Late February, a study was released (http://dtn.fm/UEFx3) reviewing evidence that supports the use of cannabinoids to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is a fatal illness that attacks the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles such as those in the face, arms, legs, and others.

Currently, ALS is treated with riluzole, a drug that controls neuronal signaling, but this drug does not cure the disease and can only slightly increase the chance of survival. With more effective therapeutic options needed to treat ALS, in-depth research has been done into the benefits of cannabinoids, the naturally occurring compounds found in the marijuana plant.

According to the article relating to the report, the cannabinoid system is involved in the pathology of ALS. A researcher shared that the data found proves that by editing CB2-mediated processes, it could change the progression of ALS and how much the endocannabinoid system could reduce excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and oxidative cell damage.

Testing on animals with ALS showed that cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. It was also proven that cannabinoids can further delay the progression of the disease and prolong survival in these animals. Despite new cases of ALS being diagnosed each day, there are no obvious racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries associated with the disease.

With a shift in consumer, political, and legal views surrounding cannabis, as well as the current studies that are starting to show proof that CBD can help treat a variety of diseases, demand for CBD oil is on the rise across the globe. Companies such as ChineseInvestors.com (OTCQB: CIIX) are launching CBD health products in order to meet this growing demand.

Although China maintains its stance that cannabis is illegal both medically and recreationally, using CBD oil for medical purposes is allowed. As a result, ChineseInvestors.com is now launching the first CBD health products store in China and aims to be the first-ever provider of CBD oil products to customers in mainland China, and to Chinese speaking people in the United States and Canada.

The company aims to help people with diseases such as ALS by offering high-quality products that are both natural and legal, using compounds found in the cannabis plant that are not psychoactive. With the valid rationale to suggest the use of CBD to manage the symptoms of ALS, and the growing global need for high-quality CBD products, ChineseInvestors.com will be entering the market and helping treat numerous patients in two of the largest countries in the world.

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

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With a prevalence of 20 per million newborns in the United States, and an estimated 500,000 patients worldwide, epidermolysis bullosa is a group of rare inherited skin diseases that range in severity from mild to lethal and have no currently approved or known cure or treatment. The condition was brought to the public attention in the early 2000s, and, since then, efforts to find a cure have not born fruit, with most research and development focusing instead on addressing the symptoms, such as reducing blistering and swelling and preventing wounds and pain. However, a new product currently in development by Vancouver-based biopharmaceutical company InMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: IMLFF) may change that, having the potential to basically reverse the disease.

The condition causes extreme skin sensitivity that often results in painful blisters on the dermis or mucosal membranes, as a result of minor trauma such as heat or scratching or friction. Usually showing up in infancy or early childhood, the disease has various symptoms such as the appearance of large blisters on the skin, mostly on the feet and hands; loss of fingernails or toenails; blistering in the respiratory system, blistering on the scalp and hair loss; difficulty swallowing; dental problems and more. In its more severe forms, epidermolysis bullosa can cause complications such as sepsis, malnutrition and anemia, dehydration, eye disorders and even skin cancer. In some severe cases where blistering is widespread, frequent infections and sores affect the patients’ ability to breathe and eat and ultimately result in their death.

This orphan disease has no known treatment, and it is therefore a significant unmet medical need that InMed Pharmaceuticals, focusing on the research and development of innovative cannabinoid-based therapies, is working to fill. According to InMed, cannabinoid compounds have recognized analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties, which make them excellent candidates to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with this condition.

The company’s lead product candidate, INM-750, is the first therapy developed specifically for epidermolysis bullosa, being designed both to alleviate symptoms and target dermis imbalances that may ultimately provide a cure. INM-750 targets cannabinoid receptors in the skin to help accelerate wound healing, reduce pain and itching, reduce inflammation, and more. By upregulating specific keratins in the skin, INM-750 may also help reestablish the epidermal junction and essentially reverse the condition for patients with epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) – the most common form of the disease.

