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MissionIR Interviews President and CEO of Adcare Health Systems Inc. (ADK)
MissionIR today announces that its interview with Boyd Gentry, the president and chief executive officer of AdCare Health Systems, is now available online. The complete interview can be heard at http://adk.missionir.com/adk/interview.html.
Mr. Gentry discussed the company’s rapid growth, its aggressive M&A program, and acquisitions that are on the horizon for 2012, which are projected to increase the company’s revenue run rate by more than 500% over 2010. Mr. Gentry additionally provided an overview of the company’s business model and discussed the background of the company’s executive team, including recent additions of new talent. Mr. Gentry emphasized AdCare’s tremendous growth, which is singular among its competitors in these challenging economic times.
“We’re the only long-term care company that is aggressively acquiring these smaller, regionally focused, privately held, nursing home operators,” Mr. Gentry stated. “Typically, these acquisition targets are not focused on the more complex, but more profitable sub-acute segment of the business. AdCare is able to build upon the solid custodial care reputations of these smaller operators by expanding their clinical capabilities and post-acute services. Our revenues grew four-fold in 2010, and then last year we doubled to a run rate of $200 million. We have a number of acquisitions in the pipeline and expect by the end of this year to at least double again.”
Obama Proposes New Options for Homeowners as Housing Concerns Remain Top Issue for Reelection
As Republicans move on from the Florida primary to Nevada, President Obama tackles the biggest issue affecting both states – the housing bubble. While visiting a Northern Virginia community center Wednesday, Obama outlined details of a new housing plan unveiled at the State of the Union which he hopes will finally get more people buying and refinancing homes. The plan is designed to make it easier for millions of homeowners to refinance their mortgages at lower rates to combat foreclosures or help those unable to get loans when they owe more than their homes are worth. The key element of the plan is the lowering of interest rates for an annual savings of about $3,000 for the average borrower.
The administration proposes expanding the Home Affordable Refinance Program that over 1 million borrowers with government-affiliated loans from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac have used to refinance at lower rates. The new plan would allow any borrower with a privately held mortgage who owes more than 140 percent of the value of their homes, plus have no more than one delinquent month in a six month period and have mortgages within the limits set by the FHA, to have a reduced mortgage balance.
Obama faces major hurdles in the passage of his plan in Congress as it is estimated to cost between $5 to $10 billion depending on the number of participants, and the proposed method of payment is through a fee on large banks. There are approximately 3.5 million borrowers paying an interest rate high enough that this would be an incentive to refinance and about 11 million borrowers with loans guaranteed by Freddie and Fannie who could be eligible under this program to refinance. Furthermore, roughly one in four mortgage holders are underwater.
Other areas the plan tackles include a new “bill of rights” for borrowers and a program to allow Fannie Mae to sell foreclosed homes in bulk for the purpose of increasing the amount of rental properties on the market.
Cytomedix (CMXI) to Receive Additional $2.5M Payment as Part of Official Option Extension
Cytomedix Inc., a leading developer of biologically active regenerative therapies for wound care, inflammation and angiogenesis, today announced that as part of the official extension of its license agreement with a top global pharmaceutical company, it will receive an additional $2.5 million non-refundable payment, which is expected to be received on or before February 15, 2012.
The option extension will now run through June 30, 2012, during which time the companies will establish a formal negotiation of an exclusive license and supply agreement for the distribution of the Cytomedix’ AutoloGel™ System.
“We are especially pleased to extend the option period as it signifies that diligence on the part of our potential partner is complete and that all necessary corporate approvals to proceed are in place. We believe the potential product synergies within this specific hospital-based and technically-oriented sales force can meaningfully accelerate adoption of the AutoloGel™ System,” Martin P. Rosendale, CEO of Cytomedix stated in the press release. “We have worked closely to jointly evaluate the significant market opportunity and look forward to the successful and timely conclusion of negotiations to a final agreement.”
Throughout these negotiations, Cytomedix will transfer clinical and marketing subject matter to the pharmaceutical company and continue to conduct product development of the next generation AutoloGel separation device. The company anticipates submitting this proprietary separation enhancement for 501(k) approval to the FDA in the second quarter of 2012.
Cytomedix said the pharmaceutical company (option holder) is maintaining its preference for anonymity until a definitive license and supply agreement is finalized and executed.
For more information visit www.cytomedix.com
Delcath Systems (DCTH) Announces First European Chemosat Procedures for Treatment of Cancers in Liver
Delcath Systems Inc., a development-stage specialty pharmaceutical and medical device company focused on oncology, today announced that the first patients in Europe have been treated with the Delcath Hepatic CHEMOSAT® Delivery System at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO), a premier cancer treatment and research center in Milan.
CHEMOSAT is a proprietary product that utilizes a minimally invasive, repeatable procedure to deliver high doses of chemotherapeutic drugs directly to the liver while minimizing systemic exposure of such drugs.
The two patients were treated for inoperable liver-dominant metastases from ocular melanoma and gastric cancer. Delcath reports that the procedures were successfully completed without procedure-related complications.
“The CHEMOSAT system represents an important advancement in treatment options for cancers in the liver, which have significantly poorer survival rates compared to cancers that have spread predominantly to other organs,” Dr. Alessandro Testori, a surgical oncologist and director of the Division of Melanoma and Skin-Muscle Sarcoma at the IEO stated in the press release. “We believe this technology will help fill an important gap in the treatment of multiple tumor types in the liver because of its demonstrated ability to deliver concentrated doses of chemotherapeutic agent directly to the liver while helping to minimize systemic exposure. We are pleased to be the first center in Europe to begin offering this treatment to patients and look forward to exploring its potential with Delcath.”
The procedures were conducted with the Generation One version of the CHEMOSAT system, which received CE Mark approval in April 2011; the Generation Two version is under review for CE Mark approval.
“Since obtaining our CE Mark, Delcath has been committed to supporting the technology in the substantial international liver cancer market,” said Eamonn P. Hobbs, president and CEO of Delcath. “These cases represent the first uses of CHEMOSAT outside of a clinical trial—an exciting milestone for Delcath. There is no greater endorsement for CHEMOSAT than to have the first European patients treated at an organization as prestigious as the IEO. We are delighted that the procedures were successfully performed, and look forward to continued collaborative progress with the IEO and the opportunity to open additional CHEMOSAT treatment centers across Europe.”
Delcath and the IEO will host a joint-press conference, on February 15, 2012, at the IEO, and give an update on patient status.
For more information visit www.delcath.com
MissionIR Interviews President and CEO of Adcare Health Systems Inc. (ADK)
MissionIR today announces that its interview with Boyd Gentry, the president and chief executive officer of AdCare Health Systems, is now available online. The complete interview can be heard at http://adk.missionir.com/adk/interview.html.
Mr. Gentry discussed the company’s rapid growth, its aggressive M&A program, and acquisitions that are on the horizon for 2012, which are projected to increase the company’s revenue run rate by more than 500% over 2010. Mr. Gentry additionally provided an overview of the company’s business model and discussed the background of the company’s executive team, including recent additions of new talent. Mr. Gentry emphasized AdCare’s tremendous growth, which is singular among its competitors in these challenging economic times.
“We’re the only long-term care company that is aggressively acquiring these smaller, regionally focused, privately held, nursing home operators,” Mr. Gentry stated. “Typically, these acquisition targets are not focused on the more complex, but more profitable sub-acute segment of the business. AdCare is able to build upon the solid custodial care reputations of these smaller operators by expanding their clinical capabilities and post-acute services. Our revenues grew four-fold in 2010, and then last year we doubled to a run rate of $200 million. We have a number of acquisitions in the pipeline and expect by the end of this year to at least double again.”
MissionIR Interviews President and CEO of Adcare Health Systems Inc. (ADK)
MissionIR today announces that its interview with Boyd Gentry, the president and chief executive officer of AdCare Health Systems, is now available online. The complete interview can be heard at http://adk.missionir.com/adk/interview.html.
Mr. Gentry discussed the company’s rapid growth, its aggressive M&A program, and acquisitions that are on the horizon for 2012, which are projected to increase the company’s revenue run rate by more than 500% over 2010. Mr. Gentry additionally provided an overview of the company’s business model and discussed the background of the company’s executive team, including recent additions of new talent. Mr. Gentry emphasized AdCare’s tremendous growth, which is singular among its competitors in these challenging economic times.
