Before the opening bell, International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) took a major step in the development of its human parthenogenetic stem cell-derived neural stem cells (ISC-hpNSC) for the treatment of moderate to severe Parkinson’s disease when it announced the commencement of enrollment for its upcoming phase I clinical trial. This announcement followed the Melbourne Health Human Research Ethics Committee’s (HREC) recent decision to grant approval of the phase I clinical trial in patients with moderate to severe Parkinson’s disease. The trial is scheduled to take place at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia.

“Enrollment in this trial is an important milestone,” Dr. Russell Kern, executive vice president and chief scientific officer of ISCO, stated in this morning’s release. “Promising preclinical results support our expectation that ISC-hpNSC will bring a long-needed solution for patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease.”

Following completion of enrollment, ISCO will commence a dose escalation safety and preliminary efficacy study of its proprietary ISC-hpNSC. The clinical trial will involve intracranial transplantation of the stem cells into patients with moderate to severe Parkinson’s disease. A total of 12 patients are expected to participate in the trial, with three different dose regimens being studied. Following transplantation, the patients will be monitored at specified intervals for one year, with PET scans being performed as part of the screening assessment. The study’s submission will be overseen by Cyto Therapeutics Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of ISCO.

ISC-hpNSC have demonstrated promising results in preclinical studies. In both rodents and non-human primates, the highly pure stem cells have supported improvement in Parkinson’s symptoms and increases in brain dopamine levels. Additionally, ISC-hpNSC have been safe, well-tolerated and free from adverse side effects such as dyskinesia, systemic toxicity and tumors in preclinical models.

If approved, ISCO’s groundbreaking approach to the treatment of Parkinson’s disease could revolutionize an expansive treatment market. Currently, medications used to treat Parkinson’s, including L-DOPA and dopamine agonists, serve only to improve the early symptoms associated with the disease. As the illness progresses, the loss of dopaminergic neurons eventually renders these drugs ineffective while at the same time producing a complication marked by involuntary writhing movements. In recent years, incidence of Parkinson’s has been on the rise. In 2013, the disease resulted in roughly 103,000 deaths globally, up from about 44,000 deaths in 1990.

For more information, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

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Before the opening bell, Content Checked Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: CNCK) announced a strategic partnership with leading New York City-based capital markets advisory firm PCG Advisory Group (PCG). Following this announcement, PCG is expected to serve as an advisor for the company’s ongoing investor relations, social media and public relations strategies.

“Our search for a partner with the capital markets expertise to communicate our story to both institutional and retail investors, while increasing our new media profile and social media engagement, resulted in the most obvious conclusion,” Kris Finstad, chief executive officer of Content Checked, stated in this morning’s news release. “Our engagement of PCG is reflective of their unique capability to provide valuable insight and exposure to our exciting products, partnerships and developing pipeline.”

The PCG partnership comes as Content Checked prepares to unveil an updated revenue strategy for its innovative suite of mobile apps. In January, the company outlined plans to shift toward a subscription-based revenue model for its apps in an attempt to capitalize on emerging mobile trends. Content Checked’s highly anticipated relaunch and rebranding of its products is expected to take place later this month.

“Content Checked’s intriguing formula of fusing cutting-edge technology with nutrition provides a compelling story to present to our investor community and network,” Jeff Ramson, founder and chief executive officer of PCG, stated in the release. “Their recent positive financial developments, partnerships and product milestones, illustrate a unique growth opportunity in an extremely relevant market with very optimistic long-term prospects.”

A product relaunch is expected to be the first in a series of moves designed to help Content Checked continue to diversify and grow in the thriving health and wellness space. In a letter to shareholders, Finstad outlined plans to extend the company’s brand in the months to come in an effort to add value to its current family of mobile apps. These efforts will likely play an instrumental role in Content Checked’s ongoing efforts to uplist to a major exchange – the NASDAQ or the NYSE – later this year.

Last month, the company took a major step toward achieving this goal when it announced a partnership with Kitchology, Inc. through which it opened a new revenue stream via the licensing of its nutritional data. Through this agreement, Content Checked granted Kitchology a limited, non-exclusive worldwide right to use, display and analyze data from the Content Checked database and present that information to users of the Kitchology platform.

