• Attributes majority of increase to consumer product sales through wholly owned subsidiaries
• Hemp oil and liquor product sales increased by 28,859 percent
• Cryptocurrency revenue increase of 1,062 percent
• Plans to expand CBD products beyond China and Los Angeles and throughout the U.S., Canada and Asia

In a recent press release (http://ibn.fm/A1gyt), ChineseInvestors.com, Inc. (OTCQB: CIIX), the premier financial information website for Chinese-speaking investors, reported a 41 percent year-over-year increase in revenues for the 2018 fiscal year. The company attributes the majority of this increase to consumer product sales through its wholly owned subsidiaries, ChineseHempOil.com Inc. and CBD Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

According to Warren Wang, CEO of ChineseInvestors.com, the significant growth in revenue is largely attributed to CIIX’s consumer product line and strategic focus on CBD hemp sales in China. Hemp oil and liquor products have increased the company’s consumer product sales by 28,859 percent. At the close of the 2017 fiscal year, consumer product sales were at $1,308. At the close of the 2018 fiscal year, sales were at $377,719.

While strategically focusing on CBD hemp sales, CIIX also expanded subscription services and educational offerings to cover the cryptocurrency market. The company has plans to establish a cryptocurrency ATM network and a domestic online coin-to-coin exchange for Chinese cryptocurrency investors. In a news release, Wang stated, “While our subscription revenues decreased slightly in FY 2018, we have been developing opportunities around new services and educational products which we have seen gain tremendous traction.” In fact, the company’s cryptocurrency lines have seen a revenue increase of 1,062 percent in the last year. At the close of the 2017 fiscal year, cryptocurrency revenue was at $19,453 compared to the current 2018 fiscal year total of $206,648.

Wang continues, “Looking forward, with our consumer products segment posting strong revenues and the regulatory climate appearing to lean in favor of legalizing hemp as an agricultural commodity, we intend to continue to expand our consumer division by dedicating more resources to marketing hemp-based CBD products both domestically and in China. At the same time, we will continue to offer our core financial subscription services with a focus on increasing subscription revenues through targeted marketing of the Company’s new cryptocurrency subscription services and educational products.” CIIX’s operations for its fiscal year ended May 31, 2018, can be found in the annual report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on August 29, 2018 (http://ibn.fm/3TscG).

As the company looks to the future, Wang projects a long term $10-$20 million future market cap for ChineseHempOil.com, Inc. There are plans to expand CBD products beyond China and Los Angeles and throughout the U.S., Canada and Asia (http://ibn.fm/HGbQt). Wang is hopeful that the spinoff of CIIX’s CBD subsidiary, ChineseHempOil.com, Inc., will be completed by the end of the year. Following the spinoff, CIIX plans to refocus on its original mission of providing financial information and services to the global Chinese-speaking community.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ChineseInvestors.com

• U.S. Air Force signs new order for GTX Corp’s proprietary encrypted GPS technology platform designed to track personnel and equipment
• Company signs distribution and collaboration agreement with KGH, Inc.; KGH founder and CEO Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, a 29-year veteran of federal law enforcement, joins GTX Corp advisory board
• Number of subscribers to GTX technology up 57 percent and subscriber revenue up 108 percent in Q2 2018
• GTX’s flagship GPS SmartSole product designed to improve and save lives of at-risk individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s and autism; currently in pilot program under NHS in the UK
• Number of people living with dementia predicted to double by 2050, rising to 131.5 million worldwide

GTX Corp (OTC: GTXO), a pioneer in the field of wearable GPS tracking and wandering assistive Internet of Things (IoT) technology, is quickly becoming a go-to provider of innovative solutions that monitor, track and relay the locations of both assets and people. In a news release, GTX announced that it has received a new contract from Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) for additional units of the company’s Personnel, Equipment Tracking System (P.E.T.S.), a lightweight, mobile non-cellular, encrypted GPS technology platform designed to track personnel and equipment (http://ibn.fm/EQEI0).

GTX will manufacture, install and provide ongoing maintenance for the P.E.T.S. platform, delivering the initial order in Q1 2018 and expecting to deliver this second order by October 2018. All hardware, software and firmware is being manufactured and coded by GTX Corp at its Los Angeles, California, headquarters.