“We’re the only long-term care company that is aggressively acquiring these smaller, regionally focused, privately held, nursing home operators,” Mr. Gentry stated. “Typically, these acquisition targets are not focused on the more complex, but more profitable sub-acute segment of the business. AdCare is able to build upon the solid custodial care reputations of these smaller operators by expanding their clinical capabilities and post-acute services. Our revenues grew four-fold in 2010, and then last year we doubled to a run rate of $200 million. We have a number of acquisitions in the pipeline and expect by the end of this year to at least double again.”
Timberline Resources Corp. (TLR) Announces Appointment of Steve Osterberg as V.P. of Exploration
Timberline Resources Corp. announced today the appointment of Steve Osterberg, Ph.D., P.G., Q.P., as vice president of exploration. Osterberg has 25 years of experience in domestic and international minerals exploration, as well as multi-disciplined experience in every aspect of economic exploration geology. He has taken part in the advancement of numerous exploration discoveries and also managed his own geologic consulting practice, developing and leading the geology-geohydrology-geochemistry practice at Tetra-Tech Metals and Mining.
Osterberg’s experience and education will be valuable to Timberline as the company moves its Butte Highlands Gold Project toward production and also advances its explorations properties. Osterberg’s experience encompasses various geologic terrains, including Nevada’s Great Basin, southwest U.S. porphyries, the Canadian Shield, the Mid-Continent rift, the Western Cordillera and the Andean orogenic. Osterberg has additionally held positions at Knight Piesold, BHP Minerals International, Minnova, Noranda, Kerr-McGee and St. Joe American Corp. He received Ph.D. and M.S. geology degrees from the University of Minnesota.
Osterberg has received 100,000 options to acquire common shares of Timberline at an exercise price equal to the stock’s closing price on Feb. 1, vesting immediately and with a term of five years. This is in connection with his appointment.
Timberline Resources is currently involved in the exploration and development of advanced-stage gold properties in the western U.S., primarily focusing on the gold fields of Nevada. Gold production is slated to begin in 2012 at Timberline’s Butte Highlands Joint Venture, in which the company holds a 50 percent carried-to-production interest.
For further information about Timberline Resources, visit www.timberline-resources.com
Facebook Prepares to Go Public: IPO Valued at $75 Billion-$100 Billion
The reigning king of social networking will soon greet the public equity markets. Facebook is preparing to file documents in preparation for an IPO, and, according to reports, the social networking giant will file a prospectus with the SEC sometime today.
Facebook’s IPO is projected to be one of the biggest in history, valuing the company at a projected $75 billion to $100 billion dollars. The company’s stock has been trading in the private markets at a valuation of about $80 billion.
In view of Facebook’s enormous public presence, some are anticipating a considerable IPO spike when Facebook’s shares begin trading, with a great deal of hype surrounding the deal as the pricing date approaches. The IPO is expected to happen sometime this spring. Eager investors are being admonished to consider the performance of other recent IPOs, however, before jumping on the Facebook bandwagon too quickly.
Groupon and Zynga’s recent IPOs had inexperienced investors diving in headfirst as soon as the stocks began trading, only to watch the stocks plummet shortly thereafter. Something similar could happen with Facebook, depending on where the stock is priced, so savvy investors will be hanging back. Unless Facebook has some big, new product up its virtual sleeves, the stock isn’t likely to trade for very long at a sky-high valuation relative to the company’s present financials.
The latest numbers show that Facebook’s 2011 earnings were just shy of $4 billion, with a $1.5 billion operating profit. A valuation of $75 billion to $100 billion is expensive but not unreasonable – providing the company is on track to grow to around $6 billion in revenue and $2.5 billion in operating income this year. Facebook’s valuation could fall at the low end of that range or lower, however, if the company’s growth is sharply declining or some troubling details surface.
After this week, the public will know just what Facebook is made of financially. The company’s prospectus should lay out Facebook’s financials and business in great detail, indicating whether or not this social networking icon could be the next Apple.
Advanced Steel Recovery Awards Contract to National Technical Systems (NTSC)
National Technical Systems, Inc. (“NTS”) yesterday announced that it has been awarded a contract from Advanced Steel Recovery. The contract will see NTS providing ASR with a second FASTek Mobile Loading Machine for recycling scrap metals. The contract has been valued at almost $1 million.
National Technical Systems is focused on providing testing and engineering services to the aerospace, defense, telecommunications, automotive, and high technology markets. Advanced Steel Recovery is the scrap metal recycling company that created and patented the FASTek device, and is America’s 33rd largest exporter of container cargo, among the top two for containerized, ferrous scrap.
The FASTek machine is a self-contained, 55-foot long, 93,000 pound device that can reduce the needed time to process up to 58,000 pounds of scrap from approximately three hours down to about 15 minutes. The FASTek machine also boasts the ability to be transported to where it’s needed, such as construction sites and scrap recycling yards for easier and quicker recycling. FASTek is also able to be monitored through any web-enabled computer or device.
Building the machine will take approximately five months, and is expected to be shipped in concurrence with the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries 2012 Annual Convention and Exposition, to be held in Las Vegas in April.
“The fact that we will be fabricating, assembling and testing this mobile machine is another excellent demonstration of the breadth of our capabilities,” NTS CEO William McGinnis said. “Winning repeat business from a satisfied customer like ASR is also a strong indication that there is growing demand for our new services and that NTS has proven its ability to deliver.”
“This second mobile machine builds on the long and successful relationship between ASR and NTS,” said Dave Brown, General Manager of the NTS Engineering Services Group. “It provides our customer with an increased ability to service scrap recycling locations that would not normally enjoy the benefit of such a process, and it capitalizes on the unique and efficient fabrication capabilities of NTS’ Engineering Services Group.”
Earnings for Redwood Capital Bancorp (RWCB) Soar 70%
Redwood Capital Bancorp is the only locally owned and operated community bank holding company in Humboldt County, California. The company today announced unaudited financial results for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2011.
Total assets as of the end of 2011 were $241.7 million, a slight gain of 1% from September 30, 2011 and a sharp increase of 13% since December 31, 2010. Total deposits stood at $216.8 million at the end of 2011, which was again a 1% rise from the September quarter and a solid 12% gain from December 31, 2010. Total loans rose a modest 2% for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Redwood also reported consolidated net income figures for the three and twelve months periods of $691,000 and $1,708,000 respectively, which resulted in impressive gains of 131% and 70%. Consolidated net interest income for the three and twelve month periods were also impressive, showing gains of 5% and 7%, at $2,079,000 and $8,017,000 respectively. Book value per share rose 14% over 2011 to $7.80 a share.
This was the second straight year that Redwood Capital reported record earnings and continuing growth. The company said the stellar results were largely due to enhanced core earnings, strong operational efficiencies, robust residential mortgage revenues, and reduced credit related costs.
For more information regarding Redwood Capital Bancorp, please visit the company’s website at www.redwoodcapitalbank.com
Bovie Medical Corp. (BVX) Receives 510K Clearance for J-Plasma™ Handpiece
Bovie Medical Corp., a manufacturer and marketer of electrosurgical products, today announced it has received 510k clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its J-Plasma™ handpiece with retractable cutting feature to be used for soft tissue coagulation during surgery.
The J-Plasma handpiece will be powered by Bovie’s GS electrosurgical generator, which has also previously obtained 510k market clearance.
“This is a significant development toward Bovie becoming a leader in plasma surgery and achieving increased prominence in the electrosurgery marketplace,” Bovie CEO Andrew Makrides stated in the press release.
Bovie recently received a United States patent for a “Method to generate a plasma stream for performing electrosurgery,” adding to the company’s J-Plasma™ patent portfolio of four patents and three additional patent applications pending.
Bovie said it will continue to explore and review added applications for J-Plasma, which include gynecology, dermatology, plastic surgery, infection control, use in robotics, and other surgical techniques. In addition, it plans to introduce J-Plasma at selected hospital beta sites and several university teaching facilities to prepare for market launch later this year.
The J-Plasma device passes an inert gas such as helium over a sharp conductive point that produces a luminous discharge beam. This sharp conductive point can also be in the form of a retractable surgical blade, which can be used for incisions and other cutting procedures; when retracted, the blade is used to form the J-Plasma beam for coagulation.
For more information visit www.boviemed.com
Stevia (STEV) Lands Sweet Equity Purchase Deal with Southridge Partners
Stevia Corp., a farm management company focused on the economic development of alternative sweetener stevia, today announced it has entered into an Equity Purchase Agreement of up to $20 million of the company’s registered common stock by institutional investor Southridge Partners II, LP. Stevia Corp. will allocate this funding to accelerate its commercial development of stevia and related markets.
