MissionIR Small-Cap Investor Blog: November 2015

Monday, November 30, 2015

International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) Uses Multiple Business Units to Generate Even More Revenue

International Stem Cell Corporation (OTC: ISCO) focuses on utilizing patented human parthenogenetic stem cells (hPSC), developed from unfertilized embryos, to treat Parkinson’s, retinal, and liver diseases where replacing dead and dying cells with new ones seems most effective. However, the road to commercialization and FDA approval is a long one. Therefore, the company has two wholly-owned subsidiaries that generate money in the meantime: Lifeline Skin Care, Inc. and Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC.

The first, Lifeline Skin Care, Inc., develops, produces, and markets a line of anti-aging cosmetic skin care products. These products use the company’s scientific rejuvenation breakthrough of non-embryonic stem cells to improve the look and feel of skin. These products include neck and eye firming creams, moisturizers, cleansers, and more. Sold all over the world, this cosmetic line promises youthful and healthy looking skin.

The second, Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC, develops, manufactures, and sells human cell culture products along with optimized reagents for laboratory research purposes. For example, the company offers VascuLife®SMC, a human smooth muscle cell medium optimized for the culture of human smooth muscle cells. This provides 15 population doublings at high growth rates. The company also sells Normal Human Mammary Epithelial Cells (HMEC) that provide a serum-free culture model for research on breast cancer, carcinogen screening, and other areas of breast research. All of Lifeline Cell Technology products are rigorously tested to the highest degree for maximum laboratory research operations.

In a news release, Andrey Semechkin, Ph.D., CEO, and co-chairman of ISCO recently stated, “We are maintaining our position as a leader in the regenerative medicine field and the overall operating income of our biomedical businesses continues to grow.” The company continues to manufacture and market its proprietary innovations while advancing developments in treatments of various diseases using stem cells.

To find out what the buzz is all about, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

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ContentChecked Holdings, Inc. (CNCK) Secures Coverage in Thanksgiving Article on Popular Entertainment and Lifestyle Site

Across the United States, friends and family indulged themselves last week with an estimated 46 million turkeys, according to the National Turkey Federation, but these flightless birds are just the beginning. In total, Americans consume roughly 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving, according to the Calorie Control Council, including 3,000 for the big meal and another 1,500 for snacking and nibbling. In a recent article on Examiner.com, heart health expert Lois Trader and Tara Zamani, a clinical nutritionist with ContentChecked Holdings, Inc., outlined a few quick tips for a healthier Thanksgiving.

While the article focused on tips such as avoiding canned and packaged foods and adding natural spices, Zamani contributed three tasty recipes that are perfect choices for a healthier holiday. Each of Zamani’s dishes are customizable in order to address possible dietary restrictions and food allergies. By providing these alternative ingredients, Zamani effectively highlighted the utility of ContentChecked’s innovative family of mobile apps. By using the ContentChecked app when shopping for Thanksgiving, individuals are able to easily avoid foods that may disagree with the specific dietary requirements and preferences of friends and family.

For ContentChecked, the Examiner.com article represents a great opportunity to expand its user base in the coming weeks. The article included multiple links back to the company’s website, and these links are expected to play a key role in driving traffic back to the ContentChecked site. Examiner.com currently enjoys more than 4.3 million unique visitors each month.

Complementary to its efforts to raise awareness of its family of health apps, ContentChecked regularly contributes its collective expertise where needed in order to help Americans better manage their food allergies, migraines and overall health. In recent weeks, the company has been featured in articles by a collection of highly trafficked sites – including The Active Times, ValuePenguin and Examiner.com.

To view the entire article, visit http://www.examiner.com/article/quick-tips-for-a-healthier-thanksgiving

For more information, visit www.contentchecked.com

Oakridge Global Energy Solutions, Inc. (OGES) Posts Q3 Results

Oakridge Global Energy Solutions this morning released its third-quarter results, a three-month period in which the company significantly advanced its new manufacturing facility in Florida.

Total company assets for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015, exceeded $76.0 million, while liabilities are reported at slightly more than $2.75 million. In the next year and a half, Oakridge said it plans to continue to strengthen its balance sheet, and ramp-up and install more than 2.6GW hours of production capacity of U.S. manufacturing of electrodes, cells and batteries in its facilities located in the Brevard County, Florida, area.

“During the process of restructuring this business we had the opportunity to purchase a major supply of equipment and have continued to develop I/P in the battery space,” Oakridge executive chairman and CEO Steve Barber stated in the news release. “We are very pleased with the third-quarter results and expect the fourth-quarter results to be even better. Our business plan is simple; we develop, manufacture and sell products. I know it’s a bit old fashioned, but we are in the business of manufacturing.”

Also in the third quarter, Barber, through the majority ownership of Oakridge by Precept Fund Management SPC (“Precept”), funded the creation of a major full-scale manufacturing facility for Oakridge in Brevard County, Florida, in Melbourne and Palm Bay, further rooting the company’s position in the battery industry.

“Our third-quarter results reflect the significant investment that Precept has made into this exciting business,” stated Barber. “From development of products to purchase of manufacturing equipment, this business is now fully operational and poised for growth.”

Oakridge’s third quarter 2015 earnings report may be viewed at http://www.otcmarkets.com/financialReportViewer?symbol=OGES&id=147767

For more information, visit www.oakg.net

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Moxian Inc. (MOXC) Offers a One-Stop-Shop for Businesses to Engage with Consumers

Developed in Shenzhen, China, Moxian provides a social marketing and promotional platform for businesses. The company’s platform, called MO-Promo, uses the concepts of social media and online gaming to promote businesses. This includes a Social Customer Relationship Management System (SRM), MO-Points, online gaming, a social networking site called MO-Zone, and a Social Loyalty program that rewards users for using their MO-Points. Moxian clients can use the SCRM system to stay ahead of consumer trends while advertising and campaigning their businesses on the website.

MO-Promo works out of the Weibo site, the company’s social media platform. This is where consumers can access blogs, podcasts, shopping, news, and more all while connecting to a social network. Topics on the site include history, education, movies, health, art, fashion, beauty, and even jokes.

Consumer users can then play a variety of online games such as Texas Poker, Destiny Tower, and Yulong Pass. During each game, users earn points which can be redeemed at the Points Mall. Prizes, which are sponsored by both Moxian and its clients, include more games, a Microsoft Surface 2, prepaid cards, Starbucks mugs, umbrellas, and more.

Fortunately, the fun doesn’t have to stay on a desktop. The company has also developed the Moxian+ app for both Android and Apple phones. Here, users can continue to network while being kept aware of local events and activities. They can also play games and redeem their winnings through the versatile app.

