Knightscope, Inc.

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Knightscope, Inc..

Autonomous Security Robot (“ASR”) developer Knightscope has built its mission and technological platform on what it sees as a need to improve how perimeter security is maintained within the United States. “We are on a mission to make the United States of America the safest country in the world. Yes, it is an audacious goal. But since when in our country do we shy away from what is hard and what is difficult? We are Americans,” a company video states (https://ibn.fm/k4RrK).

Knightscope, Inc., founded in 2013 and based in Mountain View, California, is a leader in the development of autonomous security capabilities and are on target to disrupt the $500 billion security industry. Knightscope’s technology uniquely combines self-driving technology, robotics and artificial intelligence.

Knightscope designs and builds Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs) that provide 24/7/365 security to the places you live, work, visit and study. The company’s client list covers public institutions and commercial business operations, including ten Fortune 1000 companies to date. These ASRs have been proven to enhance safety at hospitals, logistics facilities, manufacturing plants, schools and corporations. ASRs act as highly cost-effective complementary systems to traditional security and law enforcement officials, providing an additional advantage by continuing to offer uninterrupted patrolling capabilities across the country, despite the pandemic (note: robots are immune).

The company’s ASRs have assisted in the arrest of suspects involved in crimes ranging from armed robbery to hit-and-runs. Their machine-embedded thermal scanning capability even aided in preventing the breakout of a major fire.

The company has achieved several milestones since its creation in 2013, including:

• Establishing itself in a 15,000-square-foot facility located in Mountain View, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley, where Knightscope designs, engineers and builds its technology;
• Operating for more than one million hours in the field and securing contracts across five time zones;
• Navigating through the global pandemic without interruption by continuing to operate on a daily basis across the nation and supporting clients classified as essential services; and
• Continuing its hiring processes despite the current societal and economic disruption.

Growth Capital

With more than 10,000 investors and over $40 million raised since inception, Knightscope is poised to be an industry leader in the future of public safety and security.

The company is presently in the process of raising up to $50 million in growth capital as it prepares for a potential public listing. Knightscope has reserved ticker symbol ‘KSCP’ with Nasdaq.

Investors can buy shares exclusively through the company’s managing broker-dealer, StartEngine (http://nnw.fm/l9GLX) until July 20, 2020. Concurrent with this live offering and contingent upon various factors, including raising a sufficient amount of funds and meeting applicable listing standards, the company intends to begin preparation of an S-1 format Form 1-A and Nasdaq Capital Market application in anticipation of a possible public listing of the stock at the conclusion of the Regulation A+ offering.

Company Mission — The Greater Good

Knightscope’s long-term vision has an eye on the greater good. The company’s mission is to make the United States of America the safest nation in the world while supporting millions of law enforcement and security professionals across the country.

Crime has a negative economic impact in excess of $1 trillion annually. As crime is reduced, positive impacts will likely be realized across several aspects of society, including housing, financial markets, insurance, municipal budgets, local business and safety in general.

Knightscope CEO William Santana Li was recently interviewed by Kevin O’Leary, more commonly known as Shark Tank’s Mr. Wonderful. When asked to explain how the benefits provided by the ASRs outrank a human doing the same job, Li said, “First, just the simple presence of a physical deterrent causes criminal behavior to change. Second, the machines are self-driving cars that patrol all around and recharge themselves. They also generate 90 terabytes of data per year. No human would ever be able to process that. The robots are intended to be eyes and ears for the humans, not a one to one replacement.”

The Knightscope solution to reduce crime combines the physical presence of ASRs, sometimes referred to as proprietary Autonomous Data Machines, with real-time onsite data collection and analysis. The ASRs are fitted with eye-level 360° cameras, thermal scanning, public address announcements and various other features that work in tandem with humans to provide law enforcement officers and security guards unprecedented situational awareness.

Those 90 terabytes of data are then formatted in a useable way, so law enforcement can leverage that information and execute their responsibilities more effectively.

Public Safety Innovation

The company’s recurring revenue business model is set up to mimic the recurring societal problem of crime, and it takes into consideration the fact that innovation in the security and public safety industry has been stagnant for decades. Because the traditional practices of the sector have remained unchanged for years, automation has potential to drive substantial cost savings — and significant improvement in capabilities.

Human security guards are one of both the largest expenses and the largest liabilities for companies. Knightscope’s robots are offered at an effective price of $4 to $11 per hour, compared with approximately $85 and $30 per hour for an armed off duty law enforcement officer and an unarmed security guard, respectively.

This innovation has the potential to drive considerable cost savings. Based on these estimates, manufacturing costs can be recovered as soon as the first year of operation.

Product Offerings

The company has four patents and a framework of unique intellectual property. Knightscope currently offers a K1 stationary machine, a K3 indoor machine and a K5 outdoor machine. A K7 multi-terrain four-wheel version is in development.

The ASRs autonomously patrol client sites without the need for remote control, providing a visible, force multiplying, physical security presence to help protect assets, monitor changes in the area and deter crime. The data is accessible through the Knightscope Security Operations Center (KSOC), an intuitive, browser-based interface that enables security professionals to review events generated by the ASRs providing effectively ‘mobile smart eyes and ears’.

The ASRs and all the related technologies were developed ground up by the Company and are Made in the USA.

Management Team

Chief Executive Officer William Santana Li is a veteran entrepreneur, a former executive at Ford Motor Company and the founder of GreenLeaf, a company that grew to be the world’s second-largest automotive recycler and is now part of LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ: LKQ).

Chief Client Officer Stacy Dean Stephens brings his experience as a former Dallas law enforcement officer, as well as his skills as a seasoned entrepreneur, to assist on the client acquisition side.

Chief Intelligence Officer Mercedes Soria is an award-winning technologist and former Deloitte software engineer.

Chief Design Officer Aaron Lehnhardt brings over two decades of two- and three-dimensional product and industrial design in modeling and VR to the table, on top of his experience as a senior designer at Ford Motor Company.

Recent News

• Knightscope’s Autonomous Robots Help Secure the Perimeter in Modern Era of National Hazards
• QualityStocksNewsBreaks – Knightscope Inc. Adds Another Customer to Growing List of ASR Users
• QualityStocksNewsBreaks – Knightscope Inc. Creates Dozens of New American Jobs

iClick Interactive Asia Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: ICLK)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight iClick Interactive Asia Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: ICLK).

iClick Interactive (NASDAQ: ICLK), an independent online marketing and enterprise data solutions provider in China, has announced it will release its unaudited financial report later this month. The company will report Q4 and FY2020 financial numbers on Thursday, March 25, 2021. The company will release the numbers before the U.S. market opens and then will hold a conference call at 8 a.m. ET that same day to discuss the financial report. To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/00ZIG

iClick Interactive Asia Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: ICLK) is an independent online marketing and enterprise data solutions provider connecting worldwide marketers with audiences in China. Built on cutting-edge technologies, iClick’s proprietary platform possesses omni-channel marketing capabilities and fulfills various marketing objectives in a data-driven and automated manner, helping international and domestic marketers reach their target audiences. Headquartered in Hong Kong, iClick operates in 10 locations worldwide, including Asia and Europe.

iClick aims to become a fully integrated Enterprise and Marketing Cloud Platform in China, providing clients a full consumer-cycle solution. This is facilitated by two pillars’ growth strategy through two business segments: Marketing Solutions and Enterprise Solutions.

