since the start of its M&A initiative in the fall of 2009.
“As our portfolio of skilled nursing facilities expands, we continue to focus on cost reduction strategies that improve margins going forward,” concluded Gentry. “We recently lowered our contract therapy costs, are currently leveraging a GPO program for our medical supplies and food purchases, negotiating with pharmacy providers and are in the final stages of outsourcing a large part of our IT infrastructure. We estimate that when fully implemented these cost reduction initiatives will save $4 million annually.”
Chris Brogdon, AdCare’s vice chairman and chief acquisitions officer, added, “Today’s new signing brings the total number of facilities we’ve put under contract to 47 since we began our current M&A program. This transaction also increases the total number of facilities we’ve put under contract to 12 in Oklahoma. With our M&A program and the integration of new facilities remaining our major focus in 2012, we continue to evaluate a number of opportunities that fit our acquisition strategy. And we demonstrated today that we are willing to walk away from those transactions that we discover are not aligned with this strategy.”
ADK Continues Aggressive M&A Campaign; Acquires Two Skilled Nursing Facilities in Oklahoma
AdCare Health Systems, Inc., a leading long-term care provider, just announced that it has inked definitive purchase agreements for two skilled nursing facilities in Oklahoma for a total consideration of $11.6 million. Adding 239 beds in service and an estimated $10.3 million in gross annualized revenues, the transaction is anticipated to be completed in the next 90 days. AdCare said it plans to use traditional bank loans to finance the acquisitions.
“Including the two new acquisitions announced today, we have a total of 12 skilled nursing facilities we expect to close in established markets over the next 120 days,” stated Boyd Gentry, AdCare’s president and chief executive officer. “Together, these facilities have existing estimated gross annualized revenues of $49.0 million, which is prior to our optimization process that we believe will increase sub-acute census and revenues.”
“We are especially excited about the significant upside of our Arkansas expansion, which includes three Little Rock facilities,” he continued. “One of these is a recently fully renovated 157 bed facility that we will open exclusively as a sub-acute facility. Once fully optimized, this facility’s revenues are anticipated to exceed $15 million. This transaction is scheduled to close at the end of this month.”
AdCare’s M&A program is driven by management’s commitment to acquire, develop, and manage facilities where it can leverage operational efficiencies and improve profitability. Staying true to this strategy, the company recently terminated an agreement to acquire or lease 15 skilled nursing facilities in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee that was announced in June of last year. The decision was reached after further due-diligence and renegotiation efforts.
“AdCare will no longer pursue this acquisition as it has become significantly more expensive as consent negotiations with third-party landlords progressed,” commented Gentry. “Although we tried to negotiate suitable terms, we eventually decided it was in our best interest to focus on the other numerous acquisitions we have identified which could quickly take its place.”
The company plans to continue the execution of its aggressive M&A campaign throughout the rest of this year, focused on acquiring facilities that fit within its optimization strategy and have the ability to increase the company’s overall Medicare census and patient acuity.
“Our pipeline of potential acquisitions is as robust as ever, and we are working on several opportunities for owned facilities that we expect to announce soon,” added Gentry. “All of these facilities are within our existing seven state footprints, where we can leverage our existing regional operations teams.”
Combining its current annualized run-rate with transactions in the process of closing, AdCare projects annualized revenue run-rate to exceed $246 million. This would represent an increase of more than 62% over the company’s revenues in 2011, and an increase of more than 8 times revenues since the start of its M&A initiative in the fall of 2009.
“As our portfolio of skilled nursing facilities expands, we continue to focus on cost reduction strategies that improve margins going forward,” concluded Gentry. “We recently lowered our contract therapy costs, are currently leveraging a GPO program for our medical supplies and food purchases, negotiating with pharmacy providers and are in the final stages of outsourcing a large part of our IT infrastructure. We estimate that when fully implemented these cost reduction initiatives will save $4 million annually.”
Chris Brogdon, AdCare’s vice chairman and chief acquisitions officer, added, “Today’s new signing brings the total number of facilities we’ve put under contract to 47 since we began our current M&A program. This transaction also increases the total number of facilities we’ve put under contract to 12 in Oklahoma. With our M&A program and the integration of new facilities remaining our major focus in 2012, we continue to evaluate a number of opportunities that fit our acquisition strategy. And we demonstrated today that we are willing to walk away from those transactions that we discover are not aligned with this strategy.”
The Remarkable Pro-Drug from VistaGen Therapeutics (VSTA)
Currently in Phase 1b clinical development, VistaGen Therapeutics’ lead drug candidate, AV-101, is showing promising potential for the treatment of neuropathic pain and depression. These are huge markets with notable growth prospects, and the unique properties of AV-101 continue to be tested and verified.
One of the most notable properties of AV-101 is its ability to essentially trick the body into letting it get past the formidable blood-brain barrier, a separation of the body’s blood circulation from the brain extracellular fluid in the central nervous system. The blood-brain barrier has long represented a major obstacle for drug manufacturers seeking ways to treat nerve and brain related diseases. Because of its extraordinary chemical design, AV-101 is able to readily cross this barrier. It is then converted into a variation of itself, a chemical which does the work needed to be done, such as relieving neuropathic pain. AV-101’s development plan is such that it can allow Phase 1 safety studies to support potential Phase 2 development for the treatment of other neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and depression.