The combination of social media and online play gives companies the opportunity to advertise to the masses. Both consumers and businesses alike can network and learn from each other in a single place. Moxian encourages users to revisit the site by offering incentives, like points and prizes, which leads to a recurring marketable audience.

For more information, visit the company’s website at http://ir.moxian.com/html-en/

Oakridge Global Energy Solutions, Inc. (OGES) Targeting Key Niche Market Segments with Innovative Battery Systems

Oakridge Global Energy Solutions is an integrated energy storage solutions company that uses state-of-the-art technology in the design, development and manufacture of high-quality cells, batteries and energy storage systems. The company is committed to ushering in a brand new era in battery manufacturing, and a quick look at its core values highlights the commitments that help Oakridge differentiate itself from the competition in the stored energy marketplace.

An unrelenting dedication to corporate pride and commercial success forms the foundation of the Oakridge business model, and a commitment to innovation has allowed the company to develop a diverse, ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ product line that addresses four high-demand target markets – including motive applications, stationary living space power, remote control and portable devices, and starter motor batteries. In October, Oakridge expanded on this formula by announcing the production release of its Pro Series product line of heavy duty battery systems for task-oriented vehicles.

“This is a very exciting product line and we are really pleased with the way that it underscores our mission statement of on-shoring jobs and manufacturing back to the U.S.A. by providing the market with another Made in the U.S.A. product instead of having to rely on imported products,” Steve Barber, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Oakridge, stated in a news release.

The company’s focus on bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. has caught the attention of local lawmakers and entrepreneurs. Last month, Oakridge was recognized by Florida Governor Rick Scott following the launch of its new corporate headquarters and manufacturing center in Palm Bay. The expansion, which is part of Oakridge’s existing and ongoing $270 million investment in its lithium-ion battery development and manufacturing facilities in Brevard County, Florida, is expected to create approximately 1,000 new jobs in the community.

According to a study by Research and Markets, the global lithium-ion battery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.4 percent over the next four years, reaching $33.1 billion by 2019. While much of this growth is expected to occur in the automotive sector, global sales of lithium-ion powered energy storage systems are also expected to increase from less than $2 billion in 2015 to roughly $6 billion by 2020.

By providing high-quality products that address a number of viable markets, Oakridge is in a strong position to capitalize on this market growth in the years to come. Look for the company to build upon the early success of its current product line as it continues to target key niche market segments with its lithium-ion battery products in the future.

For more information, visit www.oakg.net

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Craft Brew Alliance (BREW) Has Exciting Plans for 2016

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and founded in 1981, Craft Brew Alliance has grouped together three of the oldest and most well-respected craft brewers from Oregon, Washington and Hawaii to form a company with the resources and industry know-how needed to succeed in the ultra competitive adult beverage space.

Redhook Ale Brewery, founded in Seattle in 1981, is Washington’s largest craft brewery; Widmer Brothers Brewing, founded in 1984, takes the same title in Oregon. Kona Brewing Company, founded a decade later, is Hawaii’s oldest and largest craft brewery. BREW also reaches out to the health-conscious beer drinker with its Ommission brand, the first craft beer in the U.S. focused exclusively on brewing craft beer with traditional ingredients – including malted barley – which is gluten free. The last brew in the company’s current lineup is Square Mile Cider, a tribute to early American settlers who purchased the first plots of land in the Pacific Northwest.

BREW operates five breweries and five pub restaurants across the U.S., and earlier this year earned the “Craft Beer Company of the Year” award from Hooters of America. Another significant milestone for BREW was its partnership with Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD) to utilize the “King of Beer’s” behemoth national distribution network.

Building on its strength in national chains and continuing to activate distinctive retail promotions, and continuing to nurture its significant partnership with Anheuser-Busch InBev, BREW has a clearly defined growth strategy for the new year.

In 2016, BREW plans on building out its Emerging Business division and expanding with new strategic partners that increase its relevance in key beer geographies while leveraging the company’s national footprint. The plan is already starting to unfurl, as the company’s two recent partners, Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Cisco Brewers, have added North Carolina and Massachusetts to its home markets.

BREW will continue to build on its strategic partnerships with Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Cisco Brewers through alternating proprietorships and master distribution agreements that will enable both growing breweries to meet increasing demand in their respective core markets of North Carolina and the northeast.

Redhook Brewery, which celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2016, will continue to focus on its legacy position as the “Granddaddy of Craft” in its home state of Washington. Redhook unveiled classic new packaging for its flagship beers Longhammer IPA and ESB, as well as soon-to-be-released American Pale Ale, which will launch nationally, and ESL, extra special lager, which will launch in Washington. Redhook also announced a new seasonal line-up: Blackhook, Summerhook and Winterhook, which will launch nationally and carry the bold packaging design. Redhook will soon be announcing the location for its new brewpub in Seattle, a move that brings the iconic brand back to its roots.

Widmer Brothers Brewing will continue building on the momentum achieved through the brand’s renewed focus on Hefe, which remains Oregon’s favorite craft beer. Widmer Brothers also revealed that it would begin offering Hefe in cans, initially in Oregon, to celebrate the beer’s 30th anniversary in 2016 and meet the increased demand for its iconic American-style wheat in a more portable package. The brand also teased a new dark beer, Steel Bridge Porter, to launch in 6-packs and draft in Oregon and Washington. The new porter will round out a core line-up that includes Hefe, Upheaval IPA, Replay IPA and Drop Top Amber.

Now a Top 10 national craft beer brand, Kona Brewing Co. will bring its unique brand of “Liquid Aloha” to life through a new television campaign, as well as a pint, bottle or can of Kona Brewing flagships Longboard Lager and Big Wave Island Ale. In 2016, Kona will bring back its popular Aloha Series, which includes Koko Brown, Lemongrass Luau and Pipeline Porter nationally. Additionally, Kona’s Wailua Wheat will return to California. In Hawaii, Kona will launch its iconic Lavaman Red in package for the first time and continue its Makana Series, which connects Kona Brewing with local charities that support Hawaii’s sustainability and pristine environment.

Omission Beer will continue to capitalize on the growing trend among consumers to avoid gluten. The brand will invest in growing awareness and distribution for its category leading flagships, Omission Pale Ale and Omission Lager. Additionally, the brand will continue working with corporate partners such as Wanderlust, a health and wellness event series, to bring the great taste of Omission to consumers looking to live a healthier lifestyle.

BREW will also continue to partner with the Chive’s Resignation Brewery and its 30+ million monthly online visitors to grow KCCO’s (Keep Calm and Chive On) Gold Lager, with an emphasis on its home market of Texas and the military.

Square Mile, which has grown to be the No. 2 hard cider brand in the Pacific Northwest and a Top 10 craft cider brand, will expand distribution in its existing core markets in the west with the brand’s Original and hopped-version Spur & Vine.

