A leading provider of mobile technology and mobile payment solutions serving various markets and industries, Singlepoint, Inc. (OTC: SING) has its eyes set on the fast-growing cannabis industry, aiming to help legal marijuana businesses build trust and increase customer loyalty via subsidiary SingleSeed and its highly reliable payment processing and marketing tools.

With eight more states voting to legalize either medical or recreational marijuana use last month, the marijuana industry is set to exceed $7 billion this year and to reach roughly $20 billion by 2020. However, legal businesses operating in the sector still find it hard to obtain support from banking and financial institutions, given that marijuana is still considered an illegal drug by the federal government. Singlepoint’s SingleSeed subsidiary is looking to change this, and it is ready to offer retail or medical marijuana merchants the tools they need to grow their businesses safely and securely.

SingleSeed was only recently relaunched, with the specific purpose of providing non-cash payment solutions and mobile marketing tools to an industry that badly needs them. The company’s three main services – Cashless ATM, Pay by Text™, and Text Message Marketing, are each designed to help clients operate more efficiently by accepting electronic payments, growing their customer base and improving communication.

Text Message Marketing, in particular, was designed with the specific purpose of helping merchants build trust by keeping in contact with their customer base and developing a solid, trust-based relationship with clients. The app allows marijuana business owners to connect to their target audiences, including potential and existing clients, easier and faster than ever before. Relying heavily on text messaging, which is a very effective strategy for maintaining a customer relationship, especially with the fast-growing Millennial market, this app is built around the idea of sending customers texts and information that are timely and relevant to them. By offering customers something that they cannot get elsewhere, they will keep coming back, according to SingleSeed.

Marijuana businesses using this service should expect increased customer loyalty, as the text messaging system allows them to reach their target audiences instantly, given that 97 percent of all text messages are read within 15 minutes of receipt, while driving increased sales as a consequence of sending daily promotions and deals or discount coupon codes via text and ensuring use of the right voice when communicating with customers, all with the help of the program’s integrated compliance platform.

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

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A legal dispute with the European Patent Office over the European patent for its lead product candidate surprisingly presents a strong buying opportunity for clinical stage biopharmaceutical company Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALDR), according to an analysis report (http://dtn.fm/9UkRd) released by Aegis Capital Corp on November 23. As such, Aegis analysts reiterated a ‘Buy’ rating for the company and proposed a higher stock price target of $41, compared to the $25.28 stock price at the time the report was issued.

The report acknowledges that the ruling by the European Patent Office’s Opposition Division is unfavorable to product candidate ALD403 and a setback for Alder Biopharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) in their intellectual property legal proceedings. However, Aegis analysts view the decision as a buying opportunity for Alder, as the valuation impact to the company is minimal. Since the primary market for ALD403, a promising innovative product for migraine prevention and treatment, is still the United States, the European Patent Office ruling is unlikely to have a major impact, the Aegis report says, estimating only an approximate $2 per share decrease from its expected target price.

The dispute stems from opposition to a European patent filed for ALD403 by Alder and Eli Lilly back in July 2014. The European Patent Office’s Opposition Division on November 18 of this year issued an oral ruling unfavorable to the product, insisting that the entire patent should be revoked because it puts forth claims that are too broad and go beyond what is allowed under the European Patent Convention. The patent in question initially claimed proprietary rights over the use of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibodies in therapies designed to prevent vasomotor symptoms associated with CGRP. In the meantime, it has been amended heavily to cover only narrower claims over the use of CGRP antagonist antibodies for the treatment and prevention of headaches, such as migraines and cluster headaches.

The European Patent Office’s Opposition Division’s written ruling is expected in the following weeks. In the meantime, Alder and Eli Lilly already have plans to file an appeal against the decision, based on their initial argument that the broad claims the European Patent Office granted originally should not have been allowed and therefore should be revoked entirely. According to the Aegis Capital Corp report, it’s very likely that the Technical Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office will not uphold the initial ruling of the Opposition Division, since the original claims made by the patent were indeed too broad and went against European Patent Convention provisions and requirements.