For more information, visit www.contentchecked.com

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A technology that dates back two millennia is behind OurPet’s Company’s (OTCQX: OPCO) new Switchgrass Biochar Litter. As Emily Wayne of Oxford University explains in Conquistadors, cannibals and climate change: A brief history of biochar (http://dtn.fm/A4Czi), “In 1870, James Orton, a little-known American geologist and explorer, noticed that alongside the typically grey, acidic soils of the (Amazon) basin there existed large patches of ‘black and very fertile’ soil… Researchers flocked to investigate the mysterious dark earth, or ‘terra preta’ as it is known locally.” On closer examination, the soil appeared to have been modified by early human settlers. It seems the early Amazonians had originated an organic method of fertilizing the soil. These terra preta plots date back to antiquity, the oldest site at 8,000 BCE. It all appeared to have started when these ancient peoples discovered that, by charring organic waste in ovens with a low-oxygen supply, a process known as pyrolysis, charcoal for use as a fuel could be produced. Somehow this carbon found its way into the soil, giving it a characteristically black color due to the high concentration of carbon. Terra preta contains up to 9 percent carbon, compared with 0.5 percent in surrounding soils.

At some point it was realized that such soil yielded more abundant crops for longer periods. Even with the use of chemical fertilizers, crop yields will fall off rapidly after a third consecutive growing season, yet the terra preta soil has retained its fertility for centuries. So, naturally, efforts were made to reproduce the ancient techniques of terra preta production. This has given birth to biological charcoal (biochar), which can be defined simply as charcoal used for agricultural purposes.

Charcoal is able to remove odors very effectively because a quantity of charcoal absorbs many times its volume of noxious gases. Charcoal is a porous form of carbon and so has a very large ‘surface area’ which enhances its powers of absorption. It does a great job of absorbing the ‘rotten egg’ odor that cat waste gives off. This rotten egg gas is actually hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a poisonous, highly flammable, colorless gas that, in high enough concentrations, can cause loss of consciousness. An old story (http://dtn.fm/94Bsh) in Sky News told how a vet in Sweden was hospitalized for three days after being exposed to 20 flatulent cats.

OurPet’s Company continues to demonstrate its technological prowess with Switchgrass Biochar Litter. The company’s CEO, Dr. Steven Tsengas, is an engineer and inventor who has been elected to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. OurPet’s Company’s engineering expertise and open approach to new ideas has been employed, over the years, to develop the company’s portfolio of over 1,000 products. The company also has another 30 or so products in the pipeline and an intellectual property stockpile of over 160 patents. Recently, OurPet’s Company announced a new strategic partnership with the Japanese software developer, Aplix IP Holdings Corporation, a company known for its WirelessIDEA software-based technology for machine to machine (M2M) applications and its JBlend, a Java Micro Edition (Java ME) platform for embedded software, which has been installed in close to three-quarters of a billion devices worldwide.

In a recent earnings release, Dr. Tsengas said, “We remain focused on growth initiatives in all three of our key product categories; feeding and storage, toys and accessories, and waste management and odor control.’. Those of us with hyperosmia are happy to hear that.

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

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Unimpeded opportunity for all Americans is essential to our economic and political prosperity. To retain hegemony in bringing new products and services to the marketplace both in the U.S. and abroad, franchise systems continue to provide the widest possible entrepreneurial opportunities for everyone. Los Angeles-based Giggles N’ Hugs, Inc. (OTCQB: GIGL) is a first-of-its-kind, award-winning family restaurant and play space that combines organic, gourmet food and exciting play elements for children, with a 2,500-square-foot play space in the middle of its restaurants.

The concept is similar to Chuck E. Cheese, but offers a healthier, high-end version for health conscious parents and families. Parents eat and relax, while the kids have an incredible time playing in the custom-made play area, which is loaded with giant climbers, dragons, castles, pirate ships slides and swings and a multitude of other toys.

Revenue is derived from several sources, including food and beverage sales, beer and wine, birthday parties (40 percent), admission and membership fees, and retail sales. These revenue-generating locations are also highly sought-after tenants. The company currently has three locations in some of the premier malls around Los Angeles, and four of the largest mall owners in the country have offered Giggles N’ Hugs up to 75 percent discounts on rent and upward of $700,000 of upfront cash for each location in order to get Giggles N’ Hugs into their properties located around the country.