AV-101 highlights include the following:
• Readily crosses the blood-brain barrier
• Anticonvulsant that protects against NMDA receptor-mediated neurotoxicity
• Preferentially converted to the GlyB antagonist, 7-Cl-KYNA, by activated glial cells at the desired sites of therapeutic action, thereby reducing the potential risk of side effects even in chronic treatment regimens
• A pro-drug with no therapeutic activity until metabolic conversion
• Generates therapeutically-meaningful brain levels of 7-Cl-KYNA with oral administration
• Converted to 4-Cl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, which blocks the synthesis of quinolinic acid (an endogenous convulsant and NMDA receptor agonist) which may further reduce glutamatergic toxicity associated with epilepsy and other neurodegenerative diseases
• Antagonists of the GlyB site, such as 7-Cl-KYNA, have a favorable safety profile compared to other NMDA receptor antagonists
• May stimulate the expression and/or development of dopamine positive neurons
• Comparable efficacy to gabapentin in three animal models of neuropathic pain
The Remarkable Pro-Drug from VSTA
Currently in Phase 1b clinical development, VistaGen Therapeutics’ lead drug candidate, AV-101, is showing promising potential for the treatment of neuropathic pain and depression. These are huge markets with notable growth prospects, and the unique properties of AV-101 continue to be tested and verified.
One of the most notable properties of AV-101 is its ability to essentially trick the body into letting it get past the formidable blood-brain barrier, a separation of the body’s blood circulation from the brain extracellular fluid in the central nervous system. The blood-brain barrier has long represented a major obstacle for drug manufacturers seeking ways to treat nerve and brain related diseases. Because of its extraordinary chemical design, AV-101 is able to readily cross this barrier. It is then converted into a variation of itself, a chemical which does the work needed to be done, such as relieving neuropathic pain. AV-101’s development plan is such that it can allow Phase 1 safety studies to support potential Phase 2 development for the treatment of other neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and depression.
AV-101 highlights include the following:
• Readily crosses the blood-brain barrier
• Anticonvulsant that protects against NMDA receptor-mediated neurotoxicity
• Preferentially converted to the GlyB antagonist, 7-Cl-KYNA, by activated glial cells at the desired sites of therapeutic action, thereby reducing the potential risk of side effects even in chronic treatment regimens
• A pro-drug with no therapeutic activity until metabolic conversion
• Generates therapeutically-meaningful brain levels of 7-Cl-KYNA with oral administration
• Converted to 4-Cl-3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, which blocks the synthesis of quinolinic acid (an endogenous convulsant and NMDA receptor agonist) which may further reduce glutamatergic toxicity associated with epilepsy and other neurodegenerative diseases
• Antagonists of the GlyB site, such as 7-Cl-KYNA, have a favorable safety profile compared to other NMDA receptor antagonists
• May stimulate the expression and/or development of dopamine positive neurons
• Comparable efficacy to gabapentin in three animal models of neuropathic pain
Crimson Exploration (CXPO) Reports Update on Texas Oil and Gas Operations
Crimson Exploration provided an update on its recent oil and gas activity in Texas where the company is actively developing two hydrocarbon bearing formations on its acreage.
Crimson Exploration has 17,500 net acres under lease in Madison and Grimes Counties in Texas, and it is working on the Woodbine oil play. The company just completed its first horizontal well into this play and is encouraged by the initial production rates.
Crimson Exploration is currently drilling two other horizontal wells into the Woodbine formation on its acreage. The targeted formation is at depths ranging from 15,000 to 16,000 feet, and wells are being completed with multiple hydraulic fracturing stages. The area is also prospective for the Lewisville and Georgetown formations, among others.
Crimson Exploration is also developing the Eagle Ford Shale on its acreage in Karnes, Zavala, and Dimmit Counties. The company recently drilled and completed two wells into the Eagle Ford Shale and reported initial production rates ranging from 370 to 726 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day.
Crimson Exploration currently has three other Eagle Ford Shale wells in various stages of drilling or completion and expects to report the results of these wells over the next few months.
For more information on the company, go to www.crimsonexploration.com
Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (SYN) Completes Enrollment of 164 Patients in Clinical Trial of Oral Trimesta for Treating MS
Today, Synthetic Biologics announced that it has completed patient enrollment for a phase 2 clinical trial of the company’s proprietary oral formulation of estriol (Trimesta) for treating relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis. The company has received more than $8 million in external grant funding for this Trimesta clinical trial, so it is anticipated that the trial will be fully funded to its completion.
The multi-center phase 2 clinical trial for relapsing-remitting MS in women has been randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled and initially enrolled 164 patients who are being dosed and monitored for two years. Clinical investigators at 15 U.S. locations have been administering either oral Trimesta or matching placebo, as well as glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), which is an FDA-approved MS therapy, to women ages 18-50 who have been recently diagnosed with relapse-remitting MS.