Regardless of the outcome, the Aegis report notes, it is unlikely to impact Alder’s U.S. business, given the substantial patent system differences between the United States and the European Union. So even if Alder loses the European Patent Office Case, this will not block the company’s right to move forward with ALD403 clinical development and eventual commercialization in the U.S.

The Aegis Capital Corp report also reiterated a ‘Buy’ rating with a stock price target of $41 for Alder and identified a series of potential risks for investors, including typical risks associated with investments into pre-clinical healthcare development companies (regulatory, research and development, commercialization and manufacturing) and specific risks associated with investing in Alder Biopharmaceuticals (intellectual property rights over ALD403, binary events related to the company’s development programs, the company showing no history of profitability and the possibility of needing more funds to commercialize its products).

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

Before the opening bell, Singlepoint, Inc. (OTC: SING) was announced as a featured company on this week’s episode of MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon. MoneyTV is an internationally syndicated television program about “money and what makes it happen.” The show includes informative interviews with company CEOs, offering prospective investors insight into their operations and outlooks for the future.

To view this week’s program, visit www.MoneyTV.net

In the interview, Greg Lambrecht, chief executive officer of Singlepoint, offered prospective investors an update on the progress of the company’s SingleSeed subsidiary, which it awakened from a quiet period in early November in an effort to capitalize on the emergence of the multi-billion dollar cannabis industry. Despite the hesitance of financial institutions to work with legal cannabis companies across the country, recent election results and a nationwide shift in attitudes toward marijuana legalization has dispensaries and other businesses optimistic about the possibility of electronic payment acceptance in the near future.

“We have been inundated with calls from dispensaries that have seen our different press releases and announcements that we’re getting back into merchant processing for the cannabis business,” Lambrecht stated in the interview. “We’ve had a lot of demand. Of course, we’ve had to tell them that we’re taking their name and number and email and putting them on the list. We’re very excited about demand.”

While politicians continue to grapple over a solution to the marijuana banking conundrum, Singlepoint is taking proactive steps to better capitalize on its first-mover advantage in the space. The company is currently offering marketing services to businesses operating in the cannabis industry, which allows Singlepoint to both commercialize its existing text message marketing solutions and expand its reach in the burgeoning space ahead of an anticipated policy shift.

“One of the things that we’re actively doing to get ahead of the curve here is we’re totally revamping our SingleSeed website, which is for the cannabis business, and really activating it,” continued Lambrecht. “We’re going to allow these dispensaries to use our text message marketing program, which is legal, and they can get started on now to communicate with their members. They’ll be able to go to the site to sign up, not only for that, but also to get a terminal in the future.”

Lambrecht concluded the interview by looking forward to 2017. Referencing the policy of President-elect Donald Trump regarding the rights of individual states to decide on marijuana legalization, Lambrecht and host Donald Baillargeon agreed that the time for a long-term solution to the cannabis industry’s banking woes is fast approaching, potentially occurring as soon as the first quarter of next year. With this forecast in mind, Lambrecht spoke to the strategic positioning of Singlepoint as a leading payment processing option for cannabis dispensaries and other businesses operating in the industry.

“We have an extreme first-mover advantage over other companies to be the one to handle their merchant processing,” he concluded.

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

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Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTA) is a biotechnology company focused on the development of generic versions of complex drugs. The company is in the business of discovering and developing new therapies for oncology and autoimmune indications. Currently, the company has four products still in the development stage (hsIVIg, M230, five biosimilar programs, and M834), two in clinical stage one trials (M281 and M923), one in the process of being BLA and NDA accepted (40 mg/ml COPAXONE®), and two already being sold at market (LOVENOX® and 20 mg/ml COPAXONE®).