Stevia Corp. president George Blankenbaker said the funding is a significant achievement that reflects Southridge’s support of Stevia Corp.’s future plans and market opportunity.
“This is an important milestone for Stevia Corp. to have accomplished. We have attracted and won the confidence of a forward-thinking institutional investor which says a lot about their conviction regarding our vision, management approach, and overall market demand,” Blankenbaker stated in the press release. “Having a flexible and low cost funding instrument in place allows us to efficiently accelerate our commercialization and acquisition strategies.”
Per the agreement, Stevia Corp. may sell to Southridge up to $20 million of its common stock from time to time over a 36-month period.
The company is not obligated, but does have the right to sell stock to Southridge depending on certain conditions as set forth in the equity agreement.
For more information visit www.steviacorp.us
XcelMobility Inc. (XCLL) Announces Contract with ZTE to Introduce Wireless Products to Chinese Marketplace
XcelMobility Inc., a developer of high speed web browsing solutions and related performance enhancing products for mobile devices, today announced a contract with ZTE Corp. of China to install the Mach 5 Xcelerator on an initial run of 1 million wireless devices for China Unicom, third largest mobile provider in the world. The agreement is for ZTE to help introduce Xcel products to the Chinese market; if successful, projections are for installation of up to 30 million units per year.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity to really fast-track the introduction of our products to an ever wider audience through the auspices of an exceptional global partner like ZTE. The culture at ZTE is based on innovation that responds to market drivers and this represents a tremendous opportunity for us to work with a partner with a similar outlook regarding the future of mobility. We anticipate very competitive consumer pricing and the public can expect product availability shortly,” said Ryan Ge, CEO, XcelMobility Inc in a press statement.
XcelMobility creates applications and solutions that deliver high speed internet access to cellular and smart phones, tablets, and mobile computers. Its flagship product, the Mach 5 Xcelerator, has been independently tested by some of the world’s largest cellular carriers, including Nokia, Sony, China Unicom, NTT Docomo, and Ericsson. All have found that the Mach 5 software, either through a download or embedded by cellular manufacturers, provides 5 to 10 times faster speeds than standard mobile web browsers used for browsing, downloads, videos and email. Xcel Mobility uses patented software and algorithms to compress voice and data transmissions both on mobile devices and on servers strategically located throughout China, Japan, and Hong Kong. Presently, there are over 1.3 million users and the number is growing.
Xcel believes that the Asia marketplace is the best option for focusing commercialization efforts prior to a product roll out on a global scale. ZTE Corp., China’s largest publicly listed telecom equipment company, brings the industry’s most comprehensive product range of end-to-end solutions and expertise in the telecommunications sector to over 500 operators in more than 140 countries around the globe.
For more information on XcelMobility Inc, please visit www.xcelmobility.com
SoundBite Communications (SDBT) Announces Record Preliminary Fourth Quarter Financial Results
SoundBite Communications, Inc., a leading cloud communications provider and supplier of mobile marketing and contact center solutions, announced today that its preliminary unaudited fourth quarter revenue for 2011, computed according to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), is projected to be the highest in the company’s history – exceeding $11 million. This is a significant increase in comparison with same-quarter revenue from the previous year, which was $10.1 million. SoundBite’s GAAP operating income for the fourth quarter of 2011 has been calculated to be at least $200,000, contrasted with $50,000 in 2010.
SoundBite additionally forecasts non-GAAP operating income of at least $800,000, exceeding its previously guided range of $100,000 to $400,000. The following estimated amounts were excluded from the company’s calculations of preliminary non-GAAP operating income: stock-based compensation of $300,000 and amortization of intangibles of $300,000 associated with the company’s acquisition of SmartReply.
For the full 2011 year, SoundBite anticipates revenues of at least $41.5 million, which is a growth of 5 percent over the company’s 2010 revenues.
These fourth quarter results are based on preliminary analyses of SoundBite’s revenue and GAAP operating income; the company will release official fourth-quarter and full-year financial results on Wednesday, Feb. 22 after market close, and then discuss them at 5 p.m. EST during the scheduled conference call.
SoundBite Communications assists organizations in building lasting, gainful consumer relations through forward-looking communications. The company serves two global markets: the hosted contact center and mobile marketing. SoundBite’s solutions employ two platforms: SoundBite Engage, which is an interactive multi-channel communications platform providing customers with integrated SMS, dialer, voice messaging, Web communications and e-mail; and SoundBite Insight, which is a preference management platform that facilitates personalized, intelligent communication. Each year, SoundBite powers nearly 2 billion customers.
For further information about the company, visit www.SoundBite.com
Hyperdynamics Corp. (HDY) Issues Update on Financial and Operational Activity
Hyperdynamics Corp. said plans to engage in a direct offering of common stock to raise capital to continue its oil and gas exploration and development activities in Africa and other areas. The company will issue ten million shares of common stock at a price of $3.00 per share to a group of institutional investors.
Hyperdynamics will also issue associated warrants in the common stock offering. Each warrant will allow the holder to purchase one share of Hyperdynamics Corp. common stock at an exercise price of $3.50 per share. The warrants expire in 14 months and can’t be exercised until six months after the offering.
The offering is being conducted by a subsidiary of Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group, Inc., and is expected to close in early February 2012.
Hyperdynamics also announced that the company has restarted drilling on an exploration well located offshore West Africa. The Sabu-1 well is on a concession granted by the Republic of Guinea and is being drilled to a subsea depth of 3,600 meters. The well is targeting sandstone reservoirs in the upper Cretaceous zone.
For more information on the company, go to www.hyperdynamics.com
L&L Energy (LLEN) to Acquire Majority Stake in Weishe Coal Mine
Through its subsidiaries, L&L Energy operates coal mines, coking, and coal washing facilities in the Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces of China. Using expertise gained in the U.S., the company is using improved mining standards in China to gain a competitive advantage.
L&L today announced that it entered into an agreement to acquire a 51% controlling interest in the Weishe coal mine located in the Guizhou Province of China from the Chinese miner Union Energy. This mine produces high quality, low sulfur anthracite coal. The company will acquire the interest for a purchase price of approximately $16.2 million to be paid in the form of three million LLEN shares at $5.395 a share.
The Weishe mine has reserves of 19 million tons of coal. It is expected to be expanded to 450,000 tons of annual production of coal over the next five years. The Weishe mine is anticipated to produce about 124,000 tons of coal in the current fiscal year, sold at an average price of $158 a ton.
This acquisition is the first such purchase made to upgrade the company’s mining portfolio for better safety and mechanization. There is a strong possibility that L&L may add to its portfolio through other joint ventures with Union Energy, which has two other newly constructed coal mines in the same area that will begin operations later this year.
For further information about L&L Energy and its coal business in China, please visit the company’s website at www.llenergyinc.com
Cytori Therapeutics (CYTX) Gets Green Light from FDA to Initiate Cardiac Cell Therapy Trial
Cytori Therapeutics today announced it has received Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin the ATHENA trial to investigate the use of the company’s Celution® System.
Cytori develops medical technologies to realize the potential of adult regenerative cells from fatty (adipose) tissue. The Celution® System is an innovative medical device to prepare adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells (ADRCs) to treat chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI), a form of coronary heart disease. The company sells its Celution® System family of medical devices in the European and Asian cosmetic and reconstructive surgery markets. Per today’s news, the device is available in the U.S. as an investigational advice.
“Following our pre-IDE meeting with the FDA, we received constructive guidance and implemented the Agency’s recommendations, ultimately resulting in rapid approval to initiate the ATHENA trial,” Christopher J. Calhoun, CEO for Cytori stated in the press release. “We look forward to working with the FDA on further defining our clinical strategy in the U.S.”
The ATHENA trial will enroll up to 45 patients to evaluate several clinical and functional outcomes, including safety, peak oxygen consumption (mVO2), and clinical outcomes at 12 months.
For more information visit www.cytori.com
The Case for FluoroPharma Medical, Inc. (FPMI)
When FluoroPharma CEO, Thijs Spoor, recently gave a presentation summarizing the rising importance in medical diagnostics of PET technology, and the associated radiopharmaceuticals such as those developed by FluoroPharma, it brought into focus a major gap between the promise of PET and the current availability of chemical agents needed to make the promise a reality.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a branch of nuclear medicine imaging that uses mildly radioactive tracer chemicals to highlight extremely subtle biological processes actively taking place at the cellular and even molecular level within the human body. As such, it represents functional scanning versus simply structural scanning. It doesn’t just show how the body looks, but what the body is doing at the most detailed level. The result is the highest contrast resolution available for internal imaging.
