Parkinson’s disease is caused by death of dopamine-producing cells in a brain region called the substantia nigra, which hampers movement. Current treatments focus primarily on replacing the lost dopamine, but these treatments eventually fail because the dopamine-making cells continue to die. For this reason, stem cell therapy is of interest. International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) is a biotechnology company that focuses on the development of therapeutic and biomedical products worldwide. The company’s products are based on human parthenogenetic stem cells, a proprietary type of pluripotent stem cells. International Stem Cell Corp. develops cell types, including neural stem cells, for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time. Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s disease. The cause is unknown, and although there is presently no cure, there are treatment options such as medication and surgery to manage its symptoms.

The amount of money that the U.S. and individuals spend each year on Parkinson’s disease is staggering. The combined direct and indirect costs of Parkinson’s disease – including treatment, social security payments and lost income from inability to work – is estimated to be nearly $25 billion per year in the U.S. alone. Medication costs for an individual person with Parkinson’s average $2,500 a year, and therapeutic surgery can cost up to $100,000 per individual, according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation’s website (http://dtn.fm/4uIwr).

Stem cell research has the potential to significantly impact the development of disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson’s disease, and considerable progress has been made toward creating dopamine-producing cells from stem cells. The development of new cell models of Parkinson’s disease is a particularly promising area of stem cell research, as the current lack of progressive, predictive models of Parkinson’s disease remains a major barrier to drug development.

International Stem Cell Corp. has pioneered development of a new class of stem cells – human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) – that has the best characteristics of each of the other classes of stem cells. These stem cells are created by chemically stimulating the oocytes (eggs) to begin division. The oocytes are not fertilized and no viable embryo is created or destroyed. The ethical advantage of derivation from unfertilized oocytes, combined with immunomatching advantages, makes these stem cells a very promising source for cell-based therapy.

For more information, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

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GTX Corp. (OTC: GTXO) stands at the forefront of wearable GPS technology while being a leader in two-way personal location services. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the company shows off its knowledge of miniaturized and low-power consumption GPS, BLE, and cellular tracking solutions. GTXO has distributors in 13 countries that send-off customizable solutions like hardware, apps, and connectivity services to valued customers.

GTXO promises real-time location and monitoring solutions that are on call 24/7. These solutions are specially made to track people, pets, vehicles, and high-end assets. Through its many devices, customers can track and receive updates constantly via a data monitoring server that gives history and current movements using Google Maps. Customers can also set up geozones, which are specific areas that, if breached or encountered, will result in an instant notification.

The company’s award-winning GPS SmartSole still stands as its headliner, most recently appearing on FOX News in one of the network’s Tech Take segments. This tracking insole fits perfectly inside the shoe of a loved one who tends to wander. Using GTXO’s latest technology, wearers are able to be located in an instant through the company’s app or portal.

The Take Along Tracker is another device offered by GTXO. It is a miniature quad-band receptor the size of a D-battery. It’s light and thin, which means it can easily be placed on a person, pet, or object. This GPS/GSM communication device syncs with the GTX Corp. Tracking Portal to give instant notifications regarding geofences and locations. It also comes with a long battery life, SOS Button, and voice call capabilities.

Taking home multiple awards – including Second Place Winner of the CTIA E-Tech Awards in the Wearables, Health, Fitness, and Wellness category – GTXO aims to continue “empowering the global community” by consistently developing its innovative portfolio. The company believes in giving families a sense of connectedness and peace of mind through its technology.

For more information, visit www.gtxcorp.com

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Star Mountain Resources, Inc. (OTC: SMRS) is a microcap mining company that builds shareholder value by way of acquiring and developing mineral properties and turning them into major producing mines. SMRS’s growth plan uses this acquisition model as its guide. Currently, Star Mountain Resources is busy developing operations to restart its Balmat zinc mining operation in St. Lawrence County, New York. Operations are aimed at transforming the company into an active mining producer rather than a junior explorer. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the company acquired Northern Zinc, LLC, a private company, and closed on the acquisition of the Balmat Holding Corporation from Hudbay Minerals. The deal gave SMRS access to this quality-rich mineral asset.