Marketing Solutions

Using data and AI-driven technology to help brands efficiently identify, target and acquire the right customers

As the leading programmatic marketing platform in China, iClick’s proprietary platform collects a wealth of data from multiple sources to precisely reach the right audience at the right moment, on the right channel and right device. Cross-screen search solutions capture critical micro-moments when users proactively search for what they need. This multi-dimensional approach to marketing allows iClick to effectively understand internet users and exponentially widen target audiences for its brand clients. Multiple monetization models available in the Marketing Solutions segment allow iClick to serve its clients in several ways, such as audience targeting.

Data-driven marketing is indispensable to marketers targeting specific audiences in China. More than 825 million internet users in China are anonymously profiled on iClick’s platform, which boasts cross-channel and cross-screen capabilities.

Enterprise Solutions

Enabling brands to efficiently manage their consumers through online and offline data integration and analysis, increase the repurchase rate, and enhance consumers’ loyalty

iClick’s Enterprise Solutions segment addresses enterprise needs in China, particularly focusing on “smart retail,” an expanding and innovating market involving the combination of online and offline consumers’ behavioral information. Enterprise Solutions support detailed profiling of customers, which facilitates data-driven business strategies, enhances business processes at various levels, and increases operational and marketing efficiency.

Enterprise Solutions leverages iClick’s proprietary platform that incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI) to learn, build and store knowledge, enabling accurate predictions about consumer behavior that ultimately provide marketing solutions derived from the large amount of available data.

Through a strategic partnership with Tencent, iClick’s Enterprise Solutions presents strong recurring revenue streams with tremendous opportunities to upsell multi-national corporations (MNCs). Tencent’s proprietary API connection enables brands to build 360-degree consumer profiles based on the collection and integration of purchased behavioral information from online and offline touchpoints, including WeChat Mini Programs, WeChat Payment, WeChat Work and more.

As iClick continues to provide integrated marketing and smart retail solutions targeting Chinese consumers, the company believes Enterprise Solutions has strong long-term growth potential and will become a major gross margin contributor in the future.

Partnerships

In 2019, iClick established various agreements and partnerships with a number of leading southeast and northeast Asian companies for regional diversification and in 2020 is focused on continuing to develop additional partnerships and new business models globally. Many of the world’s top companies are leveraging iClick’s proprietary data platform to precisely identify and reach out to core target audience groups in China.

The company’s partnerships include:

• A tri-partnership with BTG WELINK, an online retail services arm of Beijing Tourism Group (“BTG”), and Tencent Holdings Ltd., China’s leading provider of internet value added services. As part of this partnership, iClick applies its upgraded solutions to build a private DSP (Demand Side Platform) system for BTG. Using Tencent’s big data advertising platform, iClick can assist BTG to develop precision marketing campaigns.
• An Advertising Agency Authorization Certificate from Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU), under which iClick is designated the authorized agency for native advertising of Baidu’s news feed ads. Native advertising is a consumer-friendly, non-disruptive advertising format that has gained rapid popularity among advertisers in recent years. Native advertising and creative marketing content have become a more effective marketing method among the Chinese young consumers. In 2019, the native advertising sector was estimated to have an around 53.5% share of the online advertising revenue, according to Statista.
• A joint-venture partnership with VGI Global Media Plc (VGI.BKK), Thailand’s No. 1 online to offline (O2O) solutions provider across advertising, payment and logistics platforms, which enables brands in Southeast Asia to capture the multi-billion-dollar Chinese consumer market through a range of technology-driven marketing solutions.

Case Study: Armani Hotel Dubai

Dubai has been gearing up to welcome the growing wave of Chinese visitors. Chinese nationals are eligible for a 30-day visa-on-arrival into the UAE, which gives Chinese travelers tremendous convenience. In light of this, Armani Hotel Dubai set the objective to increase its sales in this market.

The challenge: What Aarmani Hotel Dubai lacked in executing this goal was insightful understanding of Chinese travelers in particular the demographics that were likely to be attracted to the hotel. Challenged by the huge differences in the business practice, unique culture and language barrier in running digital campaigns in China, Armani Hotel Dubai turned to iClick’s know-how and expertise to guide its campaign to success and meet its sales goal.

The solution: iClick tailored an optimal solution for the hotel to increase brand awareness and booking rate from China — which is the key market for the hotel — and successfully assisted Armani Hotel Dubai in reaching its target Chinese audiences by using China’s most popular mobile and internet sites, including WeChat and Weibo, to improve reach and booking potential.

The results: Due to iClick’s unrivaled technological and execution strengths, Armani Hotel Dubai’s ads were delivered in an omnichannel manner, raising brand awareness and garnering interest between Chinese consumers. Subsequently, Armani Hotel Dubai saw a surge in conversion rate.
During the campaign, the Armani Hotel Dubai brand was connected with 87% of Chinese mobile users.

Award-winning Provider

iClick, a Deloitte Technology Fast50, has received multiple industry awards from the international marketing community. The company is committed to helping clients access digital China with its omni-channel, data-driven marketing solutions that deliver uniquely sharpened marketing capabilities and outstanding advertising results.

Most recently, iClick subsidiary OptAim (Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd was recognized by Tencent Ads as a 2019 Gold Service Provider. Tencent Ads also named OptAim the winner of three major annual awards for the second half of 2019: “Outstanding Contribution of the Year,” “Best Technology & Data Application Award,” and “Best Branding Awards.”

In November 2019, company co-founder and CEO Sammy Hsieh was chosen as the winner of the “EY Entrepreneur of The Year China 2019 Award in Technology Category,” an award recognizing his entrepreneurial acumen, innovative spirit and strong leadership. As one of the world’s most prestigious business accolades, the “EY Entrepreneur of The Year” awards program honors those who accomplish success by combining ability with opportunity, and inspire others with great vision, leadership and outstanding achievement.

iClick won the Annual Influential Platform Award and the Innovation Golden Award in Marketing at the Creative Award 2019, as well as the Best Tourism Marketing Agency. The company was also the recipient of the “Best Brand and Performance Marketing Award” at the Performance Marketing Ecosystem Summit 2018 hosted by the Advertising & Marketing Service, a division of Tencent Holdings Limited.

The company in 2018 was also recognized as “Platinum Service Partner of Tencent Social Ads” at the Tencent Key Accounts Mid-Year Summit held in Beijing. The mobile division of iClick, Optaim, received the same award beginning in 2016. Optaim was also the “Best DSP Partner” and “Key Account Data Partner” of Tencent, making it the only player in China with such unique and deep level of cooperation with Tencent Social Ads.

Leadership

Sammy Wing Hong Hsieh, chairman of the board and co-founder, was CEO from 2009 to 2019. Prior to co-founding iClick, Hsieh held senior positions in several prominent technology companies. He was general manager for Asia Pacific at Efficient Frontier (now an Adobe company), a leading digital performance marketing company, and was director of Search Marketing at Yahoo Hong Kong from 2000-2008. Hsieh received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Jian Tang, director, CEO and co-founder, has 20 years of experience in digital advertising and is well-known in China for his expertise in advertising technologies and big data. In 2012, he founded OptAim, which was acquired by iClick in 2015, and has served key research, engineering and management roles at Yahoo’s global research and development center. Tang received his doctorate in computer engineering from Tsinghua University and was named by Campaign Asia as one of the leaders in its Digital A-List in 2016.

Terence Chi Wai Li, chief financial officer, has 15 years of experience in financial management, investment and business operations. He has served in management roles and advisory capacities at several start-ups, in addition to financial management and fundraising roles. He previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers, specializing in M&A due diligence and cross border tax and deal structuring projects. Li received an MBA from Oxford University’s Said Business School. He is a Fellow Member of ACCA, a Member of HKICPA, and a Chartered Financial Analyst.

iClick Interactive Asia Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: ICLK), closed Tuesday's trading session at $5.33, off by 1.6605%, on 352,444 volume with 1,923 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 488,761 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $2.73000001/$5.98999977.

