The success of any growing business depends on a wide variety of factors, but few decisions can impact a company’s prospects for growth more than choosing the right industry or market niche in which to operate. In a recent article on Entrepreneur.com, Christina Baldassarre outlined the benefits of one of the most intriguing market sectors for investors on the hunt for long-term plays with huge upside – the pet industry.

There are plenty of distinguishers to keep in mind when studying an industry’s viability. Is it recession-proof? Is it predictable? Is it experiencing consistent growth? When it comes to the pet industry, the answers to these questions are overwhelmingly positive. In the Entrepreneur.com article, the author studied the effects of the recent recession on the pet industry by taking an in-depth look at Google Trends for the search terms ‘dog toys’ and ‘cat toys’ over the past decade. Interest in both phrases maintained a consistent pattern throughout the 10-year period, with searches spiking toward the holiday season each year.

Overall, industry statistics support Google’s (NASDAQ: GOOG, GOOGL) data. Over the past 20 years, the domestic pet market has more than tripled in size, growing from $17 billion in 1994 to just over $60 billion this year, according to the American Pet Products Association. Among these expenditures, just over 25 percent were attributed to veterinary care, leaving nearly three-quarters of the total pet industry divided amongst retailers and service businesses. For companies operating in this space, there’s plenty of room for financial growth. Most retail businesses seek margins of approximately 60 percent or more, but some of the most popular pet toys and bones offer margins in excess of 70 percent.

With an expansive and consistent market and an educated customer base, it’s surprising to find that the pet industry is comparatively sparse when it comes to pure plays. Currently, the industry is extremely fragmented, with hundreds of small, relatively unknown brands jostling for a piece of the growing pie. However, one company, OurPet’s Company (OTCQX: OPCO), has been building a strong presence in the market for nearly two decades.

OPCO’s business model centers on marketing products designed to satisfy the mental and physical health, safety and comfort of pets around the world. The company is already a significant player in domestic sales of bowls/feeders; cat and dog toys and accessories; and feline waste management solutions. OPCO’s distribution network includes agreements with some of the most recognizable retail brands in the world – including PetSmart, Kroger (NYSE: KR), Walmart (NYSE: WMT) and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN).

With a growing foothold in the third largest consumer market in the country and an expanding portfolio of more than 1,500 SKU’s and 225 patents, OPCO represents an intriguing investment option that a contributor to Seeking Alpha recently referred to as “one of the only non-retail pure pet plays left in the industry.” As the company makes efforts to increase its brand awareness by targeting dedicated shelf space in retail stores, it could be primed to continue building on its past growth while promoting strong, sustainable returns for shareholders.

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

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Nutra Pharma Corp. (OTCQB: NPHC) is introducing new healthcare solutions to the globe. Through ReceptoPharm, a subsidiary, Nutra Pharma is discovering, researching and developing biopharmaceutical products to prevent and/or treat multiple sclerosis (MS), HIV/AIDS, adrenomyeloneuropathy (ADM), herpes, rheumatoid arthritis and pain.

Drug Discovery & Development

Nutra Pharma is in the business of acquiring, licensing and commercializing pharmaceutical products and technologies, along with homeopathic and ethical drugs for managing pain and neurological disorders, autoimmune and infectious diseases and cancer.

The company has several pipeline products both in the market and under research and development. Within the over-the-counter pain management market, Nutra Pharma is already marketing:

• Nyloxin and Nyloxin Extra Strength, homeopathic drugs used to alleviate moderate to severe chronic pain; and
• Pet Pain-Away, a homeopathic, non-addictive, non-narcotic pain reliever aimed at treating moderate to severe chronic pain in companion animals.

Nutra Pharma also has more than a few novel therapies in various stages of development, including:

• Nyloxin Military Strength, a pain relieving drug intended for sale to the U.S. Military and Veteran’s Administration;
• RPI-MN, a drug designed to treat viral diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and herpes;
• RPI-78, which is geared toward managing pain and arthritis;
• RPI-70, another pain reliever;
• Equine Nyloxin, a topical therapy for horses; and
• RPI-78M, which is designed to treat neurological diseases and autoimmune diseases, including MS, ADM and rheumatoid arthritis.