However, none of it works without the availability of suitable tracer chemicals which can insinuate themselves into otherwise imperceptible biological processes, making them visible to the advanced PET hardware and software. For a given targeted process, the market requires an appropriate and safe tracer chemical. Nuclear cardiologists, for example, are very anxious for new tracer agents that can be used to better identify and track processes related to heart disease. In particular, cardiology clinicians are looking for a vulnerable plaque imaging agent, a better profusion agent, and a viability agent, all of which are now part of the FluoroPharm portfolio:
• BFET – For myocardial perfusion imaging (measuring cardiovascular blood flow)
• CardioPET – For cardiac viability assessment (detecting regions of metabolic insufficiency)
• VasoPET – For inflamed atherosclerotic plaque imaging (detecting inflamed plaque)
These targeting agents can make a big difference in the treatment of heart disease, still the number one killer in the country. In the case of FluoroPharma’s VasoPET product, used for detecting inflamed plaque, which is the most unstable and dangerous type of plaque, early detection is critical, since the first symptom of such a problem is often sudden death.
Because there are still a very limited number of such tracer agents, the thousands of expensive PET scanners currently in hospitals around the country and the world are significantly under-utilized, creating a cost effectiveness issue that only more and better agents can address. In addition, the production of such agents by cyclotron operators requires a high level of fixed costs which, when spread over a handful of agents, increases the per unit cost of agents. So there is also a strong economic need for new agents to be developed.
For more information, see the company website at www.FluoroPharma.com
AdCare Health Systems, Inc. (ADK) Gets Green Light from Stonegate
According to a recent investment analysis report by Stonegate Securities, AdCare, an Ohio-based developer, owner, and operator of skilled nursing and assisted living communities, “holds significant potential for investors”. It bases its conclusion on the following:
• AdCare is executing an aggressive acquisition strategy – The company has begun buying skilled nursing facilities from independent operators, with the acquisition target calling for optimization potential and a reasonable price. According to a recent press release, 54 facilities have been put under contract since the campaign began. AdCare has been careful to avoid states with unhealthy economies, and has focused on the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest.
• AdCare is improving the metrics associated with the acquired facilities – Once an appropriate property is acquired, AdCare increases the acuity level of the services it offers, increasing the Medicare census and the resulting reimbursement rates. In addition, AdCare identifies and implements various operational efficiencies, improving the bottom line. As a result, the company’s Medicare census has increased by 37.5% at acquired facilities. AdCare has also been able to offset recent cuts in Medicare reimbursements.
• AdCare revenues are increasing at record rates – Third quarter 2011 revenues increased a record 208% over the prior year, to $40.9 million, due to the company’s acquisition strategy and operation optimization results. Given the company’s success to date, and the announced acquisitions yet to close, management guidance points to annual recurring revenue of over $300 million, a 460% increase over 2010 levels. And this doesn’t include acquisitions not yet announced.
• AdCare has unique growth opportunities due to a fragmented but growing industry – The overall value of the long-term care market grew from $186 billion in 2005 to $258 billion in 2010, and is expected to continue to grow at over 6% annually. The skilled nursing care market, AdCare’s acquisition focus, is the biggest market segment. The long-term care market is extremely fragmented, with roughly 80% of nursing homes being privately owned single facilities, providing many acquisition candidates.
For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.AdCareHealth.com
AdCare Health Systems, Inc. (ADK) Gets Green Light from Stonegate
According to a recent investment analysis report by Stonegate Securities, AdCare, an Ohio-based developer, owner, and operator of skilled nursing and assisted living communities, “holds significant potential for investors”. It bases its conclusion on the following:
• AdCare is executing an aggressive acquisition strategy – The company has begun buying skilled nursing facilities from independent operators, with the acquisition target calling for optimization potential and a reasonable price. According to a recent press release, 54 facilities have been put under contract since the campaign began. AdCare has been careful to avoid states with unhealthy economies, and has focused on the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest.
• AdCare is improving the metrics associated with the acquired facilities – Once an appropriate property is acquired, AdCare increases the acuity level of the services it offers, increasing the Medicare census and the resulting reimbursement rates. In addition, AdCare identifies and implements various operational efficiencies, improving the bottom line. As a result, the company’s Medicare census has increased by 37.5% at acquired facilities. AdCare has also been able to offset recent cuts in Medicare reimbursements.
• AdCare revenues are increasing at record rates – Third quarter 2011 revenues increased a record 208% over the prior year, to $40.9 million, due to the company’s acquisition strategy and operation optimization results. Given the company’s success to date, and the announced acquisitions yet to close, management guidance points to annual recurring revenue of over $300 million, a 460% increase over 2010 levels. And this doesn’t include acquisitions not yet announced.
• AdCare has unique growth opportunities due to a fragmented but growing industry – The overall value of the long-term care market grew from $186 billion in 2005 to $258 billion in 2010, and is expected to continue to grow at over 6% annually. The skilled nursing care market, AdCare’s acquisition focus, is the biggest market segment. The long-term care market is extremely fragmented, with roughly 80% of nursing homes being privately owned single facilities, providing many acquisition candidates.
ADK Gets Green Light from Stonegate
According to a recent investment analysis report by Stonegate Securities, AdCare, an Ohio-based developer, owner, and operator of skilled nursing and assisted living communities, “holds significant potential for investors”. It bases its conclusion on the following:
• AdCare is executing an aggressive acquisition strategy – The company has begun buying skilled nursing facilities from independent operators, with the acquisition target calling for optimization potential and a reasonable price. According to a recent press release, 54 facilities have been put under contract since the campaign began. AdCare has been careful to avoid states with unhealthy economies, and has focused on the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest.
• AdCare is improving the metrics associated with the acquired facilities – Once an appropriate property is acquired, AdCare increases the acuity level of the services it offers, increasing the Medicare census and the resulting reimbursement rates. In addition, AdCare identifies and implements various operational efficiencies, improving the bottom line. As a result, the company’s Medicare census has increased by 37.5% at acquired facilities. AdCare has also been able to offset recent cuts in Medicare reimbursements.
• AdCare revenues are increasing at record rates – Third quarter 2011 revenues increased a record 208% over the prior year, to $40.9 million, due to the company’s acquisition strategy and operation optimization results. Given the company’s success to date, and the announced acquisitions yet to close, management guidance points to annual recurring revenue of over $300 million, a 460% increase over 2010 levels. And this doesn’t include acquisitions not yet announced.
• AdCare has unique growth opportunities due to a fragmented but growing industry – The overall value of the long-term care market grew from $186 billion in 2005 to $258 billion in 2010, and is expected to continue to grow at over 6% annually. The skilled nursing care market, AdCare’s acquisition focus, is the biggest market segment. The long-term care market is extremely fragmented, with roughly 80% of nursing homes being privately owned single facilities, providing many acquisition candidates.
The Case for FluoroPharma Medical, Inc. (FPMI)
When FluoroPharma CEO, Thijs Spoor, recently gave a presentation summarizing the rising importance in medical diagnostics of PET technology, and the associated radiopharmaceuticals such as those developed by FluoroPharma, it brought into focus a major gap between the promise of PET and the current availability of chemical agents needed to make the promise a reality.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a branch of nuclear medicine imaging that uses mildly radioactive tracer chemicals to highlight extremely subtle biological processes actively taking place at the cellular and even molecular level within the human body. As such, it represents functional scanning versus simply structural scanning. It doesn’t just show how the body looks, but what the body is doing at the most detailed level. The result is the highest contrast resolution available for internal imaging.
However, none of it works without the availability of suitable tracer chemicals which can insinuate themselves into otherwise imperceptible biological processes, making them visible to the advanced PET hardware and software. For a given targeted process, the market requires an appropriate and safe tracer chemical. Nuclear cardiologists, for example, are very anxious for new tracer agents that can be used to better identify and track processes related to heart disease. In particular, cardiology clinicians are looking for a vulnerable plaque imaging agent, a better profusion agent, and a viability agent, all of which are now part of the FluoroPharm portfolio:
• BFET – For myocardial perfusion imaging (measuring cardiovascular blood flow)
• CardioPET – For cardiac viability assessment (detecting regions of metabolic insufficiency)
• VasoPET – For inflamed atherosclerotic plaque imaging (detecting inflamed plaque)
These targeting agents can make a big difference in the treatment of heart disease, still the number one killer in the country. In the case of FluoroPharma’s VasoPET product, used for detecting inflamed plaque, which is the most unstable and dangerous type of plaque, early detection is critical, since the first symptom of such a problem is often sudden death.