Currently, estimated annual sales of injectable disease-modifying MS therapies are at around $8.9 billion. Various reports estimate that annual sales of oral disease-modifying therapies for MS will exceed $5 billion by 2017. If and when approved, Trimesta would be in that class.
Synthetic Biologics is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of synthetic DNA-based therapeutics and disease-modifying medicines for serious illness. In addition to investigating Trimesta for the treatment of relapse-remitting MS, the company is also in the process of developing, or has partnered development of, product candidates for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension, cognitive dysfunction in MS, fibromyalgia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.syntheticbiologics.com
Brigus Gold (BRD) Updates on Continued Returns on $8M Drilling Program
Brigus Gold Corp., a gold producer focused on production, targeted exploration, and select acquisitions, today announced that its exploration drilling operations on the southern portion of the Black Fox Complex in the Timmins Mining District, Ontario, Canada, continues to return high-grade gold assays from the 147 Zone.
The company reports that the program is on track with drilling progress and expansion expectancies.
“The Black Fox exploration program is advancing as planned and on schedule. To date, Brigus has drilled over 126,000 metres on the 147 and Contact zones with significant results that include 21 grams per tonne over 25.0 metres,” Howard Bird, Brigus’ vice president of exploration stated in the press release. “The $8 million program in 2012 is designed to convert Inferred ounces to Indicated ounces through systematic in-fill drilling as well as to expand the resource.”
Brigus’ initial resource estimate for the 147 and contact zones, announced in December 2011, added more than 50 percent to the gold resource at the Black Fox Complex; the company plans on releasing an updated resource estimate later this year.
To date, the company has systematically explored 25 percent of the Black Fox Complex, acknowledging significant upside potential remains on the property, which spans approximately 18-square kilometers.
For more information visit at www.brigusgold.com
ZBB Energy Corp. (ZBB) Provides ZBB EnerSystem to DOD Contract for Continuous Power/Energy Control Solution Featuring Renewables
Today, ZBB Energy, which has built a strong reputation as an advanced energy storage and intelligent power
control platform provider, reported a contract to provide a ZBB EnerSystem™, the world’s only configurable, modular, flexible, and scalable integrated management platform for on-grid and off-grid/back up power applications, to a Florida-based solar integrator.
Ideal for the kind of unique grid-tied and grid-independent/micro-grid application being targeted (undisclosed US Military base), the ZBB EnerSystem combines the ZBB EnerStore™ flow-battery technology with the power control architecture it was designed to fully support, the company’s EnerSection™ platform. The ZBB EnerSystem represents a pinnacle of advanced power/energy control with storage-agnostic input capability, the ultimate hybridization pipeline.
President and CEO of AZZ, Eric Apfelbach, hailed the DOD for their continuing recognition of the company’s value/capabilities and underscored the modularity/scalability of the ZBB EnerSystem, its granular configurability, and ability to optimize inputs from a variety of sources as being massive drivers for the products in this market. Apfelbach was eager to benefit from the momentum generated by continued winning of contracts for such solutions to the military and projected continued efforts to engage all stakeholders in showcasing the installation. It really should pan out for ZBB, as the base installation will offer a robust benchmarking of the integration, power management, and energy security capabilities of ZBB’s EnerStore/ EnerSection offerings.
This installation will be a crescendo in a multi-year program to upgrade overall energy efficiency at the base. This drive to shore up overall reliability/independence with respect to the civilian grid, while emphasizing renewables, is a key manifestation of the DOD’s NDAA07 mandates (Net Zero Energy Installation Program) calling for some 25% of the energy installation footprint to be derived from renewables.
The Florida integrator was awarded a demo grant for deployment and trialing of a micro-grid solution using platform technologies to create a mixed hybrid solution for renewables and diesel, with the kind of efficient storage and diesel use minimization desired. This roll out will clearly demonstrate the micro-grid continuous power generation model, providing local loads with power at any time, day or night, irrespective of input variance or energy levels in storage. ZBB EnerSystem will function continuously in ongoing operational mode as a node in the base’s grid, also proving the power of this platform by operating in a disconnected micro-grid island-mode, then rapidly, seamlessly transitioning back to an integrated node.
The demonstration will be observing power control for micro-grid stability in great detail and the full-spectrum monitoring of trial data will provide abundant insights for fuel efficiency, as well as power quality vectors. We really have a highly transportable micro-grid capable node system here. ZBB EnerSystem offers a peak-performance optimization solution and the base trial should provide serious market momentum to ZBB as a distinct leader in the energy storage/intelligent power control design and manufacturing space. It’s also a big win for the DOD in meeting sustainability requirements; the symbiotic market vector is obvious and the potential for more government/related contracts is something to keep an eye on.