Through RPI-78M, Nutra Pharma reached new heights this year. In September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted RPI-78M “orphan drug status” for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in children – a major milestone for the company. Not only is juvenile MS an important disease area, but it is one that is not being addressed by other drugs currently on the market. This creates a significant market opportunity for Nutra Pharma, as does the designation of RPI-78M as an orphan drug. With that label, Nutra Pharma has a 7-year period of market exclusivity in the U.S. once the drug is approved, and, based on its pre-clinical and open-label studies, the company feels quite strongly that it has the ability to successfully pass through this approval process.

For more information on the company, visit www.NutraPharma.com

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GTX Corp. (OTC: GTXO) has been at the forefront of 2-way GPS real-time personal location services since it went public in 2008. Since then, it has introduced miniaturized GPS, BLE, and cellular tracking technology that minimizes power consumption. These services and devices can monitor and locate people, pets, vehicles, and more. Headquartered in Los Angeles and with distributors in over thirteen countries, GTX provides end-to-end solutions and hardware that is fully customizable and boasts a user-friendly experience for clients.

In 2008, GTX created Track My Workforce, a managing system application designed for small- to medium-sized companies that allows a closer inspection of worker operations, such as delivery of products. So far, industries like pharmaceutical, food, consumer goods, jewelry, plumbing, and construction have benefited from this cost-effective solution. Track My Workforce maintains its mission of giving “the highest level of tracking and monitoring technology, products, and services” while providing “excellence in customer satisfaction.”

The Track My Workforce application is easily downloadable on both iOS and Android devices without the need to purchase new hardware. The app works silently in the background on a worker’s phone so he/she can still use other apps without draining the battery. Meanwhile, the worker’s whereabouts are updated at customizable intervals via GPS and viewable through the Track My Workforce website. Alerts are also automatically sent to the subscriber when a worker has arrived/departed from a designated geozone, such as a customer’s location. The application then makes mileage reports available to compare time management of workers, which can lead to cost-saving changes.

GTX aims to continue delivering its award-winning GPS SmartSole, along with its top-selling Smartphone Apps, to both new and loyal customers. The company intends to provide, innovate, and expand upon its tried and true services throughout the world.

For more information, visit www.gtxcorp.com

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When combining a traditional restaurant concept with the excitement of innovative entertainment options, membership programs and value cards can make a huge difference to a company’s bottom line. To illustrate this fact, one needs look no further than Dave and Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLAY), the growing force behind one of the most popular dining and entertainment chains for adults and families in North America. Since opening its first location in 1982, Dave & Buster’s has grown into a national phenomenon, operating 73 locations across the United States.

Today, the Dave & Buster’s brand is synonymous with good times, and that’s because of PLAY’s ability to evolve and adapt with changing consumer demand. One of the best examples of this evolution was the introduction of PLAY’s pioneering rechargeable Power Cards. When diners want to enjoy a few arcade games at their local Dave & Buster’s, fumbling with cash or coins never gets in the way of the fun thanks to these reloadable cards. While this model offers convenience for customers, it also promotes repeat visits by storing deposited funds for use on the next visit.

Although Dave & Buster’s is one of the most recognizable brands in the food and entertainment space to implement a rewards card-based customer retention strategy, it’s far from the only restaurant chain capitalizing on this proven tool. Giggles N’ Hugs, Inc. (OTCQB: GIGL) – the first and only known restaurant brand that brings together high-end, organic food with active, cutting-edge play and entertainment for children – has implemented a similar model to build upon the early successes of its three locations in Greater Los Angeles.