Because there are still a very limited number of such tracer agents, the thousands of expensive PET scanners currently in hospitals around the country and the world are significantly under-utilized, creating a cost effectiveness issue that only more and better agents can address. In addition, the production of such agents by cyclotron operators requires a high level of fixed costs which, when spread over a handful of agents, increases the per unit cost of agents. So there is also a strong economic need for new agents to be developed.
The Case for FluoroPharma Medical, Inc. (FPMI)
When FluoroPharma CEO, Thijs Spoor, recently gave a presentation summarizing the rising importance in medical diagnostics of PET technology, and the associated radiopharmaceuticals such as those developed by FluoroPharma, it brought into focus a major gap between the promise of PET and the current availability of chemical agents needed to make the promise a reality.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a branch of nuclear medicine imaging that uses mildly radioactive tracer chemicals to highlight extremely subtle biological processes actively taking place at the cellular and even molecular level within the human body. As such, it represents functional scanning versus simply structural scanning. It doesn’t just show how the body looks, but what the body is doing at the most detailed level. The result is the highest contrast resolution available for internal imaging.
However, none of it works without the availability of suitable tracer chemicals which can insinuate themselves into otherwise imperceptible biological processes, making them visible to the advanced PET hardware and software. For a given targeted process, the market requires an appropriate and safe tracer chemical. Nuclear cardiologists, for example, are very anxious for new tracer agents that can be used to better identify and track processes related to heart disease. In particular, cardiology clinicians are looking for a vulnerable plaque imaging agent, a better profusion agent, and a viability agent, all of which are now part of the FluoroPharm portfolio:
• BFET – For myocardial perfusion imaging (measuring cardiovascular blood flow)
• CardioPET – For cardiac viability assessment (detecting regions of metabolic insufficiency)
• VasoPET – For inflamed atherosclerotic plaque imaging (detecting inflamed plaque)
These targeting agents can make a big difference in the treatment of heart disease, still the number one killer in the country. In the case of FluoroPharma’s VasoPET product, used for detecting inflamed plaque, which is the most unstable and dangerous type of plaque, early detection is critical, since the first symptom of such a problem is often sudden death.
Because there are still a very limited number of such tracer agents, the thousands of expensive PET scanners currently in hospitals around the country and the world are significantly under-utilized, creating a cost effectiveness issue that only more and better agents can address. In addition, the production of such agents by cyclotron operators requires a high level of fixed costs which, when spread over a handful of agents, increases the per unit cost of agents. So there is also a strong economic need for new agents to be developed.
Local Corp. (LOCM) Releases Optimized, Mobile-Enabled Search Site
Today, Local Corp., a leading online local media company, announced that they have released an updated and optimized mobile-enabled version of its flagship local search site, Local.com.
The mobile site allows users to quickly and easily search for local products and services from their mobile device. Users can use the site’s geo-tracking technology to search for businesses near them based on their current physical location.
The new optimized site features a simplified user interface and “app-like” navigation, as well as an easy click-to-call function. Users can use the site to see relevant local business information, including ratings, reviews, photos, logos and maps and directions to quickly locate their desired destination.
“Consumers are accessing local information from their mobile devices more than ever before. Mobile visits represent nine percent of the total visits to Local.com, which is up nearly tenfold from a year ago,” said Mark Wallin, vice president, product, Local Corp. “The optimized version of our mobile site provides our users with a superior local search experience that they can use anytime, wherever they are.”
Overall, more than 88 million mobile subscribers accessed local content on mobile devices in September 2011, which was up 28 percent from a year ago
Emulex (ELX) Posts Q2 Fiscal 2012 Financial and Business Results
Emulex Corp., a leading provider of converged networking solutions for the IT industry, today announced its financial results and operational achievements for its second quarter of fiscal 2012 ended January 1, 2012.
The company reported a 13 percent increase in second-quarter net revenues to $128.7 million compared to total net revenues of $114.0 million reported for second quarter fiscal 2011.
Second-quarter net income on a GAAP basis was $15.0 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, compared to a GAAP net loss of $41.0 million, or $(0.47) per share, in the second quarter of last year. Non-GAAP net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 was $22.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, a 69 percent increase from the $13.4 million reported in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2011.
GAAP operating income was $11.8 million, or 9 percent of total net revenues; non-GAAP operating income of $24.5 million represents 19 percent of total net revenues.
Emulex reported GAAP gross margins of 59 percent and non-GAAP gross margins of 63 percent.
Cash, cash equivalents and investments at the end of the second quarter were $191.7 million
“Our focus on operational excellence is reflected in our results as we once again exceeded the high-end of our revenues and earnings guidance. December was our fourth consecutive quarter of double digit year-over-year revenue growth, as we continued to drive market share gains in our core business,” CEO Jim McCluney stated in the press release. “Looking forward, we believe we are exceptionally well positioned to deliver increased shareholder value as we continue to build on this momentum.”
Second-quarter business highlights include the delivery of three new I/O connectivity solutions for HP Integrity servers; continued 10GbE market share gains for the fifth straight quarter; the announcement of the Emulex Extra Program, a major initiative to support customers and partners; and the introduction of OneCommand(R) Vision 2.0, a proactive I/O performance and availability management for cloud and virtualized data center environments.
The company also provided guidance for its third fiscal quarter ending April 1, 2012. For the third quarter of fiscal 2012, Emulex forecasts total net revenues in the range of $121 million-$125 million; non-GAAP earnings per diluted share between $0.17 and $0.19; and GAAP earnings per diluted share between $0.05 and $0.07.
For more information visit www.Emulex.com
Investors Lovin’ It as McDonald’s Corp. (MCD) Hits $100
McDonald’s recently reported very strong Q4 results and having broken through the $100 mark on the share price recently, investors across the board are taking a strong look at this globally recognized brand’s solid profitability model, continued innovation and clear ability to deliver sustained growth. With MCD taking home the title of best performing stock in the Dow for 2011 and a healthy increase of some 33% in the share price for the year, it is no wonder everyone is taking a closer look at this success story.
Chief among the data points:
• Net Income for Q4 was up roughly 11% over the previous year to $1.38B, or Diluted EPS of $1.33/share, edging out the lower projections by analysts in the $1.29-1.30 range
• Sales Volume up 5.6% across the board (US 7.1%, Europe 7.3% and Asia Pacific/Mid East/Africa 6.9%)
• Revenue up 10% to $6.82B (just over the $6.81B projection)
• 16.54% increase annually in the rate of earnings since the Mar 2009 $50 share price
• Dividend yield of 2.8%, or $2.80/share, up every year since the Company went public in 1965 at $22.50/share
• PE ratio of 19.37; forward PE of 17.23; currently trading at around 7.5x book value
In many ways the stressed global economic landscape has reopened a classic dynamic and MCD has been able to make the best of it, leveraging strong market presence, brand identity, new menu choices tailored to the specific operating markets or larger global taste trends, the brilliant marketing the Company is known for, and the careful redesign/improvement of restaurants. It is no secret that the economy of scale MCD has created also plays a hand in profitability and the Company has been able to successfully push the model into just about every market on earth. As pocket books around the world tighten for various income levels, more and more people are turning to the convenient low-cost, high-value offerings of McDonald’s.
CEO of MCD, Jim Skinner, noted that the tremendous capacity to expand the physical footprint through new openings and improvements to existing infrastructure (some $2.9B in capital expenditures) possessed by MCD, should see another 1300 locations open up in the coming year (adding to an already massive 33.5k plus location footprint) and the re-imaging of some 2,400 restaurants. Emerging markets show strong potential and the Asia Pacific/Mid East/Africa segment is now 22% of revenue, up 14% in just five years. Europe is playing into the trend extremely well, as confirmed by an MCD statement that the 9% increase in revenue for Europe, which accounts for 40% of revenue, up a whopping 36% from five years ago, occurred despite direct contention with economic uncertainty.