The company provides a range of power electronic systems and custom engineered solutions for the burgeoning global energy space, focusing on key channels like distributed renewables, efficiency, power quality, and modernization of grid architectures. The company’s power electronics subsidiary, Tier Electronics, LLC, has a strong hand in hybrid vehicle control system and power quality markets via a line of regulation solutions which, when combined with the overall ZBB portfolio, represent a broad-spectrum solution-set for a wide range of global electrical system challenges.
For more information on the contract, or to stay up to date on the latest developments at ZBB Energy Corp., please visit the company’s website at www.ZBBEnergy.com
CalAmp Corp. (CAMP) Wins Mobile Data Network Contract from Erie County Department of Public Safety
CalAmp, a leading provider of wireless products, services, and solutions, has won a contract from the Erie County, Pennsylvania Department of Public Safety to install a cutting edge mobile data network for law enforcement and fire services. To be completed within a year, the contract includes seven base stations and more than 100 mobile radios.
The project award includes system engineering, implementation, and project management services during all phases of the program, as well as technical support following system deployment.
Several of CalAmp’s most advanced technologies will be used in the deployment of their latest generation native-IP mobile data communications system, including Paragon4 base stations and Gemini3 agile dual-band mobile modems. Furthermore, CalAmp’s proprietary Parallel Decode technology will allow for in-motion, high-speed mobile data delivery across 1,500 square miles in Erie County.
The Erie County project will provide a significant technological upgrade over the existing private radio network that was installed by CalAmp nearly 12 years ago.
Erie County Director of Public Safety Todd Geers explained, “When it came time to expand our emergency services communications network and increase its functionality, we turned to CalAmp once again for a reliable mobile data technology solution that can grow to meet our future needs as well.”
Mike Zachan, Senior Vice President and General Manager of CalAmp’s Wireless Networks business, expressed his pleasure with the project, saying, “We are gratified that Erie County has again selected CalAmp for its mobile communications network. Our versatile Paragon/Gemini Agile Dual-Band IP mobile network meets today’s mission-critical requirements with a robust, wide-area mobile data solution. It also lays the foundation for future network enhancements, such as 4G broadband communications, that will help ensure that the 280,000-plus residents of Erie County get the emergency service they need, at the critical times when they need it the most.”
Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc. (VOG) Announces 2011 Financial Results, Operational Update
2011 was an evolving year for Voyager Oil & Gas, which announced results for the 12-months and three-months periods ending Dec. 31, 2011. In 2011, the company increased its overall leasehold assets by almost 65 percent, acquiring 8,354 net mineral acres in the Willston Basin and bringing its total controlled net mineral acres there to 32,000. Voyager had revenues of $8.43 million for the year ending Dec. 31, 2011, which was a 794 percent increase over the previous year’s revenues.
Higher oil production and improved realized pricing drove revenues. Production was 98,011 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) for the year ending Dec. 31, 2011, an increase of 84,231 BOE from the previous year.
Voyager is still in the early stages of its growth program, but the company’s strategy of acquiring prime acreage in key unconventional basins is already yielding value for shareholders. The company is awaiting completion of three net wells, which are anticipated to further increase Voyager’s production.
The company reported a net loss of $1.35 million for 2011, which was an improvement over the previous year’s net loss of $4.27 million. Voyager’s cash balance as of Dec. 31, 2011, was $13.93 million, which was an increase of $2.57 million over the previous year. The company’s capital expenditures for 2011 were $54.7 million as compared with approximately $33.4 million from the previous year. Around 34 percent of the company’s capital expenditures were dedicated to leasehold acquisition; about 66 percent was related to development, drilling, and completion activities.
Voyager Oil & Gas is an exploration and production company specializing in combining low overhead, organic acreage acquisition, and strong joint venture relationships to exploit its oil and gas prospects. The company’s focus is acquiring acreage in prospective natural resource plays across the continental U.S. Voyager’s primary business focus is targeting the Bakken and Three Forks formations of North Dakota and Montana.
For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.voyageroil.com
Mortgage Demand Rises for Third Week in a Row
The rebound in the U.S. economy continues on a steady path upward. Just last week, data showed that U.S. employers hired more than 200,000 workers for the third month in a row in February. Further evidence can be seen in the latest figures on demand for home purchases which rose for the third week in a row, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). Applications for refinancing sagged though.
The Association said its gauge of loan requests for home purchases gained 4.4 percent in the week ended March 9, 2012. However, its seasonally adjusted index of overall mortgage application activity, which includes both refinancing and home purchase demand, fell 2.4 percent in that week ending March 9. Refinancing applications fell by 4.1 percent. According to the MBA, this survey covers over 75 percent of US retail residential mortgage applications.
The volume of purchase applications in February did rise by 18 percent from the previous month, but the level is still 2 percent below the level of year-ago activity. This shows that the recovery is still not robust, at least not yet in the housing market. MBA vice-president of research and economics, Michael Fratantoni said, “Purchase activity remains subdued and within the narrow range we have seen since the expiration of the homebuyer tax credit in 2010.”
It remains to be seen whether the ultra-low interest rate policy by the US Federal Reserve can reignite the U.S. economy, particularly the housing market, as well as it has ignited the financial markets. Fixed 30-year mortgage rates are holding steady at 4.06 percent.