Earlier this month, InMed filed an international Patent Cooperation Treaty application for intellectual and commercial protection of INM-750 and a cannabinoid-based therapy for EBS. This marks a significant milestone for the company, serving as validation for its efforts to develop new therapies based on cannabinoids and its unique approach to drug development. The company is using a proprietary bioinformatics assessment tool to identify what bioactive cannabis compounds can offer the optimal therapeutic benefits, with limited side effects and a proprietary biosynthesis technology to manufacture and test these compounds in biological systems via in vitro and in vivo experimentation. These proprietary systems and its drug development pipeline are the company’s core assets.

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

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Extreme Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXTR) has entered into an asset purchase agreement for Avaya Networking, Inc. totaling $100 million, subject to adjustments. In January 2017, Avaya and certain of its subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Southern District of New York. Extreme Networks’ offer is subject to court approval. The company defined its offer in an 8K SEC filing on March 7, 2017 (http://dtn.fm/t3joR).

Extreme Networks, Inc. is a networking company based in San Francisco. It designs, builds and installs ethernet computer network products. It is a software-driven company that enables IT departments of clients to build stronger relationships with customers, employees, and partners. The company maintains more than 20,000 customers in some 80 countries. A key asset for Avaya is its award-winning fabric switching technology. Switching fabric typically includes data buffers.

Extreme Networks’ asset purchase agreement comes as a result of potential synergies with Avaya Networking, Inc., as identified by the EXTR management team. Extreme Networks believes it offers complementary products between the two businesses across the company’s vertical markets. For Extreme Networks’ clients, the deal, if court approved, would offer technology for edge switching environments in addition to secure access to Avaya’s data center. For Avaya, selling its networking business is seen by its management as a positive move, enabling it to focus on its unified communications core.

Extreme Networks believes that, if the offer is consummated, it could result in $200 million of added revenues annually. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to its own earnings and cash flow beginning in fiscal 2018. Extreme Networks intends to update its quarterly guidance and revenue if the acquisition is approved.

The tentative agreement remains subject to better offers, as Avaya plans to make a motion to the court to initiate a bidding and public auction process. On execution of the purchase agreement, Extreme Networks placed $10 million in escrow. Pending approval, these funds will be applied to the purchase of Avaya’s assets, but not to any of the firm’s liabilities. If the deal is not approved, Extreme Networks may be entitled to court-approved termination fees.

For more information, visit www.ExtremeNetworks.com

To make more money from the same amount of work would seem to be only a dream. However, realtors at eXp Realty get paid a higher percentage rate than typical realtor splits and actually earn an equity piece of the company while building their businesses.

eXp World Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: EXPI) is the publicly-traded holding company of eXp Realty, the agent owned cloud-based residential brokerage. The company’s increased payouts and perks helped eXp Realty nearly triple its agent count last year, with over 1,500 new real estate professionals joining in 2016. The company’s Q3 to Q3 trailing revenues were up 112 percent, coming in at $42.6 million.

The dramatic increase in agents and revenues reflects the environment built by the company’s unique business model. eXp Realty believes that the greatest asset of any real estate brokerage is the team of agents and brokers who create the revenues of the company.

Traditional agent-brokerage splits can range from 40 to 70 percent, depending on location and experience. Because of much lower operating costs, eXp Realty agents get paid 80 percent. Agents also get to own a part of the brokerage. They receive 100 shares with their first transaction and 500 shares once they generate about $80,000 in gross commission income. After exceeding that number and paying the brokerage its share, agents then go to a transaction-fee model for the remainder of the year, where they are paid 100 percent of their commission for each transaction minus $250 for the brokerage. To encourage recruitment, agents are further incentivized with 500 shares for each new agent recruited to the firm.

