Drone Aviation Holding Corp. (OTCQB: DRNE) is targeting the expanding market for unmanned aerial systems through the development and manufacture of cost-effective, compact and rapidly deployable aerial platforms. Currently, the company supplies its unique and specialized aerial solutions to a collection of clients including the United States government, state municipalities and commercial entities. Unlike its competitors, DRNE’s tethered aerostat systems are completely legal to operate under current FAA guidelines, maintaining safe altitudes while offering unsurpassed flight duration and security.

The global demand for aerial drones is rapidly expanding in both the military and civilian sectors. According to Business Insider, the defense market for drones was more than $5 billion in 2013, and growth is expected to exceed 240 percent by 2023. Similarly, the civilian market for drones is forecasted to reach $2 billion during the same period, and the potential commercial applications for drones, ranging from ecommerce delivery to aerial advertising, gives the market near limitless potential moving forward.

Among DRNE’s current product line is the Winch Aerostat Small Platform, or WASP. Commonly used for applications ranging from network communications to surveillance, the aerostat is currently being utilized by the United States Army to enable network extension by elevating radio payloads to altitudes of up to 1,000 feet. Because of its cost effective construction and rapidly deployable design, WASP has opened the door for direct support of tactical maneuvers in the field.

“Existing capabilities are not only much larger but also much less mobile and operated by civilian contractors,” stated Jeff Faunce, a deputy of the Experiments Division at the USASMDC/ARSTRAT Battle Lab. “Adding a tactical-sized aerostat to the Army inventory potentially represents an inexpensive solution to extend the Army network to the tactical edge without the need for additional soldiers or the expense and logistics associated with contractors on the battlefield.”

As DRNE continues to expand and refine its product offerings, the company is in a strong strategic position to increase market share in both the military and civilian markets. In April, the company announced the receipt of an order for aerostat related support equipment for its products, further demonstrating the sustainability of DRNE’s business model in the years to come.

“We are proud to have the opportunity to work closely with our Government customers who utilize out platforms on an ongoing basis,” stated Felicia Hess, Chief Executive Officer of DRNE.

Moving forward, DRNE represents an intriguing opportunity for prospective investors. With a growing number of contracts with military organizations and the potential to expand its presence in the commercial market in the future, the company is in a strong strategic position to provide sustained returns for years to come.

For more information, visit www.droneaviationcorp.com

Giggles N’ Hugs, Inc. (OTCQB: GIGL) is bringing together high-end, organic food and active, cutting-edge play and entertainment for children in its revolutionary restaurants. Unlike its competitors, the company offers high-quality menu items made from fresh, local ingredients, creating a healthier alternative to traditional family-friendly dining options. In addition to great food, nightly entertainment, including magic shows, concerts, puppet shows and face painting, ensures that each visit to Giggles N’ Hugs is a memorable experience.

“Going out to dinner shouldn’t mean compromising our standards for our children,” stated Dorsa Parsi, cofounder of Giggles N’ Hugs. “All of the food at Giggles N’ Hugs is made with the finest, freshest quality available.”

To counteract the general disdain for vegetables present in kids of all age, Giggles N’ Hugs created Mom’s Tricky Treat Sauce. This unique concoction hides pureed vegetables in kids’ favorite meals – including pizza, pastas and macaroni and cheese – giving children the dishes they love and parents the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their little ones are eating healthy.

By targeting the organic food market with its restaurants, Giggles N’ Hugs is in a strong position to capitalize on the forecasted growth of the industry moving forward. According to a report by Statista, organic food sales have been on a steady climb since 2009. In 2013, the market grew by 11.5 percent as consumer preference continued to shift towards healthier dining options.

For Giggles N’ Hugs, healthy food is just one piece of the puzzle, however. By filling restaurants with attractions such as kid-sized castles, giant climbers, pirate ships and walk-on dragons, the growing company ensures that it is a favorite for family members of all ages. This commitment to excellence opened the door for recognition from major industry players. In particular, Giggles N’ Hugs was voted ‘#1 Birthday Party Place in Los Angeles’ and ‘Best Pizza in Los Angeles’ by Nickelodeon, but the company’s success has gone beyond industry recognition.