With zinc showing signs of a value-based comeback, this positive trend appears to be on course to recover most of the 20% loss zinc suffered in 2015. Last year, metal was down 26% due in large part to China’s economic slowdown, which, in turn, hampered demand. As for 2016, zinc is leading the base metal sector, because mine depletion and production cutbacks are tightening supply and therefore boosting prices. With zinc gaining 6.8% on the London Minerals Exchange in February alone, Goldman Sachs predicts that, in 12 months, the price of zinc will be $1,800 a ton.

A Goldman analyst noted in a recent report, “Against the backdrop of still significant short metals positioning (particularly copper and aluminum), we reiterate that the recent stabilization of the GS China Metals Consumption Index, the upcoming seasonal improvement in metals demand (post Chinese New Year), China State stockpiling, and potential further capacity closures could be catalysts for a short covering rally near term.”

Star Mountain Resources sets and upholds the highest ethical standards and business practices. The company’s dealings with employees, governments, stakeholders and communities are open, honest and transparent. SMRS is a company that’s ‘passionate about continuous improvement’ while identifying and executing on operational practices that drive innovation, speed to market and cost efficiency.

For more information, visit www.starmountainresources.com

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Wisdom teeth are an oxymoron. Why would someone label something that has no real value and brings nothing but pain with ‘wisdom’? Almost everyone eventually has to have one to all four of their wisdom teeth removed, which is followed immediately by a long bout of pain and discomfort. In addition to the rounds of antibiotics that are typically prescribed to prevent infection, narcotic pain medications are also prescribed, which can lead to habit-forming tendencies.

Nutra Pharma Corporation (OTCQB: NPHC) markets pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pain under the brand Nyloxin® and also has a product for pets under the name Pet-Pain Away. Nyloxin is offered over the counter without a prescription and can be taken by people with chronic pain without the worry of habit-forming narcotics.

Many people avoid having wisdom teeth removed, having bones reset, having vertebrae fused, etc. because of the fear of developing a habit with narcotics. Nutra Pharma offers a great alternative to this with all natural ingredients that relieve pain symptoms much more effectively than Tylenol. This peace of mind is very important to insure against any negative effects associated with getting the treatment required to heal injuries.

Living with chronic pain is impossible, especially when trying to perform daily activities. Nutra Pharma offers pain relief without any of the habit-forming side effects. The company offers a suitable substitute to these potentially dangerous medications with its Nyloxin product – an all-natural product aimed at treating moderate to severe chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than three months and may be related to certain medical conditions, including diabetes, arthritis, migraines, fibromyalgia, cancer, shingles, sciatica, and previous trauma or injury.

Nyloxin is available in two strengths and three forms, conditional on what is more convenient and applicable to the person in need. These forms include an oral spray, a roll-on and a topical gel.

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

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At the forefront of the peer-to-peer (P2P) vacation-home marketplace sits FlexWeek, Inc. (OTC: FXWK). Being the first of its kind, the company offers a platform for timeshare owners to market their unused vacation time to the public or other timeshare owners. FlexWeek provides direct access to its resort inventory while eliminating the need for timeshare owners to use other expensive trading platforms. The company charges booking fees to the renter of the vacation time instead of “banking” times with a trading company. This means that the private timeshare owner can offer his/her unused vacation time to renters to recoup the cost or even make a profit on the unused vacation time. Renters would also be saving money on these transactions as they are likely less expensive than hotel rooms.

Timeshares have been enticing Americans since 1969, the first being in Kauai, Hawaii, and have been generating billions of dollars annually. People are attracted to timeshares because they not only guarantee a space for vacation with fixed dates but they also provide a larger space to enjoy with multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, and washer/dryer amenities.

However, the vacation habits of Americans have been slumping in recent years with more and more vacation days going unused. According to the U.S. Travel Association, workers fail to use up to five vacation days during the year. To account for this lost time, a survey of 1,303 Americans was conducted in 2014 by Project: Time Off and concluded that the top reason for unused vacation days was the fear of returning to a mountain of work. Other reasons included affordability, fear of being seen as replaceable, and trying to show dedication to the company. Overall, workers are emerging from a tough economy and feel less secure about their jobs, which means fewer days off.