Financially, BREW’s growing market saturation appears to be paying off. In 2014, the company reported net sales of $200 million and net income of $3.1 million, an increase of 12 percent and 55 percent, respectfully, over the previous year’s results. Analysts predict BREW will report net sales of $211 million in 2015, and if the company’s aggressive growth strategy is any implication is that it will easily deepen its roots in the $19.6 billion U.S. craft beer market.

For more information visit www.craftbrew.com

Synta Pharmaceuticals (SNTA) Using Teamwork to Battle Cancer

Founded in 2000, Lexington, Massachusetts-based Synta Pharmaceuticals focuses on the development of its oncology medicines. The company’s main product ganetespib, is an Hsp90 inhibitor used in the treatment of lung cancer, breast cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, ovarian cancer, and refractory sarcoma. Hsp90 Drug Conjugate is the company’s proprietary, small molecule cancer drug development program. The company has several drugs in phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials, as well as some just starting out in the phase 1 stage.

When developing pharmaceuticals, it is vital to have a team of experts helping navigate the highly complicated and very involved waters of the development process. To this accord, Synta Pharmaceuticals recently announced the formation of its Expert Oncology Panel:

David E. Avigan, M.D. – chief section of Hematological Malignancies and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center associate professor, Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Bruce Allan Chabner, M.D. – director of Clinical Research, Cancer Center Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

Jeffrey A. Engelman, M.D., Ph.D. – director, Center for Thoracic Cancers Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, associate professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School

F. Stephen Hodi, Jr., M.D. – director, Melanoma Center Director, Center for Immuno-Oncology, associate professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School, Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Martin J. Murphy, D. MedSc, Ph.D., FASCO – chairman and chief executive officer AlphaMed Consulting, Inc.

Neil Lee Spector, M.D. – associate professor of Medicine, Sandra Coates associate professor, associate professor of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, member of the Duke Cancer Institute

Cancer costs the world more money than any other disease, according to the American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR), racking up annual costs of $895 billion. More than half a million Americans die of cancer every year, making the disease the second-leading cause of death in the United States. Comparatively, heart disease costs $753 billion while traffic accidents and diabetes each cost about $204 billion.

Statistics like these drive companies like Synta Pharmaceuticals to aggressively usher their products to market and race toward eliminating the disease. By building a panel consisting of world-renown doctors and experts in the oncology field, Synta Pharmaceuticals has already taken a progressive step in the process of getting a new potentially life-saving drug into the hands of cancer patients.

Stay tuned as we follow the company’s progress along, as it is cashed up and recently cut staff back to 33 employees in order to maintain operations until at least the middle of 2017.

For more information, visit http://www.syntapharma.com/

International Stem Cell Corp. (ISCO) Injection of Ethically-Derived Neural Stem Cells for the Treatment of Parkinson’s to Be Tested in Australia

The true forefront in medicine today is a broad offensive where medical and research professionals are now pulling out all the stops in a never-ending war against broad-spectrum degenerative diseases like cancer or degenerative diseases of specific tissues, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, which severely cripple a patient’s central nervous system (CNS). Unfortunately, there is very little in the way of truly therapeutic options for patients with degenerative CNS diseases.

In the case of Parkinson’s, dopamine-generating neurons in the midbrain (substantia nigra) progressively die off, resulting in a variety of motor control issues (dyskinesia) at first, with dementia, insomnia, and severe depression or emotional problems typically following in later stages. There is no currently known cure for Parkinson’s and the standard of care consists primarily of medications designed to manage and/or provide relief from the symptoms.

The main family of drugs used to offset Parkinson’s symptoms is Levodopa (L DOPA, which metabolizes into dopamine), but MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) and dopamine agonists have seen a significant increase of use in recent years as a first choice, in order to prolong the start of L DOPA treatment. For you see, prolonged use of L DOPA typically results in dyskinesia that is equivalent to the long-term effects of Parkinson’s itself.

Because less than 10 percent of L-DOPA actually makes it through the blood-brain barrier, the vast majority of it is metabolized elsewhere in the body, resulting in numerous side effects like nausea and joint stiffness, in addition to the aforementioned Parkinson’s-like motor control problems. MAOIs, historically already in wide usage as a treatment for atypical depression, are pretty effective at delimiting the primary monoamine oxidase that degrades dopamine, MAO-B, and thus are able to somewhat offset the lack of dopamine that is being caused by neuronal loss.

As you can see, the only solutions for Parkinson’s patients which are currently available aren’t really solutions at all, and carry with them the looming inevitability of a lost battle against this degenerative disease. A truly disheartening reality for patients and their families. Long-term options for Parkinson’s patients and their families are severely limited as well and include invasive surgery, or palliative care designed merely to improve quality for end of life patients. Reasonable extrapolations from official Parkinson’s Disease Foundation data indicates that the number of people on earth currently suffering from the disease is likely close to, or over 10 million. Some 60,000 or more people in the U.S. alone are diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year, meaning the real number is likely much higher, after factoring in all the cases that go undiagnosed, and unreported.

Hence the undisputable potential value of the proprietary, scalable and ethical human parthenogenetic (asexual reproduction from unfertilized egg) stem cell (hpSC) technology currently being developed by International Stem Cell Corp. (OTCQB: ISCO). Because hpSCs are self-renewing multipotent cells, they represent an as-yet essentially untapped goldmine of therapeutic developments which could provide solutions for countless degenerative diseases, and do so across multiple tissue types. The company’s hpSC platform for chemically stimulating eggs to reproduce, which uses a series of different activation techniques in order to create sizeable batches of healthy adult cells that are HLA/immune-matched (human leukocyte antigen) either to the individual or to the general population, has led to an exciting novel therapeutic cellular product consisting of human parthenogenetic neural stem cells (hPNSCs).

Because hPNSCs have been shown to be able to actually differentiate into dopaminergic neurons, therapy using these injected cells represents a wholly-new approach to the problem of Parkinson’s, wherein the root cause of the disease is addressed directly. Moreover, transplanted hPNSCs have been shown to express powerful brain-protecting neurotrophic factors in pre-clinical animal model studies, meaning that not only does this product hold the potential to simply grow new dopamine-producing cells, it can also help shield the remaining healthy cells from degeneration and/or death. ISCO’s recent announcement that the company is now moving full steam ahead towards phase I/IIa human clinical trials in Australia, subsequent to a meeting with the Australian Therapeutics Goods Administration and signage of an LOI with the conducting facility, Royal Melbourne Hospital, is a major milestone for the company. A milestone that puts ISCO squarely in the pole position for developing the first true Parkinson’s therapy.