Naturally Advanced Technologies, Inc. (NADVF) Vastly Improves Production Process, Secures Mfg. Partnership, and Leases New Facility in South Carolina
Today, Naturally Advanced Technologies, producer/marketer of the revolutionary CRAiLAR® material made from flax and other bast fibers, which represents sustainable yarn for the global apparel industry with the potential to actually replace cotton, reported several key milestones this week on the road to an initial full phase of production to supply global partners with this amazing product.
CRAiLAR is produced by taking the fibers and processing them via a patented enzymatic technique developed in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada, fibers which can be cut to desired staple length (rivaling the very best long line cotton). Post-process, the fibers are run through specialized equipment and end up as a gorgeous, soft, white yarn with similar warmth and tactile aesthetics of organic cotton, but with enhanced tensile strength, the likes of which organic cotton could never attain.
Chief among the developments are the results of a year’s effort optimizing the CRAiLAR production pipeline, resulting in a 40% time reduction in the initial enzymatic fiber processing through improved process techniques and thus enabling substantial production capacity gains of each planned manufacturing facility. But, perhaps the biggest advantage to this development will be opening the door to third-party manufacturing, something that will accelerate both overall output of fiber and the market momentum of the brand/concept.
CEO of Naturally Advanced Technologies, Ken Barker, hailed the innovations team which spearheaded the effort to advance the CRAiLAR process, pointing out the leadership of company CIO, Jason Finnis, as being instrumental to achieving this feat. Barker explained that the improved efficiency/resultant economics clearly puts third-party manufacturing in the mission critical range for growth optimization and was obviously pleased at the prospect of maximized volume capability of the company’s first facility this year.
Cartersville, GA-based, ecologically responsible fiber technology innovator Tintoria Piana has even entered into an agreement to execute the CRAiLAR enzymatic process for Naturally Advanced Technologies exclusively, in the second major development announced today. Production should commence in Q2 this year, adding handsomely to the company’s manufacturing capacity even further. Privately-held and family-owned Tintoria has been dying fiber for the apparel industry for over six decades and Barker eyes the move as thoroughly consistent with the overall forward vector.
The third major development shows Naturally Advanced Technologies is driving domestic industry, with plans to implement 143.5k square feet of production infrastructure in South Carolina and an initial $8M investment (which will immediately create some 25 jobs) for preliminary facility preparation. Located in Florence County, SC, the Delta Mills Cypress plant in Pamplico is an ideal location at the heart of Flax country (which is grown as a winter crop throughout the region).
Governor of SC, Nikki Haley, was particularly proud to see investment in one of the state’s rural areas and welcomed Naturally Advanced Technologies to Pamplico. Naturally Advanced Technologies wrapped this week on its plans for a long-term lease (option to buy) and full execution merely awaits tax/job creation incentives currently under review in Florence County, with April 19 currently set for the final environment/incentives review. A set aside grant of $263.5k from the South Carolina Coordinating Council for Economic Development will be available when hiring targets are achieved. Also hailing the announcements were Senator Hugh K. Leatherman (a Florence County resident) and Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt, who underscored the strong history of textiles, agribusiness, and advanced materials for which SC is known, thanking Naturally Advanced Technologies for their commitment to making a real change for Pamplico and the future of SC’s industry.
A serious logistical footprint is emerging for Naturally Advanced Technologies, backed up by a solid concept and offering in a global marketplace where significant market share can be shaved off from king cotton via a product with additional robustness benefits, anchored by a powerful full-scale production node right in the heart of one of North America’s top agricultural and manufacturing regions. Alongside the Tintoria partnership and an ever-expanding commercial, agricultural, and civic partnership presence, there is incredible stored up potential energy in Naturally Advanced Technologies’ model.
For more information on these developments, or to stay up to date with prevailing news and information about Naturally Advanced Technologies, please visit the company’s website at www.NaturallyAdvanced.com
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They will add after 30 days.
GlobalWise Investments, Inc. (GWIV) Flagship Solution Nearly Doubles Efficiency of Ricart Automotive Group
GlobalWise Investments and its wholly owned subsidiary Intellinetics, a leading-edge technology company focused on the design, implementation, and management of public/private cloud-based Enterprise Content Management (“ECM”) systems, today provide a case study for one of their clients, Ricart Automotive Group (www.Ricart.com).
One of the world’s largest retail auto dealer enterprises, Ricart Automotive Group was founded in 1953 in Columbus, Ohio. The company has grown from a small car lot into one of the nation’s largest single-site dealer complexes comprised of 66 acres plus a separate financing company (www.coccfinancial.com) with locations in Ohio and Mississippi. Ricart Automotive sells and/or finances a combined 16,000 vehicles annually, which creates an immense amount of paperwork. Ricart realized the traditional paper storage filing cabinet system for managing their many customers was dated, inefficient, and in some cases resulted in missing documents.