Most recently, the company announced positive top-line phase III results for M923, a biosimilar HUMIRA® which is used in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Out of all the subjects who took part in the study, 75% showed a reduction in the psoriasis area and the severity index (PASI-75) was equal between both M923 and HUMIRA® after the 16-week treatment. Although the drug has been developed and commercialized by both MNTA and Baxter Bioscience, now part of Shire, MNTA is expected to take over M923 in order for Shire to continue its focus on treating patients with rare diseases.

Aegis Capital Corp. (http://dtn.fm/b20Re), initiated coverage on the company on November 22, 2016, giving MNTA a ‘Hold’ rating with a price target of $15 based on the fact that the commercial launch of 40 mg Glatopa (a generic equivalent of COPAXONE®) is not expected for 2017 and that phase III trial results had not yet been disclosed. With these now showing promising results, it is worth noting that Aegis Capital Corp. stated, “If positive the M923 timeline has the potential to include a submission for marketing approval around mid-2017”.

According to Baseball News Source (http://dtn.fm/Pat6b), Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has been on the radar for many analysts, receiving a consensus rating of ‘Buy’ from the 10 analysts covering the stock. The average price target from brokers for the next year is $16, with one research analyst giving the company a ‘Sell’ rating, three giving it a ‘Hold’ rating, and six offering a ‘Buy’ recommendation. Analysts included Stifel Nicolaus, Maxim Group, Zacks Investment Research, Cowen and Company, and Aegis Capital Corp., among others.

In addition to the above, a number of investors have recently changed their stakes in the company’s stock. Pacad Investment Ltd., Jane Street Group LLC, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd., Profund Advisors LLC, and Cornerstone Capital Management Holdings LLC acquired new stakes in Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc., all of which were worth more than $100,000 individually. Hedge funds and investors now own approximately 85% of MNTA’s stock.

Momenta reported its financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 early last month. For the nine-month period, the company reported total revenue of just over $75 million, which included just under $59 million in revenues from Sadoz’s sale of Glatopa®. Recently, the company traded up by more than 0.70%, reaching $14.15 per share. As of the end of September, Momenta had cash and cash equivalents of $309 million. The company has a market cap of $975.74 million with revenue up 2067.7%, as compared to the same time last year.

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

Diagnostic labs and drug developers are in a constant search for cheaper, better, faster test results, and SQI Diagnostics (OTCQX: SQIDF) is focused on meeting this demand. The company reduces the timeline for urgently-needed test results and the amount of labor needed, all without forfeiting quality.

SQI Diagnostics is a life sciences and diagnostics company that supports better health care through the development and marketing of technologies and products that propel faster and more accurate advanced multiplexing diagnostics. From SQI’s base in Toronto, a team of expert scientists develops custom research and diagnostic assays that are multiplexed to consolidate and automate many individual tests into one.

The company’s portfolio of automated systems and platforms includes:

• sqidworks diagnostic platform, a fully-automated microarray processing and analytical system;
• sqidlite bench-top diagnostic system, a fully automated bench top microarray processing system; and
• sqid-X, a semi-automated bench-top platform.

SQI delivers these market-leading, quality tests and automated systems for customers who need to measure a broad range of biomarkers in blood and/or other common sample types. Its team supports these customers, who have the skills and ideas to considerably improve quality of life, by providing the tools and services that will bring those ideas to the market sooner.

SQI has 12 patents and the knowledge base to simplify the multiplex testing needs of three key markets, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology drug development, human diagnostic testing and animal health diagnostic testing.

The company’s multiplexed tests and automated systems, combined with its full service product commercialization, hands-free processing and automated data analysis and reporting, shorten the work flow for these markets. This way, the SQI team assists in generating more comprehensive data. By delivering many diagnostic results from single tests and single specimens while using an automated process, SQI increases sample throughput; reduces time, cost and chance for human error; and provides excellent data quality.