TGA approval for the phase I/IIa clinical trials is expected sometime this month, with enrollment commencing shortly after, and ISCO could have a real winner on its hands depending on whether the results jog with those generated by the preceding nine-month safety GLP study of 300 rodents, which showed zero tumor growth in any of the subjects receiving transplanted cells. ISCO seems to have overcome the two major stumbling blocks that have hindered other developers in this field: immune-related tissue rejection and tumor formation.

The chemically close-to-nature methodology whereby the company generates its hpSCs is likely a main reason its therapies have had such preclinical successes, and one need look no further than the results for the other candidates (such as those for metabolic liver and degenerative eye diseases) in ISCO’s therapeutic pipeline in order to get a good idea of where the Parkinson’s therapy is headed. A savvy observer will note that the probability of success for ISCO with its hPNSC phase I/IIa clinical trials is telegraphed readily by the demonstrated versatility of the platform in allowing for a robust pipeline of several promising indications. The hpSC platform looks solid and ISCO could have one or two disruptive commercial breakthroughs on its hands in the near future.

Unlike many preclinical biopharma developers, ISCO has a cash pipeline already in place to help fund the expensive work of drug trials, with two wholly-owned subsidiaries that benefit from the company’s hpSC platform: Lifeline Cell Technology and Lifeline Skin Care. Respectively engaged in the sale of human cell culture products/reagents, as well as cosmeceuticals based on a proprietary extract derived from hpSCs, these two profitable subsidiaries not only help feed the R&D machine that is ISCO, they represent promising long-term opportunities in and of themselves. Quarterly financial data out as of November 16 from ISCO shows that Lifeline Cell Technology sales were up handsomely in Q3 (ended September 30), climbing 22 percent compared to the same quarter last year, alongside a nine percent jump in the company’s total consolidated revenue over the same period. Having wound down its multiple preclinical studies during the first six months of 2015, ISCO has managed to slash its cash burn rate and the company is now eager to see the fruits of its labor emerge from human clinical trials of hPNSCs in Parkinson’s.

The ability to grow functional, immune-matched adult human stem cells without the need to fertilize an egg is as ground-breaking a revolution in medicine as it sounds. And ISCO is basically the tip of the spear here too, alongside a tiny handful of other companies, many of whom lack the crucial IP and pre-clinical success story to deliver on a platform solution that could eventually hit hard and fast across the gamut of degenerative and similar diseases.

To find out what the buzz is all about, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

OurPet’s Company (OPCO) Offers Two Platforms for Twice the Fun

Being a top dog in the pet industry means more scalability to reach a wider customer base. That’s why OurPet’s Company (OTCQX: OPCO) gives two brand options to its niche customers. The OurPets brand focuses on specialty customers while the Pet Zone Brand centers on food/drug/mass-market channels. Each has its own website where pet owners can get the latest products in safety, health, waste management, and fun.

OurPet’s designs, produces, and markets a variety of innovative, high quality accessory and consumable pet products in the United States and overseas. It began with the Big Dog Feeder product that improves posture and comfort for canines. Most of their award-winning products are patented and boast being the only ones of their kind on the market. Cat owners can get their own consumable Kitty Cat Grass to grow at home or the EZ Scoop Litter Box with Odor Control Spray. Felines can also frolic with the Hide and Go Squeak Interactive Toy. Dogs can have the Buster Food Cube and the WonderBowl for their eating needs. The company’s products aim at bringing out a pet’s natural instincts for a healthier lifestyle.

In 2006, OurPet’s purchased all of the assets of its chief competitor, Pet Zone. The company now has a platform for its own products while integrating those of Pet Zone in another. Pet Zone products and accessories aim at improving the health, vitality, and safety of pets. Its goal is to offer high-end products at affordable rates. Feline friends can purchase the Mini Food-N-Fountain Deluxe or the Purr-Ivacy Place Pop-Up Litter Box Canopy along with many scratchers and toys. Dog owners can buy the Cozy Cottage Dog House, treat dispensers, and other food bowl accessories.

The pet industry has grown from $17 billion in 1994 to $74.23 billion in 2014. That number is expected to increase to $77.03 billion this year alone. During this time, OurPet’s has grown 3-5 times faster than the overall industry and has no plans of slowing down. The company gives investors the opportunity to participate in this expanding market while offering consumers the chance at buying multiple products through multiple brands.

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

Monday, November 23, 2015

Fuling Global, Inc. (FORK) Primed to Grow in Global Plastic Serviceware Market Following Completion of Initial Public Offering

Over the past 20 years, Fuling Global has grown from a small manufacturer of plastic household articles and baskets into one of China’s largest exporters of disposable serviceware. Today, the company operates precision manufacturing facilities in both the United States and China that specialize in the production of a wide variety of plastic serviceware products – including disposable cutlery, drinking straws, cups and plates. Fuling’s products are primarily sold to customers throughout the U.S. and Europe and include some of the world’s most recognizable brands, such as Wendy’s (NASDAQ: WEN), Burger King (NYSE: QSR), KFC (NYSE: YUM), Walmart (NYSE: WMT) and McKesson (NYSE: MCK).

According to market research firm The Freedonia Group, the U.S. foodservice disposables industry, of which Fuling is a part, accounted for roughly $18 billion in 2014, and steady growth is expected to continue in the years to come. By 2019, the report estimates that the industry will grow to $21.9 billion, spurred by rising demand in both the retail and hospitality segments. In order to better capitalize on this growth, Fuling completed an initial public offering of its ordinary shares and commenced trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on November 4, 2015.

“Our IPO on NASDAQ is an important step toward becoming a significant player in the global plastic serviceware market,” Guilan Jiang, chairwoman of Fuling, stated in a news release. “We expect the increased publicity and name recognition that come with being a NASDAQ-listed company, combined with our access to new sources for capital, position us well for growth.”

Following its IPO, Fuling is in a strong position to build on its recent financial performance. In the third quarter of 2015, the company leveraged a significant drop in raw material costs in order to achieve a 17 percent year-over-year increase in net income. In European markets, Fuling recorded revenues in excess of $2 million for the period, an increase of 45 percent over the previous year. As it continues to focus on increasing its penetration in pivotal global markets and expanding its production capacity, Fuling will look to promote sustainable growth moving forward.

“We are encouraged by this quarter’s results, which show improved gross and operating margins, net income and sales volume,” stated Xinfu Hu, chief executive officer of Fuling.

With a roster of multinational customers and an expanding product line, Fuling is in a favorable position to increase its market share in the global disposable serviceware market. Look for the company to lean on the marketability of its IP portfolio – including nearly 30 patents focused on environmentally-friendly materials and technology – in order to fulfill its vision of becoming an international leader in the production of disposable cutlery, straws and other serviceware.