The GIGL membership program allows parents to minimize the cost of visits to Giggles N’ Hugs locations by purchasing unlimited play passes for one-, three- or six-month intervals. For less than the cost of four visits, GIGL members can enjoy unlimited visits for a full month, and additional savings are offered for families with multiple children. To sweeten the deal, the company often offers additional benefits – including discounts on food and beverage purchases and birthday parties. This program encourages repeat visits for the company’s customers and, as a result, bolstered financial growth for GIGL.

Just in time for the holiday season, GIGL also offers gift cards, which can be purchased directly through the company’s website. By offering membership specials and other promotional deals, GIGL is in a favorable position to maintain its status as Los Angeles’s #1 Family Restaurant. As the company seeks to expand upon its national footprint in the coming months, look for this proven branding strategy to play a key role in GIGL’s efforts to promote sustainable growth.

For more information, please visit www.gigglesnhugs.com

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Anatole France, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1921, famously said, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” We know how true that is, because we do love our animals. In Pet Population & Ownership Trends (November 2014), the market research company Packaged Facts reported that about 55% of the U.S. adult population (133 million people) has at least one pet. Dogs are our favorites. There are 45 million households with man’s best friend. Another 30 million or so of us own (or are owned by) a cat. Then, there are the almost 7 million who love fish and the 4 million who fly with the birds and even some 3.5 million who own a reptile.

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) estimates that U.S. pet industry spending will be about $60.59 billion this year. Most of this, some $23.04 billion, will go toward food, of course. The vet will get about one-quarter of that, or $15.73 billion. Another $14.39 billion will go for over-the-counter medicines and supplies. Keeping our pets in a safe place while we go away and grooming services will cost us another $5.24 billion, and getting new pets will involve an investment of $2.19 billion. The industry has grown at an annually compounded rate of 4.6% over the past five years, from $48.35 billion at the end of 2010 to the 2015 estimate of $60.59 billion.

There are a number of factors underpinning this market expansion. First, the industry has been successful in emphasizing the bond we have with our pets. The typical American regards his dog or cat as a member of the family. This has driven sales of top-end products. Second, many upper-income households spend heavily on pet care products, such as toys and other devices that cater to their pet’s mental well-being. Third, the participation of upper-income households in the market has spurred the development of the pet specialty channel, which caters to more esoteric products. Finally, the recognition that pets, like us, need specialized health care has given rise to a burgeoning market.

Despite favorable market conditions, opportunities to invest in this lucrative industry are limited. Most companies in pet care and supplies, save a few, are private. Apart from the big dogs like PetSmart, Inc (NASDAQ: PETM) and Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT), there’s very little else on the big exchanges.

There is, however, an oasis in this desert of investment opportunities. OurPet’s Company (OTCQX: OPCO) has been growing much faster than the industry. Since 2010, it has recorded a compound annual growth rate of about 6%. In 2011, it initiated a two-pronged branding strategy. The OurPets brand is aimed at the pet aficionado, while the Pet Zone brand is designed for the mass market. This strategy has, undoubtedly, paid off.

The management team is ambitious. In a recent interview, they confessed their objective to double the size of the company. As part of that initiative, they are investing heavily in distribution and marketing infrastructure. Also, they plan to make the waste and odor category a more significant part of OPCO’s business. Spearheading this thrust is the Smart Scoop product line. OPCO’s strategic business plan calls for annual year over year sales growth of 20% with targeted net income as a percentage of sales in the 10% – 12% range. Looks like the guys at OPCO plan to make investors purr.

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

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With the recent announcement from Australia’s version of the FDA, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, that pluripotent stem cell manufacturing innovator International Stem Cell Corp. (OTCQB: ISCO) has been cleared to start Phase I/IIa dose escalation clinical trials focused on the safety and efficacy of its human parthenogenetic neural stem cells (ISC-hpNSCs), the company has taken another major step toward a real therapeutic solution to Parkinson’s disease. An incurable condition that primarily affects the planet’s growing elderly population, Parkinson’s currently afflicts well over 10 million people worldwide and represents a therapeutics market somewhere in the neighborhood of $2.6 billion.