In other words, the proof is in the ‘organic bread pudding’ with the concept Giggles N’ Hugs has created. The company has taken a successful business model (i.e. Chuck E. Cheese) and adapted it to today’s health conscience consumer with its organic menu items. It’s essential to appeal to as many audiences as possible when providing products and services. Giggles N’ Hugs has forged a perfect marriage, so to speak, with its ‘kid friendly’ birthday party atmosphere and delicious menu, allowing it to appeal to nearly every demographic.

Learn more by visiting www.gigglesnhugs.com

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Propanc Health Group Corp. (OTCQB: PPCH) is an emerging healthcare company focused on the development of new and proprietary treatments for cancer patients suffering from solid tumors, such as those resulting from pancreatic, ovarian, and colorectal cancers. The company recently announced results from studies for its lead product, PRP, confirming a synergistic response to a broad range of cancer indications, including kidney, melanoma, brain, prostate, liver, uterine and lung cancers. The data provides compelling evidence that PRP has the potential to fight a broad range of cancer types, some with significant unmet medical needs. The company will continue to investigate PRP’s efficacy in these indications through clinical trials.

Moreover, data from the recent cell line studies tested at the R&D facility of Propanc’s contract research partner, vivoPharm LLC, which is headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, showed a synergistic response between the two active components, trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen, further strengthening its lead patent claims in key jurisdictions throughout North America and Europe.

The company has also confirmed a scientific advice meeting with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the United Kingdom, currently scheduled for the end of April. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss Propanc’s ongoing development activities for PRP, including preparation and structure of animal safety/toxicology studies and its proposed early stage patient trials, together with supporting activities.

Propanc has developed a formulation of anti-cancer compounds which exert a number of effects designed to control or prevent tumors from recurring and spreading throughout the body. Its products involve or employ proenzymes, which are inactive precursors of enzymes.

Learn more by visiting www.propanc.com

Oakridge Global Energy Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: OGES) scored a birdie at the recent Orlando PGA Merchandise Show, which came to a close on January 29, 2016. The company received orders of more than $250,000 and follow on commitments exceeding $20,575,000 for its Pro Series Lithium Ion Golf Car battery systems. These large format golf cart batteries were launched at this same Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) show in Orlando, Florida, back in January 2015. No doubt, the size of Oakridge’s order book is a sign of things to come in the lithium industry.

A research report published by Goldman Sachs in December 2015, titled ‘What if I Told you… Themes, Dreams and Flying Machines’, proclaims ‘Lithium is the new gasoline’. The report states that the confluence of technological innovation, government support and public embrace of green technologies will increase electric vehicle (EV) penetration from three percent now to 22 percent in 10 years’ time. The automotive industry will, undoubtedly, have its eyes on companies like Oakridge to see how the Pro Series performs, because the golf carts it will power may be considered a type of battery electric vehicle (BEV), like the Nissan (OTC: NSANY) Leaf, the Fiat (NYSE: FCAU) 500e or the Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) Model S. This market development in EVs is expected to invigorate the entire lithium industry.

The Goldman Sachs analysts are not the only ones that see upbeat prospects for lithium. The industry analysts at Japanese research firm Taiyou Research surmise that ‘the global market for lithium ion batteries is a fast growing one and is expected to cross $30 billion by 2020’. At present, lithium ion batteries are mostly found in consumer electronic devices, but with the advent of cells of greater capacity and power in large-format applications, their use in EVs and storage applications is increasing. Both capacity and power are important factors in batteries and, depending on the application, one takes precedence to the other. These characteristics can be examined by comparing them to containers. A 2-liter bottle has a large volume and a small mouth, similar to a high-energy low-power system. A 1 lb. marmalade jar, on the other hand, has small volume but a large mouth, similar to a low-energy high-power system.