Even with the massive run to its current position, MCD still retains a strong valuation for all of the observable reasons, even to long-term investors. Indeed, the presence of McDonald’s is so strong that pricing methodologies and strategies employed by the Company are routinely copied by other operators in the industry. A continued bevy of novel items, from McCafe drinks and premium coffees that penetrate parallel markets, to healthy items like fruit smoothies and wraps, keeps setting the fast food giant apart from competitors and the momentum amassed by the Company is truly impressive in its operating space.
Projections in a recent press release do indicate that rising commodity prices in US/Europe will impact profitability (up roughly 6% in 2011); however, with store traffic setting an all-time record of 68M visits per day, MCD is ready to strike hard and fast. There isn’t much skepticism floating around about MCD management’s ability to continue executing their winning strategy and despite rising commodity prices (which competitors also face), the Company has been able to move in higher margin items while successfully passing price hikes through to the consumer level. Analysts will be keen to see how MCD handles raw input cost increases and whether or not price increases will be implemented in future to deal with them.
For more information on the Company please visit the McDonald’s Corporate Site at http://goo.gl/CCH03
Canadian Solar, Inc. (CSIQ) Announces Agreement with Al Fahad Group for Significant Solar PV Project in Abu Dhabi
Canadian Solar, Inc. recently announced that it has forged an agreement with the Al Fahad Group. Canadian Solar, one of the largest solar companies in the world, will begin supplying more than 1.5 MW of its solar modules to the Al Fahad Group under the new agreement. The Al Fahad Group is a diversified conglomerate with proficiency in homeland security, defense & intelligence, networking & communications, and power. Al Fahad delivers tailored, end-to-end solutions to clients across a broad spectrum of industries and government agencies.
Canadian Solar’s CS5A-M solar modules will be used in one of the largest solar PV projects in Abu Dhabi, which is being spearheaded by the Al Fahad Group. This governmental venture was agreed upon during the recent World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi. Canadian Solar’s CS5A-M modules are ideally settled for the challenging local climate conditions in Abu Dhabi, and it was this factor, coupled with Canadian Solar’s track record of reliability, high quality and proven performance, that led the Al Fahad Group to select Canadian Solar for the project.
Together with the Al Fahad Group, Canadian Solar will further build its presence in the Middle East market for sustainable energy solutions, tapping into the great potential in the Middle East – particularly in the United Arab Emirates – for the developing solar market. The government’s commitment and financial system, coupled with forward thinking key proponents like the Al Fahad Group, make the Middle East a prime location for developing renewable energies like solar.
Canadian Solar is a leading vertically integrated supplier of ingot, wafer, solar cell, solar module and other solar applications, and the company specializes in designing, manufacturing and delivering solar products and solar system solutions to both on-grid and off-grid customers across the globe. Canadian Solar provides environmentally friendly and cost-effective premium solar solutions to foster worldwide, sustainable development.
Emulex Corp. (ELX) is “One to Watch”
In the world of Information Technology, connectivity is the market behind the market, and it’s growing every day. Connectivity is what has made IT an indispensable foundational element of virtually every major business, by allowing a host of different IT machines and networks of machines to think and act together. And at the very heart of IT connectivity are the devices that make it all possible, the adapters, controllers, switches, and bridges, along with the associated support software. Since IT connectivity tends to be a behind-the-scenes industry, it doesn’t get the exposure more common with high-visibility ends of the business, but therein hides the opportunity.
Emulex, based in Cosa Mesa, California, is a leader in converged networking solutions for data centers, essentially products for connecting servers, networks, and storage devices. The company’s solutions are used and offered by some of the biggest names in the server and storage OEM industry, including Cisco, Dell, Fujitsu, Hitachi, HP, IBM, NEC, and Oracle, and have been time-tested in the world’s most demanding IT environments.
Emulex products include connectivity software, Fibre Channel host bus adapters, Fibre Channel over Ethernet converged network adapters, embedded storage switches, storage I/O controller and SAN storage switch products. To someone outside the IT world, it’s all pretty esoteric, but Emulex products play a critical role in keeping some very big names up and running, and the company partners with the best. For example, Emulex and Cisco have worked collaboratively on technology that transforms data center networks into an agile infrastructure.
It’s one of the reasons for the big rise in share price over the past month, as the company announced faster than expected recovery of its production operations in Thailand, following some of the worst flooding in decades. The educated marketplace knows that the demand is there.
For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.Emulex.com
Digirad Corp. (DRAD) Garners CE Mark Approval for its Cardius® X-ACT Imaging System
Digirad, a leading supplier of diagnostic imaging products and personnel and equipment leasing services, announced that it has been granted Conformitee Europeene (CE) Mark approval for the Cardius® X-ACT imaging system. This advanced, solid-state camera system makes earlier disease detection possible through increased diagnostic accuracy. Obtaining CE Mark approval will enable Digirad to manufacture and market the Cardius X-ACT system in the European Union.
Digirad additionally announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with Epsilon Elektronik, a Turkish company that is part of the Istanbul-based Bozlu Group. This agreement is part of Digirad’s strategy to build out a targeted international selling network. Digirad signed a similar agreement last year with Southern Scientific, a UK-based company that is already implementing the use of an ergo™ portable solid-state camera at the Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Part of Digirad’s international growth strategy is to build a network of top distributors in targeted markets, where the demand for flexible imaging products like the X-ACT is steadily growing. The company projects that the flexibility, lower overall costs and potential for improved clinical outcomes will make its expanding line of camera products attractive in the international market. Securing other distribution agreements will be key in Digirad’s endeavor to more meaningfully tap into burgeoning markets for dedicated cardiac and portable nuclear imaging.
The Cardius X-ACT imaging system considerably reduces artifacts in images caused by overlying tissues. This is accomplished through X-ACT’s low-dose volume-computed tomography attenuation correction system. Digirad anticipates that its X-ACT imaging system, ergo™ flexible imaging camera and future camera models will be well received in the international market, providing new clinical information that will increase the benefit of nuclear cardiology procedures, raise industry standards for SPECT system performance and improve outcomes at an accessible price point.
Digirad previously received FDA clearance to market the Cardius X-ACT imaging system in the United States and also obtained CE Mark and FDA clearance to market the ergo portable solid-state camera.
For further information about the company, visit www.digirad.com
SMTP (SMTP) Announces Strategy to Extend Market Reach to Target “Burgeoning” European Market
SMTP Inc., a leading provider of cloud-based e-mail deliverability services, today announced its plans to expand across Western Europe with guidance from Jorge Casas, the company’s newly appointed director of Business Development and Customer Service.
“Our strategy reflects the direction and globalization of the marketplace, and reinforces our position as a leading Micro Multinational enterprise,” Semyon Dukach, CEO of SMTP stated in the press release. “We operate today in a global business community, where technology and communications empowers organizations like SMTP to thrive by virtually transcending national borders.”
SMTP currently works with more than 10,000 customers in 150 countries, and recently reported a 70 percent increase in net revenue for the third quarter of 2011. The company reports that it recognizes increasing opportunity for its deliverability services overseas, which supports estimates that the global market for commercial e-mail is more than $60 billion in sales.
Industry analysts say approximately 15 percent of e-mail is undelivered in Europe, and that marketers targeting this area must advance their e-mail marketing programs to succeed.
“The largest component to Internet e-mail marketing investment is in effective delivery, which is the core element of our service offering,” Dukach stated. “Our 24/7, global support team is available to customers worldwide to help them navigate the myriad intricacies of high-volume and transactional e-mail delivery.”
Casas’ previously served as multilingual customer service and export supervisor for Prestolite Electric LTD from 2009 to 2012, where he was the company’s interface for all customer service-related matters serving France, Southern Europe and Maghreb.
For more information, visit www.smtp.com
Premier Exhibitions, Inc. (PRXI) is “One to Watch”
Touring exhibitions are becoming an important source of traffic for museums and exhibition centers, but putting together and deploying such traveling exhibitions, on a worldwide basis, is daunting. Premier Exhibitions is a Georgia based company that has become a recognized leader in developing and managing such exhibitions, involving authentic artifacts presented in stunning environments. The company serves museums, exhibition centers, and non-traditional venues. To date, Premier’s exhibit titled Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, presented through the company’s wholly owned subsidiary RMS Titanic, Inc., has been seen by more than 18 million visitors, and continues to break attendance records.