For more information, visit www.ir.fulingglobal.com

ContentChecked Holdings, Inc. (CNCK) Gains Wide Exposure in ValuePenguin Publication

ContentChecked Holding today issued a press release announcing that one of its degreed nutritionists, Tara Zamani, provided valuable insight in a recent ValuePenguin article on employment as a dietician/nutritionist.

“Los Angeles is full of food gurus, raw foodies, vegans, vegetarians and nutrition-savvy individuals. I love working in L.A. as a nutritionist because many of my clients already have a good understanding of nutrition and are very open-minded when it comes to holistic health. L.A. is a hub for holistic nutrition, alternative medicine and many people here prefer to use natural remedies for healing, rather than traditional methods,” Zamani stated in the article. “Nutritionists are in demand, which makes it a great city for a new nutritionist to start a career. L.A. also offers many healthy restaurants, farmers’ markets, co-ops, health food stores and wellness centers, and guiding clients to choose healthier eating places is easy.”

ValuePenguin currently has an audience of approximately 350,000 monthly viewers, and the article published (http://www.valuepenguin.com/getting-job-as-dietitian) links back to ContentChecked’s website where readers can learn more about the company’s offerings.

Contributing nutritional expertise is an important part of ContentChecked’s efforts to raise awareness of its family of health apps and help Americans better manage their food allergies, migraines and overall health.

“Each ContentChecked employee is highly valued for their strong contributions and hard work that firmly roots our company in the marketplace,” says Kris Finstad, CEO of ContentChecked, the developer of MigraineChecked, SugarChecked and ContentChecked, a family of health apps for people with dietary restrictions and/or food preferences. “It’s always a pleasure to see the expertise of one of our team members being sought after and published in a well-recognized and read publication like ValuePenguin.”

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

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MissionIR is committed to connecting the investment community with companies that have great potential and a strong dedication to building shareholder value. We know our reputation is based on the integrity of our clients and go to great lengths to ensure the companies represented adhere to sound business practices.

Sign up for “The Mission Report” at www.MissionIR.com

Please see disclaimer on the MissionIR website http://www.missionir.com/disclaimer.html

Moxian, Inc. (MOXC) Creative & Marketing VP Edmund Ooi Interviews with MissionIR

MissionIR today announced the online availability of its interview with Mr. Edmund Ooi, Vice President and Director of Creative & Marketing for Moxian, Inc. (OTCQB: MOXC). The full audio interview is available at http://MOXC.MissionIR.com/interview.html.

Moxian is a social multi-media company building an application platform and merchant rewards system that enable small- and medium-sized businesses to better engage their customers and enhancing their marketing initiatives.

After providing a brief overview of the company, Mr. Ooi describes his own experience creating national marketing projects in Singapore, China, the Middle East and Los Angeles, which he currently applies in helping Moxian create product improvements and applications to a larger audience.

He then offers considerable information on other key members of the company’s management team and how their previous endeavors in international markets contribute to Moxian’s growth. Together, this roster of executives has positioned the company to achieve several milestones in 2015, including rapid market acceptance and strategic personnel additions.

“I think we have seen a great leap in our skillset and our ability to [offer] much stronger and more robust software,” Mr. Ooi says.

Moving forward, Mr. Ooi explains Moxian’s near and longer-term outlook, which includes expanding its merchant base; increasing advertising, transaction and sponsorships revenues; uplisting the company’s common stock; and increasing shareholder value.

Mr. Ooi concludes the interview with a recap of recent company news, including an $8.9 million private placement to facilitate Moxian’s continued corporate growth.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Moxian, Inc. (MOXC) Targeting Expansive Chinese Social Media Market with Moxian+ Social Commerce Platform

Unlike the United States, China currently boasts several social networks with more than 100 million active users. These platforms serve a collection of different purposes ranging from messaging and video sharing to blogging and ecommerce, and this diversity of usage creates an opportunity for new entrants with a unique commerce or communications offering to gain market share despite the existence of established competitors.

In 2014, the China Internet Network Information Center reported that there were roughly 618 million internet users throughout the Asian nation, representing a penetration rate of approximately 46 percent. Among these internet users, over 90 percent have a social media account. For comparison, just 67 percent of U.S. internet users engage in social media. However, the opportunity in China extends beyond the ability to reach a large target audience. According to the Data Center of China Internet, 38 percent of users claim they are more likely to buy items recommended by other social media users.

Moxian, Inc. is attempting to capitalize on these favorable market conditions by developing an innovative social commerce platform targeting the expansive Chinese market. Moxian+ will allow retailers and consumers to trade, communicate and locate goods and services while simultaneously being guided through the use of sophisticated, data-driven marketing techniques. Moxian plans to deploy its commerce platform in major metropolitan areas of China, Singapore and Malaysia by the end of the year.

Following its official launch, the Moxian+ platform is expected to be a comprehensive tool targeting the specific needs of brick-and-mortar businesses with internet and mobile-enabled business intelligence. While the platform will primarily connect and promote interaction of businesses and consumers online, it will also promote improved interaction across a full range of traditional sales channels.

Moxian+ is expected to serve as a sustainable source of revenue for Moxian, as the company will utilize advertising and membership fees in exchange for its services. While the majority of merchants are expected to subscribe to a basic program with a flat monthly fee, the platform will also be capable of addressing more complex requirements in exchange for additional fees commensurate with the value-added benefits.

For prospective shareholders, Moxian’s efforts to break into the expansive social networking and ecommerce markets of China could foreshadow an opportunity for the company to promote strong financial growth for the foreseeable future. Look for Moxian to continue progressing toward the official launch of Moxian+ in the weeks to come.

For more information, visit http://ir.moxian.com/html-en/

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

In Robust Year of M&A Deals, OurPet’s Company (OPCO) is Worth Tracking

In its 20-year history OurPet’s Company has successfully rafted through its fair share of turbulence and placid waters, and today enjoys a position that evidences its canny ability to foster both innovation and corporate growth in the $71.3 billion pet products and services industry. A quick glance at what’s going on in this booming market shows why the company’s consistent sustainability is of vital importance at this particular moment.

Many experts contend that 2015 is on track to become a record setting year for global M&A activity, with takeover deals tallied in the trillions. A handful of numerous announced mega deals include Shell’s (NYSE: RDS-A) $81.5 billion purchase of British energy supplier BG Group; Charter Communication’s (NASDAQ: CHTR) $79.6 billion buyout of Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC); the $62.2 billion merger between Hienz and Kraft Foods – now the Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ: KHC); AB inBev’s $121 billion takeover of SAB Miller; and Anthem’s (NYSE: ANTM) $55.2 billion acquisition of Cigna (NYSE: CI), which is just one of many big deals in the healthcare industry this year.