“It is a true honor to support our military and to be entrusted with developing GPS technology solutions that, at their core, are designed to help save lives,” Patrick Bertagna, GTX Corp CEO, said in a news release. “Edwards AFB conducts live ammunitions testing; hence, knowing where every person and asset are on the base in real time is of vital importance. Coming on the heels of signing an agreement with KGH, we are deeply committed to pursuing and growing this channel of government business and currently in discussion with several other agencies.”

The company’s highly versatile and scalable military-grade tagging, tracking and locating GPS platform is designed to transmit encrypted data from remote locations through RF technology, reporting latitude and longitude coordinates every second. Each GPS transmitter is housed in a military-grade, water-resistant encasement about the size of a garage door opener that weighs less than eight ounces. The contract includes the strategic installation of repeaters with 12-volt batteries and solar panels to achieve months of battery life, along with base station receivers that collect the encrypted data for display.

The recently announced signing of a bilateral distribution and collaboration agreement with Kiernan Group Holdings, Inc. (“KGH”) is another example of GTX’s commitment to its goal of making the world a better and safer place. KGH is a global consulting firm specializing in law enforcement, risk services, defense, intelligence and critical infrastructure resiliency, a joint news release states (http://ibn.fm/bjKzq). As part of the agreement, GTX and KGH will resell, cross-promote and collaborate on projects that fit their mutual core competencies.

“We are hitting the ground running, beginning with a host of initiatives to introduce GTX solutions within select agencies and organizations such as the Department of Veterans Affairs,” Bertagna said in a news release, adding that he is extremely pleased to welcome KGH founder and CEO Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, a 29-year veteran of federal law enforcement, to the GTX Corp advisory board.

GTX Corp’s proprietary and patented technology is designed as a versatile product, able to be deployed in any number of scenarios. One critical area of focus is in tracking the vulnerable – adults with dementia, children and even pets. The company’s flagship GPS SmartSole product is a hidden tracking insole, while the Invisabelt is worn inside a waistband. GTX also developed a mobile app that allows for tracking of individuals including family members and employees.

One research report released by Alzheimer’s Disease International and Kings College London estimates that the number of people living with dementia will double by 2050, making up about 1.4 percent of the global population, or about 131.5 million people (http://ibn.fm/aBnBK). The worldwide economic impact of various diseases associated with dementia is expected to reach $2 trillion in 2030, Statista reports (http://ibn.fm/o9Kci).

Emergency response systems for seniors, such as wearable devices that keep the wearer connected to family and friends, are a growing sector of the connected-home products and services market. Best Buy recently agreed to pay $800 million to acquire GreatCall Inc., a provider of smartphones and wearable devices for seniors. The purchase signals an increasing interest in capturing the rapidly growing senior-services market, with wearable GPS technologies a significant acquisition target, according to a Bloomberg article (http://ibn.fm/uwoNn).

George Mason University’s College of Health and Human Services is using GTX Corp’s SmartSole technology in research to predict human wandering. The Alzheimer’s & Related Diseases Research Award Fund is financing the research program, which is using the GTX SmartSole and data from the wandering behaviors of individuals with Alzheimer’s to develop a system that can quickly detect and prevent episodes of wandering, which are a major concern due to health and safety risks.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.GTXCorp.com

• The company’s core product focus is on mobile applications, seamless delivery of mobile content regardless of operating system, mobile payment solutions and other innovative offerings
• Consorteum, via technology subsidiary 359 Mobile, has created Universal Mobile Interface™ technology
• Consorteum’s first app planned for release is focused on providing users with predictive analytics for competitive cricket

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Consorteum Holdings, Inc. (OTC: CSRH) is a software development and mobile publishing company. Its Universal Mobile Interface™ (UMI) technology enables the company to jointly develop internal and third-party solutions for a wide array of vertical markets. Consorteum’s 359 Mobile, Inc. subsidiary sees promise for its UMI platform as smartphone use continues to expand globally.

Consorteum provides mobile offerings, delivery of mobile content, mobile payment solutions and related products. It does so via a mix of direct offerings, partnerships, license agreements and joint ventures. The company has a competitive advantage in mobile markets due to its strong history in fintech lead transaction processing, and it offers end-to-end fintech solutions for diverse vertical markets. Consorteum notes that the worldwide fintech investment market is forecast to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 54.83 percent through 2020.