Recent News

• ChineseNewsBreaks - iClick Interactive Asia Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: ICLK) Will Release Q4, FY 2020 Financial Results on March 25, 2021
• ChineseNewsBreaks - iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited's (NASDAQ: ICLK) SaaS Solutions Help Pioneering Toothpaste Brand Achieve Significant Growth
• ChineseNewsBreaks - iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited (NASDAQ: ICLK) Releases Statement Clarifying Parllay Acquisition

Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Net Element (NETE).

Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE) is in the process of transforming its business model to become a pure-play electric vehicle ("EV") manufacturer through a pending merger with privately-held Mullen Technologies Inc. Mullen today announced that it has executed a purchase and sales agreement ("PSA") and opened escrow to purchase an EV manufacturing facility in Tunica, Mississippi. To view the full press release, visit http://ibn.fm/78sUa. Also today, Mullen Technologies Inc . (“Mullen” or the “Company”), an emerging electric vehicle (“EV”) manufacturer, which previously announced a definitive agreement to merge with Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE ) in a stock-for-stock reverse merger in which Mullen’s stockholders will receive a majority of the outstanding stock in the post-merger company, has executed a purchase and sales agreement (PSA) and opened escrow to purchase a EV manufacturing facility in Tunica, Mississippi. This five-year-old, turn-key facility affords Mullen the opportunity to innovate its manufacturing processes, while having the availability to assemble vehicles now and optimize product design with simultaneous engineering efforts. Under Mullen ownership, the facility will be known as Mullen’s Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Center (AMEC) and Proving Grounds.

On June 15, 2020, Net Element announced its entry into a binding letter of intent to merge with privately-held Mullen Technologies Inc., a Southern California-based electric vehicle company, in a stock-for-stock reverse merger in which Mullen’s stockholders will receive the majority of the outstanding stock in the post-merger company. The proposed merger is currently pending the execution of a definitive agreement, shareholder vote and regulatory approval.

Net Element Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) is a global financial technology and value-added solutions group that supports electronic payments acceptance in an omni-channel environment spanning across point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile devices. The company operates a payments-as-a-service transactional model and value-added services platform for small to medium enterprises in the U.S. and selected emerging markets.

Net Element believes the future of global commerce is being revolutionized as consumers quickly migrate toward omni-channel shopping utilizing mobile devices, desktop, and online services. The company’s all-in-one payment solutions support and unify a whole range of applications through a single, robust platform, allowing global onboarding and support for multiple payment methods.

Net Element has also launched a blockchain-focused business unit that will develop and deploy blockchain technology-based solutions. Net Element expects the new division to create a decentralized crypto-based ecosystem that will act as a framework for an unlimited number of value-added services, connecting merchants and consumers in a seamless, economically efficient transaction. This new business unit intends to also identify and invest in unique projects that decentralize and disrupt the payment processing industry by combining blockchain technology and real-world applications with talented development teams, strong fundamentals and addressable markets large in size.

“We believe that we’re at the dawn of a new evolution where additional digital payment methods are being introduced,” Net Element chairman and CEO Oleg Firer, says. “Introduction of our division focused on blockchain as part of the NASDAQ-listed entity will add transparency and compliance assurance to our investors as well as provide access to deploy value-added services to over 20 million electronic commerce clients that are currently part of Net Element’s growing network.”

Net Element clients are treated to customized solutions that provide the flexibility needed to keep up with customers. Among the services offered are mobile payment apps that accept payments anywhere, anytime; cloud-based solutions built to increase productivity and enhance revenue for clients and partners; marketing solutions that turn lookers into buyers; and business analytics that make it easy for clients to monitor business metrics, engage with customers and compare the competition. Its multi-channel platform combines e-commerce, offline, point-of-sale, comprehensive back office tools, mobile point-of-sale, credit scoring and customer interaction in one powerful platform-as-a-service technology.

Net Element owns and operates a global mobile payments and transactional processing provider, TOT Group, Inc., with the following subsidiaries:

• Unified Payments – An award-winning, customized mobile billing and payments solution, recognized by Inc. Magazine as the No. 1 Fastest Growing Company in America in 2012.
• Aptito – A next-generation, all-in-one, cloud-based restaurant management and point-of-sale payments platform using wireless technology.
• Payonline – A fully integrated, processor agnostic electronic commerce platform.

Net Element is ranked on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™ list of North America’s 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in both 2017 and 2018, during which the company grew 190 percent and 183 percent, respectively. The company credits its progression to organic growth in its North America Transactions Segment, specifically the success of its Unified Payments brand, which focuses on value-added payment acceptance solutions for small to medium enterprises in the United States.

Net Element was also listed among South Florida Business Journal’s 2016 fastest growing technology companies.

Leveraging its suite of application performing interfaces (APIs) and connectors, Net Element powers commerce for businesses of all sizes through multi-channel platforms, all-in-one digital solutions, and end-to-end encryption of cardholder data utilizing tamper resistant hardware that ensures integrity and simplifies security.

Leading this innovation is chairman and CEO Oleg Firer, who is responsible for the overall vision, strategy and execution of the company’s mission of powering global commerce. He is joined by CFO Jeffrey Ginsburg, CPA, and Steven Wolberg, the company’s chief legal officer and secretary. Each corporate officer brings a unique blend of leadership, vision, experience and creative energy to the company.

From mobile payments and value-added transactional innovations like Aptito to e-commerce and retail payment transaction processing brands like Payonline and Unified Payments, Net Element is transforming the online and mobile experience.

Net Element (NETE), closed Thursday's trading session at $0.25925, up 12.7174%, on 32,080 volume with 21 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 17,940 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.109999999/$8.00.

Recent News

• GreenCarNewsBreaks - Net Element Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE), Mullen to Purchase Mississippi-Based EV Manufacturing Facility
• Mullen Technologies Announces Purchase of Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Center in Tunica, MS
• Retired EV Batteries Find New Uses on Farms, in Factories

Nextech AR Solutions Corp. (CSE: NTAR) (OTCQB: NEXCF)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Nextech AR Solutions Corp. (CSE: NTAR) (OTCQB: NEXCF).

Nextech AR Solutions (“Nextech'' or the “Company”) (OTCQB: NEXCF) (NEO: NTAR.NE) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: N29), a diversified leading provider of virtual and augmented reality (AR) experience technologies and services for eCommerce, education, advertising, conferences and events, today announced that The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard has selected Nextech AR’s Virtual Experience Platform (VXP) to host over a dozen seminars for its work on the Human Cell called ‘The Human Cell Atlas,’ a comprehensive reference maps of all human cells—the fundamental units of life—as a basis for both understanding human health and diagnosing, monitoring, and treating disease.

Nextech AR Solutions Corp. (CSE: NTAR) (OTCQB: NEXCF), based in Vancouver, Canada, is a leading provider of web-based augmented reality for e-commerce, advertising and virtual events, with technology ranging from simple 3D images to using 360-degree videos. Nextech AR provides businesses with a powerful end-to-end augmented reality platform designed specifically to increase online sales.