Real estate brokers and agents are sales driven people, and they’re the ones that drive revenues for the brokerage. Agents, like most everyone else, respond to incentives that benefit them and their families. Because it is cloud-based and more cost effective, eXp Realty can offer a commission structure that more greatly benefits its agents and ultimately drives more revenues for the company. Using shares as bonuses and incentives creates coherence between the agents and the company while at the same time enhancing agent retention. The bottom line is that eXp Realty knows how to incentivize and reward its agents, the real revenue drivers in any brokerage.

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

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Moxian, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOXC) plans to launch its Moxian+ paid platform in March 2017, transitioning away from the no-charge beta technology it has used in the past to access China’s estimated $48 billion 1H2017 online-to-offline (O2O) market. The Shenzhen, China-based company has already expanded with additional offices in Beijing and plans to grow its sales team to more than 100 commissioned executives by the end of 2017.

Moxian is a high technology company which has offered a no-charge platform to Chinese businesses and consumers. China’s booming O2O market permits consumers to order products online, then pay businesses offline. Moxian is targeting offline traditional small- and medium-sized businesses. It can offer them a comprehensive suite of O2O commerce services.

Moxian’s shift in focus to a paid model includes plans to offer various premium services to businesses. These features, which are on the Moxian+ Business App, enable vendors to access analytics, host online shops, manage social customer relationships, and execute target marketing. The company will also offer its Moxian+ User App to consumers. Stakes are high, as China is the largest mobile telephone market in the world. It has 1.3 billion mobile users, according to a December 2015 analysis by China’s Ministry of Industry and Technology.

Moxian’s revenue streams will come from its paid premium subscriptions. The ‘Gold’ subscription plan is $1,200 annually, while the ‘Diamond’ plan costs $2,000 per year. Moxian also receives 3-5% payments on all transactions on its platform. The company also generates revenue from mobile advertisements, but its fastest growing projected revenue stream will come from OEM and distribution license fees. Those fees are set to explode by roughly 300% year-over-year, and, in 2018, they are expected to account for 48% of fee revenues.

In its initial coverage report, SeeThruEquity (http://nnw.fm/Dc4fs) set a price target of $4.50 on Moxian’s stock as it raised $8.5 million net in a public equity offering to invest in the growth of its business. That successful fundraising in November 2016 enabled the company to uplist to the NASDAQ Capital Markets.

Moxian hopes to convert the 31,600 businesses and greater than 300,000 consumers already using the free Moxian platform to paid, premium Moxian+. To that end, Moxian plans to expand into Shanghai and Guangzhou. It will focus its selling efforts on businesses and consumers in large metropolitan centers. If its sales reach the projected $11 million in 2017, Moxian should be cash flow break even by the end of this year, SeeThruEquity reports.

Moxian is focusing on small- and medium-sized businesses, and there are 75 million of these in China. SeeThruEquity sees the opportunity for Moxian to increase its customer base through sales of its paid Moxian+, but it cautions that, in order to fund its aggressive growth plans, Moxian would need to have access to even more capital in the future.

For more information, visit www.Moxian.com

It’s estimated that over one million Americans and millions more worldwide suffer from liver cirrhosis. Globally, it accounted for over 1.2 million deaths in 2013, and it’s the 12th leading cause of death by disease in the United States, where 27,000 Americans die each year from the disease. Worldwide, 57 percent of cirrhosis is attributable to either hepatitis C or hepatitis B. Long-term alcohol abuse accounts for about 20 percent of cirrhosis-related deaths globally, while, in the United States, 40 percent of cirrhosis-related deaths are caused by alcohol abuse. Each of these disease drivers triggers the replacement of normal liver tissue with damaged scar tissue, which impedes blood flow and the liver’s ability to clean and purify blood.

Liver cirrhosis has multiple potential causes and often more than one of them can be found in the same patient. The disease’s most common complication is ascites, which is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, often accompanied by kidney dysfunction. This life-threatening condition causes severe suffering, frequent infections, and multiple complications that can lead to a painful death.