Premier Exhibitions is constantly building its exhibition portfolio, focusing on the most compelling properties in science, technology, social history, and the fine arts. But Premier’s strength is that they do far more than simply show fascinating artifacts. They structure the exhibition to tell a story, as in the Titanic exhibition which takes the visitor all the way from the ships initial construction in Belfast to the gangway of the ship as it gets ready for its maiden voyage. Visitors are able to walk down the ship’s first class hallway, visit a third-class cabin, and view the night sky as it appeared exactly when the ship sank in April of 1912. The upcoming 100th anniversary of that event is expected to draw record crowds.
In the case of the Titanic artifacts, Premier was granted rights to the wreck of the Titanic by a U.S. Federal District Court order, including the exclusive rights to recover artifacts from the wreck site. To date, more than 5,000 artifacts have been brought up and given new life, offering people all over the world an exciting and personal look at one of history’s most unforgettable stories.
For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.PRXI.com, and get more information on the Titanic exhibit at www.TitanicScience.com
Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. (CCLR) Continues Australian Expansion, Opens Campbelltown Location in Sydney SW Area
Chanticleer Holdings, the company spearheading an international roll out of the popular Hooters brand restaurant, recently announced further expansion in Australia with the opening of a new location in Campbelltown, following fast on the heels of the recent Penrith opening only six months ago.
Australian operations for Hooters began with the flagship Hooters of Parramatta location, ideally situated on major thoroughfare James Ruse Drive in the thriving Rosehill suburb of New South Wales, just opposite the massive Rosehill Gardens Racecourse (home to the Sydney Turf Club and some of Australia’s premier thoroughbred racing). This first Hooters location in Australia sits in the heart of an area already extremely well known for sports and entertainment.
Check out Chanticleer’s Promotional Video (http://goo.gl/nL8j7) to get a little closer to Hooters Australia, which is quickly becoming one of the hottest destinations in the Sydney area.
Like all Hooters restaurants, the new Campbelltown location serves up a huge menu of delicious American fast-casual cuisine, backed up by a wide selection of ice cold beer and a variety of spirits, all with non-stop sports action available via state-of-the-art entertainment systems/displays, making for an unbeatable dining experience that Hooters patrons around the globe have come to expect. It is this reputation for great dining and atmosphere, combined with the gorgeous Australian Hooters Girls, that makes the venue such a compelling draw.
As with previous openings, great care was exercised in the selection of a premium site and the Campbelltown Hooters is no exception. Targeting the growing SW Sydney area, the Campbelltown Hooters also balances out the Penrith and NSW locations (which are NW and W respectively), affording solid coverage of some of Sydney’s most attractive markets.
CEO of CCLR, Michael Pruitt, was keen to point out that this is the first joint venture-developed restaurant with Morney Schlebusch’s team, COO of Hooters Australia (license acquired in 2009), calling the opening a key milestone for CCLR’s execution of their international campaign. Pruitt drove home the extensibility of the brand and praised Morney for his superb work nurturing the Hooters brand in Australia to fruition.
Morney emphasized the tremendous groundswell of excitement from the local community prior to opening and drove home the importance of this receptivity to the brand as a key factor in the core growth strategy for international and emerging markets. Citing the Company’s three South Africa locations, Morney pledged to work hand-in-hand with the Company to breed market spanning innovations and this is no small talk coming from Schlebusch, who has over two decades of frontline experience in the industry.
All of the Hooters girls and staff for the Campbelltown location are from the SW region, driving home another key facet of the successful Hooters strategy, which is giving back to the community while cementing the location as a warm, inviting fixture of the local landscape.
For more information on Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. and Hooters of America, visit http://www.ChanticleerHoldings.com and http://www.Hooters.com
For more information on Hooters Australia, visit http://www.HootersAustralia.com
CAMAC Energy (CAK) Awarded Contract to Operate Offshore Exploration Blocks in Highly Sought-after African Province
CAMAC Energy Inc., an energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas, announced its agreement with the Gambian Ministry of Petroleum (on behalf of the Government of the Republic of The Gambia) in which the company was awarded the contract to be the operator of two offshore exploration blocks in water depths between 600-1,000 meters.
Per the agreement, CAMAC Energy will operate blocks A2 and A5, for which it holds an 85 percent interest in the blocks, which cover 2,666 square kilometers.
The agreement is a significant achievement for the company, reflecting the opportunity to operate in a highly favored province in West Africa and emphasizing the company’s position in the market.
“We are extremely pleased to be awarded these two blocks. Gambia’s blocks A2 and A5 represent highly sought after assets in one of the world’s most exciting hydrocarbon provinces, the West African Transform Margin. Today’s announcement demonstrates additional progress in our frontier exploration strategy. It also reaffirms the company’s reputation as a value added oil and gas partner to National Oil Companies in Africa,” CAMAC Energy chairman and CEO Dr. Kase Lawal stated in the press release.
The two exploration blocks are located in the highly prospective West African Transform Margin, which is home to several recent major discoveries in Ghana and Sierra Leone. The presence of hydrocarbons has been established in the area, and recent extensive 3D seismic shots have revealed several material prospects and leads.
According to African Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (NSX:AOQ) third-party estimates, the Alhamdulilah prospect has potential mean unrisked resources of approximately 500 million barrels.
The agreement is subject to submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and signing of final petroleum exploration licenses within 90 days. CAMAC has submitted the EIA report, and signing of the license documents is expected in the next few weeks.
For more information visit www.camacenergy.com
Zogenix (ZGNX) Signs Joint Marketing and Technology Development Agreement with Battelle to Advance Development of DosePro® Drug Delivery Technology
Zogenix, Inc., a pharmaceutical company commercializing and developing products for the treatment of central nervous system disorders and pain, today announced that they have signed a non-binding letter of intent for an exclusive co-marketing and technology development option agreement with Battelle to advance the development and commercialization of Zogenix’s DosePro® drug. Battelle, one of the world’s largest independent research and development organizations, will work with Zogenix to offer DosePro needle-free drug delivery technology to pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms for new commercial out-licensing opportunities.
Zogenix’s DosePro patented technology, which has United States and Europe regulatory approvals, enables needle-free medication delivery under the skin by using a small amount of compressed gas to deliver a liquid version of medication through the skin. It is the only commercially available, single-use, disposable, needle-free, subcutaneous delivery technology in the world.
“We recognize that DosePro can provide sustainable competitive advantages for many injectable drugs, especially biologics. With Battelle’s expertise in product development and strong relationships with biopharmaceutical companies, we can now match DosePro technology to drug candidates in a more efficient manner by providing customizable drug delivery solutions that can effectively deliver biologics, vaccines and other critical drugs. We believe this arrangement will accelerate entry into licensing agreements with major pharmaceutical companies,” said John Turanin, Vice President and General Manager, DosePro Technology, Zogenix in a press release.
The intent of this partnership is to help meet the needs of biopharmaceutical companies that want to offer more customizable platform technologies that create different products for increased efficacy, patient compliance and market share. Zogenix has completed prototype design for the product but hopes that further development in collaboration with Battelle will help to broaden the capability of the technology to deliver larger dose volumes, which are required for high-dose biological products.
“We believe DosePro features market-leading technology for the safe and effective delivery of biologics, especially high viscosity formulations, which is critically important to our customers. This collaboration will enhance our ability to extend our leadership in drug delivery technology development to create innovative solutions for the pharmaceutical industry,” said Barbara Kunz, President, Battelle Health and Life Sciences Global Business in the press statement.
For more information on Zogenix, visit www.zogenix.com
VistaGen Therapeutics (VSTA) Taps Stem Cell Potential
When it comes to modern medicine, stem cells are seen as playing an increasingly important role, a role unmatched by anything else. Pluripotent stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state), are unique in their ability to differentiate into specialized cells, such as heart or muscle or nerve cells. As a result, they provide an important tool for medical research, treatment and drug development.
For example, pluripotent stem cells can play a substantial role in the discovery of creative new medicines that are more effective and safer for patients. They can also be used in the field of regenerative medicine, where various tissues and organs can be generated to replace damaged ones. In addition, given their ability to duplicate the functions of a whole host of other cells, stem cells are becoming important in all types of advanced biomedical research, and they are helping us understand the most basic workings of the human cell and human body.
In the case of VistaGen Therapeutics, stem cells are being used to help researchers and developers better predict, at the earliest stages of drug development, the effects of a drug candidate on human tissues, organs, and processes. Too often pharmaceutical companies spend huge amounts of money developing and marketing new drugs, only to find late in the game that the drug must be limited or completely withdrawn due to unforeseen adverse health effects, often relating to the heart. Since heart toxicity has been a factor in nearly a third of such drug withdrawals, VistaGen’s use of stem cell technology to produce a novel bioassay system with mature, functional human heart cells that can be used for early and accurate testing of such effects represents a major accomplishment in the field. VistaGen is also developing a novel bioassay system to rescue new drug candidates limited by liver toxicity, another major factor in drug withdrawals.