Another M&A deal on deck brings us back to the pet products and services industry. Petco Holdings, which operates about 1,300 stores nationwide, is now in the limelight as two private equity-led suitors gear up to bid more than $4 billion for the No. 2 pet supply chain, reports the New York Post.

According to The Post, this puts Petco for sale at less than 10 times the company’s $480 million annual EBITDA; it’s noteworthy that buyout firm BC Partners paid $8.7 billion, roughly nine times EBITDA, for the better-performing PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM) last year.

While large-cap deals with billions in the mix certainly dominate the headlines, the M&A activity – along with its strengthening position in the pet-supply industry and the ongoing interest in – reinstates for OurPet’s a beacon of potential as an acquisition target in the future. For the time being, the Petco and PetSmart deals represent the vast opportunities in the growing pet products and services industry.

OurPet’s develops, produces and markets various innovative pet accessory and consumable products. The company has 160 patents/patents pending, which facilitate its entrance into major national retailers, including Petco and PetSmart, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and many more. You can view the full list here http://www.ourpets.com/where-to-buy-our-products/.

Transitioning from a small-sized to medium-sized company has been no easy feat for OurPet’s though the company has adroitly managed to do so as it builds its offerings of award-winning, innovative products. OurPet’s operates two unique brands to anchor a spot in both the pet specialty and food/drug/mass market channels. The OurPet’s brand caters to pet specialty consumers while the Pet Zone brand focuses on the latter market.

With this business model, the company has steadily increased revenues – recording full-year 2014 sales of $22.7 million, $21.5 million in 2013, $20.1 million in 2012, and $19.6 million in 2011- driven by sales of its innovative pet specialty products. Side Note *Demonstrating an impressive level of transparency for an OTC stock, OurPet’s has posted nine years of well-presented annual reports on its website here: http://www.ourpets.com/upkeep/annual-report/.

The company most recently reported third-quarter results with quarterly revenue of nearly $6.0 million and an increase of 428% in net income to $410,450. Year-to-date, OurPet’s has increased revenue 6% to $17.1 million, and though the company stops short of issuing any full-year guidance, these results potentially putting it on track to maintain its four-year annual sales growth pattern.

OurPet’s key executives recently interviewed with MissionIR (listen to the interview here http://OPCO.MissionIR.com/interview.html) to discuss the company’s operations, how it plans on leveraging its innovations to sustain its growth in the pet products and services industry, existing partnerships around the world, and upcoming announcements with corporations in Japan.

Perhaps most importantly, taking into consideration the robust global M&A environment and current attention on the pet products and services industry, is company co-founder and CEO Dr. Steven Tsengas’ statement that the company plans to “grow double to triple the industry growth.”

Though its brand recognition is lesser than its large-cap peers, OurPet’s is definitely worth putting on your radar as a long and/or short-term investment consideration. For now, keep your eyes on the impending Petco purchase to see what the industry hype is all about and for a glimpse of what the future could hold for OurPet’s.

For more information visit www.ourpets.com

Sterling Construction Company, Inc. (STRL) In-House Sourcing, Solid Margins, Growing Backlog, and an Established Presence in Key Markets

Analysis of the overall construction market by Washington, D.C.-based transportation infrastructure investment concern, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), shows a solid rebound in previously declining public construction expenditure starting sometime back in 2013. This looks like a lagging, but mirrored expression of the now sustained 48 percent or greater rebound in the $700 billion private construction market that began back in 2011, with public construction expenditures up over 6.5 percent during 2014 to around $277 billion. The transportation segment was the biggest winner for public construction expenditures at around eight percent growth and ARTBA’s industry forecast for 2015 sees rail as the clear winner moving forward with over 14 percent projected growth, even though it represents only around a third of pavement expenditures (slated to grow 2.2 percent), or two thirds of what is spent on bridges and tunnels (forecast to grow 1.6 percent).

The heavy-civil construction market is particularly interesting here for investors, with substantial ongoing lift and earthmover heavy equipment costs, as well as a difficult-to-navigate world of contract acquisition, creating significant constraints for the big boys, and the smaller, less adroit companies as well. BLS Producer Price Index data analyzed by ARTBA further indicates that concrete and asphalt prices are set to steadily rise moving forward, meaning that maximum profitability will fall to those within the sector who are capable of exploiting connections or in-house sourcing in order to keep margins tight. In such an environment, big name heavy-civil construction operators like California-based Tutor Perini (NYSE: TPC) may increasingly find themselves on a difficult footing when going up against competitors like storied industry giant, Granite Construction (NYSE: GVA), which has at its disposal a sizeable construction materials production segment, in addition to its heavy-civil and other infrastructure operations.

These underlying sector dynamics really throw a bright spotlight on a considerably more share price-accessible company like Sterling Construction Company (NASDAQ: STRL), which has an impressive six decades plus track record of successes executing a wide variety of complex municipal, structural, transportation, water and specialty infrastructure projects via its family of companies. In addition, STRL produces asphalt, as well as aggregates from a quarry the company leases. A solid operational history over so many years in key markets across the U.S. that are noteworthy for their strong infrastructure spending, as well as a superb fleet of modern construction equipment, have helped STRL layer up a consistently expanding project backlog, securing choice contracts ahead of even the company’s larger competitors.

The latest such example was the $14 million award of a project last month by the Hawaii Department of Transportation, following up on a streak of successful smaller safety improvements the company did for HDOT on the King Kamanhameha Highway. This time around, STRL’s Road and Highway Builders subsidiary will be cold milling and paving a ten mile stretch of the highway, in addition to handling the reconstruction of four bridges, and the company expects to kick off the project as early as next quarter. The Kamanhameha contract is just the latest in a nice string of projects the company has landed this year, including the $26.3 million project award in late July from the Harris County Toll Road Authority in Houston, Texas – one of the company’s bedrock states.

There was also the giant $58.8 million Texas Department of Transportation contract from early in July, covering a six lane expansion on over eight miles of Interstate 45, as well as widening of seven existing bridges. Or, the $21.3 million Bailey Road widening project for the Houston suburb of Pearland announced earlier in that same month, secured via the company’s ability to underbid everyone else at the table. For STRL, this is about more than just securing prime contracts in what is a company stronghold, it’s about leveraging the company’s own logistical capacity to create value for its shareholders, laying hands on work that will produce good margins, and whose successful completion will help keep Sterling in the good graces of state and local administrators.

There was little surprise among clued-in analysts when the company beat Q3 estimates handily, delivering a robust set of financials in early November, which showed an adjusted $0.09 earnings per share on the strength of a 10.7 percent year-over-year reduction in the cost of sales. Gross profits were also up markedly for the quarter, showing a 72.6 percent gain to $14.5 million when compared with Q3 FY14’s figures, as well as a 3.8 percent rise in gross margins over the same interval.