The company is currently pursuing four unique verticals with its innovative technology, including:

• Virtual Conference Platform: Nextech’s advanced Augmented Reality and Video Learning Experience Platform for Events leverages an SaaS model to give organizations the ability to create engaging virtual event management and learning experiences. Automated closed captions and translations for over 64 languages are available. The global virtual events market was valued at $90 billion in 2020 by Grandview Research, and it’s expected to reach more than $400 billion by 2027.
• ARitize™ for eCommerce: Launched in early 2019, the company’s SaaS platform for webAR in eCommerce serves as a ‘full funnel’ end-to-end e-commerce solution for the AR industry. The solution includes the Aritize360 app for 3D product capture, ‘Try it On’ technology for online apparel, 3D and 360-degree product views, ‘one click buy’ and much more.
• ARitize™ 3D/AR Advertising Platform: Launched in Q1 2020, this ad platform is being marketed as the industry’s first end-to-end solution leveraging 3D asset creation for 3D/AR ads. In 2019, according to IDC, global advertising spend totaled roughly $725 billion.
• ARitize™ Hollywood Studios: The studio is in development as a means of producing immersive content using 360-degree videos and augmented reality as primary display platforms.

Unique Marketing Strategy

Nextech AR’s efforts to disrupt the market for web-based augmented reality for e-commerce are supported by a unique go to market strategy. First, the company seeks to build or acquire platforms targeting a number of rapid growth industries, most notably AR, edTech, e-commerce, 3D/AR advertising and virtual & hybrid events.

After identifying these market opportunities, the company seeks to integrate new AR technologies into existing or novel platforms in an effort to secure market share and promote growth. These technologies include WebAR, Human Holograms, 360 Portals, ScreenAR, Genie in the bottle and AiRShow.

Nextech AR then aims to leverage these platforms to land and expand partnerships with a number of blue chip customers. The company’s current customer base includes the likes of Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, ViacomCBS, Toyota and Carnegie Mellon University.

Growth Capital

Nextech AR generates revenue through a software-as-a-service model from technology services, delivery of service revenue and sales of products through e-commerce.

As noted in its latest investor presentation, the company achieved record bookings in Q4 2020 of $7.3 million (estimated), marking a greater than 275% year-over-year increase. The company also realized greater than 235% revenue growth for calendar 2020, reporting $20 million for the 12-month period. Nextech AR attributes its 2020 increase in revenues to the contracts secured with new customers, expanded agreements with existing customers and additional conversions from e-commerce channels.

With its newly launched 3D ad network now bolstering its operations, Nextech AR is projecting revenues in excess of $50 million for 2021.

Recent Company Highlights

• February 16, 2021: The company announced it has hired Zak Mcleod, formerly of Fastly, as its new Senior Director of Sales – EMEA. The company also announced that Rory Ganness, formerly of Salesforce.com, has joined the Nextech team as Director of Enterprise Sales – North America.
• February 11, 2021: The company announced the launch of version 2.0 of its AiR Show app, an application that turns top music artists into interactive ‘live’ holograms, providing an immersive and engaging AR experience.
• February 8, 2021: The company announced the launch of new standardized chat features within its Virtual Experience Platform (VXP) and recently-launched ARoom collaborative streaming solution. Nextech will also offer the chat platform as a stand-alone SaaS service externally, increasing the company’s revenue potential for 2021.
• January 26, 2021: The company announced, in partnership with ARB Meetings and Events, it has signed a six-figure annual contract to supply its InfernoAR video conferencing and virtual events platform to NAMD.
• January 25, 2021: The company announced that Strategic Site Selection (SSS), a 15 year old site selection leader in the meeting and events industry, has selected Nextech AR as a preferred channel partner, making Nextech’s industry leading virtual experience platform and services available to SSS clients.
• January 20, 2021: The company announced that Microsoft’s Azure Cloud Services platform will be a standard offering across its virtual experience platforms and consumer apps, enabling hyper-scalable, secure and immersive events and applications for users.
• January 15, 2021: The company signed a renewal agreement with Poly with an initial value of $470,000 for a six-month term and the potential for additional revenue after the six months.

Management Team

Evan Gappelberg is CEO and Founder of Nextech AR. He is an experienced operating executive specializing in creating, funding and running hyper-growth startups in both the public and private sectors. Notably, he took Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) public with a market cap of $30 million and played a key role in guiding its growth to a current market cap of roughly $14 billion. Mr. Gappelberg has extensive experience as both a hands-on operating executive and a public markets professional.

Paul Duffy is the company’s President. He is a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in successfully starting, expanding, diversifying and selling global technology companies. Mr. Duffy is the creator of the HumaGram and inventor of the patent for Holographic Telepresence over the Internet (TOIP).

Augen Winschel is the COO of Nextech AR. He is an 18-year SAP executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in the areas of business management, business operations, marketing, product management, digital business and enterprise artificial intelligence.

Kashif Malik, CPA, CA, is the company’s CFO. He has over 15 years of financial experience spanning IPOs, M&A activity, corporate restructuring and capital raising. Mr. Malik has worked globally with public and private companies, including Merck & Company Inc. (NYSE: MRK), Real Matters Inc. (TSX: REAL) and Constellation Software Inc. (TSX: CSU). He obtained his Chartered Accountant designation while working at Deloitte.

Hareesh Acchi is the company’s President of 3D/AR Advertising. He is a 20-year Microsoft technology veteran with experience leading digital transformation and scaling businesses and enterprise organizations across the advertising industry.

Nextech AR Solutions Corp. (NEXCF), closed Friday’s trading session at $33.85, up 5.9136%, on 2,757,060 volume with 22,470 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 917,083 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $1.41999995/$48.9900016.

Recent News

• Nextech AR Signs 3-Year Platform Deal With The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
• Nextech AR Solutions Corp. (CSE: NTAR) (OTCQB: NEXCF) Is 'One to Watch'
• InvestorNewsBreaks - Nextech AR Solutions Corp. (OTCQB: NEXCF) (NEO: NTAR) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: N29) Joins IAB's Augmented Reality Board

Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE American: UEC)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE American: UEC).

A recent analysis of the world’s uranium supply by the International Atomic Energy Agency (“IAEA”) states that nuclear power will be a primary source of energy for the world in the coming years — assuming an adequate supply of uranium can be maintained (https://ibn.fm/ra0Vo). That report is great news for Uranium Energy (NYSE American: UEC), a U.S.-based uranium mining and exploration company that controls one of the country’s largest historical uranium exploration and development databases. 

Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE American: UEC) is a U.S.-based uranium mining and exploration company that controls one of the country’s largest historical uranium exploration and development databases. Founded in 2003, UEC is headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas. Properties acquired by the company are primarily located within the United States, including Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Wyoming.

Through the use of historical exploration data, UEC has been able to target and acquire properties that have already been subject to exploration and development by senior energy firms in the past.

UEC is well-financed to aggressively pursue key developmental targets. The company is also well-positioned to capitalize on rising global demand for more uranium and more carbon-free energy, and it uses technology that contributes to a cleaner environment.

In-Situ Recovery (ISR) Technology

In-situ recovery (ISR) technology is a low-cost and environmentally friendly mining technology utilized by UEC at its fully licensed projects, including Palangana, Burke Hollow, Goliad and Reno Creek.

ISR technology involves the circulation of naturally occurring and benign groundwater through a uranium ore body. This natural water (that is unfit for any other use) plus oxygen is pumped into injection wells through the uranium ore body, where the uranium in the host sandstone is oxidized and solubilized. The uranium bearing groundwater continues to flow through the sandstone to the extraction wells, where it is pumped to the surface. This water proceeds to an ion exchange unit (like a big water-softener) for uranium removal, then is pumped back to the wellfield and again re-circulated through the ore body. This recirculation of the same groundwater continues over and over, until the uranium in the sandstone is depleted.

In the ion exchange process, the extracted uranium in solution is concentrated on resin beads for transport to the Hobson Processing Facility. There, the uranium then undergoes several simple processing steps before being dried and packaged as “yellowcake” that will be transported to a conversion facility, where its sold to UEC customers.