Consorteum recently executed a joint business agreement with DevLex. As part of this agreement, the companies are targeting sports gambling by combining Consorteum’s UMI with DevLex’s Edgelytics™ Predictive Analytics Platform. The mobile gaming industry is experiencing tremendous growth around the world. In a June 2018 article, a Business 2 Community contributor noted (http://ibn.fm/k6Xw9) that, “Mobile gaming is leading the pack in the global gaming industry, accounting for more than half of revenue in the mobile gaming industry. This is expected to rise to an estimated 54% in 2019 and 59% in 2021.”

Consorteum’s initial application scheduled to launch into the marketplace is a tool to help sports betting fans study athlete and team statistics and help predict outcomes for their favorite teams and players as new matches occur. This app focuses on competitive cricket, a sport that is very popular globally with a fan base of greater than 2.5 billion. Reiterating this popularity, Cricket.com.au recently released an article (http://ibn.fm/HUxE7) titled, “Cricket becomes Australia’s No. 1 participation sport.”

The above-mentioned Edgelytics platform analyzes a substantial historical database including player and team statistics. Therefore, users can query and run personalized analytics on these statistics. This enables a more informed foundation for wagering on specific cricket outcomes.

Consorteum’s 359 Mobile subsidiary is a technology and services aggregator. 359 Mobile is employing advanced data analytics and automated management systems to facilitate a more personalized mobile experience for users. Its UMI solution can open up opportunities in fintech management, digital marketing, data storage, cloud facility and data analytics. It can also open up opportunities in CRM (Customer Relationship Management) services, secure payment processing and regulatory compliance. Consorteum is advancing its business strategies through its subsidiary in multiple verticals, including the mobile gaming industry. It is targeting its initiatives to a mobile generation that demands innovative and useful products.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Consorteum.com

• Investing in cannabis and cannabis support services
• Cannabis Strategic brings expert medical advisor onboard
• Cannabis Strategic acquires Asher House Pet CBD brand

As lucrative as the budding cannabis market promises to be, the business of providing goods and services to cannabis companies is likely to be much larger, which is why Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (OTC: NUGS) has adopted its present strategic position (http://ibn.fm/JWycS). Every consumer dollar spent on recreational or medicinal cannabis will likely generate income of several more for the thousands of firms in the support ecosystem that will inevitably develop around the retail industry. Two principles are at work here. The first is the circular nature of the economy, which ensures that income always equals expenditure. Since there are always at least two parties to a transaction, every dollar spent by one is a dollar received by another, thus providing income for that counter-party. Moreover, as Keynes pointed out, a dollar initially spent goes much further than just the next person, for the spending never stops, and so a spending multiplier operates throughout the economy.

Cannabis shops and dispensaries don’t save all the cash they receive from customers. Suppliers must be paid and so too must the professionals and operatives who supply support services to the industry. As the buck gets passed, it generates income – five times as much, a recent study suggests – some of which Cannabis Strategic Ventures is poised to capture. The company provides financial and administrative support services to cannabis businesses, and it’s planning to offer recruitment services, as well. The company’s mission is to help cannabis entrepreneurs grow their businesses by successfully navigating the ultra-stringent regulations, licensing requirements and tax issues they must face.

Pegged at $9.2 billion in 2017, the legal cannabis market in the U.S. is expected to hit $47.3 billion a decade later, according to estimates compiled by Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics and reported in Forbes (http://ibn.fm/HZc5r). That 18 percent CAGR will undoubtedly boost ancillary industries, such as marketing, legal services, accounting, janitorial services and information technology support, among others. Data from research firm New Frontier Data indicates that almost 300,000 legal cannabis jobs will be created by 2020 (http://ibn.fm/FRahb).

Cannabis Strategic Ventures is beefing up its resources and its services. In August, the company announced the appointment of Robert H. Cohen, M.D., a highly respected cannabis researcher, to the position of medical advisor (http://ibn.fm/ayCnD). His purview will include R&D for Halo Filters, a patent-pending, 50-state legal product that reduces the levels of harmful chemicals, heavy metals and other toxins in cannabis smoke while maintaining palatability and cannabinoid levels, as well as other CBD-related brands. Cohen, who has a medical degree from The Chicago Medical School, is a cosmetic surgeon and research scientist with a background in neurophysiology. He has completed a fellowship in reconstructive surgery and has been involved in FDA clinical studies as a sub-investigator for several drug trials. Cohen has been studying the properties of cannabis for over a decade with the goal of developing skincare and other therapies, and, as a result, holds patents in several related fields.