In the first quarter of 2015, Giggles ‘N Hugs recorded an 11.7 percent increase in year-over-year revenue. Likewise, total costs and operating expenses decreased by 6.9 percent for the period.

“This is the first quarter we’re seeing true year-over-year comparisons for our three current locations, and to report double-digit revenue growth in the period bodes very well for our long-term success,” stated Joey Parsi, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Giggles N’ Hugs. “We also took important steps to prepare for our expansion… moving forward on our goal of expanding to 12 company-owned locations by the end of 2017.”

Increased revenue from private party rentals and sales of membership cards and branded merchandise should allow the company to achieve continued financial improvement into the future. With a growing collection of celebrity endorsements increasing brand awareness, look for Giggles ‘N Hugs to make significant strides towards expanding its presence in the family-friendly restaurant industry in the years to come. For investors, early increases in revenue and ample industry recognition make Giggles ‘N Hugs an intriguing investment opportunity moving forward.

For more information, visit www.gigglesnhugs.com

Consorteum Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK: CSRH), through wholly-owned subsidiary ThreeFiftyNine, Inc. (359), is the only third party developer approved for regulatory compliant gaming delivery by the Nevada Gaming Commission. Using a thin client application, the company provides client servers with a simpler method for delivering games to consumers. Because the 359 Universal Mobile Interface (UMI) directly provides content and display to individual mobile devices, game developers can offer continuous and consistent content to consumers without the need to reinstall following updates to the gaming application or mobile operating system.

In order to achieve approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission, Consorteum was required to address the unique locational restriction requirements of the gaming industry. In particular, efforts to prevent tampering and location spoofing were of the utmost importance. To address this, 359 utilizes technology similar to that of antivirus software in order to detect the true location of the device, and, in times when this location can’t be verified, invalidate the locational data. Through this system, the company can help to protect the legal standing of gaming providers.

Following the legalization of internet gambling sites in New Jersey, the state’s market recorded revenue of nearly $8.4 million between late November and the end of the calendar year. These promising results have caught the attention of the nation. According to a report by CBSNews, at least ten other states are now considering lifting the legislative ban on internet gambling in the near future, providing the potential for massive market growth in the months to come.

This potential market expansion provides a formidable channel for rapid growth for Consorteum. Leveraging an early mover advantage in the mobile space, the company is in a strong position to increase market share as the industry continues to grow. For potential investors, the prospect of an expanded internet gambling industry makes Consorteum an exciting opportunity in the coming months. With unparalleled qualifications in the mobile space, the company is strategically positioned to provide strong returns as the industry grows to meet immense market demand.

To learn more about Consorteum Holdings, visit www.consorteum.com

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With the execution of acquisition documents for PayOnline still fresh on investors’ minds, Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) wasted no time in further expanding its global reach, entering into an agreement to begin payment processing services in Kazakhstan. On Thursday, the company secured a contract with Kassir.com, Kazakhstan’s largest online events ticketing website and second largest online merchant, effectively launching its payment processing business in the country.

In addition, an agreement with Kazakhstan’s largest bank, Kazkommertsbank (KAZKOM), will allow Net Element, through pending subsidiary PayOnline, to process online transactions throughout the region, including areas of Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The agreement provides immediate access to a network of over 2.4 million cardholders throughout the Commonwealth of Independent States, as well as ensuring that the company receives preferred partner processing rates and merchant referrals from KAZKOM moving forward.

“Net Element’s facilitation of this banking relationship with its pending acquisition PayOnline is an example of how we intend to grow in emerging markets, where we can nimbly deliver those services best suited for a given market,” stated Oleg Firer, Chief Executive Officer of Net Element. “We expect this agreement to accelerate our growth in the region.”