Since timeshare owners must pay for their shares whether used or not, FlexWeek offers a way for them to rent their time to others, and, potentially, make some extra money. The need for timeshare renters should only increase because Americans suffer from a “work martyr complex,” making FlexWeek a great alternative to paying for unused space. The company intends to continuously expand its presence in the timeshare rental market while offering inexpensive outlets for vacationers.

For more information, visit www.flexweek.com

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The pet industry has grown exponentially over the past decade with many pet adoption agencies springing up all over the world, the Westminster Dog Show, and products that have increased the general interest in the health and treatment of pets. Every pet we make a commitment to should be taken care of with the love and affection we would expect from our parents. Giving our dogs names, paying for their training and registering their credentials, and designing a specific diet and routine of exercise for them are prime examples of how much we care about our furrier halves. OurPet’s Company (OTCQX: OPCO) develops, produces and markets various pet accessory and consumable products designed to awaken pets’ natural instincts and build the pet/human relationship, be it in feeding, playing or waste management.

Sold globally through pet specialty retailers (PetSmart and PetCo), food, drug and mass chains (Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) and Kroger (NYSE: KR)), e-commerce and international channels, the company’s products are marketed under the OurPets®, Pet Zone® and PetTastic® brands, with well-known sub-brands such as Play-N-Squeak®, Cosmic Catnip™, Durapet®, SmartScoop® and Flappy®. In total, OurPet’s has an intellectual property portfolio featuring more than 160 individual patents, giving the company sustainable access to the pet products industry for the foreseeable future.

Nearly 100 million American households own either a dog or cat, and these families are expected to spend $61 billion in 2015 on their pets alone, according to the American Pet Products Association. With the health conscience consumer segment experiencing rapid growth, it is logical to predict that this type of shopper will want to buy the same type of safe, healthy and innovative products for their pets. In the most recent quarter, OurPet’s reported record revenue of $6 million, which was a 7 percent increase from the comparable quarter of 2014. The company also reported a massive 428 percent jump in net income to $410,450, or $0.02 diluted earnings per share, compared to $77,751, or $0.00, for the comparable quarter of 2014.

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

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Since its founding over two decades ago, progressive innovation has fruitfully been OurPet’s Company’s (OTCQX: OPCO) modus operandi. True to its core mission to develop and market high-quality, innovative products designed to improve the health, safety, comfort and enjoyment of pets, OurPet’s is set to unveil a new, first-of-its-kind line of products at the pet industry’s largest tradeshow coming up next month.

The Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida, March 16-18, 2016, will feature the newest, most cutting-edge pet products on the market. If last year’s roster (1,051 exhibitors, 3,113 booths, and more than 3,000 new product launches) is any inclination, the 2016 event will provide OurPet’s with considerable exposure and the opportunity to showcase its progress since last year’s event. OurPet’s will be at the Global Pet Expo booth #2455.

“After the OurPets Catty Whack won ‘Best New Cat Product’ at SuperZoo last year, we knew that we had to build off of that momentum,” Gabriella Chessman, VP of marketing at OurPet’s, stated in today’s news release. “Our R&D team has been diligently working over the past year and we are really excited to finally show the world what we have been working on.”

OurPet’s operates under a “two-brand solution” to participate in key niches of the pet care industry: the OurPets brand caters to pet specialty customers and consumers, while the Pet Zone brand focuses on the needs of the food/drug/mass-market channel and shoppers.

With this strategy, OurPet’s offers a wide range of cat and dog products – including feeding solutions, waste management, intelligent pet care and more – all of which keep the company on track for progressive trajectory in the highly lucrative pet care industry.

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

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Before the opening bell, Nutra Pharma Corporation (OTCQB: NPHC) announced a key expansion of personnel, naming Thomas W. Northrop as its senior commercial development officer. Northrop is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives with experience leading hospitals, healthcare networks and physician groups in several regions of the country. He is also a member of Tri-State Capital Partners, LLC, a New York-based management advisory and investment firm offering combined management resources, strategy development and implementation and capital funding expertise to promising businesses. As a member of the Nutra Pharma management team, Northrop will lead new marketing efforts in healthcare, governmental and military entities; aging athletes; and the elderly, as well as playing a key role in the completion of scientifically rigorous pain relief trials in multiple settings.