Also in August, Cannabis Strategic Ventures announced its acquisition of The Asher House Pet CBD brand from The Asher House LLC (http://ibn.fm/S9X3q). Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, Cannabis Strategic Ventures will acquire controlling interest in the Asher House Pet CBD brand, a line of U.S. hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) supplements for pets that continues to gain national attention. The agreement between the companies calls for Asher House to continue promoting the Asher House CBD brand nationwide while Cannabis Strategic provides the infrastructure to support enhanced marketing programs and the expected increase in product sales.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.CannabisStrategic.com

• First Cobalt clears obligations through full acquisition to streamline plans for Idaho cobalt resource
• Company fully funded for all current exploratory projects stretching into next year as it awaits current resource estimate
• Cobalt demand has soared with worldwide increase in usage of electric vehicles that have cobalt-needy batteries
• Market tightening expected to continue for cobalt, leading to forecasts of 12,000-metric ton supply gap by 2021

Vertically integrated pure-play cobalt company First Cobalt Corp. (TSX.V: FCC) (OTCQX: FTSSF) (ASX: FCC) is putting the spurs to its strategy of exploring, developing and refining material in North America for sale back into the American battery market amid booming expectations for electric vehicle and numerous other tech device energy needs. The company announced on September 4 that it has acquired 100 percent ownership of its Iron Creek property in the western United States, where historical mineral resource estimates (non-compliant with NI 43-101 standards) of 1.3 million tons grading 0.59 percent cobalt are being expanded upon.

First Cobalt obtained the Iron Creek property last year through the acquisition of US Cobalt, Inc. and, after initial exploratory efforts, accelerated the project to take advantage of the area’s promising potential. Two new drill rigs were installed, and results from underground indicated two broad zones of cobalt-copper mineralization that extend well beyond the limits of the historic resource.

“Our outlook for the Iron Creek Project was instrumental in the decision to eliminate the outstanding royalty and acquire 100% ownership of the project at this time,” First Cobalt president and CEO Trent Mell stated in a news release about the move to free up Iron Creek obligations (http://ibn.fm/5REE6). “The Company is fully funded to complete our work programs in the USA and Canada this year and into 2019. We anticipate releasing preliminary metallurgical work and the maiden resource estimate for Iron Creek in the next few weeks.”

“This is also an important step in streamlining future works including the permitting process for potential future development,” the company added.

Mell had previously identified the Idaho site as “one of the most prospective and advanced projects in North America” (http://ibn.fm/EctmG), justifying a $9 million program to accelerate work there. Completion of preliminary metallurgical work and the maiden resource estimate is expected in the next few weeks, and development of a portion of the inferred mineral resource estimate into a secondary measured and indicated resource estimate is expected early next year as a result of surface drilling throughout the latter part of 2018.

The property consists of mining patents and exploration claims that have some infrastructure already in place, including drifting from three adits and an all-weather road that connects to a state highway. The project was under lease to First Cobalt with terms that required the company to make monthly payments and grant a four percent royalty to the leaseholder, but First Cobalt’s $1.07 million payment cleared the obligations. The deal marked a 47 percent reduction of the expected price tag, and First Cobalt’s cash balance of $20 million with an additional $2 million in assets (as of June 30) leaves it in a strong position to move forward with the mine planning process. The company is fully financed to complete all additional drilling programs currently scheduled, and it has begun collecting data for future permit requirements.

First Cobalt expects the pending resource estimate to show “wider true thickness of mineralization” than was reported in the historic calculation, based on the company’s recent drilling. Unlike cobalt resources tied to arsenic-bearing minerals in the rest of Idaho’s recognized ‘Cobalt Belt’, the Iron Creek Project’s cobalt-copper mineralization occurs in pyrite and chalcopyrite within finely layered meta-sedimentary rocks, according to the company.

Rising demand for lightweight electric vehicles, an increasing application of cobalt in the medical sector and growing demand for cobalt alloys in airplane engines are some of the key factors propelling the global cobalt market’s growth, a report from ResearchAndMarkets states (http://ibn.fm/oRAMk). Growing demand for cellphones, laptops and large-format rechargeable batteries is also driving the market, which boasts an expected compound annual growth rate of over 10 percent, the report states.