For a closer look, visit http://www.strlco.com

Horizon Pharma PLC (HZNP) Leveraging Diverse Product Portfolio to Promote Rapid Financial Growth in Biopharmaceutical Industry

Horizon Pharma PLC (NASDAQ: HZNP) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the lives of patients by identifying, developing, acquiring and commercializing differentiated and accessible medicines that address unmet medical needs. The company’s portfolio includes four commercialized medications for the treatment of arthritis pain and inflammation – including DUEXIS®, PENNSAID®, RAYOS® and VIMOVO® – as well as three additional products targeting rare diseases – including ACTUMMUNE® for the treatment of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and severe, malignant osteopetrosis (SMO), as well as BUPHENYL® and RAVICTI® for the treatment of urea cycle disorders (UCDs).

Through these products, Horizon is addressing a collection of promising indications within the biopharmaceutical industry. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five adults in the United States, more than 50 million people, report having doctor-diagnosed arthritis, and this figure is expected to expand to include an estimated 67 million American adults by 2030. As the nation’s number one cause of disability, arthritis accounts for more than $156 billion in lost wages and medical expenses annually, including nearly a million hospitalizations.

In a recent news release, Horizon highlighted the market potential of its four arthritis medications when it announced that 2015 net sales for the products exceeded $500 million. This performance was a result of Horizon’s total prescription growth, which has increased by 189 percent since January 2014. The company’s four arthritis pain and inflammation products accounted for 1.5 million total prescriptions, but management is optimistic about the prospects for significant future growth. The U.S. NSAID market, in which DUEXIS, VIMOVO and PENNSAID participate, accounts for roughly 117 million prescriptions each year.

“Since our company’s inception, we have built a strong and diverse portfolio of medicines through best-in-class commercial execution and value-enhancing acquisitions that we expect will drive nearly $1 billion in net sales in 2016,” Timothy P. Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Horizon, stated in a news release. “As we look to the future, we believe our long-range plan has the potential to double net sales by 2020, led by our rapidly expanding orphan business.”

By 2020, Horizon expects its orphan business unit to represent approximately 60 percent of total company net sales. In support of this goal, Horizon is currently studying ACTIMMUNE in a phase III clinical trial for Friedreich’s ataxia, an inherited disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system. The company is also preparing to initiate a phase I dosing trial in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for the treatment of various forms of cancer. Based on third quarter 2015 net sales, Horizon forecasts $265 million in annualized U.S. sales for ACTIMMUNE and RAVICTI in 2015.

“We expect to accelerate clinical development of ACTIMMUNE, with a specific focus on Friedreich’s ataxia and cancer,” concluded Walbert.

For prospective shareholders, Horizon’s ongoing progress toward expanding its sales in both its arthritis pain and inflammation products and its orphan disease treatments could foreshadow an opportunity for the company to achieve considerable financial growth in the months to come. Look for Horizon to close in on its 2020 growth goals as it progresses with the clinical development of ACTIMMUNE moving forward.

For more information, visit www.horizonpharma.com

Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. (LIOX) Enables World-Leading Brands to Increase International Market Share with Innovative Translation Solutions

Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: LIOX) is a trailblazing globalization company focused on delivering industry-leading translation and localization, digital marketing, global content management and application testing services to more than 800 of the world’s top brands – including Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) and Canon (NYSE: CAJ). The company partners with businesses across a multitude of industries in order to reduce the complexities of multilingual content management, boost production efficiencies and effectively engage diverse audiences while simultaneously accelerating global growth.

In July, Lionbridge was named the world’s largest language services company by Common Sense Advisory (CSA), an independent market research firm, for the fourth consecutive year. According to CSA’s report, the market for outsourced language services recently surpassed $38 billion, and sustained growth is expected at a rate of six percent in the coming year. Because language is not a core competency for most organizations, commercial enterprises across a host of industries must outsource language translation in order to effectively communicate with constituents, providing an opportunity for Lionbridge to promote strong financial growth in the years to come.

In the third quarter of 2015, Lionbridge effectively capitalized on current market conditions in order to realize a 15 percent year-over-year increase in total revenues. Among this growth, the company secured several significant new customer engagements, including a Taiwanese manufacturer of smartphones, a large U.S. retailers and a British luxury automobile manufacturer. The diversity of these new customer engagements illustrates the immense market potential of Lionbridge’s translation and content management solutions as globalization continues to take hold in emerging markets around the planet.

The company set the stage for future growth earlier this month when it announced the acquisition of Geotext Translations, Inc., a privately-held provider of legal translation services. Following this acquisition, Lionbridge is in a strong position to address the growing demand for integrated, high-quality legal translation solutions while gaining access to Geotext’s long-standing relationships with clients in the legal industry.

According to a report by IBISWorld, demand for translations services is on the rise as a result of nonnative English speakers coming to the U.S. and domestic businesses taking products overseas. Currently, the four largest players in the industry, of which Lionbridge is one, have a combined market share of less than 20 percent, further demonstrating the company’s favorable prospects for future growth. Look for Lionbridge to continue building on its expansive customer base while benefitting from its newly-added capabilities following the Geotext acquisition in the months to come.

For more information, visit www.lionbridge.com

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Oakridge Global Energy Solutions, Inc. (OGES) – The “Sexy” Side of Batteries

As a cutting-edge energy storage solutions company, Oakridge Global Energy Solutions is engaged in the design, development and manufacture of high-quality cells, batteries and power systems. It may not sound exciting or “sexy,” but if there’s any reason to get excited about battery technologies, it’s what Oakridge is doing to stir up the market.

For starters, Oakridge’s product line is “Made in the USA” – a federally regulated claim that boasts of patriotism and the creation of domestic jobs. In October, Oakridge announced that the ongoing expansion of its facilities and operations would create 1,000 new jobs in the company’s home state of Florida.

Part of this three-year growth plan included a recent upgrade from the company’s 12,500-square-foot facility to a 68,718-square-foot corporate headquarters and manufacturing center in Palm Bay. Florida Governor Rick Scott, along with several local dignitaries and business entrepreneurs, celebrated the company’s progress with a major press conference at the new headquarters and acknowledged its impact on the local community with the “Governor’s Business Ambassador” medal.

If that doesn’t heat up your pipes, consider that Oakridge’s solutions are optimized to address three high-demand target markets: stationary and grid storage; motive applications, such as electric and hybrid electric fleet vehicles; and specialty applications, such as military, aerospace, marine, medical and telecom backup.

From golf carts, drones and medical uses to underwater and space applications for the consumer, government, industrial and military industries, Oakridge’s products cover the gamut of power solutions:

• Patriot Series – this small format lithium ion battery was designed with RC hobbyists and portable medical devices in mind. This series will provide on-the-go users with a more powerful, longer lasting charge in a more convenient size for travel and storage.