Hobson Processing Plant

Hobson is the centerpiece in UEC’s hub and spoke production strategy, with low-cost satellite ISR operations all within relatively short trucking distance. The plant is fully licensed and currently on standby with an annual production capacity of 2 million pounds of U3O8. The spokes of the UEC strategy include the Palangana, Burke Hollow, Goliad, Salvo and Longhorn ISR projects. With an improvement in uranium prices that justify production, UEC plans to restart the plant with uranium loaded resins originating first from Palangana and then followed by Burke Hollow. UEC has applied for a license amendment with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to increase the Hobson facility’s production capacity to 4 million pounds per year.

Current Projects

Uranium Energy’s current project portfolio includes:

• Texas – Hobson Processing Plant, Palangana Mine, Goliad, Burke Hollow, Salvo and Longhorn
• Wyoming – Reno Creek
• Paraguay – Oviedo, Yuty and Alto Paraná
• New Mexico – Dalton Pass and C de Baca
• Colorado – Long Park and Slick Rock
• Arizona – Anderson, Los Cuatros and Workman Creek
• Canada – Diabase

Uranium Market Outlook

The long-term fundamentals underlying the market continue to strengthen. Currently, UEC sees an annual gap of about 40 million pounds between uranium production and utility requirements. Current forecasts show this structural deficit persisting at least through 2026 and then expanding further to almost 70 million pounds per year by 2030. While secondary supplies have been filling the void, those supplies are not a sustainable long term supply source. There are different estimates on timing, but it is clear secondary supply (that includes inventory drawdowns) will be insufficient to fill the projected gap between supply and demand, and new production will be required. As this transition evolves, the market will become more production cost driven as opposed to inventory driven.

Higher priced contracts that have supported high production costs are continuing to roll out of producer and utility supply portfolios. These higher priced contracts are not replaceable, with current market prices below production costs for the vast majority of western producers. This will likely continue the trend of production cuts and deferrals until prices rise sufficiently to sustain long-term mining operations.

In the U.S., some of the foreign State-Owned Enterprise (“SOE”) supply that has been flooding the market will be reduced. Last year, the U.S. Department of Commerce negotiated an amendment to the Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Investigation on Uranium from the Russian Federation that reduces America’s dependence on Russian natural uranium concentrates by up to 75% from prior levels. Due to a prolonged weak pricing environment from an influx of price insensitive supply from SOEs, U.S. production is effectively zero, less than 1% of U.S. requirements.

On the demand side of the equation, further upside market pressure also appears likely to evolve as utilities return to a longer-term contracting cycle to replace expiring contracts. Over the longer term, there continues to be underlying and increasing demand building, as the globe continues a push toward carbon-free energy goals. Those goals will require the 24/7, base load, clean energy that nuclear power provides as part of the overall supply mix. A good example of that policy messaging came from Japan’s energy minister, who recently said he considers nuclear energy “indispensable” if the country is to meet its net-zero carbon emission goals.

Exacerbating the overall supply picture, lead times for new production typically range from seven to 10 years or longer. The market appears to be within the time frames required for investment to bring new supply online to meet those lead times. However, prices are not yet at levels that incentivize future production, increasing the probability of the potential for less supply than the market is currently pricing in. All things considered, UEC believes the supply and demand fundamentals should continue to exert upward pressure on uranium prices.

Management Team

Spencer Abraham is Chairman of the Board for UEC. He served as the 10th U.S. Secretary of Energy from 2001 to 2005. He is an honors graduate of Michigan State University and Harvard Law School, and he was a law professor at the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law. He was elected chairman of the Michigan Republican Party in 1983 and later served as deputy chief of staff in the office of the vice president and as co-chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. In 1994, Mr. Abraham was elected to the United States Senate from Michigan and has also served as a director of Occidental Petroleum and as the non-executive chairman of AREVA’s U.S. board.

Amir Adnani is the Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of Uranium Energy. He advanced the company from concept to United States production within its first five years. Mr. Adnani has developed an extensive pipeline of low-cost and near-term production projects. He is the founder and Chairman of GoldMining Inc. (TSX: GOLD) (OTCQX: GLDLF), a gold-resources acquisition and development firm. He is also the Chairman of Uranium Royalty Corp. (TSX.V: URC). Mr. Adnani holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia. He is a director of the University’s Alumni Association.

Scott Melbye is the company’s Executive Vice President. He is a 36-year veteran of the nuclear energy industry and has held numerous leadership positions in major uranium mining firms. He is also the current President, CEO and Director of Uranium Royalty Corp. He is an advisor to the Nuclear Energy Program at the Colorado School of Mines. Prior to his work at Uranium Participation Corp., Mr. Melbye worked for Cameco Inc. for 22 years. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in International Business from Arizona State University in 1984.

Bruce Nicholson is the company’s Vice President of Corporate Development. He has spent 16 years as a specialist in the industry, serving major United States and European banks, broker-dealers and investment funds. Mr. Nicholson is a member of the Minerals Economics and Management Society, Minerals Industry Analyst Group, and the New York Society of Securities Analysts. He graduated with an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University in 1995 and is a CFA charter holder.

Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC), closed Wednesday’s trading session at $0.4773, up 0.146874%, on 107,717 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 76,811 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.438603997/$1.00.

Recent News

• Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE American: UEC) Positioned to Produce Low-Cost Uranium for Carbon-Free Nuclear Energy
• MiningNewsBreaks - Why Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE American: UEC) Is 'One to Watch'
• Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE American: UEC) Positioned Favorably to Capitalize on Rising Uranium Demand

XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT).

XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) was featured today in the 420 with CNW by CannabisNewsWire. Cannabis businesses have had a complicated relationship with banking institutions for quite a while. Although most states allow cannabis in some form, federal law still classifies the plant as a controlled substance, and this difference in legislation has made financial dealings difficult for the cannabis businesses. Most of them have trouble finding financial institutions that are willing to transact with them, let alone offer them loan and financing services.

XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) is a bioscience accelerator focused on next-generation drug delivery, diagnostic and new active pharmaceutical ingredient investment opportunities. This includes products that are being readied for commercialization within the coming weeks, such as a rapid COVID-19 PCR test kit that reduces turnaround times to less than 30 minutes.

The company has research and development operations in North America and Europe and an operational focus in Germany. Its regulatory approval and commercialization focus is currently on products for the European market.

XPhyto was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Business Strategy & Milestones for 2021

On January 18, 2021, XPhyto issued a news release detailing its business strategy for the coming year. The company noted that it is “on the cusp of transformational change as product development programs advance from the laboratory to the clinic.” In addition to continuing to leverage its scientific expertise and operations in North America and Europe for product development and optimization, XPhyto intends to pursue growth through the commercialization of existing products and adherence to a focused investment strategy targeting impact-driven innovation with “the potential for extreme value creation.”

In particular, XPhyto is well positioned to execute on opportunities across its current business divisions, including:

• Commercialization of infectious disease diagnostics
• Clinical validation of transdermal and sublingual drug formulations
• Continued investment and development in psychedelic medicine

“2020 was a very productive year for XPhyto. We made significant progress in all areas of our business,” Hugh Rogers, CEO & Director of XPhyto, stated in the update. “We have ambitious milestones for 2021 with multiple product launches on the horizon, multiple clinical drug programs underway, and an aggressive commitment to psychedelic medicine. I am extremely confident that our team can execute on the company’s business plan for 2021.”