“The addition of Tom Northrop and Tri-State’s arrival as part of Nutra Pharma’s expanded management team are the first steps in the company’s growth strategy for 2016,” Rik J. Deitsch, chief executive officer of Nutra Pharma, stated in the news release. “Tri-State believes, as we do, that Nutra Pharma has a powerful set of products that effectively combat chronic – often debilitating – pain, without the damaging side effects common to other treatments. We have been working closely over the last few months and they are now committed to helping us achieve our growth goals.”

In 2012, health care providers throughout the United States wrote 259 million prescriptions for opioid painkillers, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://dtn.fm/zqY9A), equating to roughly twice the number of painkiller prescriptions per person written in neighboring Canada. As opioid abuse continues to emerge as a growing cause for concern throughout the country, Nutra Pharma’s innovative pain relief solutions, which are non-opiate, non-narcotic and non-addictive, strategically position the company to address an expansive global market while simultaneously promoting sustainable financial growth.

“With opioid abuse at record levels, and increased recognition of the dangers of misusing acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) like ibuprofen, Nutra Pharma is well positioned to help an enormous global market, and to reap the associated rewards,” added Northrop.

Nutra Pharma is currently marketing both Nyloxin® and Pet Pain-Away in the over-the-counter pain management market. Nyloxin is available as both an oral spray and a topical gel and is specifically formulated to treat back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint pain, migraines, arthritis pain, pain from repetitive stress and neuralgia. Pet Pain-Away is an all-natural, anti-inflammatory analgesic pain relief targeting conditions that cause chronic pain in animals.

The company is also developing treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), adrenomyeloneuropathy and pain. In a letter to shareholders released in December, Deitsch highlighted Nutra Pharma’s recent progress toward promoting market growth – including the reception of orphan status for RPI-78M for the treatment of pediatric MS and submittal of an additional application for orphan status for the treatment of myasthenia gravis.

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

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Implant Sciences Corporation (OTCQB: IMSC) is a leader in the development and manufacture of advanced detection technologies designed to counter and eliminate the ever-evolving threats presented by explosives and drugs. The company’s explosives trace detection (ETD) and drugs trace detection solutions target a wide variety of vital security applications – including aviation, transportation, customs, air cargo, critical infrastructure protection, port and border protection, public safety and emergency first responders. Since its founding in 1984, Implant Sciences has recorded a rich history of innovation in several markets, such as medical products and semiconductor manufacturing, however, in 2008, the company restructured to become a pure play in the global Security Safety and Defense (SS&D) markets.

Over the past decade, Implant Sciences’ team of dedicated trace detection experts has leveraged an expansive intellectual property portfolio in order to develop proprietary technologies addressing unmet needs in the global SS&D industry. To date, the company’s patented technology, used in flagship products such as the QS-H150 handheld explosives trace detector and the QS-B220 desktop explosive and drugs trace detector, has been sold in more than 50 countries around the globe. Additionally, Implant Sciences’ ETDs have received approvals and certifications from several international regulatory agencies – including the Transportation Security Administration in the United States; the European Civil Aviation Conference; the Ministry of Public Safety and the Civil Aviation Administration of China; and the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, among others.

In the months to come, Implant Sciences will look to draw on its considerable experience in advanced ion technologies in order to further refine and expand upon its impressive catalog of trace detection technologies. This progress should strategically position the company to continue capitalizing on the projected growth of the global ETD market for the foreseeable future.

According to a report (http://dtn.fm/P5a4H) from leading international market and technology research firm Homeland Security Research, the global ETD market – including systems, sales, services, consumables and upgrades – will present multibillion-dollar business opportunities through 2020, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7 percent. Key to this growth will be strong demand from the Asia-Pacific region, driven by factors such as a massive investment in new airports and public security by the Chinese government, counterterror investments from the Indian government and strict legislations from the U.S. and European Union regarding cargo screenings on international passenger flights from the region. In total, the Asia-Pacific ETD market is on pace to achieve a CAGR of roughly 15 percent over the seven-year period ending in 2020.