As demand for the metal soars – and as supply struggles to keep pace with consumption – a widening supply gap is expected to emerge, according to market analysts. The global cobalt market will face a tight supply situation, with a gap of 12,000 metric tons by 2021, representing more than 10 percent of current supply levels, the ResearchAndMarkets report states.

First Cobalt’s prospects for presenting a solution to supply level concerns are bolstered by its other assets, including more than 50 past producing mines in Canada’s renowned Cobalt Camp and the only permitted cobalt refinery (currently shuttered) in North America capable of producing battery materials. Amid concerns that cobalt supplies could be further hindered by international trade conflicts, the company’s North America-centric operations stand it in good stead.

For more information, visit the company’s website at http://ibn.fm/FTSSF

• Company launches new line of brain-boosting drinks
• Improved formulation includes lion’s mane mushroom, credited for positive effects on cognitive decline
• Clinical trial of Koios drinks underway, results expected soon
• Global functional beverage market to reach $105.5 billion by 2021

Koios Beverage Corp. (CSE: KBEV) (OTC: SNOVF), a developer of products designed to boost brain function and productivity, has launched the first two flavors in a new line of beverages that has been flying off the shelves. Pear guava has proven so popular that the company is in its second run of production. The other flavor is peach mango. Both beverages include the new superfood lion’s mane mushroom, which is part of Koios’ reformulated and improved range of cognitive-enhancing drinks. Other flavors soon to come in the same line are blood orange and apricot vanilla.

Lion’s mane mushroom has long been credited in Asian countries for its positive effects on cognitive decline, anxiety and depression, and numerous studies have been conducted to assess these benefits (http://ibn.fm/dRsVP). In addition to improving cognitive function, this mushroom has a positive effect on digestive tract health, cardiac function, diabetes management and more.

Denver-based Koios is a growing presence in the field of nootropics, or over-the-counter dietary supplements that enhance cognitive function. Its proprietary GMP-certified formula is designed to enhance focus by increasing blood flow to the brain. Higher oxygen levels in the brain create higher levels of cognition, enhanced functionality and improved mood. Koios’ products contain nature-based ingredients that are typically used to treat people with Alzheimer’s disease.

The launch of Koios’ new line of beverages comes as the company expects clinical trial results of its products to be released any day. NeuraPerformance/Neuroptimize Brain Center, a brain lab and physiotherapy clinic in Denver, Colorado, that is trusted by professional athletes including the Denver Broncos football team, was contracted to carry out brain scans of Koios users to gauge the effects of the product. The brain-scan study could provide evidence that Koios products may enhance cognition over the long term, as well as helping the company improve its products’ formulations and performance (http://ibn.fm/lRclS).

Market watchers believe that the nootropics industry will expand significantly over the next few years. MarketResearch.com predicts a 9.3 percent expansion of the function-enhancing beverage market by 2022 (http://ibn.fm/PyKvF). Nutraingredients.com cites BCC Research, which suggests that the market will reach $105.5 billion by 2021 (http://ibn.fm/H3KOZ).

Koios is poised to be a part of this growth, with an available distribution network featuring thousands of retail locations across the United States. The company has just opened up distribution into Canada via a global shipping program through its website.

“The idea of using nootropic supplements to help boost focus and mental acuity has been catching on with people around the world, not just in the United States. We have particularly been seeing increased demand for our products in Canada and are happy to be able to now meet that demand with our global shipping program,” Koios CEO Chris Miller said in a news release referencing the expansion into Canada.

The company has relationships with some of the largest and most reputable distributors in the United States, including Europa Sports, SportLife Distribution and Wishing-U-Well. Together, these distributors represent more than 80,000 bricks-and-mortar locations across the United States, from sports nutrition stores to large natural grocery chains including Whole Foods and Sunflower markets. Through its partnership with Wishing-U-Well, Koios also enjoys a large presence online, and its products are certified under the Amazon Choice Product program.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.KoiosBeverageCorp.com

• QMC sees lithium’s pricing outlook remaining favorable
• QMC upgrading assets at Canadian properties to modern NI 43-101 standards, expanding target size
• Lithium contract prices up 20 percent over last year amid forecasts of $1.7 billion in overall value by next year

The anticipated increase in demand for lithium is positioning the lightweight metal as a prime target for new mining ventures. QMC Quantum Minerals Corp. (OTC: QMCQF) (TSX.V: QMC) (FSE: 3LQ), in particular, is expressing confidence in the unfolding of its southern Canada exploration project.