Like many markets around the globe, the Commonwealth of Independent States has been experiencing tremendous growth in the ecommerce sector in recent years. According to the Kazakhstan Ministry of Transport and Communications, domestic ecommerce is forecasted to be a $3.6 billion industry in 2015, and continued growth to $5 billion is expected by 2017. By securing a deal with the country’s largest bank, Net Element is in a strong position to capitalize on this growth through unobstructed access to the approximately 60 million people living throughout the region.

As expected, PayOnline is providing Net Element with a strong platform for rapid global growth. A leader in online transaction processing services and payment technology, the company’s pending subsidiary has an established network throughout the Russian Federation, Europe and Asia with over 10 million active consumers and thousands of merchants. Through the KAZKOM agreement and similar future deals, Net Element is in a formidable position to continue growing market share in vital markets around the globe. For investors, this could spell big returns in the months to come.

For more information, visit www.netelement.com

Medifocus, Inc. (OTCQX: MDFZF) develops and commercializes minimally invasive treatment systems used in the treatment of cancerous and benign tumors, specifically Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). With two technology platforms and approximately 100 issued and pending patents, the company is addressing a vital niche in the medical industry. According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a strong majority of men will develop histologic features consistent with BPH at some point in their lives. While just 10 percent of men in their 30s display these features, the prevalence rises with age, climbing to 90 percent for men in their 70s.

Prolieve®, Medifocus’s proprietary BPH treatment solution, is a revenue-generating product catering to a multi-billion dollar market. Considered a true in-office therapy by urologists because of its immediate symptom relief, Prolieve® is currently in use by a network of nearly 250 physicians nationwide. In August 2014, Medifocus restructured the costs associated with Prolieve® sales to improve operational efficiency, and the initial results have been promising.

“Since we launched the Prolieve® restructuring program, we have reduced our operating costs and are seeing immediate but gradual recovery in revenue,” stated Dr. Augustine Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of Medifocus. “We will remain diligently focused on minimizing our operating expenses… in our effort to grow the Prolieve® business in a more efficient and sustainable manner.”

In addition to BPH, Medifocus has recently turned its attention toward breast cancer through the development of its APA 1000 treatment system. The system works by providing volumetric heating to treat large, solid tumors, and it is approved by the FDA for use with radiation therapy. Currently, Medifocus is working to accelerate APA 1000’s Phase III clinical study. When completed, the new treatment method will open the door to a vital sector of the medical industry. According to Breastcancer.org, breast cancer affects approximately 12 percent of women, and an estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the United States in 2015.

Through continued development and advancement of its treatment technologies, Medifocus has strategically positioned itself for strong returns moving forward. In the final quarter of 2014, Medifocus realized a 40 percent increase in sales over the previous quarter, providing a glimpse of the massive potential for growth the company’s proprietary technologies could offer moving forward. These results, in addition to a recently announced option agreement with Duke University regarding heat-activated and tumor targeted immunotherapy, should provide Medifocus with an opportunity to realize sustained growth in the years to come.

For more information, visit www.medifocusinc.com

When it comes to changing the way consumers think about powering golf carts and other lightweight NEVs (neighborhood electric vehicles), a job typically left to highly toxic lead-acid batteries, Galenfeha, Inc. (OTC: GLFH) isn’t content to just rest on the superb performance laurels of their lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4, or LFP) technology. The company maintains a lasting commitment to developing systems that are environmentally sustainable, in addition to going above and beyond the technical and logistical demands of their clients and target markets. Currently a hot ticket item for the NEV space, the company’s proprietary LFP technology, which has also been successful in the high-capacity standalone power supply unit space for oil and gas drilling operations – who require long-lasting, robust performance and extremely safe function, even under high temperatures and vibrational forces – may one day emerge as a leading contender in broader applications as well.

NEVs have emerged in recent years to fulfill an increasingly diverse set of roles and, far beyond just golf carts, which are now used for a wide variety of mobility functions. This growing sector sees action in mining, light-haul, and even military applications, like souped-up NEVs for getting around a base. However, the typical lead-acid batteries used in such applications represent a serious environmental risk, as a single improperly disposed of lead-acid battery can contaminate more than 25 tons of municipal solid waste if it is simply thrown in the garbage. Consequently, the lead-acid battery recycling industry is also classed as one of the most pollutive on earth.