In its latest financial report, released earlier this month, Implant Sciences gave prospective investors a preview of its potential in these favorable market conditions. During the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2015, the company achieved a year-over-year increase in revenues in excess of 380 percent, recording $10.3 million for the three-month period. The bulk of this growth was attributed to the delivery of a substantial order with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, increased shipments to European airports and increased shipments to Asia, Africa and South America. The result was an 818 percent increase in the number of QS-B220 desktop units sold, as compared to the same period in 2014.

By achieving strong revenue growth, Implant Sciences is effectively demonstrating its capabilities from not only a manufacturing and supply chain perspective, but also from a working capital management perspective. In a recent news release, Dr. William McGann, chief executive officer of Implant Sciences, echoed this optimism when discussing the company’s recent progress toward becoming self-sufficient, reiterating the tremendous potential offered to prospective shareholders by this pure play in the global SS&D industry in the coming years.

“Thus far this year, we have successfully self-funded the significant working capital required to deliver the record revenues being reported today,” he stated. “We’re continuing to invest and expect to increase our investment in technology, with the intent [to] introduce new product that will increase the size of the security market we can penetrate.”

For more information, visit www.implantsciences.com

Giggles N’ Hugs (OTCQB: GIGL) is going places with its fine-dining rooms, organic-food menus and adventure-filled play spaces for kids. The company is presently negotiating with the top four U.S. mall owners, who are ‘yearning’ to have Giggles N’ Hugs in their malls and are prepared to offer cash upfront to fund between 60 and 70 percent of opening costs. As consumers have increasingly been purchasing online, traffic by shoppers to malls has slowed. Mall owners want businesses that can generate excitement and foot traffic, and Giggles N’ Hugs fits that bill. Its three establishments, at Westfield Mall in Century City, Westfield Topanga Shopping Center, and the Glendale Galleria, have attracted the attention of People magazine, E! Online, Hollywood Life, Bloomberg Businessweek, the New York Post and many other print and online publications.

As CEO Joey Parsi explained recently, just as in other retail operations, location is, perhaps, the most important factor in the restaurant business. Giggles N’ Hugs is in the enviable position of having an extensive choice of locations, since it is such a magnet for mall foot traffic. Together, the major four mall owners present a wide-ranging, appetizing menu of over 550 domestic and international locations. The largest player, the Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG), operates over 350 malls, including 17 overseas. The no. 2, General Growth Properties (NYSE: GGP), has over 120 properties. Westfield (OTC: WEFIF), the no. 3, has 32 shopping centers in the U.S., and Macerich (NYSE: MAC), the no. 4, has over 50 properties.

The company is beefing up its capital as it considers these invitations. It recently engaged investment bank Chardan Capital Markets, and it aims to raise $5 million through a 506(c) offering. Rule 506(c) under Regulation D is one of several ways an offering of securities may qualify for an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. It was created to implement Section 201(a) of the JOBS Act with the object of eliminating the prohibition on using general solicitation under, what is now, Rule 506(b). Rule 506(b) provides a “safe harbor” for a private offering under the Securities Act, i.e., it provides specific requirements that, if followed, establish that a transaction falls within the Section 4(a)(2) registration exemption.

However, under Rule 506(b), an issuer must not use general solicitation or advertising to market the securities nor sell securities to more than 35 non-accredited investors, among other stipulations. Rule 506(c) changes those two limbs of the rule by allowing general advertising but stipulates that only accredited investors must be contracted with. It also imposes a stricter standard to ensure that only accredited investors are contracted with. For a natural person to qualify as an accredited investor, he and his spouse must together have a net worth exceeding $1,000,000, excluding the value of the primary residence. Alternatively, he must have an annual income of over $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with his spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and have a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year.

With some cash to spend and so many invitations to dance, Joey Parsi’s biggest problem in the coming months may be deciding who is the most attractive partner.

Learn more by visiting www.gigglesnhugs.com

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