“At the bearish analysts’ lowest projections, lithium prices will still remain so high that a good resource which is run well, should surely prove successful,” QMC’s website states (http://ibn.fm/Lhf3b). “In 2007, lubricating greases and pharmaceuticals added up to more demand for lithium than did lithium consumption in lithium ion batteries. Batteries absorbed about 18 percent of the lithium supply at the time. Ten years later, that jumped to 39 percent for batteries. As many analysts continue to predict, this pace will only accelerate for the next several years.”

During August, spot prices for China’s 99.5 percent lithium carbonate declined nearly 10 percent, while global lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) contracts saw price increases of about 20 percent over the previous year to around $16,000 per metric ton (http://ibn.fm/2aRIT).

The overall market paints a positive picture of potential for the metal, which now serves to provide heat stability to power supplies in a wide variety of computerized products, including digital cameras, smartphones, laptops and electric vehicles. The latter is expected to play a key role in driving demand during the coming decade amid international efforts by governments to reduce their pollutant impact on the earth’s environment.

Lithium Investing News recently provided a market forecast calling for global lithium demand to reach 49,350 metric tons by next year with an LCE contract valuation of $1.7 billion (http://ibn.fm/Hb78p).

QMC is testing the strength of its 100 percent-owned Irgon Lithium Mine Project located in S.E. Manitoba, northwest of the Great Lakes and automaker hubs in the United States. The Manitoba Irgon Mine Project is situated where historic exploration enterprises prepared to extract up to 500 tons of ore per day several decades ago, when market prices were less favorable.

QMC is drawing on the expertise of SGS Canada, Inc. in establishing the viability of its Irgon Mine Property for the resumption of mining activity. SGS will provide consulting exploration services to QMC and will oversee the analysis of metals found in testing using its exclusive MMI (mobile metal ion) technology (http://ibn.fm/H4M53).

When the Irgon Mine site was initially explored and developed more than six decades ago, it produced a resource estimate of more than a million tons of lithium grading 1.51 percent Li2O, although that estimate needs to be upgraded to be in compliance with modern NI 43-101 regulatory standards. In the process of proving up the historical assessment to modern standards, the company has identified another target that includes a significantly sized “lithium soil anomaly” more than 3,600 feet long and up to 1,150 feet wide on the southern part of the property, which has stoked QMC’s enthusiasm.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.QMCMinerals.com

• Smaller companies achieve higher R&D productivity
• Collaboration with academia key to R&D success
• Diverse projects increase chance of success

Big Pharma is losing the game in drug development. A decade ago, McKinsey & Company sounded the alarm, warning that the biopharma industry was afflicted by “diminishing R&D productivity.” Despite a doubling of investment in research and development, approvals of “new molecular entities” had fallen precipitously (http://ibn.fm/jUNpt). Nothing appears to have changed since then. A recent report by Deloitte laments the continued decline of returns on R&D investment. While R&D costs have generally remained the same, product revenues are falling, in part because many products never make it to “blockbuster” status (i.e. sales of a billion dollars or more). With narrower margins squeezing profits in the industry, these consultants suggest increasing “the number of drug programs to which a pharmaceutical company has access, without increasing, to the same degree, the capital or resource investment required to access them.”

PreveCeutical Medical Inc. (CSE: PREV) (OTCQB: PRVCF) (FSE: 18H) has taken this advice to heart. The health sciences company has three distinct research programs underway. Top of the line is a non-opioid pain treatment based on cannabinoids to be administered through a proprietary nose-to-brain, soluble gel (Sol-gel) drug delivery system. The research team is also out to identify peptides and proteins derived from the venom of the Caribbean blue scorpion that may have therapeutic use. The company is also working on a smart RNA dual gene therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Expected returns on investment in research and development (R&D) for the top 12 pharma companies fell from 10.1 percent in 2010 to just 3.7 percent in 2016, according to a study by Deloitte’s Centre for Health Solutions (http://ibn.fm/ZWD9Y). From 2010-2016, the R&D divisions of the top 12 pharmaceutical companies were able to advance 376 products to late-stage development. With total forecast sales of $1.7 trillion, each drug was projected to be a blockbuster; average sales for the 376 candidates were $4.5 billion.