To take a closer look at this company, visit www.sqidiagnostics.com

Fortress Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: FBIO) is not putting all its eggs in one basket. This is a biopharmaceutical company with multiple revenue streams and a profuse product portfolio so diversified that Harry Markowitz, the father of modern portfolio theory, might tip his hat to the way the company has sought to mitigate developmental risks. Fortress’ diverse product pipeline also gives it multiple shots at hitting its financial goals, increased by the symbiotic relationship between development areas. The research platforms are structured so that success in one area is likely to add impetus to another.

Fortress is parent to a group of companies dedicated to acquiring, developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. The company plans to develop and commercialize products that it acquires both directly and indirectly by establishing subsidiary companies, also known as Fortress Companies. The company will then leverage its biopharmaceutical business expertise and drug development capabilities to help the Fortress Companies achieve their goals. Additionally, Fortress will provide funding and management services to each of the Fortress Companies, and, from time to time, the company and the Fortress Companies will seek licensing, partnerships, joint ventures, and/or public and private financing to accelerate and provide additional funding to support their research and development programs.

The current pipeline ranges over products in various stages of development. Still in the pre-clinical stage are programs for oncolytic virus (a virus to destroy cancer cells); the CK-103 BET Inhibitor, also directed at cancer; and at least five others.

At the phase I/II stage, Fortress and its subsidiaries have at least a dozen programs underway. These include N-acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc) Triplex for kidney disease and GNE myopathy, CNDO-109 and CD123 CAR for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and CEVA101 for adult and pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI).

This year, under subsidiary Journey Medical Corporation (JMC), the company took four products, Targatox, Dermasorb, Ceracade and Luxamend, to market. In July 2016, JMC received FDA approval to manufacture Targadox™, its product for the treatment of severe acne. Sales commenced in October 2016. During the second quarter of 2016, JMC began sales of “Journey” branded products including Luxamend®, its prescription wound cream, and Ceracade™, its emollient for the treatment of various types of dermatitis. At the end of the third quarter (September 30, 2016), JMC product sales had reached $1.8 million, a sign of very good things to come.

Several analysts have taken notice. The Cerbat Gem (http://dtn.fm/kd16B) reports that ‘Fortress Biotech Inc. stock had its “buy” rating reaffirmed by stock analysts at FBR & Co in a note issued to investors on November 18.’ On October 3, Roth Capital initiated coverage of Fortress, setting a ‘Buy’ rating and a price target of $9.00. In addition, Zacks Investment Research raised Fortress Biotech from a ‘Hold’ rating to a ‘Buy’ rating and set a $3.00 price objective for the company in a research report issued on September 20th. Fortress stock currently trades at around $2.30 on the NASDAQ under the symbol FBIO.

For more information, visit www.fortressbiotech.com

Before the opening bell, Agora Holdings, Inc. (OTC: AGHI) issued an update on its FRAME social media management technology, providing some additional insight into how the platform can be used to streamline personal branding efforts for both individuals and businesses. The news release highlights the importance of establishing and maintaining a presence on social media in order to accomplish a variety of goals. Whether created to stay connected, meet new people, get the word out about a new business or run for public office, maintaining an effective online presence is made easier with Agora’s recently launched FRAME technology.

“The boundary between online and offline branding is disappearing, and FRAME is here to help everyone navigate this new hybrid universe,” Dan Terziev, chief executive officer of Agora, stated in this morning’s news release. “FRAME is designed to meet the needs of consumers and businesses who use multiple social media websites and platforms on a daily basis by providing a dashboard from which they are all accessible.”

The FRAME social media app was originally launched in September of this year, when Agora made the platform available to 1,000 users from leading universities and colleges in Toronto, Canada. Shortly after that announcement, FRAME was made available on Google Play, putting it at the fingertips of millions of Android users worldwide. The app is currently integrated with some of the most widely-used social media platforms on the market, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and the company has alluded to future plans for integration with a number of other popular social media services, including LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube and Tumblr.