The standard lithium-ion batteries in use by the vast majority of small electronics today, like cell phones, laptop computers and digital cameras, have a similarly pollutive environmental risk factor, cobalt. Lithium-cobalt oxide (LiCoO2, or LCO) batteries, like the kind produced by Panasonic for use in powering the vehicles of world-renown EV maker (and now the largest consumer on earth of lithium-ion cells) Tesla, pose an environmental risk due to cobalt production and potential for improper disposal. Tesla has worked out most of the kinks here, but the broader LCO sector hasn’t, leading many analysts to increasingly question just how green LCO technology really is. The EPA has identified cobalt as posing a significant environmental risk. Cobalt doesn’t entirely break down in the environment, instead it can bioaccumulate and build up to toxic levels in tissues like the heart, kidneys and liver, as well as in skeletal system tissues, where it has been found to produce tumors in animals.

Cobalt is flagged as a potential human carcinogen by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). LCO batteries run a substantial risk of overheating and outgassing, a problem Tesla largely solved for their own vehicles through ingenious proprietary compartmentalization and cooling technologies. However, there is a sizeable health risk that underscores the environmental impact of industrial plant pollution. Cobalt gets into the atmosphere at such industrial plants and settles in the food and water supply, leading to abnormally high levels in some industrial areas, with as much as 0.61 micrograms per cubic meter in the air, 107 micrograms per liter in the water, and up to 40 micrograms a day of intake from consumed foodstuffs previously observed in EPA studies.

An Abt Associates 2013 study on the potential long-term impact of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles done for the EPA, showed that not only were batteries using cobalt, nickel and solvent-based cathodes the highest risk for both negative health and environmental impacts like ecological toxicity, but that the increased electrical grid capacity needed to charge lithium-ion batteries for EVs contributes a great deal to increasing climate change factors. Daunting concerns, especially when you look at a recent report by Navigant Research forecasting that the lithium-ion market, driven in large part by EV production, is on track to hit $24 billion by 2023. Tesla is building a $5 billion Gigafactory to produce enough cells to continue the growth of the company’s car manufacturing as well as fuel the home-based storage and backup solution (Powerwall) currently in design. The time has come to take a closer look at the underlying long-term impact of lithium-ion electrochemistry, the drawbacks of LCO, and the potential benefits of LFP.

The thermal stability of the iron cathode in Galenfeha’s LFP batteries prevents overheating, and because the batteries create no gas when charging, they are extremely safe overall. More importantly, iron phosphate, other than being used to control snails and slugs on food crops, is not harmful to humans, other organisms, or the environment. In fact, iron phosphate is a common human nutritional supplement that is often added to foodstuffs like bread, milk and pasta in order to nutritionally to fortify them, and it is designated GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA. Galenfeha’s batteries are capable of delivering as much as 40 percent higher usable voltage in high-demand applications than lead-acid batteries and manage to resolve a substantial portion of the lower energy density concerns that have kept this technology in the backdrop of the lithium-ion space for years. Beyond overcoming most energy density problems historically considered the main reason to opt for LCO over LFP, Galenfeha’s batteries also exhibit enhanced benefits of LFP, with the company’s proprietary adaptations, like their Battery Management System (BMS), playing off the inherent advantages of LFP electrochemistry.

Advantages like an ability to maintain a charge longer, discharging less than 10% per year when left dormant, better power density (rate that energy can be drawn), and a much longer lifespan that is increased further by a BMS designed to keep the individual cells healthy, and protect them from overcharge. In fact, the beauty of LFP technology, especially advanced designs like Galenfeha’s GLFH-30 (30AH 12V), GLFH-40 (40AH 12V) and GLFH-120 (120 AH 12V), is that over the life of the unit, they actually rival and eventually surpass LCO batteries when it comes to energy density. Moreover, the extremely consistent discharge voltage mentioned above (which allows for a consistently high voltage output until the battery is exhausted), combined with a higher current or peak-power rating than LCO, a much lower rate of capacity loss (even when it just sits there), and a 90 percent charge efficiency that effectively lowers the overall charge time and electricity bill, means that on the whole, Galenfeha’s LFP technology helps cut down on the environmental impact from electricity generation.