It is unlikely that more than just a handful have lived up to expectations. Of 667 new biopharmaceuticals launched in the U.S. over the past 20 years, only 19 drugs, less than three percent, have reached the $1 billion mark (http://ibn.fm/o7QWT). However, averages, like most generalizations can mislead. Deloitte found “a negative correlation between company size and both predicted returns and cost per product.” Big Pharma may be getting it wrong, but smaller biopharmas like PreveCeutical appear to be using models that achieve higher R&D productivity.

Perhaps increased collaboration with academia may be an aspect of PreveCeutical’s innovative approach. The company is working with the University of Queensland in Australia on two major research projects. The cooperation, which is being undertaken through UniQuest Pty. Ltd., the development arm of the university, is centered on PreveCeutical’s Sol-gel system and its Smart RNA Dual Gene Therapy.

The Sol-gel system is an innovative nose-to-brain drug delivery platform that holds the promise of making medication regimens more effective. When therapeutic compounds are taken orally (as many are), they travel through the stomach and intestines and are metabolized, reducing their effectiveness. However, the Sol-gel system works via nasal administration and delivers the therapeutic agent to the mucosal tissue, where it forms a gel and is time released to the brain, increasing bioavailability. It will be used initially for a cannabidiol-based agent designed to provide relief across a range of indications such as pain, inflammation, seizures and neurological disorders. Additionally, the gel stays in the nasal passages, slowly releasing the CBD while keeping it active for up to seven days. This ease of application and its long-lasting effects may be attractive for patients when compared to other delivery systems.

Another project in the development pipeline involves the identification of peptides and proteins in the venom of Caribbean blue scorpion, with the object of engineering ‘Nature Identical™’ compounds. Synthesizing compounds that are identical to the natural venom is expected to facilitate more commercially viable formulations. PreveCeutical already has an over-the-counter (OTC), commercially available oral solution of scorpion venom, CELLB9, on the market. CELLB9 has been used to treat inflammation, bacterial infections, pain and tumors.

PreveCeutical is also working on a Smart RNA Dual Gene Therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Gene therapy involves the substitution of defective genes in a cell with genetically altered genes. The team has already put five genes implicated in diabetes and obesity on a target short-list.

In June 2018, the company raised C$6.5 million ($4.9 million) to continue its ambitious research focused on preventative compounds using organic and nature-identical compounds, according to a Crystal Equity update (http://ibn.fm/ykwy1).

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PreveCeutical.com

• Mainstream social media channels wary of promoting marijuana, close down user accounts for cannabis endorsement
• NUGL’s platform provides B2B and B2C marketing tools for companies
• Platform has capabilities of Yelp, LinkedIn and Google Business

Although the cannabis industry is gradually gaining social acceptability, many mainstream social media channels, such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, are still wary about promoting marijuana, according to a Digiday report. Cannabis ads are prohibited on a number of social media networks, including Facebook, Instagram, Google and Snapchat, although the latter does allow ads for cannabidiol-based products on a case-by-case basis, the report says. Additionally, many content creators and influencers have reportedly had their YouTube and Instagram accounts shut down for mentioning marijuana products (http://ibn.fm/J4tsO).

As a result, businesses in the cannabis industry finding these highly-effective marketing channels closed to them need to look elsewhere for promotion opportunities. Technology company NUGL Inc. (OTC: NUGL) hopes to address this concern by providing a platform with the capabilities of Yelp, LinkedIn and Google Business that’s specifically tailored for the needs of the marijuana industry.

NUGL’s networking platform, with both business-to-business and business-to-consumer applications, provides tools that can enable businesses across the industry to raise their profile, reach their customers and link up to businesses providing complementary services and products.

As the marijuana industry grows and matures, similarly to any other product such as beer, chocolate or footwear, specific brands will carve out identities and niches, and consumers will be looking out for their favorites. NUGL is positioning itself to allow producers to make their products visible on the right sales platforms and accessible to the consumers they want to reach. In addition, NUGL allows customers to provide unbiased reviews of products and services, such as dispensaries, shops and brands. The platform does not sell listing space or fake interviews, meaning that customer reviews are more transparent, credible and reliable.