Infectious Disease Diagnostics

XPhyto’s lead diagnostic product, secured through an exclusive global commercialization agreement with 3a-diagnostics GmbH (“3a”), is a rapid and highly portable PCR diagnostic test. Notably, PCR testing “has emerged as the only internationally recognized standard for COVID-19 testing” and is expected to play a key role in facilitating the recovery of the domestic and international travel industries, among others.

Successful validation of the PCR system was achieved in Q4 2020, and XPhyto has expressed confidence that it will achieve European commercial (CE-IVD) approval in Q1 2021. In preparation for this milestone and an anticipated Q1 product launch, the company is currently in discussion with manufacturing and distribution partners in Europe and the Middle East.

In addition to COVID-19 products, XPhyto and partner 3a are developing and commercializing a portfolio of low-cost oral biosensors. The company’s lead biosensor product is an oral health screening test for the detection of peri-implantitis for which XPhyto is targeting a late 2021 European commercial approval.

XPhyto does not make any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drug Formulation & Delivery

In 2020, XPhyto’s German subsidiary, Vektor Pharma TF GmbH (“Vektor”), reported significant advancement in four therapeutic programs targeting neurological indications with significant market demand. Vektor also successfully developed a sublingual drug formulation on contract for a major generic drug manufacturer and distributor.

XPhyto will look to build on this progress in 2021, with plans to complete human pilot studies evaluating its four lead therapeutic products:

• Rotigotine transdermal patch for Parkinson’s disease
• CBD oral/sublingual strip for treatment resistant epilepsy
• THC oral/sublingual strip for anorexia/nausea
• CBD:THC (1:1) oral/sublingual strip for multiple sclerosis associated spasticity

Per its 2021 business update, the company is currently in “ongoing discussions with multiple potential commercial partners, licensors and distributors and will be reviewing monetization opportunities on a continued basis.”

Psychedelic Medicine

Psychedelic compounds are a highly promising new class of active pharmaceutical ingredient (“API”) demonstrating strong potential for a variety of mental health conditions. XPhyto is positioned to capitalize on this promise through two strategic initiatives:

• An agreement for the development of industrial scale biotechnology processes for the production of psilocybin
• An agreement for R&D related to multiple psychedelic compounds, including psilocybin, mescaline, LSD, MDMA and DMT, among others

XPhyto intends to advance and expand its programs focused on the industrial scale production of psychedelic API in 2021. The company also plans to launch new programs for the development of psychedelic drug formulations, with a focus on sublingual and transdermal therapeutics and the integration of these products into established clinical programs relating to mental health indications.

Management Team

Hugh Rogers is the CEO and Director of XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. He is an entrepreneur and lawyer with private and public start-up company experience in various industries and operational roles. His recent advisory work has focused on public listings and corporate restructuring. This restructuring has occurred in the life science (cell therapy and medical device) and natural resources (natural gas co-gen and conventional oil) industries. Mr. Rogers holds a bachelor’s degree in Cellular Biology and Genetics and a law degree. He is a member in good standing of the Law Society of British Colombia.

Christopher Ross is the CFO of XPhyto. He is a professional accountant with broad financial experience across numerous industries, including forestry, distribution, construction, mining and multi-family real estate. He has provided advisory services to private and public companies in the areas of financial accounting, strategic analysis, audit and taxation. Mr. Ross holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce. He is a member in good standing with the Chartered Professional Accountants Association of British Columbia.

Wolfgang Probst serves as Director of XPhyto and Managing Director of BUNKER Pflanzenextrakte GmbH. He is a seasoned management and financial consultant based in Bavaria, Germany. He has consulting experience as branch head working with private clients and corporations of high net worth. In 2017, Mr. Probst assumed the CFO role of BUNKER and continues to play a key role in its operational and financial development.

Professor Dr. Raimar Löbenberg serves as Director of XPhyto. He holds a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from Johannes Gutenberg-University and a Ph.D. in pharmaceutics from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University. He is the co-founder of RS Therapeutics Inc., which concentrates on foam-based topical drug delivery systems.

Professor Dr. Thomas Beckert is the Founder and Managing Director of Vektor Pharma TF GmbH. His expertise includes the formulation and machine development of transdermal therapeutic systems and ODFs. Professor Beckert holds a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from the University of Freiburg and a Ph.D. in pharmacy and economics from the University of Tubingen.

XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (OTCQB: XPHYF), closed Monday's trading session at $2.05, up 3.0151%, on 73,251 volume with 375 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 57,207 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $1.04999995/$5.63000011.

Recent News

• 420 with CNW - Federal Data Indicates Decline in Banks Working with Marijuana Firms Is Ending
• UC San Diego Researchers to Test Psychedelics Potential in Treating Amputees
• BioMedNewsBreaks - XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY) (OTCQB: XPHYF) (FSE: 4XT) Announced Partner Has Received ISO Certification for Rapid COVID-19 Test

PowerBand Solutions Inc. (TSXV: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (Frankfurt: 1ZVA)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight PowerBand Solutions Inc. (TSXV: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (Frankfurt: 1ZVA).

PowerBand Solutions (TSX.V: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (FRA: 1ZVA), a fintech provider disrupting the automotive industry, announced that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding ("MOU") with Allianz Partners, a global leader in B2B2C assistance and insurance solutions. The MOU outlines plans for Allianz Partners, PowerBand Solutions and PWWBF’s partner D&P Holdings Inc. to sell automotive specialty insurance products on PowerBand’s proprietary DRIVRZ virtual transaction platform. To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/VB6sN.

PowerBand Solutions Inc. (TSXV: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (Frankfurt: 1ZVA) is revolutionizing the world’s automotive industry with a cloud-based platform that makes buying, selling, leasing and trading cars and trucks as easy as purchasing a product on Amazon or ordering an Uber from a smart phone. PowerBand offers auction and finance portal software tools that increases sales, efficiencies and profitability to its customers and dealers. It provides a transparent, simple, buy-sell online-auction and inventory-management system.

A Better Way to Connect and Acquire Vehicles

PowerBand’s mission is to create an online, consumer-directed marketplace that streamlines the interactions among all participants in the automotive industry. It transforms today’s antiquated business model with speed, transparency, access to information and ease of use for consumers and dealers.

Consumers can easily connect with new sources to buy vehicles, network with motivated buyers and sellers, maximize their trade-in values, improve their customer experience. PowerBand’s standardized system and transaction process also increase efficiencies and benefits with hands-on, process-driven, in-store training and support.

Through internal development, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, PowerBand is developing solutions for consumers, dealers, manufacturers, commercial customers and lenders that are poised to transform the trillion-dollar U.S. automotive industry.

The PowerBand Auto Platform

PowerBand’s transaction platform was developed by a team of experienced automotive, technology and finance experts, and has been refined through years of operational experience. Built on the core belief that the consumer prefers to primarily conduct automotive transactions online and avoid interactions with unnecessary middlemen, PowerBand’s product solutions include:

• Leasing: PowerBand is currently licensed in 33 U.S. states via a majority interest in MUSA Auto Finance LLC, an advanced online leasing technology platform that has transformed the new and used vehicle leasing industry. MUSA is the only approved, non-captive lease partner for Tesla in the U.S., and the platform can approve leases in a matter of seconds.
• Inventory and Financing: A partnership with RouteOne LLC, a leading financial platform founded in 2002 by Ally Financial, Ford Motor Credit Co., TD Auto Finance and Toyota Financial Services, allows access to a network of more than 18,000 dealerships and 1,400 financing sources.
• Auction Platform: PowerBand and its joint-venture partner, D2D Auto Auctions, are developing a direct consumer-to-dealer and a consumer-to-consumer automotive portal, which will provide an innovative alternative to physical dealership and auction locations.
• LiveNet Auction: An online platform portal that allows dealers to create instant live vehicle auctions to a vast network of the industry’s top used vehicle buyers.
• MarketPlace Auction: An online listing auction site for buying and selling automotive inventory – ideal for dealers, fleet, OEM and rental companies.
• Used Vehicle Inspections: An LOI agreement with TÜV NORD Mobility Inc., a German-based global leader in vehicle inspections operating in more than 70 countries, will provide the most comprehensive, certified vehicle inspection reports available in North America. Appointments booked within the platform can be performed nearly anywhere.
• Product Development: PowerBand’s comprehensive consumer solution, Driveaway, will be a fully transactional consumer marketplace where dealers and consumers can buy, sell, trade-in and finance vehicles, often in seconds, from the comfort of their home.