Who knows where such innovative LFP technology might one day lead us? Perhaps to a very bright future indeed, especially if other innovators like Tesla decide to push the state of the art in iron phosphate cathodes, instead of just managing the drawbacks of LCO and going after the higher initial energy density benefits. At any rate, GLFH is committed to moving the ball down the field and doing so in an environmentally friendly manner, every step of the way.

Learn more about the company by visiting www.galenfeha.com

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With its core holding being wholly-owned, Florida-chartered commercial bank OptimumBank, OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPHC) is one of the able-bodied survivors of the 2008 to 2013 wave of bank failures across Florida, which left the state’s banking sector primed for M&A after 110 banks were shuttered, bringing the total number of banks in the state down to just 204. Undaunted and now refocused for success, fully FDIC-insured OptimumBank is currently gearing up for a strong 2015 in their core business of providing various commercial banking services to corporations and individuals. Via the bank’s three offices strategically located throughout southeastern Florida’s Broward County (Deerfield Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and Plantation), OptimumBank is leaning into the curve as the local economy continues to show signs of increased vigor, a trend which began back in 2013 and continues to this day.

For instance, BLS data on Florida shows that household incomes climbed 6 percent over the two years leading up to late 2014, beating the national average by one percent, even as the state’s GDP continued to climb upwards from the 2.2 percent growth seen in 2013, posting a nominal GDP increase of $71.9 billion for Q1 2014. This was in line with Governor Rick Scott’s ambitious projections in his 7 steps to creating 700k jobs over 7 years plan and the state has indeed managed to add over 594k jobs since Scott took office in 2011, with personal incomes up 13 percent between 2010 and 2014, to around $835 billion. In fact, Florida recently ranked number six on Business Insider’s list of the fastest growing state economies, with the housing market rebound in particular showing continued strength, as prices rose 8.9 percent from Q1 2013 to Q1 2014, even as job force growth outpaced the national average handsomely by nearly a factor of two, amid a 3.1 percent jump in payroll jobs between June 2013 and June 2014.

This is crucial background economic performance data showcasing the lay of the land for a company like OptimumBank, which is invested in accepting deposits, making business loans, and offering basic investment products to businesses and individuals throughout southern Florida. OPHC’s other wholly-owned subsidiaries, OB Real Estate Management, OB RE Holdings and OB RE Holding, round out a revenue footprint based on deposits, principal and loan repayments, and investment security sales, with proceeds from holding and selling foreclosed real estate. OptimumBank’s total assets were up roughly 3.7 percent to $129.1 million as of late March this year, compared to the end of 2014, on a solid uptick in net loans of around $3.6 million, combined with an increase of some $0.7 million in cash. Stockholders’ equity was also up $0.1 million YOY to $3.1 million as of March 31, 2015, and OptimumBank is clearly capitalizing on groundwork laid out in 2013, with strong 2014 performance that has been underscored by a solid Q1 this year.

Having clocked in a straight run now of 12 consecutive months of healthy profitability, coming out of Q4 2014 exhibiting a Tier 1 capital leverage ratio of 7.67% on an increase of $664k, to a total of $9.15 million, the company is poised to deliver a banner year, with an attractive profitability margin of approximately 34 percent. Significant investment into developing regional alliances and improving their overall loan production capabilities, combined with an enhanced focus on marketing and getting involved in local community events, has primed OptimumBank for explosive growth, and the company has implemented several customer acquisition and retention features to heighten this momentum as well, including Affinity Rewards programs for NPOs (nonprofit organizations) and mobile deposit capture (remote deposit) for their clients.