However, while the sale of extant therapeutics will continue to be dominated by mere dopamine agonists and an increasing use of MAO-B inhibitors (historically used to treat depression), such treatments are palliative at best, and sales will be substantially impacted by the rapid proliferation of generics. Even the newer agents coming down the industry’s pipeline through to 2020, such as a reformulated levodopa from Impax Laboratories (NASDAQ: IPXL) and GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK), or the MAO-B inhibitor safinamide being developed by Merck (NYSE: MRK), Newron (OTC: NWPHF) and EMD Serono, will be forced to compete with generics.

ISCO, on the other hand, has the inside track in this market with an injectable cellular therapy that is potentially capable of actually replacing dead and dying neurons in the midbrain, while directly offsetting Parkinson’s symptoms. This solution also offers substantial protection to surviving neurons, shielding them from further deterioration. Considerable pre-clinical animal model testing has already shown extremely promising results and the progress ISCO is set to make via the Phase I/IIa clinical trial in humans could propel the company to stardom as the first to develop an actual solution for Parkinson’s sufferers.

This same technology, because it employs high purity functional adult human cells that have been created from unfertilized donor eggs at the company’s state-of-the-art Oceanside, California, facility using an ethical, patented chemical differentiation process, could also evolve into frontline treatments for other CNS (central nervous system) maladies such as Alzheimer’s and stroke. The FDA’s recent IND approval of Stemedica’s allogeneic (same species but genetically dissimilar and generally immunologically incompatible) stem-cell therapy for a Phase IIa clinical study in Alzheimer’s at UC San Diego shows how much potential there is for this kind of technology, and how receptive the FDA has become to stem cell technology.

ISCO’s ability to manufacture commercial-scale batches of both precisely human leukocyte antigen-matched (HLA) and therefore histocompatible human parthenogenetic stem cell lines, as well as HLA-homozygous lines that are suitable for significant segments of the overall population, gives the company a real edge here as well. Stemedica’s allogeneic stem cells, for instance and by contrast, are cultivated from donor tissues, not differentiated from unfertilized eggs. Thus, ISCO’s technology is quite remarkable, because it substantially overcomes one of the main challenges facing stem cell therapeutics as a viable solution to numerous diseases; namely, cell rejection by the patient’s immune system.

International Stem Cell Corporation could be first to market a treatment actually capable of halting the progression of Parkinson’s disease in its tracks, or even reversing the impact of the disease. Results from the company’s landmark human clinical trial should start to become available in the coming months and investors should keep a close eye on ISCO for breaking news.

For more information, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

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Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: ALYI) is preparing people for a new age of digital living. The company, which invests in technological tools that enable and expedite commerce, is focused on elevating its customers’ – and partners’ – experience with multichannel payments, digital commerce and predictive analytics. By concentrating on improving efficiency, the company is pushing to become a leading global provider in these industries.

As an enterprise accelerator company, Alternet maintains a vigilant eye on the fast growth markets that surround newly-adapted Internet technologies and platforms, such as Internet and mobile commerce, digital currency and cyber-security products and services. Once it spies a high growth opportunity in these markets, the company and its subsidiaries pursue and aim to convert them into income streams.

One key initiative that Alternet has been pursuing and developing is a plan to offer multi-channel payment solutions, as well as Near Field Communication (NFC) point of sale solutions, electronic point of sale modernization and financial services software for the mobile finance and payment processing industry.

This past August, the company achieved a milestone in the multi-channel payment space. Alternet Payment Solutions, a subsidiary of Alternet Systems, joined forces with MUXI to provide U.S. payment processors and independent sales organizations with a flexible, maintained multi-channel point-of-sale payment processing solution. With a prospective market reach that includes over 20 million merchants in the U.S., this is a potentially disruptive offering in the nation’s omni-channel payment processing space and one that is in high demand from small- and medium-sized enterprises who appreciate the affordability of mobile point of sale terminals, as compared to fixed point of sale terminals.