Currently, no approved medications to treat ascites are available. Diet change and drugs used off-label can provide some initial symptomatic relief, but, as the disease worsens, response rates fall. About 40 percent of patients die painfully within two years of diagnosis. The treatment costs for liver cirrhosis, including ascites and other complications, are deemed to be in excess of $4 billion annually in the U.S. alone.

The unquestioned human and financial toll of liver cirrhosis on patients, families, and society has created a real need for treatment solutions. One development stage biotechnology company, BioVie, Inc. (OTCQB: BIVI), is pioneering just such innovative treatment solutions. BioVie actively pursues the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative drug therapies for liver diseases. Just four months ago, BioVie submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for its initial drug candidate, BIV201, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This new drug has the potential to become the first drug approved by the FDA to treat ascites due to chronic liver cirrhosis and could become the breakthrough treatment so desperately needed around the world.

For more information, visit www.BioVieInc.com

Addiction, a chronic brain disease that induces compulsive activity leading to many legal, social, and health consequences, is a problem that has swept over the world. Although this disease may start as a positive experience for the user, the outcome is normally devastating or even fatal. In the U.S., pharmaceutical opioids and heroin are two of the most problematic substances, causing thousands of deaths annually.

However, it’s not just opioids and heroin causing problems. Millions of Americans are addicted to other drugs and alcohol. Florida, specifically, is known as a state of hard drinking. It is also known as a party destination for spring breakers. Approximately 58% of Floridians are drinkers, with around 15% of these being heavy drinkers (http://dtn.fm/EC47x).

The combination of Florida being a well-known center for drug trafficking and a go-to spring break destination has led to youth and young adult substance abuse in the state becoming a critical problem. According to DrugRehab.com (http://dtn.fm/hG32R), “In 2015, of those in Florida who sought rehab, 47.5 percent of people addicted to heroin and 48.2 percent of people addicted to opioids were aged 30 and under.” In addition, of all the patients admitted to rehabilitation facilities in Florida in 2015, more than 3,000 of these were children aged below 18 years old. This equates to 10.6% of the total number of admitted patients.

It is not only the children and young adults with substance abuse and addiction who are suffering the consequences of the drugs. Parents with chemical dependencies often have tragic effects on their own children. Aside from potentially leaving children with the same substance addiction, these parents often neglect their offspring. DrugRehab.com reports that such emotional and physical neglect, and sometimes related abuse, caused more than 230 child deaths in Florida between 2008 and 2014. Fortunately, more is being done by organizations to overcome this statewide problem.

Treatment is essential for both adults and children hooked on opiates, heroin, and other substances. The best way to overcome this problem is residential treatment, something Greenestone Healthcare Corp. (OTCQB: GRST) can now offer Floridians, following its recent acquisition of Seastone Drug Rehab in Delray Beach, Florida.

The company, which offers addiction and rehabilitation treatment services, some of which include counseling, coaching, intervention, psychological assessment, and more, uses a unique approach to substance abuse recovery, focusing on treating any underlying disorders that could have encouraged the addiction.

By working with medical professionals at the clinic, as well as the patient’s family and friends, Seastone is uniquely equipped to help adults in Florida and around the country overcome their addiction. This will hopefully result in fewer children suffering both the mental and physical consequences of their parents or guardians addiction, leading to fewer child deaths as a result of neglect and/or abuse.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.GreeneStone.net

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Monaker Group, Inc. (OTCQB: MKGI) is bringing artificial intelligence (AI) to the travel industry, giving users the opportunity to book through its all-in-one search engine for conventional air, land travel, and rental cars, while also evaluating alternative lodging rentals (ALR). The platform is designed to speed up the researching and booking time for consumers from hours to minutes, the company said. Monaker Group is a travel company that is technology-driven, focused on the ALR sector, and offers both mainstream and alternative travel in one place to travelers.