Deposits are the primary source of income for OptimumBank and the company has aggressively set forth a plan to attract and increase overall retention. A plan which is spearheaded by a policy of adjusting rates on the fly in accordance with this objective, and management is confident that they will be able to acquire and retain deposits readily through a mix of rate adjustments and loyalty-inspiring service offerings. Moreover, the company’s approach to loan management has evolved over the years into a circumspect grid that allows them to maintain a high degree of profitability from this end of the business. A sophisticated loan portfolio management strategy, which is divided into six distinct segments, each with their own risk assessment protocols and characteristics, spanning residential and multi-family real estate, as well as commercial real estate, land and construction loans, allows the company to meticulously analyze intended use and viability on a property-by-property basis.

OptimumBank looks to be one of the strongest players in the region if you drill down into the balance sheet further, with a 157 percent increase in Q4 2014 book value per share to $0.85, as the company raked in some $5 million on the strength of earnings and projected core future earnings, which led to a $4.8 million one-time Deferred Tax Asset earnings adjustment. Projections are that the same ability to capitalize on plans laid out in 2013 by CEO Tim Terry and his management team, which were seen so strikingly in last year’s performance metrics, will be met or surpassed this year. The company’s Ft. Lauderdale corporate offices are apparently buzzing with excitement too, as the significantly increased emphasis on training and employee development which began in 2013 further come to fruition and the company readies itself for mounting performance growth.

Ready to serve the growing Floridian economy with a wealth of commercial real estate lending services, working capital credit lines and structured loans, as well as the relationships-based business banking products and cash management services needed to fully round out the equation, OptimumBank prides itself on being a trusted regional source of banking expertise for businesses to rely on. Capable of providing experienced professionals who really understand the local economy and are familiar with the community, OptimumBank covers all the bases for its clientele, from full-spectrum cash management services and commercial checking, to business money market accounts. This same level of relationships-based professionalism extends into the bank’s personal banking offerings, with highly competitive interest rates and comprehensive CD services that offer a wide variety of ways to deposit and withdraw funds, transfer funds in real-time between accounts, and pay bills or bank online.

Take a closer look by visiting www.optimumbank.com

Ten minutes after the 2009 Ford Mustang pulled into the garage it became apparent through his sense of smell, the vehicle was leaking gas. Unable to identify where the leak was coming from with the naked eye the owners thoughts moved to a necessary drive to his friendly, conveniently located, Fortune 500 automotive repair retail shop.

Following the ‘Free’ diagnostic emissions test, the Ford Mustang owner was informed that indeed his gas tank did have a leak but until it was removed completely from the car for a full inspection, the leak’s whereabouts would remain unknown. A couple hours of labor cost later, a pin-size hole on the top of the tank was indeed found. The only solution offered by the national chain shop manager was to replace the old tank with a brand new one which of course could be ordered and delivered inside of 48 hours. And once the new tank, muffler assembly and back seat bench were put back the way they were prior to the tank being removed, for only $1850.67 the Ford Mustang owner would be good to go.

What many people may not be aware of is that their 5-12 year old vehicles, also known as, ‘depreciating assets,’ are prime candidates for used car parts. Market data would indicate our Ford Mustang owner would have a very good chance at finding a used gas tank in the range of $60-$70 dollars. The part may not have its original shine anymore, but the solution would have far less economic impact on his wallet.

Car Monkeys Group (CKMY) operates CarMonkeys.com – one of the largest and fastest growing online cars, vans and SUV parts distributors in the USA. The company provides an impressive selection of quality used parts for a wide range of vehicle makes and models. Supporting the selection are competitive prices and comprehensive warranties.

Providing access to more than a few hundred thousand parts for many different vehicles, all parts are ready to ship from one of CKMY’s many warehouses and dismantling centers around the country directly to your mechanic or to your residence. The company aims to deliver a hassle-free shopping experience in a market that has been known to be complicated and confusing especially for the typical vehicle owner. The company’s Part Finder section helps the site visitor locate the right part quickly and efficiently.