For MUXI, a subsidiary of APPI Group, Alternet makes a formidable partner as it embarks on a run to expand globally. The affiliation with Alternet will enable MUXI to stretch its sales and support presence within the U.S. while relying on the Alternet management team’s century worth of experience and understanding of the payments market.

How does the MUXI technology work? The company’s solution offers customers a point of sale admin platform that gives them complete control over their network and assets, and by complete control, the MUXI means complete control. The platform runs independently of point of sale manufacturers. At the same time, it enables remote and improved application updates across all point of sale platforms. In fact, applications within the platform extend the functions of the point of sale foundation across mobile devices (e.g. smartphones and tablets).

For more information, visit www.alternetsystems.com

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The American Cancer Society estimates that about 21,290 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in 2015, and roughly 14,180 women will die from the illness within the United States. These figures outline the severity of ovarian cancer, which is currently the eighth most common cancer among women, as well as the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women, according to data from SEER. Over the past forty years, mortality rates for ovarian cancer have recorded a mild decline as a result of the ongoing ‘War on Cancer’, but these improvements pale in comparison to the progress made on some other forms of the disease. Today, nearly half of all cancer patients can expect to live for five or more years after diagnosis with proper treatment.

With this data in mind, the question regarding ovarian cancer becomes clear: Why hasn’t more progress been made toward improving survivability? To understand the answer to this question, one needs to take a closer look at the illness.

Ovarian cancer begins when healthy cells in an ovary mutate and begin to grow uncontrollably, forming a mass known as a tumor. Tumors come in two basic forms – cancerous and benign. While benign tumors can cause problems by continuing to grow, cancerous tumors are, by far, the more dangerous form. Cancerous tumors on the ovaries are malignant, meaning they can continue to grow and spread to other parts of the body. For this reason, catching the disease in its early stages is paramount to improving survivability rates.

When diagnosed early, ovarian cancer is actually an extremely survivable disease. According to data from the American Cancer Society, individuals with ovarian cancer that’s diagnosed in stage I boast a five-year survivability rate of approximately 90 percent. However, this outlook is significantly worse when the illness isn’t discovered until the later stages. In stage II, the five-year survivability rate for invasive epithelial ovarian cancer, which accounts for roughly 85 percent of all cancers of the ovaries, falls to 70 percent. In stage III, survivability is just 39 percent.

With the importance of early detection clearly illustrated, a massively underserved indication within the diagnostic market becomes evident. The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition reports that almost 70 percent of women diagnosed with the common epithelial ovarian cancer are not diagnosed until the disease is advanced in stage.

Current ovarian cancer detection methods are hampered by a variety of factors. The simplest check, a pelvic exam, consists of a health care professional feeling the ovaries and uterus for size, shape and consistency. While these tests are relatively effective for some reproductive system cancers, most early ovarian tumors are difficult or impossible for even the most skilled examiner to feel. Screening tests and exams are also used for detection in people who don’t display any symptoms. However, both transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and the CA-125 blood test have drawbacks.

In the case of TVUS, sound waves are used to study the reproductive system. These waves can help physicians locate tumors on the ovaries, but they doesn’t help determine if the mass is cancerous or benign. The CA-125 blood test, on the other hand, checks the patient’s blood for high levels of the CA-125 protein, which is commonly associated with ovarian cancer. The effectiveness of this test is also hindered, because many common conditions other than cancer can cause high levels of CA-125.

Avant Diagnostics, Inc. (OTCQB: AVDX) is developing a novel approach to ovarian cancer screening that has the potential to fill this underserved need in the medical community. OvaDX® is a sophisticated microarray-based test that measures the activation of the immune system in blood samples in response to early stage ovarian tumor cell development. In clinical research, OvaDX has displayed high sensitivity and specificity for all types and stages of ovarian cancer – including stage IA-IV borderline serous, clear cell, endometrioid, mixed epithelial, mucinous, serous and ovarian adenocarcinoma. Following FDA approval, Avant plans to market OvaDx to doctors as a supplement to existing tests for women seeking greater wellness, as well as those in the elevated risk category for ovarian cancer.