“We already had a significant amount of space dedicated to the storage of paper files and we needed more. In addition to the physical storage problem, we were also having an issue with the excessive amount of time required to locate files when we needed them. It was obvious that we needed a more efficient solution,” stated Rob Caruthers, CFO, Ricart Automotive. “It was essential to our business that the information be logically indexed and quickly accessible.”
Ricart also mandated that the ECM solution chosen was compatible with its existing business applications and database. Intellinetics is able to easily and seamlessly integrate with existing software packages that companies rely on to manage their business. Many other ECM solutions do not have the ability to integrate with these dealer management systems, which gives Intellinetics a competitive advantage. The Intellivue™ software package delivered to Ricart was the perfect solution to increase productivity. According to Mr. Caruthers, all of their needs “were met and implementation was seamless.”
Ricart maximized their return on investment by integrating Intellivue™ into its dealer management platform. The flexibility of the Intellivue™ system allows the Ricart team to function more efficiently, while reducing wait times and increasing customer satisfaction. Across sales, finance, service, human resources, and accounting the system saves hours of processing time for the over 75,000 pages of new documents managed per month. Ricart currently has the equivalent of approximately 1,000 four-drawer filing cabinets processed by Intellivue™. In the past, simple vehicle inventory logging would take up to one and a half weeks, but with the Intellivue™ system, it can now be processed in one and a half days — an 80% increase in efficiency.
According to today’s release, Ricart and Intellinetics continue to collaborate on planned upgrades and expand Intellivue™ to capture more document types throughout Ricart’s enterprise. “Employing Intellivue™ has been an excellent experience. The impact it has had on our operations is tremendous. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Intellinetics,” concluded Mr. Caruthers.
Click the following link to see Mr. Caruthers share additional insight on the economic and operational impact Intellivue™ has brought to Ricart Automotive:
American Standard Energy Corp. (ASEN) Closes on Purchase of Domestic Oil and Gas Properties
American Standard Energy reported that the company has closed on its acquisition of producing oil and gas properties in the United States. The properties are located in various onshore basins and were purchased from a private oil and gas company.
American Standard Energy said the deal involved 72,300 net acres with current production of 250 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day. The producing properties are located in the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, and Gulf Coast areas.
The properties also have extensive undeveloped acreage that the company will analyze for a future development program. The undeveloped acreage is located in the aforementioned basins as well as the Williston Basin, Niobrara, and Eagle Bine plays.
American Standard Energy purchased the properties from Geronimo Holding Corp., an oil and gas company that is controlled by Randall Capps. Capps is a director of American Standard Energy and is also the company’s majority stockholder.
American Standard Energy paid Geronimo Holding Corp. total consideration of $58.5 million for the properties. This included $10 million in cash, the issuance of five million shares of the company’s common stock, and a $35 million principal subordinated note.
For more information on the company, go to www.asenergycorp.com
UFood Restaurant Group, Inc. (UFFC) Begins Construction on New Unit Located at Military Base
UFood Restaurant Group announced that it has begun construction on the second of three UFood Grill locations at the Aberdeen Proving Ground military base in Maryland. The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) awarded a contract to UFood to build and operate three new UFood Grill units on the base in Aberdeen.
Last month, the White House and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs announced initiatives to provide healthier menus to 1,100 dining halls at military bases. The move will adjust the Pentagon’s nutritional standards for the first time in 20 years, bringing a new focus on more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthier food choices to American military.
Ufood’s new 1,120 square-foot express version of UFood Grill offers an array of fresh, healthier options, including breakfast paninis and burritos, fire-grilled burgers, signature sandwiches, paninis, and specialty salads. This location will also include a UBerry, offering self-serve fat-free frozen yogurt and toppings as well as fresh-fruit & yogurt smoothies.
“We are very excited to be building our second UFood and UBerry locations at Aberdeen. It’s really an exciting tipping point for us as we grow into the military channel,” said UFood CEO George Naddaff. “We’re confident the busy, health-conscious men and women at Aberdeen will really appreciate our healthier, better-for-you options.”
UFood Grill currently operates restaurants in a number of trade channels that include airports, hospitals, shopping centers, and urban storefronts. The company’s airport locations are in Boston, Cleveland, and Dallas. In addition, two units are under construction at Salt Lake City International Airport, expected to open in late April 2012.
Fuel Tech, Inc. (FTEK) Awarded $2.2M in Air Pollution Control Contracts
Fuel Tech recently announced that the company had been awarded several air pollution control orders that, in total, amount to $2.2 million in business. The orders will utilize Fuel Tech’s SOFA (Separated Over-Fire Air) and ULTRA systems.
Fuel Tech is focused on development and commercialization of air pollution control technologies, as well as process optimization and advanced engineering services. Fuel Tech produces Over-Fire Air systems and the NOx line of products, including Low NOx Burners, NOxOUT, NOxOUT CASCADE, and NOxOUT-SCR.
The larger order, placed by a Midwestern company, is for combustion modifications and a Separated Over-Fire Air (SOFA) system for a small tangential coal-fired boiler. A Mexican company placed an order for an SCR system which will utilize an ULTRA system as well. The equipment at the Mexican company will be used to meet regulations affecting new gas-fired units.