For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.VistaGen.com
VistaGen Therapeutics (VSTA) Taps Stem Cell Potential
When it comes to modern medicine, stem cells are seen as playing an increasingly important role, a role unmatched by anything else. Pluripotent stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state), are unique in their ability to differentiate into specialized cells, such as heart or muscle or nerve cells. As a result, they provide an important tool for medical research, treatment and drug development.
For example, pluripotent stem cells can play a substantial role in the discovery of creative new medicines that are more effective and safer for patients. They can also be used in the field of regenerative medicine, where various tissues and organs can be generated to replace damaged ones. In addition, given their ability to duplicate the functions of a whole host of other cells, stem cells are becoming important in all types of advanced biomedical research, and they are helping us understand the most basic workings of the human cell and human body.
In the case of VistaGen Therapeutics, stem cells are being used to help researchers and developers better predict, at the earliest stages of drug development, the effects of a drug candidate on human tissues, organs, and processes. Too often pharmaceutical companies spend huge amounts of money developing and marketing new drugs, only to find late in the game that the drug must be limited or completely withdrawn due to unforeseen adverse health effects, often relating to the heart. Since heart toxicity has been a factor in nearly a third of such drug withdrawals, VistaGen’s use of stem cell technology to produce a novel bioassay system with mature, functional human heart cells that can be used for early and accurate testing of such effects represents a major accomplishment in the field. VistaGen is also developing a novel bioassay system to rescue new drug candidates limited by liver toxicity, another major factor in drug withdrawals.
VSTA Taps Stem Cell Potential
When it comes to modern medicine, stem cells are seen as playing an increasingly important role, a role unmatched by anything else. Pluripotent stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state), are unique in their ability to differentiate into specialized cells, such as heart or muscle or nerve cells. As a result, they provide an important tool for medical research, treatment and drug development.
For example, pluripotent stem cells can play a substantial role in the discovery of creative new medicines that are more effective and safer for patients. They can also be used in the field of regenerative medicine, where various tissues and organs can be generated to replace damaged ones. In addition, given their ability to duplicate the functions of a whole host of other cells, stem cells are becoming important in all types of advanced biomedical research, and they are helping us understand the most basic workings of the human cell and human body.
In the case of VistaGen Therapeutics, stem cells are being used to help researchers and developers better predict, at the earliest stages of drug development, the effects of a drug candidate on human tissues, organs, and processes. Too often pharmaceutical companies spend huge amounts of money developing and marketing new drugs, only to find late in the game that the drug must be limited or completely withdrawn due to unforeseen adverse health effects, often relating to the heart. Since heart toxicity has been a factor in nearly a third of such drug withdrawals, VistaGen’s use of stem cell technology to produce a novel bioassay system with mature, functional human heart cells that can be used for early and accurate testing of such effects represents a major accomplishment in the field. VistaGen is also developing a novel bioassay system to rescue new drug candidates limited by liver toxicity, another major factor in drug withdrawals.
Brekford Corp. (BFDI) is “One to Watch”
When people talk about mobile technology, they are usually referring to the ubiquitous smart phone, along with the endlessly expanding string of applications and functionalities that are being loaded into it. What is often overlooked is the extensive and growing market of mobile technologies designed specifically for military and public safety vehicles. When it comes to the military, law enforcement, and public safety, the ability to capture, process, and communicate information is becoming an increasingly important part of the equation.
For over a decade, Brekford Corp., a Maryland based homeland security technology service provider, has been growing to become what is now a one-stop-shop for the U.S. military and various security and public safety agencies, offering a 360° suite of mobile computer and video technologies, vehicle upfitting services, and automated traffic safety enforcement solutions. Their reputation has been based upon a record of highly rugged and robust products, covering almost every operational requirement, together with all of the associated upfitting and support services.
In the case of law enforcement, fire and EMS services, all have their own special requirements for their various vehicles. Equipment must be able to perform a wide range of complex video and data processing and communication, while operating under the most extreme conditions. Brekford has defined itself as a single best resource for purchasing vehicles that are upfitted with the latest in ruggedized cutting-edge IT and communications, in addition to traditional hardware, such as lights and sirens.
An example of technology meeting the need is Brekford’s Automatic Traffic Enforcement systems or Automatic Photo Enforcement Systems. The Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) system is an enforcement technique where one or more motor vehicle sensors generate recorded images of motor vehicles traveling at speeds above a defined limit. Captured images are then processed and reviewed in an office environment, and violation notices are mailed to the registered owner of the identified vehicle.
Another reason for Brekford’s success is their financing, leasing, and buying options. For instance, with government budgets under increased pressures, coupled with a growing demand for public safety, the company’s leasing program is, in many cases, the ideal answer to get technology on the streets at the lowest price.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Brekford.com
Rackwise (RACK), Intel (INTC) to Co-Market Newest Version of DCiM™ Software
Rackwise Inc., a company offering data center infrastructure management products and services, today announced that it will release the latest version of its core DCiM™ software product, the Rackwise® Data Center Manager (DCM), in April of 2012.
In accordance with its recent multi-year software integration and license agreement with Intel Corp., the two companies will jointly market the Rackwise® DCM version 3.6 product worldwide with an initial emphasis on the Asia-Pacific and European markets.
“We are extremely excited to make this announcement, marking the initial product launch pursuant to our agreements with Intel to develop and introduce ground-breaking capabilities for the data center infrastructure management market,” Rackwise CEO Guy A. Archbold stated in the press release. “The integration of device level data aggregation within our asset visualization, modeling, and analytics functions provides data center and infrastructure technology professionals powerful, state-of-the-art tools for real-time data management to maximize operational efficiencies and economic benefits.”
The Rackwise® DCM 3.6 will extend device level monitoring capabilities through integration of the Intel® DCM software solution and offer the first implementation of real-time data gathering and reporting capabilities built around enhanced temperature/power monitoring, and failure analysis.
These and other features will enable data center personnel and executives to monitor and manage advanced analytics related to capacity, energy management and potential failure modes; allow asset tracking and reporting at all levels of modules contained within the enclosure; and allow access to all levels of data modeled within the solution, including visualization of devices, modules, racks and floor-mounted equipment.
“The Intel® Data Center Manager combined with the Rackwise® DCM helps provide data center managers and executives extensive visibility into device level energy usage and thermal data which will enhance capacity planning, forecasting, performance monitoring and energy management for significant operational savings. The Rackwise® DCM’s extensive visualization, reporting and analytics platform combined with information from Intel® DCM will give data center personnel an unprecedented level of intelligent access and control over the physical and virtual assets within the data center,” Jeff Klaus, director of Data Center Solutions for Intel stated.
For more information visit www.rackwise.com
Echo Therapeutics, Inc. (ECTE) Begins Clinical Trial of Its Glucose Monitoring System
Echo Therapeutics, Inc. is a transdermal medical device company. The company has a wealth of expertise in advanced skin permeation technology. It plans to use its technology platform for two important applications, needle-free drug delivery and a needle-free, wireless, transdermal continuous glucose monitoring system.
The company today announced that it is initiating a clinical study of its Symphony tCGM System in patients with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Following skin permeation using the company’s proprietary Prelude skin permeation device, a biosensor is placed on the permeated site. After a brief warm-up period, Symphony wirelessly transmits the patient’s glucose level every minute to a remote monitor. The monitor than tracks the glucose level and provides an alarm if the patient’s glucose levels move outside the doctor’s prescribed range for the patient.
The Symphony system is certainly an improvement over current methods. All existing FDA-approved continuous glucose monitoring systems are needle-based, requiring insertion of a sensor into the patient’s skin. This gives rise to the risks of infection, inflammation or bleeding at the insertion site.
Echo plans to enroll up to 25 patients with diabetes in the study. The intent is to compare data obtained from its Symphony tCGM System with both the YSI 2300 STAT Plus Glucose Analyzer and a commercially available professional use glucometer. The company expects to complete and report the results of the study in the fourth quarter of this year. It then plans to subsequently begin a separate study in critical care patients.
For additional information of Echo Therapeutics and its glucose monitoring system, please visit the company’s website at www.echotx.com