As of its latest update, Avant had received FDA approval for ovarian cancer specimens to be used in a forthcoming validation study to support a pre-submission package to the FDA. After this package is submitted and reviewed, the company will look to commence the OvaDx 510(k) trial, which it plans to conduct in a double-blinded environment supervised by an independent clinical research organization.

For more information, visit www.avantdiagnostics.com

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Cherubim Interests, Inc. (OTC: CHIT) is an investment company with its energy and resources centered on single and multi-family dwellings for purchase. The company also targets undervalued commercial assets. Cherubim’s business model is geared toward becoming a leader in property management, alternative construction, multifamily real estate, and investment opportunities. A trademark of the company is its hands-on involvement with each project from start to finish, addressing general management, acquisitions and construction. Company initiatives promote safer living and enhanced lifestyles that drive maximized shareholder value for its investors.

In a recent adjunct move to facilitate its growth plans, Cherubim signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with United Cannabis Corp. (OTCQB: CNAB) to supply, deploy and provide the technical means to cultivate cannabis.

“This industry is moving very rapidly,” stated Patrick J. Johnson, CEO of Cherubim Interests, Inc., in a recent news release. “As we see the front of legalization push across states and even into the platforms of the next presidential election, companies are scrambling to catch up. The market is there, the demand is high, but the supply from legal cultivators is low. Cherubim Interests and BudCube are uniquely positioned at this perfect apex of an emerging, billion dollar market; we are positioning ourselves to meet the impending demand by supplying the facility necessary to bring existing as well as start-up companies into full scale production in a matter of months.”

Cherubim will own, manage and develop new properties while BudCube will oversee the technology and cannabis cultivation system application. Both companies will partner to deliver single and multi-tenant solutions for prospective cannabis growers. This strategy is expected to deliver handsome financial growth numbers for both companies.

Cherubim is led by a group of highly experienced directors and a management team with expertise in a variety of disciplines ranging from property management and construction to finance. CHIT is determined to fulfill its vision of becoming a leader in the fields of alternative construction, multi-family real estate development, property management, and investment.

For more information, visit www.cherubiminterests.com

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Environmental awareness, recycling, saving the rain forests, reducing carbon emissions and lowering carbon footprints are all much needed practices for running a business in the 21st century. Contradictory to so many popular science fiction blockbusters, there is only one planet that we can call home, so it is refreshing to see more and more people and businesses implementing environmentally friendly operations into their business strategies. Legacy Ventures International, Inc. (OTCQB: LGYV) spearheads this effort with its Boxed Water product.

Since ‘Being Green’ is in and a recent climate agreement in Paris was reached, Legacy Ventures is in a prime position for growth with its Boxed Water product. Boxed Water provides an alternative sustainable package for water consumption, as it is packaged in a 100 percent recyclable carton and not a plastic bottle. In shipping alone, Boxed Water significantly lowers the carbon footprint of traditional portable water solutions. One truckload of Boxed Water cartons is equivalent to twenty-six truckloads of plastic bottles. Boxed Water supports world water relief, reforestation, and environmental protection projects.

Political changes like the agreements reached at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris are springboards for companies to alter and change the way they do business in order to comply with upcoming requirements and legislation. Legacy Ventures had the foresight to position itself to capitalize on this evolving landscape with a game-changing product like Boxed Water.

‘Waste not, want not’ should be one of the slogans for Boxed Water. Making bottles to meet America’s demand for bottled water uses more than seventeen million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel 1.3 million cars for a year. Americans used about fifty billion plastic water bottles last year. However, the U.S.’s rate for recycling plastic is only 23 percent, which means 38 billion water bottles – more than $1 billion worth of plastic – are wasted each year, according to a ban the bottle website.

Boxed Water is the future, and Legacy Ventures is positioned for serious growth, especially, considering recent developments around the globe.

For more information, visit www.legacyventuresinc.com

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