The platform’s B2B app allows companies in the space to create a profile, through which they can post information about themselves and the goods and services they provide. Companies using the platform will be able to connect with other businesses and provide B2B services, such as growers connecting with dispensaries, for instance. The platform and app, available for Android and iOS devices, can also connect marijuana businesses with ancillary services, such as accounting, real estate, growing equipment providers and others.

Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics predict that the marijuana market in the U.S. will continue to grow exponentially, as the country is moving closer to ending cannabis prohibition. According to the sixth edition of “The State of Legal Marijuana Markets,” released by the two research companies, the U.S. legal cannabis market is on pace to reach $11 billion in consumer spending in 2018 and $23.4 billion by 2022 (http://ibn.fm/BPKhU).

NUGL is set to capitalize on this trend, as its platform has no geographic limitations and can connect cannabis companies and clients all across the United States. Additionally, the company plans to expand its reach across the globe as the cannabis industry continues to grow in international markets.

For more information, visit the company’s website at http://ibn.fm/NUGL

• Acquired controlling interest in The Asher House Pet CBD brand, produced with full-spectrum, whole-plant hemp, free of THC and pesticides
• An estimated $72.13 billion will be spent on pets by Americans during 2018, with over $33 billion spent on veterinary care, supplies and OTC medicines
• Percentage of U.S. households with a pet increased from 56 percent in 1988 to 68 percent in 2018
• Sales of CBD products to U.S. consumers estimated to reach $2.1 billion by 2020, with $450 million coming from hemp-based sources
• The U.S. cannabis market is growing at an accelerated rate; industry analysts projecting a $50 billion marketplace by 2026

When it comes to taking care of household pets, Americans are spending billions to get the job done right, according to the American Pet Products Association. In 2018 alone, U.S. consumers will spend an estimated $72 billion on pets, and that includes $33 billion on veterinary care, supplies and over-the-counter medicine (http://ibn.fm/p3kRj). Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (OTC: NUGS) is expanding its diverse portfolio by moving into the pet care arena through its acquisition of The Asher House Pet CBD brand from The Asher House LLC, as detailed in a recent news release (http://ibn.fm/56Lm1).

Under the terms of the brand acquisition agreement, Cannabis Strategic Ventures will acquire controlling interest in the Asher House Pet CBD line, a brand of U.S. hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) supplements for pets that continues to gain national attention and is expanding internationally. Lee Asher and Luke Barton, founders of The Asher House, are currently on a whirlwind cross-country tour, working with animal shelters, pet rescues and humane societies to help erase the homeless pet population and increase awareness of pet health.

“Through the Asher House acquisition, Cannabis Strategic continues to expand its already diverse portfolio of Cannabis focus brands and service offerings,” Simon Yu, CEO of Cannabis Strategic, stated in a news release.  “At Cannabis Strategic, we believe that investing in people is as important as investing in industry-leading products and technologies. Lee and Luke’s passion for pet adoption and pet wellness is one of the key ingredients to Asher House’s national recognition. We welcome Lee Asher and Luke Barton, the founders of Asher House, to the NUGS family.”

Research into the potential benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) on dogs is underway at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, supported by a $356,000 grant from The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (http://ibn.fm/cPki1). Dr. Stephanie McGrath, a veterinary neurologist, received the grant to document the therapeutic potential of cannabis in dogs.

CBD is big business for human consumers as well, with sales expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2020 and $450 million of those sales coming from hemp-based sources, a Forbes article states (http://ibn.fm/cXdrg). CBD products are typically used for health reasons instead of recreational purposes, since they are derived from industrial hemp or cannabis plants with extremely low levels of THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana.

Cannabis Strategic’s portfolio includes the recently acquired Fitamins CBD brand, which offers vitamin- and hemp-derived CBD formulations through a network of more than 600 wholesalers serving the Asian-American market (http://ibn.fm/zPFkV). The company is also focused on supporting entrepreneurial growth in the legal cannabis sector through its personnel solutions, which are tailor-made to match the growth dynamics of this booming industry.

Cannabis Strategic pursues investment opportunities in the areas of real estate, cultivation, extraction, distribution, packaging, dispensary operations and branded products within the cannabis space. Carving out and controlling specific industry niches, in addition to creating and marketing unique cannabis consumer branded products for humans and pets alike, is a win-win for Cannabis Strategic and its stakeholders.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.CannabisStrategic.com