In a separate update released in late October, Agora outlined plans to expand the business-use capabilities of FRAME by continuing to fine-tune the technology in order to provide enhanced production-increase capabilities. The strategy will likely prove instrumental to the growth of Agora’s social media management platform, particularly as adoption of FRAME ramps up in the coming months, driven by Agora’s aggressive pricing model. Unlike many of its competitors, FRAME is currently available at no charge for non-commercial users.

According to a study by Pew Research (http://dtn.fm/cD2DJ), roughly 52 percent of online adults currently use two or more social media sites, and Statista forecasts that the number of worldwide social media users will eclipse 2.5 billion by 2018 (http://dtn.fm/1vXgU). Despite these totals, the market for social media management platforms remains relatively untapped. Simply Measured estimates that just 22 percent of businesses currently use dedicated social media measurement platforms (http://dtn.fm/02Fqf). Through the continued refinement of its FRAME technology, Agora will look to capitalize on this market potential while increasing the efficiency with which users establish and maintain online presences that reflect their branding goals.

For more information, visit www.agoraholdingsinc.com

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Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKBA), a biopharma company that focuses on the development of innovative treatments for chronic kidney disease-related anemia, is maintaining its ‘Buy’ rating, with a recommended stock price target of $18 compared to the current $8.90, according to an Aegis Capital Corp. report (http://dtn.fm/2z8XE) released on November 15. The rating and suggested stock price were based on discounted cash flow analysis and the estimated 2016-2022 EBITDA, with a discount rate of eight percent, the report said.

The analysis also assumed a 60 percent probability of clinical success for Akebia’s lead product candidate Vadadustat, currently in development as an oral treatment for anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. The treatment was developed based on hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) and more specifically based on a novel action mechanism called HIF Prolyl-hydroxylase inhibition. It was designed to help regulate hemoglobin levels by activating red blood cell production in a way that mimics the human body’s natural adjustments when exposed to the lower oxygen levels of higher altitudes.

Vadadustat is currently in phase III trials, after encouraging results were reported during phase II testing. The first trial is called PRO2ECT and is focused on non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease patients, with 3,100 patients expected to enroll by the second half of 2017. The second phase III trial is called INNO2VATE and targets dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease patients, with 2,600 patients to enroll by the first half of 2018. Both trials have been vetted and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to Aegis Capital, Akebia’s current cash and cash equivalents of $163 million, as reported by the company in its Q32016 results, should be sufficient to fund operations through the second quarter of 2017. The estimate did not include cash from the company’s Asian distributor, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (OTC: MTZPY), or possible contributions from a potential EU partner. The valuation was based solely on estimated Vadadustat sales of approximately $515 million by 2022, the report said. As for Akebia’s Q32016 results, the analysis underlines that they were in line with estimates, with a $0.96 loss per share amounting to $36.3 million.

Akebia entered a partnership agreement with Japan’s Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation in December 2015, under which the latter was provided with exclusive Vadadustat development and commercialization rights in Japan and Asia. In exchange, Akebia is receiving funding for phase III trials of the therapy, being eligible to receive up to $350 million. So far, the Japanese company paid a $100 million milestone. According to Aegis Capital, Akebia is looking for a similar agreement with an EU corporation, and it is very likely for a European partnership to become reality in early 2017.

Reiterating a ‘Buy’ rating with a stock price target of $18, Aegis Capital analysts also outlined the risks of which potential Akebia investors should be aware. The report identified a series of typical risks associated with investments into healthcare companies such as regulatory, R&D and manufacturing risks, as well as specific risks derived from investing in Akebia, such as intense competition, pricing and reimbursement pressure, potential multiple binary events, the fact that the company has no history of profitability and that more funds might be required to actually develop and commercialize its therapies successfully.