• Pro Series – Oakridge’s lithium ion golf cart battery systems are among the best in the industry – long-lasting and good for over 2,000 cycles, these high energy, high performance batteries will travel up to 60 miles on a single charge and feature smart charging technology and management interface tools.

• Liberty Series – batteries designed for everyday use in vehicles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, boats, jet skis, snowmobiles and more.

• The Freedom Series of Living Space Power Storage Units – powered by hi-tech lithium-ion batteries, this is one Oakridge’s the newest lines currently the product pipeline and undergoing review for commercial production.

Oakridge also maintains an international presence through its recently formed subsidiary, Oakridge Global Energy Solutions Limited, Hong Kong. This subsidiary will serve as the foundation for Oakridge’s sales efforts throughout the Asia-Pacific region, addressing tremendous international demand for its revolutionary stored energy solutions. The company also maintains a substantial interest in Leclanche S.A., a Swiss developer and manufacturer of large-sized lithium-ion batteries that was originally founded in 1909.

Leaning on the expertise of its proven management team – which includes more than 100 years of combined industry experience – Oakridge is heating up the lithium-battery market with its technologies, and plans to take its share of the $12 billion domestic battery manufacturing industry while extending its market reach in the global lithium-ion batteries market, which is expected to tip the scales at $70 billion by 2020.

If you need a little more stimulation, check out the company’s corporate videos at http://oakg.net/oakgvideo.html. For more information visit www.oakg.net

Monday, November 16, 2015

IEG Holdings Corp. (IEGH) Seeking to Provide Unsecured Consumer Lending Services to 80 Percent of U.S. Markets by Early 2016

IEG Holdings Corp. provides online unsecured consumer loans under the brand name ‘Mr. Amazing Loans’ in 16 states across the country. IEGH is currently implementing an aggressive growth strategy designed to increase its coverage of the U.S. population, and it expects to obtain nine additional online state licenses by early 2016. If successful, this expansion would increase IEGH’s coverage to include roughly 80 percent of U.S. markets.

Earlier this month, IEGH gave prospective investors a preview of its growth potential when it announced that the cumulative loan volume of ‘Mr. Amazing Loans’ had surpassed $10 million. According to a news release, the company is utilizing low acquisition cost lead sources and national expansion in order to build on its recent market progress and maximize financial growth. Since July 2015, IEGH has successfully added consumer loans in California, Alabama and Louisiana to its existing national footprint.

Along with its ongoing national expansion, IEGH is achieving strong financial growth. In the third quarter of 2015, IEGH realized a 272 percent year-over-year increase in total revenues, recording $539,867 for the period. As the company continues to drive loan volume growth, it’s in a strong position to build on this financial performance. When combined with its increase in net assets, which now stand at approximately $8.3 million, IEGH is rapidly emerging as a company to watch throughout the investment community, and current market conditions seem to set the stage for sustainable growth in the months to come.

According to a report by First Research, the consumer lending industry – led by major players such as Cash America (NYSE: CSH), EZCORP (NASDAQ: EZPW) and Springleaf Holdings (NYSE: LEAF) – currently accounts for combined annual revenue of about $35 billion. The report also indicates that smaller companies, such as IEGH, can compete effectively by targeting favorable locations and niche markets.

Moving forward, IEGH will lean on the considerable industry experience of its management team in order to continue expanding its foothold in the consumer lending industry. The company’s founder and chief executive officer, Paul Mathieson, previously built a business in Australia that lent approximately $48 million to over 11,500 customers before he relocated to the U.S. in 2008. Look for IEGH to benefit from this industry knowledge as it continues to implement an aggressive growth strategy under the ‘Mr. Amazing Loans’ brand.

For more information, visit www.investmentevolution.com

International Stem Cell Corp. (ISCO) Posts Key Business Highlights, Opens its Books for Q3, YtD 2015

International Stem Cell Corp. this morning posted a business update along with operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2105. Among other results, the California-based biotech company reported an increase in quarterly revenues, along with significantly narrowed third-quarter and nine-month losses.

“Overall I am satisfied with the company’s progress in Q3. We are maintaining our position as a leader in regenerative medicine field and the overall operating income of our biomedical businesses continues to grow,” Andrey Semechkin, Ph.D., CEO and co-chairman of ISCO, stated in the news release. “We really look forward to beginning the enrolment of patients in our pending Parkinson’s disease clinical trial before the end of 2015.”

Q3 Business Highlights

Among several quarterly business highlights, ISCO in the third quarter of 2015 developed an innovative technology designed to generate functional articular cartilage from the patient’s own skin or adipose tissue with the potential to treat osteoarthritis. The company also moved into the second phase of its existing research agreement with global Japanese pharmaceutical company Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; appointed a new chief executive officer; and presented comprehensive findings from Parkinson’s disease program at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Neuroscience 2015.

In regards to its wholly owned subsidiary, ISCO in the third quarter completed clinical testing of a new compound, which the company intends to utilize in substantially new skin care products to be marketed by its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care, Inc., starting December 2015. Lifeline Skin Care launched its ProPlus+ professional line of products that will be available exclusively through Lifeline’s network of dermatologists, aestheticians and med spas.

Q3, YtD Financial Results

For the quarter ended in September 2015, ISCO reported revenues of $2.14 million, an increase of 9% over revenue of $173,000 posted in the third quarter of 2014. The company’s Lifeline Cell Technology sales increased by 22%, or $220,000, while Lifeline Skin Care sales decreased by 5%, or $47,000; both wholly owned subsidiaries remain profitable. ISCO’s consolidated net loss for the quarter was $539,000 compared to consolidated net loss of $2.0 million for the third quarter last year.

Total consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was $5.57 million, an increase of 7%, or $373,000, vs $5.20 million in revenue reported for the comparable period of 2014. Lifeline Cell Technology sales increased by 9%, or $244,000, while Lifeline Skin Care sales decreased by 5%, or $129,000. ISCO’s consolidated net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was $1.1 million vs a consolidated net loss of $7.9 million for the comparable nine months of last year, which the company partially attributes to the completion of multiple preclinical studies during the first six months of 2015.

ISCO ended the third quarter of 2015 with cash balance of $599,000. As of September 30, 2015, stockholders’ equity totaled $834,000.

Using its core technology, which results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs), ISCO is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) and the development and commercialization of cell-based research and cosmetic products. ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenetic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells for hundreds of millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial background with minimal immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs offer the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell™. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology (www.lifelinecelltech.com), and stem cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care (www.lifelineskincare.com).

For more information visit at www.internationalstemcell.com.