Targeted for a rollout in the first quarter of 2017, the AI enhanced ‘planner’ feature on the company’s booking site is designed to reduce booking time and research. On its website, NextTrip.com, a subsidiary company of Monaker Group, Inc., the user can view suggested travel itineraries, read articles on destinations, view a library of videos, and book trips — all on a single site. The company utilizes a profile of the user to offer travel.

In its February 2017 presentation (http://dtn.fm/7cO0F) for investors, available on its website, the company details the growth of digital travel and the role of AI in delivering diverse travel, from its branded Maupintour customized tours to conventional hotels, to the consumer. eMarketer (http://dtn.fm/Ke7ul) research finds that digital travel reached $564.87 billion in 2016, and it is projected to reach $817.54 billion by 2020.

Monaker’s proprietary booking engine is also designed for access by online travel agents (OTA), so they can simply “plug and play” when delivering the ALR market for their clients. Monaker’s worldwide inventory includes more than 500,000 resort residences, one million accept/request properties, and even those offering a ‘make an offer’ bidding solution option. The inventory offered ranges from luxury timeshares and conventional hotels to tours and concierge services. Its inventory totals 1.2 million vacation rentals, with an additional 1.8 million more in process, the company said in its presentation.

The result is a comprehensive site, offering travelers real-time AI to help plan a business or leisure trip or a combination of the two, all on one site. Consumers can either book directly with Monaker via NextTrip.com, or use an online travel agent who earns commissions by booking with Monaker. The traveler gets suggested ideas, watches videos, and then plans a vacation using major branded air, land, and tour partners. Monaker Group can do the same for business trips, as well as for a combination of business and leisure.

The debut of AI cuts the time for researching and booking travel, using a profile of the traveler to aid in the research process. The result is quick booked travel after the user has viewed videos and made decisions.

For more information, visit www.MonakerGroup.com

India Globalization Capital, Inc. (NYSE MKT: IGC) is a first mover in developing a portfolio of products using cannabis-based “combination therapies” for the treatment of pain and other conditions.

The national cost of health care due to pain ranges from $560 billion to $635 billion. In addition, the health care cost attributed to the abuse of prescription opioids, closely related to pain, is approximately $25 billion. IGC’s patent filing (IGC-501) is a cannabis-based formulation addressing neuropathic and arthritic pain in joints and muscles using a variety of delivery techniques. The Company anticipates commencing clinical trials, and hopes that through its focus on combination therapy it can formulate and commercialize cannabinoid compounds as an alternative to long-term addictive opioid treatments.

The Company has also filed combination therapy formulations for the treatment of epilepsy and cachexia. About 50 million people worldwide are affected by epilepsy and about 1.3 million in the U.S. experience cachexia associated with cancer, MS, Parkinson’s, HIV/AIDS and other progressive illnesses. Cancer-induced anorexia/cachexia is responsible for 20% of all cancer deaths. IGC-502 indicated for seizures and IGC-504 indicated for cachexia are unique combination therapies that, if proven out by clinical trials, are expected to treat medical refractory epilepsy and eating disorders respectively, with lower side effects than conventional mono therapies.

IGC’s strategy is exciting and unique in that it is aiming to become a leader in the phytocannabinoid-based combination therapy specialty pharmaceutical sector. This first mover advantage can potentially be formidable as it begins clinical trials and further builds its patent portfolio. “The development of combination therapies utilizing cannabis represents a large, unique opportunity in this emerging specialty-pharmaceutical sector. Securing FDA approval for combination therapy is believed to be significantly faster and less expensive than new drug applications. As a result, we believe that we can bring our cannabis-based pharmaceutical products to market in both an expeditious and cost-effective manner,” stated Ram Mukunda, CEO.

IGC has recently exited its legacy businesses and currently holds international investments in land and in a hotel project. An impressive and experienced team, led by Mr. Ram Mukunda, CEO, directs IGC.