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

In its latest quarterly report (10-Q), National Waste Management Holdings (OTC: NWMH), a solid waste management company headquartered in central Florida, demonstrated impressive growth. The company is currently running at full speed to achieve its stated objective of becoming a leading national solid waste company through organic growth and acquisitions. Revenues for the third quarter ended September 2016 were stellar at $1.8 million, rising by 269 percent over the third quarter 2015 figure of $0.5 million. Revenues for the nine-month period ended September 2016 were $4.9 million, representing similar growth over 2015 same period revenues of $1.3 million. Now with an aggressive acquisition strategy on the cards, National Waste Management Holdings is set to expand further.

At present, four major acquisition initiatives are planned. The one likely to be executed first is for the construction and demolition (C&D) and Class III Transfer Station in Port Richey, Florida, and due diligence on the deal has already commenced. This facility is centrally located between the company’s Hernando, Florida, landfill and its roll-off operations in Odessa, Florida, which became part of NWMH when Gateway Rolloff Services, LP was acquired.

The acquisition of a cardboard and paper recycling facility in Mulberry, Florida, is also in the offing. Successful completion of this deal, which will include roll-off services, will expand NWMH’s footprint throughout the Lakeland, Florida, area and move the company closer to the Orlando market. Also in Florida, a search is in progress for the acquisition of an industrial-permitted five-acre site meant to be used as a transfer station.

A paper shredding facility in Kingston, New York, is also being considered for possible acquisition. This facility would open NWMH to a large market stretching from New York City to Albany. Due diligence on all of these possible acquisitions is underway.

At present, National Waste Management Holdings operates as a vertically integrated waste management company. The company offers landfill, transfer station, garbage collection and container services for both commercial entities and residential customers in Central Florida and Upstate New York. NWMH’s Sunshine State markets include Citrus, Hernando, and Marion Counties.

Since it began operations, National Waste Management Holdings has disposed of, on average, 200,000 cubic yards of construction debris at its 54-acre landfill facility. The company commenced business with just one roll-off truck but now operates 14 roll-off trucks and approximately 800 containers. In addition, since 2000, the company has been contracted with Citrus County Solid Waste Management landfill to back-up its roll-off trucks. In its quest for national expansion, National Waste Management Holdings is wasting no time.

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

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Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: CTXR), a specialty biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes therapeutics products, has been a topic of conversation among analysts since the initiation of its phase III clinical trial of Mino-Lok™, an antibiotic lock solution used to salvage infected central venous catheters and treat bloodstream infections that stem from catheters.

This phase III randomized, double-blind, multi-center study involves 700 patients and has a primary goal of measuring whether or not the majority of subjects have overall success maintaining the treated central venous catheters during the cure test in week eight. The company will also be testing the drug for safety, tolerability, vital signs, serious adverse events, physical examinations, and clinical laboratory evaluations.

According to the company, the phase III clinical trial is expected to take two years to complete, with enrollment of the first patient anticipated for the beginning of 2017. Citius also has a second drug in late stage development, a hydrocortisone and lidocaine cream, which the company expects to become the first prescription product to treat people with hemorrhoids in the U.S. market that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The company has been described by Insider Financial (http://dtn.fm/wEd80) as one of the most exciting situations it has seen in small caps, and, in October of this year, Oracle Dispatch (http://dtn.fm/i7q2X) said, “Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a micro-cap stock that’s grabbed hold of the attention of traders during the stock’s recent bounce off of key support in the $0.60-$0.75 ranged.” The company is currently trading at $0.46 per share, representing a 4.55% growth rate.

According to the article by Insider Financial, Citius Pharmaceuticals recently completed a private placement offering of 7.6 million units for net proceeds of over $4 million. Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. now has a market cap of approximately $54.7 million, with total assets equating to over $23 million. The combination of two promising drugs on the horizon and an investment of $3 million in the company from Chairman Leonard Mazur (in exchange for five million restricted shares) gives CTXR sufficient funding to move forward.

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