Douglas G. Bailey, Fuel Tech president and CEO, commented, “We are pleased to be awarded these projects, particularly the domestic order that utilizes our proven SOFA technology. Customers such as this are proceeding with their NOx reduction plans as compliance under the Clean Air Interstate Rule remains in effect pending resolution of the more stringent Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, which came under court review at the end of 2011. Given the current low natural gas prices, the flexibility for the unit to fire either coal or natural gas is a compelling value-added benefit. ”
Remedent, Inc. (REMI) Poised for Continued Global Expansion
Yesterday, MissionIR attended Remedent’s Virtual Road Show to better understand the company and its growth strategy. During the presentation, Remedent’s Chairman and CEO Guy De Vreese provided an exciting overview of the company’s powerful CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) workflow, current victories, and planned expansion initiatives.
Remedent, developer, manufacturer, and marketer of oral car and cosmetic dental products that are distributed to more than 55 countries worldwide, has developed a powerful business model for bringing high-quality, affordable, 100% custom porcelain veneers to the global market, using proprietary technologies like a unique tray system that allows installation to be completed in just an hour, and high-precision fabrication using a proprietary scanning/modeling/manufacturing pipeline.
The primary component of the business and flagship brand, GlamSmile, is focused on this incredible veneer technology that can quickly transform a smile and change lives via a painless, affordable cosmetic dental solution now available to a massively-underserved multi-billion dollar worldwide market. As one of the first branded chain of focused cosmetic dental practices, GlamSmile holds profound value, amply reinforced by the successful roll out of operations in China and Europe.
In just two visits customers can walk away with a brand new set of beautiful veneers that are perfectly custom crafted to the topology of their own teeth/mouth to fit with maximum comfort. Using photo source captures of the patient’s face, mouth, and teeth, in conjunction with a silicone impression taken from the teeth on the first visit, the veneers are hand drawn onto a high resolution 3D mesh generated from precision 3D scans by GlamSmile Smile Designers and the digital file is then sent to 3D printer/CNC machine. A second visit has customers experiencing revolutionary speed of installation, as the painless, reversible process which requires no injections/anesthetics, tooth reshaping, or healing time, is done sets at a time using the proprietary tray system (instead of one-at-a-time as in more typical and time consuming veneering).
By emphasizing an approach using a branded retail network of GlamSmile Studios to connect with the consumer directly, the company plans to create a completely self-contained vertical operation, from manufacturing to actual placement of the product in the studios. Other offerings like the wide range of products available via a 37.5% stake in fully-integrated OTC and oral care product manufacturer/marketer, Sylphar NV, with leading whitening brands like iWhite, CleverWhite, Whizzer, and RemeSense, are prominently put before consumers in this environment. REMI got its start in B2B tooth-whitening with products like the Remewhite Formulation+ gel for the high speed curing lamp, the Remecure, and GlamSmile White Boost available through dentists for home use. REMI is taking the bull by the horns, bringing the entire platform in-house, and rolling it out as an extremely appealing consumer-targeted concept.
The amazing growth potential of the GlamSmile China represents an optimal value for REMI and its shareholders (as most clinics are directly owned and very efficient), and a solid footprint of luxury cosmetic clinics is already in place in key markets like Beijing, Shanghai, Wenzhou, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Taiwan. The fully digital production pipeline allows capacity of up to 10k veneers a month and with Dec 2011 averaging some 23 customers a month in China (over RMB100M net sales per month, per clinic), the model’s efficacy and potential is obvious. It is this clear vision that has management setting its sights on a larger, typically high-growth Asian market, including Japan and Korea, among other obvious targets like India. This capacity to expand via what are essentially franchisees will provide ample breathing room for the kind of continual R&D innovation that has propelled REMI this far.
Per unit valuation total places REMI’s stake in the combined operations of GlamSmile China, the GlamSmile Franchise Business, and Sylphar at roughly $20M, nearly three times the company’s current market cap of $7.13 million. The traction in the commercial space is unmistakable, from bypassing the dentist to radically improving margins from the direct to consumer approach using the radical Smile Consultancy idea, offering customers a smile coach that can help them make the right decisions or answer questions about the aesthetics of their teeth.
Recent closings of strategic financing with the prominent IDG Capital Partners and the retention of market intelligence, investor targeting, and tactical support powerhouse The MZ Group have placed REMI on a fast-track to execute their planned growth of this great concept in Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. With immediate plans to continue expansion in the highest-growth Chinese Tier 1 and 2 cities, REMI looks to gain a nice bounce before expansion really kicks off globally with what is an easy to implement, easy to execute model that strikes deep into the consumer space with low prices and superior product/delivery.
By offering full dental services in the clinics alongside other excellent products in the same vein, REMI has hit upon a solution set with serious kinetic energy stored inside. As more and more consumers look for a solution to typical discolored/stained and Tetracycline (broad spectrum antibiotics that can cause permanent staining) stained teeth, broken or crooked teeth, and gaps, amid a tightening global economic landscape, this kind of high-value, affordable dental cosmetic solution will become even more popular.