Automotive’s Growing Markets

The automotive dealership and commercial fleet vehicle auction industry is a $100-billion sector with more than 40 million used vehicles transacted in the U.S. each year. Of those, ten million are sold through auctions. From 2013 to 2017, the growth of online-only auctions far outpaced physical auctions, growing at a 33% compound annual growth rate compared to 2% CAGR at physical auctions.

Automotive leasing is another large, growing and fragmented market, generating approximately $120-billion in annual revenue. As a percentage of vehicle sales, leasing reached 30% in 2018, up from 21% in 2012, and is seen as a substantial opportunity for PowerBand and MUSA Auto Finance. Using proprietary technology and by focusing on high-quality, credit-worthy customers, MUSA grew its automotive lease originations to $182 million.

Disrupting Auto Leasing with MUSA

Legacy solutions are complicated, expensive and slow at processing leases. MUSA’s first-of-its-kind technology platform eliminates third-party decisions and the human capital required in the underwriting process. MUSA’s platform navigates the entire customer experience – underwriting, funding and the delivery process – within minutes. Leases can be approved in seconds.

PowerBand’s acquisition of MUSA brings together two leading-edge companies with the vision to become a one-stop platform for the entire vehicle purchase lifecycle.

Experienced Leadership

PowerBand is led by a collection of automotive veterans with a passion to collectively and positively impact the industry.

• Kelly Jennings, president and CEO, is the founder of PowerBand Solutions and a franchise dealer owner/operator with more than 27 years of automotive experience. Jennings received General Motor’s Triple Crown Award, Ford Motor Company President’s Award and Honda Canada’s Excellence Award.
• Darrin Swenson, COO of PowerBand and D2D Auto Auctions/Hunt Automotive Group, has more than 25 years of automotive/auction experience.
• Jeff Morgan, CEO MUSA, holds over 25 years of experience in the auto finance sector.

PowerBand Solutions Inc. (OTCQB: PWWBF), closed Wednesday's trading session at $0.1757, up 9.8125%, on 32,350 volume with 2 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 68,828 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.038600001/$0.241600006.

Recent News

• InvestorNewsBreaks - PowerBand Solutions Inc. (TSX.V: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (FRA: 1ZVA) Enters MOU with Focus on Selling Automotive Specialty Insurance Products
• InvestorNewsBreaks - PowerBand Solutions Inc.'s (TSXV: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (Frankfurt: 1ZVA) DRIVRZ(TM) Offers End-to-End Transportation Products and Services
• InvestorNewsBreaks - PowerBand Solutions Inc. (TSX.V: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (FRA: 1ZVA) Reports Encouraging Financial Results for December 2020

ISW Holdings Inc. (OTC: ISWH)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight ISW Holdings Inc. (OTC: ISWH).

If you want to understand why Bitcoin has held up so well in its current bull trend, you need look no further than the difference between the public expression of the Bitcoin views held by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) in 2017 versus its perspective on Bitcoin in 2021.

ISW Holdings Inc. (OTC: ISWH), through its in-house initiatives and strategic partnerships, has invested in growing operations targeting the telehealth and cryptocurrency mining industries.

The company specializes in strategic brand development and early growth facilitation. Management maneuvers its proprietary companies through critical stages of market development, including conceptualization, go-to-market strategies, engineering, product integration and distribution efficiency.

Mission

The company’s core mission is to enhance these sectors by implementing innovative services and products that are ready to meet the demands of a changing world. To that end, ISW Holdings leverages its strategic expertise, resources and innovative software to establish market-leading companies and partnerships, thereby ensuring success in their chosen industries.

Cryptocurrency Mining

The start of 2021 saw a massive resurgence in interest surrounding bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining. In mid-February, bitcoin prices hit an all-time high of greater than $57,000, and heightened demand for cryptocurrency mining power has played a key role in exacerbating a global shortage of semiconductors and computer components.

With a foothold in the cryptocurrency mining space, ISW Holdings has placed significant focus on expanding its position and capitalizing on this momentum. Recent highlights include:

• February 9, 2021: The company announced that its revolutionary Pod5 Cryptocurrency Mining Pod will be powered up into full operational launch at the Bit5ive renewable energy cryptocurrency mining facility in Pennsylvania on February 12, 2021.
• February 11, 2021: The company announced that it is in negotiations to purchase a large number of miners (between 300 and 900) in preparation for its coming Phase 3 expansion in mining volume.
• February 23, 2021: The company announced its entry into a comprehensive Hosting and Maintenance Agreement prior to going online with its new ASIC s17 miners.
• March 2, 2021: The company announced that it has successfully tripled its active cryptocurrency mining fleet with the addition of two new POD5IVE datacenters.

“As we continue to bring our miners online, we want our shareholders to be able to track the expansion and profitability of the company’s mining activity given the sharp rising trend in bitcoin prices,” Alonzo Pierce, President and Chairman of ISW Holdings, stated in a news release. “It currently costs about $11K in computing power to mine a single bitcoin. Bitcoin is pricing at over five times that level, making this is an exceptional ROI opportunity, and our responsibility to our shareholders is clear: continue to invest, expand and execute.”

Business Innovations

ISW Holdings’ diverse portfolio reflects the growing demand for essential services in a dynamic modern operational landscape. Some of the company’s current holdings and partnerships include:

• Bit5ive LLC: ISW Holdings operates a joint venture with Bit5ive, a global leader in cryptocurrency mining. The joint-venture agreement enables ISW Holdings to collaborate with the experienced team at Bit5ive to innovate the infrastructure needed to run profitable and efficient crypto mining projects.
• Proceso LLC: ISW Holdings has partnered with Proceso LLC to create high-density processing and mobile data centers powered by renewable energy. These innovations will allow Proceso to offer lower-cost and diverse services to its clients, including hosting and colocation services to growing sectors such as the gaming industry and cryptocurrency mining.
• PHH Health: The company’s home health division answers the growing need for home care services in a world where health care delivery is changing and an increasingly large aging community is looking for efficient and effective ways of accessing health care.
• Volum: The company’s logistics and supply chain management division is designed with the core goal of increasing supply chain efficiency, which is recognized as one of the key aspects of successfully growing any business.

Market Opportunity

ISW Holdings’ recent activity in the cryptocurrency mining sector has positioned it to capitalize on the forecast expansion of the cryptocurrency market in the coming years. According to data from MarketsandMarkets, the cryptocurrency space was valued at $1.03 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $1.40 billion in 2024, achieving a CAGR of 6.18% during the forecast period.

The report suggests that major drivers for this growth will be the transparency of the underlying blockchain technology, the high volume of remittances in developing countries, the high cost of international remittance, expected fluctuations in monetary regulations and sustained investment in the cryptocurrency space by venture capital firms.