Mr. Mukunda holds degrees in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Maryland (UMD). He founded and served as Chairman and CEO of Startec Global Communications, an international telecommunications carrier focused on providing voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) services to emerging economies. Startec, the first pure play international long distance carrier, went public on NASDAQ. He has won a number of awards, including the 2013 University of Maryland International Alumnus of the year award. Mr. Mukunda serves as an Emeritus member on the Board of Visitors at the University of Maryland, School of Engineering, and has served as Council Member at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, Belfer Center of Science and International Affairs. Mr. Mukunda and Dr. Krishna are the originators of all the IGC patent filings.

Dr. Ranga Krishna, Senior Advisor, is a Board Certified Neurologist with a sub specialty in Epilepsy surgery. He is the Director of Neurology at the New York Community Hospital affiliated with New York Presbyterian Weil Cornell Medical College and the Director of Stroke Service at the New York Community Hospital affiliated with New York Presbyterian Weil Cornell Medical College. He is the Medical Director and Chairman of Total Neuro Care, P.C. He is CEO of International Pharma Trials, Inc., which assists U.S. pharmaceutical companies perform Phase II clinical trials. Dr. Krishna is a member of several organizations, including the American Academy of Neurology and the Medical Society of the State of New York. He is also a member of the Medical Arbitration panel for the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board and a Founding Member of the New York State Pain Society. Dr. Krishna was trained at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center (1991-1994) and New York University (1994-1996). Dr. Krishna and Mr. Mukunda are the originators of all the IGC patent filings.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.IGCinc.us

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TapImmune, Inc. (NASDAQ: TPIV) is leading the field of oncology with its next-generation T-cell vaccines and novel immunotherapy platforms. By fully leveraging the scope of its technology and through collaborative partnerships and license agreements, the company aims to maximize its value and growth potential.

Most cancer patients die from metastatic disease, which is when the cancer travels to other parts of the body that ultimately cannot be treated, instead of the primary tumor. TapImmune’s immunotherapies overcome the deficiencies of earlier cancer vaccine approaches by targeting both tumors and metastatic diseases. The company’s approach further differentiates itself by influencing the body’s own immune system to fight the disease.

Two clinical stage T-cell vaccine candidates are currently being advanced in multiple Phase II and Phase Ib/IIa clinical trials for treating ovarian and breast cancers, including programs in ovarian cancer that will benefit from the FDA Fast Track and Orphan Disease Designation. The U.S. market alone is very large for these cancers, with a combined 290,000 new patients estimated to be diagnosed each year. Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and AstraZeneca are among the collaborators in these trials, and the U.S. Department of Defense has provided significant non-dilutive funding as well.

The company’s off-the-shelf vaccines have been proven to boost patients’ immune systems to comprehensively stimulate both killer T-cells and helper T-cells to destroy cancer cells, and they are designed to treat a wide patient population across varied therapeutic areas of cancer. These vaccines have the potential to be a powerful standalone therapy or part of a leading combination regimen by complementing other approved or development-stage immunotherapeutics.

PolyStart is TapImmune’s unique DNA-based antigen expression system that helps the body recognize and kill target cells. It is a novel vaccine technology platform that creates a four-fold or greater increase in presentation of any antigen, which gives it unlimited application in oncology and infectious disease. The PolyStart platform further solidifies the company as a leader in the development of next-generation vaccines for cancer as it will be able to use this technology for its own vaccine candidates as well as generate additional value for the platform by licensing it to third parties.

The company plans to first build value through advancing candidates that treat women’s cancers, while continuously developing its unique pipeline. As part of its long-term vision, the company is also developing proprietary technologies that can enhance the potency of DNA-based immunotherapies against other types of cancer and infectious disease. Other goals include discovering, acquiring and developing additional technologies that modulate antigen presentation and driving incremental value by monetizing proprietary protein expression systems through business partnerships.

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

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