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

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Pure Hospitality Solutions, providing proprietary technology, marketing, and branding solutions, to hotel operators and condominium owners, announced completion of their first quarter disclosure filings to remain current with OTC Markets. The company anticipates no further filing delays.

Company President and CEO, Melvin Pereira, stated “When I update our information on OTC Markets, sometimes it takes up to 72 hours to reflect the changes. That’s just not acceptable to me. We will keep our information updated on a weekly basis to ensure that shareholders always have recent information.” He went on to say that the filing is of special importance, since it will allow investors to “walk away with a better picture of what we once were, where we are today, and what true value the upcoming months hold for Pure.”

According to the release, the filing shows that Pure Hospitality has been successful in furthering its multi-million dollar divestiture initiative, and has reduced an additional $1,000,000 of debt. The release goes on to say that management has taken the initiative to add additional securities information on their website’s Investor Relations page, including the company’s balance report that shows Outstanding Shares, Non-Restricted Shares, and Restricted Shares.

Pure Hospitality Solutions is taking steps to achieve its goal of building competitive operations in the areas of online marketing and hotel internet booking engine services, as well as hotel branding, in addition to owning, operating, and in some instances developing, boutique hotels under the new, “by Pure” brand.

For more information, visit www.purenow.solutions

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Degenerative disorders, which often strike our increasingly elderly populations, like the roughly 10k baby boomers here in the U.S. hitting their 60’s and retiring each day, are on the rise all over the planet, affecting more than 45 million people worldwide. Characterized by nerve cells progressively deteriorating to the point of cell death, a process which leads to a host of maladies ranging from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, to ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and Huntington’s disease, to name but a few of the big ones, degenerative disorders currently have few if any real medical solutions available for patients.

In China, Europe and Japan, the same population and disease phenomena is occurring. Populations where people are living longer and where increased environmental exposure to various bio-accumulating toxins is causing a continued rise in the volume of a variety of neurological diseases and disorders, for which modern medicine remains largely incapable of providing substantial cures, and in some cases, even palliative treatments. This is why the regenerative medicine technology, based on an entirely new class of ethically manufactured stem cells, which is being aggressively developed towards full commercialization by International Stem Cell Corporation (OTC: ISCO), is so exciting.

Parthenogenesis is not a term most people today are familiar with, but the times they are a-changin’ – and they are changing fast. Degenerative disorders once thought incurable are now within striking distance of being effectively combated through the injection of human parthenogenetic neural stem cells (hpNSCs), which not only have all the best characteristics of other types of stem cell technologies, but lack their drawbacks as well. Thanks to the revolutionary work being done by ISCO with pluripotent stem cells (which that have the ability to mature into several different types of cells), chemically stimulating oocytes through a process where no embryo is ever created or destroyed, the dawn of ethical, high-volume, commercial stem cell technology that could be used to treat a wide variety of diseases, is at hand.

Derived from unfertilized human oocytes, the company’s stem cell lines can be made, via their proprietary process, into HLA (human leukocyte antigen) heterozygous “matched” and therefore histocompatible cells that won’t be rejected by the donor, giving this technology a serious advantage in a field still plagued by donor cell rejection. HLA homozygous hpSCs can also be produced which have been shown to exhibit histocompatibility across massive segments of the global human population, meaning that ISCO’s stem cell bank approach to the space could put the company at the forefront of supplying much-needed, large supplies of compatible donor cells to global markets, just as commercialization of this revolutionary technology dawns worldwide.

The upper limit on therapies involving stem cells is quite extraordinary, as these cells function like an atomized organ or other tissue transplant, repairing existing tissue systems by developing into healthy new cells that replace the damaged ones. In degenerative neurological disorders, this is truly a quantum leap, as no effective means exists to otherwise replace brain and other CNS tissue. The idea of injecting Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with cultured neural stem cells (hpNSCs) that actually grow into new brain cells is extraordinary, and this same approach can be used to treat other neurological diseases as well, for many of which modern medical science can offer essentially only palliative care.