Oakridge manufactures both high-energy low-power systems and low-energy high-power systems. Its Pro Series, which has been such a big hit at the PGA show, is a high-energy low-power battery. The Pro Series comes in four capacities, measured in ampere-hours (Ah) – including 40 Ah, 60 Ah, 100 Ah and 160 Ah – all of which have a recommended voltage limit for discharge of 12 volts. At that discharge rate, the Pro Series 40Ah is expected to provide energy enough for at least 20 miles. The Pro Series 60Ah will provide enough energy for 30 miles; the Pro Series 100Ah will reach 55 miles; and the Pro Series 160Ah will get to 90 miles or more. The Pro Series is designed to be a good caddy, giving you 12 to 16 rounds per charge.

Oakridge Global Energy Solutions is holding the course with pro golfers, and now it’s planning on joining the easy riders. A commercial introduction of the Liberty Series Lithium Ion motorcycle battery is planned for the 75th anniversary of the Daytona Beach Bike Week, which runs from March 4 – 13, 2016. Oakridge’s Liberty Series is an example of a low-energy high-power battery that is required in starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) systems.

For more information, visit www.oakridgeglobalenergy.com

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OurPet’s Company’s (OTCQX: OPCO) business strategies have contributed substantially to its success, and so has the growth of the pet products industry. The pet products industry is booming. It has grown from around $16 billion in annual sales in 1995, when OurPet’s first entered the industry, to around $65 billion in 2015, according to the American Pet Products Association.

In a February 2016 interview with Thomas Rice, editor of The Bowser Report, Dr. Steve Tsengas, CEO of OurPet’s Company, shared his insights about the future of his company and the pet products industry. “The industry continues to grow, especially cat products, which are increasing about 6% a year,” according to Dr. Tsengas. He also shared that the annual sales number for dog products is increasing at around 2-3%.

OurPet’s specializes in providing easy-to-use feeding and waste management solutions for both dogs and cats. Dr. Tsengas’s life-long interest in holistic health, combined with his love of pets, led him to pursue a PhD in natural health and nutrition. That drive also led him to apply his knowledge and interest to developing pet accessories and consumable products that improve the health, safety, comfort and enjoyment of pets. Dr. Tsengas has had a deep interest in a holistic, integrated approach to health for more than 35 years, and, to date, his unique and novel pet products have been issued dozens of patents.

OurPet’s product design process begins with an analysis of the health, behavioral and lifestyle needs of a pet and its respective pet parent(s). Once the company discovers an innovative way to fulfill those needs, it offers a problem-solving solution to the pet owner(s). Over the years, this approach has resulted in the creation of highly-marketable products that are now being offered to retailers.

These days, OurPet’s is preparing for its next stage of growth. Management hopes that will mean about $50 million in annual revenues five years from now, and, as a result, the team has updated the company’s infrastructure to handle a higher sales volume. As Dr. Tsengas explained, the company has automated its “Enterprise Resource Planning system complete with automatic warehouse logistics” and it is now receiving and processing orders electronically, all the way to payment. At the end of 2015, OurPet’s also finalized a new branding strategy. Now, the company has two brands: The OurPets® brand caters to pet specialty markets like PetSmart and Petco and the Pet Zone® brand caters to mass markets like Walmart. With these marketing and technical initiatives in place, OurPet’s appears poised for long-term growth and success.

For the full interview, visit http://dtn.fm/q3DjP

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

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Vapor Corp. (OTC: VPCO) is a U.S. based distributor and retailer of vaporizers, e-liquids and electronic cigarettes. It recently acquired the retail chain “The Vape Store” as part of a merger with Vaporin, Inc. The company’s innovative technology enables users to inhale nicotine vapor without smoke, tar, ash or carbon monoxide. The company’s brands include VaporX®, Krave®, Hookah Stix® and Vaporin™ and are distributed to retail stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company sells direct to consumers via e-commerce and company-owned brick-and-mortar retail locations operating under “The Vape Store” brand.

With a number of trademarked products, Vapor Corp. is consistently preparing to commercialize additional products. The company is developing new flavor profiles that are distinct to its brands. Management believes that as the electronic cigarette industry matures, users of electronic cigarettes will develop preferences for the product based not only on quality, ability to successfully deliver nicotine, battery capacity, and smoke volume generated, but also on taste and flavor, as smokers do with their preferred brand of conventional tobacco cigarettes.