For more information on Remedent Inc., please visit the company’s Web site at www.Remedent.com or visit www.GlamSmile.com
FluoroPharma Medical, Inc. (FPMI) and The Heart
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), also referred to as coronary artery disease (CAD), has been on top of the world’s illness list for a long time, and yet it’s still surprising to consider that fully one-third of all American’s are believed to have some form of the disease. CVD/CAD are general terms used to describe certain disorders that can affect your heart as well as your body’s blood vessels. Such problems are the primary cause of death in the U.S., claiming one million lives annually.
The disease usually involves plaque accumulations on the walls of the coronary arteries, which can ultimately constrict the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart to such a degree that the heart muscles are unable to properly function. The result can be fatal, with little or no advanced warning. Cardiac imaging is used to diagnose the disease and to determine the presence and severity of ischemic heart disease and the related risk of suffering a heart attack. It is also used to help determine the most appropriate course of treatment.
For some patients, facing lower risks, an exercise stress test may be used to evaluate heart function. However, the test is often inaccurate and poor as a predictor of heart attack. For patients facing higher risks, or for those unable to safely go through a stress test, doctors can use some form of imaging, such as MRI. If even this is unable to clearly identify the problem, doctors can perform a coronary angiogram, involving a contrasting agent and X-rays to identify blockages.
FluoroPharma Medical is building a portfolio of chemical tracer products, with a focus on heart disease. These tracers are used in conjunction with positron emission tomography (PET) and help make visible the minute cellular processes associated with the disease. They do this by being specially formulated to become part of the process, allowing doctors and researchers to detect possibly dangerous conditions that other forms of detection miss.
FluoroPharma has three tracer products directly related to the heart and related diseases. CardioPET, BFPET, and VasoPET are all designed to overcome the weaknesses of other diagnostic methods. For example, PET technology itself has been shown to reduce the number of coronary angiography and revascularization procedures by over 50% and reduce overall costs by 30%.
For more information, see the company website at www.FluoroPharma.com
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China Sunergy Company Ltd. (CSUN) Adopts Warranty Insurance Solution from PowerGuard
China Sunergy Company Ltd. is a specialized manufacturer of solar cell and module products in China. The company manufactures solar cells from silicon wafers, which utilize crystalline silicon solar cell technology to convert sunlight into electricity.
The company announced today that it has adopted PowerClip’s extended warranty insurance solution for its solar module products from PowerGuard Insurance Services. This is a California-based company that specializes in the design and underwriting of unique insurance and risk management solutions for alternative energy companies.
The PowerClip extended warranty insurance solution provides certainty and security for China Sunergy’s customers. It offers customers coverage on 10-year warranties for defects in materials and workmanship and a minimum power output warranty over 25 years for substantially all of China Sunergy’s products sold worldwide. The warranty insurance terms are non-cancellable and will survive even if the insurance holder goes into bankruptcy.
The reliability and performance of the company’s will now be essentially ‘guaranteed’ by this insurance solution. This should further China Sunergy’s reputation and brand which will hopefully then transform into an expansion of the company’s customer base.
For further information about China Sunergy, please visit its website at www.chinasunergy.com
FluoroPharma Medical, Inc. (FPMI) And The Heart
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), also referred to as coronary artery disease (CAD), has been on top of the world’s illness list for a long time, and yet it’s still surprising to consider that fully one-third of all American’s are believed to have some form of the disease. CVD/CAD are general terms used to describe certain disorders that can affect your heart as well as your body’s blood vessels. Such problems are the primary cause of death in the U.S., claiming one million lives annually.
The disease usually involves plaque accumulations on the walls of the coronary arteries, which can ultimately constrict the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart to such a degree that the heart muscles are unable to properly function. The result can be fatal, with little or no advanced warning. Cardiac imaging is used to diagnose the disease and to determine the presence and severity of ischemic heart disease and the related risk of suffering a heart attack. It is also used to help determine the most appropriate course of treatment.
For some patients, facing lower risks, an exercise stress test may be used to evaluate heart function. However, the test is often inaccurate and poor as a predictor of heart attack. For patients facing higher risks, or for those unable to safely go through a stress test, doctors can use some form of imaging, such as MRI. If even this is unable to clearly identify the problem, doctors can perform a coronary angiogram, involving a contrasting agent and X-rays to identify blockages.
FluoroPharma Medical is building a portfolio of chemical tracer products, with a focus on heart disease. These tracers are used in conjunction with positron emission tomography (PET) and help make visible the minute cellular processes associated with the disease. They do this by being specially formulated to become part of the process, allowing doctors and researchers to detect possibly dangerous conditions that other forms of detection miss.
FluoroPharma has three tracer products directly related to the heart and related diseases. CardioPET, BFPET, and VasoPET are all designed to overcome the weaknesses of other diagnostic methods. For example, PET technology itself has been shown to reduce the number of coronary angiography and revascularization procedures by over 50% and reduce overall costs by 30%.