The current standard of care in PD is with dopamine agonists and drugs like oral levodopa (L-dopa), which has significant dosing issues that often lead to episodes where the symptoms of PD reemerge with a vengeance, particularly in patients who have been on an L-dopa regimen for over five years or more. In fact, 90 percent of young-onset sufferers treated for more than five years with L-dopa experience such episodes. L-dopa, while exhibiting fewer than other antiparkinsonian agents, has numerous adverse effects, including psychiatric ones, as well as the potential for the patient to develop dopamine dysregulation syndrome, and even eventual drug resistance. Needless to say, existing approaches are by no means effective solutions and the advent of an actual therapy for restoring the underlying tissue systems would be a paradigm shift of unprecedented magnitude. A shift whose shockwaves would likely propagate into multiple other degenerative disorders, especially considering the removal of ethical considerations about where the stem cells come from, given ISCO’s parthenogenesis production techniques.

The company’s hpNSCs help to repair the brain in several key ways, like responding to damaged cell signals and releasing anti-inflammatory molecules that help speed the recovery process. Directly addressing inflammation, which is one of the major concomitant symptomatological factors in PD, as well as forming new tissue by developing into new cells, are powerful properties that could rocket hpNSCs to the front of the line in PD therapy. Being able to give someone their life back through the application of this technology could change the way we think about degenerative disorders forever. The idea that we could take cases where a loved one has become effectively disabled – representing not just a serious loss for the individual and economy, but typically creating a significant burden for their families and the healthcare system – and actually restore them to nearly 100 percent functionality, represents one of the most exciting frontiers in biomedicine today.

ISCO’s sizeable preclinical GLP and non-GLP study data on hpNSCs, including brain transplant safety studies conducted in healthy and induced Parkinson’s disease animals, showed that not only were the hpNSC injections well-tolerated, with no sign of tumor or other abnormal growth formation at even high dosages, but that a distinct improvement to motor function resulted. These same studies further showed the neuroprotectant and recovery assistance functionality of hpNSCs, as well as a significant increase in dopamine levels, the primary agent which allows brain cells involved in movement to communicate with one another. National Parkinson Foundation data indicates that even in the roughly 15 percent of patients who develop young-onset Parkinson’s disease before the age of 50, the same loss of some 80 percent of dopamine-producing cells is observed before motor function impairment arises, something which clearly indicates the potential of ISCO’s technology.

ISCO is barreling towards their 1/2a clinical study in Parkinson’s disease over in Australia, which should kick off within the coming handful of months, as the company has already submitted the requisite CTX (Clinical Trial Exemption) application needed to commence this landmark study. The high safety levels of this technology and emerging knowledge of the causes and symptomatology of degenerative disorders, could even lead to developing hpSCs into frontline preventative treatments in patients who are identified as at risk or in the early stages of a given disease.

At any rate, ISCO has their eye on the prize and has already completed manufacturing a large supply of over 2.6 million clinical-grade hpNSCs for the Australia Parkinson’s study, enough to easily handle any foreseeable trial requirements, and further validating their UniStemCell bank approach to the market. Paired up with their proprietary parthenogenesis process for manufacturing cells, a regionalized stem cell bank franchising architecture could be a significant source of future revenues for the company, serving scientists and populations across the country and around the world with an essential stem cell line banking framework. Such a framework, while helping to further validate a growing library of hpSC lines with many people working on and developing them, could also develop into a serious royalty-generating engine fueled by diverse, emergent cellular therapeutics.

ISCO has a strong IP position with numerous patents and filings under their belt too, spanning everything from specific pluripotent hpSC lines and production methods, to cell differentiation and research methods, as well as therapeutic and commercial uses. Like the 16 issued and 91 pending patent applications across 15 different patent families, as well as 8 patents pending across 4 different families, covering their stem cell-based Lifeline Skin Care (http://www.lifelineskincare.com/) products.

For more information, please visit www.internationalstemcell.com

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