Vapor Corp. has a patent pending for a soft-tip electronic cigarette filter, which more closely resembles the tactile experience of a traditional tobacco cigarette in a user’s mouth. In addition, the company holds rights to a patent pending for the first electronic cigarette that can be recharged by shaking the product. This technology may eventually allow for continued use without having to recharge the electronic cigarette by plugging it into an electrical outlet.

In addition, Vapor Corp. has a patent pending on a new configuration for the airflow sensors currently used in electronic cigarettes. The new configuration will allow the battery to be sealed to enhance the reliability and performance of the electronic cigarette.

Learn more by visiting www.vapor-corp.com

Nutra Pharma Corporation (OTCQB: NPHC) is actively pursuing growth plans that will bolster its core business while expanding its reach into vital commercial markets. A versatile biotechnology company, Nutra Pharma markets Nyloxin and Pet Pain-Away (homeopathic drugs that treat moderate-to-severe chronic pain in humans and pets, respectively) to the over-the-counter pain management market.

Millions of Americans suffer from persistent pain. From veterans to active-duty military personnel to civilians, the presence of chronic pain is a major factor in many lives and so is the search for a lasting cure. This is where Nutra Pharma comes in.

The company has developed pain-relief solutions that are both potent and long-lasting. They are non-opiate, non-narcotic and non-addictive. They are safe for vital organs, such as the stomach, liver and kidney, and they do not affect cognitive or motor skills unfavorably. By offering pain-relief solutions that counter the record levels of opioid abuse evidenced in society, as well as the dangers of abusing acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, Nutra Pharma is poised to impact a vast, global market and benefit from the resulting rewards.

With the recent expansion of its key personnel, including the addition of Tom Northrop as senior commercial development officer, Nutra Pharma is facing several promising stages of growth. Northrop is a member of Tri-State Capital Partners, a New York-based management advisory and investment firm that advises promising enterprises, and his involvement with Nutra Pharma signals Tri-State’s involvement as well.

Tri-State’s support comes part-and-parcel with management resources, strategy development and implementation expertise and capital funding knowledge. With this level of support, Nutra Pharma has the tools that will allow for its expansion into new markets, including an opportunity to spearhead novel marketing and promotional activities geared toward the elderly, aging athletes and healthcare, governmental and military entities. The company will also have an opening to focus on the completion of its scientifically-rigorous pain relief trials in multiple locations.

That is only the beginning. With Tri-State’s backing, Nutra Pharma will also have the resources to accelerate the development of its prescription drug candidates. Presently, the company is designing and developing treatments for multiple sclerosis, human immunodeficiency virus and adrenomyeloneuropath.

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

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Based in Shenzhen, China, Moxian, Inc. (OTCQB: MOXC) provides social marketing and other promotional platforms for companies who want to showcase their businesses through social media. These companies are able to see consumer trends through compiled data from Moxian’s proprietary Social Customer Relationship Management (SCRM) system. Businesses can then run advertising campaigns that target specific users. Moxian retains these consumers through incentives such as points and prizes on their own Moxian+ (User) app.

The Moxian+ (User) app allows users to instantly receive information about nearby merchants and any promotions or events they’re offering. They can also play fun games and collect MO-Coins and MO-Points that transfer globally to any business within the Moxian system. The app provides a Messenger service so that users can easily communicate with friends or continue to build their social networks. Consumers are then enticed to cash in their coins at a virtual mall, where gifts are sponsored by both Moxian and participating merchants.

The social media platform itself is called Weibo and can be accessed from anywhere. The site offers links to information such as celebrity news, fitness, movies, food, and health. There’s also a feed where users can keep up with current news stories, local activities, and people. Consumers can then play a variety of games through Weibo, including poker and soccer or role-playing games (RPG) like Stone Age or Brave Covenant. After they collect enough coins from their wins, users cash in at the Points Mall, where they can buy more games, smart watches, keyboards, mouse pads, plush toys and more.

Fun games and a point-incentive system could increase retention for any company. Plus, participating merchants can continuously advertise their businesses through Moxian’s Weibo, sponsored prizes, and the app, gaining even more exposure. Consumers and businesses can achieve the coveted, “online lifestyle, offline fun” relationship. Moxian intends to keep that relationship healthy by successfully offering a platform for merchants and consumers to meet and benefit from each other.

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

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