Management Team

Terry Williams is the Chief Executive Officer and Director of ISW Holdings. Mr. Williams brings to the company more than 30 years of experience in accounting and information systems, logistics, insurance and transportation. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in accounting and management information systems, he amassed considerable corporate experience at UPS (NYSE: UPS), where he took several logistical roles, managing more than 2,000 employees and a budget of more than $10 billion. Mr. Williams also serves as president of Airware Transportation and Logistics and Chief Financial Officer of AVI Insurance Caribbean. In 2013, he received the National Airport Minority Advisory Council Award for mastering skills in the aviation industry.

Alonzo Pierce is the company’s President and Chairman. He brings a wealth of business development and wealth management experience to the ISW team, having spent the past 20 years building recognizable brands in multiple industry sectors. Mr. Pierce has launched enterprises in life-styled brands which were delivered to high-profile, high-net worth families and individuals. He has worked in the adult beverage industry, establishing a formidable background in marketing and brand creation. Pierce has a B.A. from Baylor University and has received multiple awards in the adult beverage industry, including ‘Outstanding Sales Performance in the Southern Region’ for Sapphire Brands. Pierce also served as a national liaison to a Super-Regional Bank’s private wealth division. In addition to his for-profit endeavors, Pierce has served on multiple charitable boards, sourcing funding for JRA, food insecure families and housing insecure families.

Kristina Mahoney-Brown is Secretary, Treasurer and Director of ISW Holdings. With more than 20 years of experience providing tax and financial consulting to real estate companies, as well as investors, developers and construction companies, Ms. Mahoney-Brown has gained solid business expertise and market knowledge and prides herself on staying abreast of the latest industry trends. Her professionalism, impeccable work ethic and advanced marketing strategies have earned her the nickname ‘The Tax Diva’. Mahoney-Brown has a Bachelor’s in accounting, a Master’s in taxation and a Master’s in business administration, specializing in personal financial planning.

ISW Holdings Inc. (ISWH), closed Monday's trading session at $3.415, off by 3.2578%, on 132,904 volume with 497 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 377,050 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $3.3900001/$5.41120004.

Recent News

• Bitcoin Stocks in Focus as Bitcoin Nears New All-Time Highs (CAN, HVBTF, ISWH, SOS)
• CryptoNewsBreaks - ISW Holdings Inc. (ISWH) Pays Off Major Convertible Note with Preemptive Payment, Preventing Dilution Risk
• CryptoNewsBreaks - ISW Holdings Inc. (ISWH) Triples Mining Activity Through Addition of New POD5IVE Datacenters

Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF).

Pure Extracts Technologies (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF) (XFRA: A2QJAJ), a plant-based extraction company focused on cannabis, hemp, functional mushrooms and the rapidly emerging psychedelic sector, today announced that it has sold its first shipment of cannabis oil extracts to a German pharmaceutical company. According to the update, Pure Extracts purchased Canadian grown, EU-GMP certified, dry cannabis flower and extracted it into 65% pure THC full spectrum oil (“FSO”) and 85% pure THC distillate. To view the full press release, visit: https://cnw.fm/ytXAf

Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF), headquartered in Pemberton, British Columbia, is a plant-based extraction company with a new vertical in functional mushrooms. The firm is positioned to be the dominant extraction company and a leader in the rapid development and commercialization of functional and medicinal psychedelic products.

The Company’s business model consists of three verticals: in-house brands; toll processing, offering contract cannabis and hemp processing to Canadian Licensed Producers and international partners to sell under their own brands; and white labelling, supplying products, including edibles and custom formulated oils, in consumer-ready packaging for companies licensed to sell cannabis oil extracts and for CPG brands seeking licensed cannabis manufacturing partners.

Market Position

The psychedelic and functional mushroom industries are among the fastest growing in North America. As the industry transitions from dry biomass to extracts, many companies are unprepared for this new opportunity. The global medicinal mushroom market is expected to grow by $13.88 billion annually by 2024.

When assessing investment strategy, market analysts suggest that psychedelics are more comparable to biotech than to cannabis. Unlike traditional biotech, however, psychedelics can claim years of human consumption. Because their efficacy and safety are already well understood, the hurdles for development are likely to be lower. As known molecules, psychedelics won’t spend as much time in discovery and pre-clinical development.

Current research is finding psychedelic benefits including anti-tumor, anti-viral, detoxification, immune function, and mental wellness. As such, psychedelic compounds are now being examined by leading medical research and academic institutions for treatment of depression, PTSD, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, obesity, narcolepsy, OCD, Alzheimer’s, ADHD and drug and alcohol dependence. In 2020, the FDA granted breakthrough therapy status to psychedelics for treatment-resistant depression, with approvals anticipated in 2021.

Pure Extracts is well positioned to partner with organizations planning to develop both functional and psychedelic products. A dealer’s license with Health Canada will enable buying, selling and producing of psychedelics in an EU-GMP-compliant environment. The Company’s 10,000 square foot facility is designed for EU-GMP certification, which allows for international sales. The Company has signed NDAs to explore joint development endeavors for Q4 2020 product launches, as well as an advisory agreement with Dr. Alexander MacGregor, founder of Transpharm Canada Inc. (“TCI”), the parent company of Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, whose facility is a fully compliant Health Canada licensed Good Manufacturing Practice (“GMP”) manufacturing and testing facility and is a full-service clinical development business that provides clinical trial services to biotechnology companies.

Research on Psychedelics

Naturally occurring psychedelics, like psilocybin mushrooms, peyote and ayahuasca, have been used by humans for centuries. First seen as potentially medicinal in 1938 by a chemist at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals (now Novartis), the desired stimulant effect was unsuccessful and therefore the drug was shelved. Twenty years later, in 1958, Sandoz began selling lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) to treat mental disorders. From 1950 to 1965, over a thousand scientific papers on these compounds were published. During the 1960s, however, psychedelics made their way out of the lab and onto the street. The war on drugs followed, and psychedelic research essentially ended.

Research continued slowly on the fringes. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies was formed in 1986 with the goal of becoming a leading non-profit psychedelic pharmaceutical company. Still being researched, psychedelics’ primary and most common mechanism of action is agonism of serotonin receptors in the brain, which promotes serotonin production in order to regulate mood.

Growing societal awareness and acceptance of mental illness as a legitimate disease due, in part, to its increasingly prevalence have been a catalyst for a new search for innovative treatments. As such, interest in psychedelic medicines has been revived in recent years.

Extract Segment Leader with Cannabis

Canada’s cannabis industry is dominated by dried flower products. Extract products are estimated to represent only 13% of the market share. With no dominant brands in the cannabis sector, Pure Extracts is the development leader in this segment, which is estimated by Deloitte to be worth $2.7 billion annually. Pure Pulls, the company’s private label brand, is nationally recognized through compliant event sponsorship and ongoing product engagement.

Management Team

Pure Extracts is led by a team of dedicated professionals leveraging extensive industry knowledge.

Ben Nikolaevsky, the company’s CEO, has more than a decade of experience in corporate leadership roles across the natural products, agriculture and cannabis sectors. Nikolaevsky has served as CEO at Natura Naturals Inc. and Blue Goose Capital Corp., as well as market vice president at CIBC and chief credit officer & capital markets manager at IBM Global Financing Canada.

Doug Benville founded Pure Extracts and serves as the company’s COO. He is highly proficient in cannabis cultivation, system operations and oil extraction.

Alexander Logie, Pure Extracts’ vice president of business development, has over 30 years of experience in the financial services sector, having most recently served as interim CFO, COO and senior vice president of business development at Natura Naturals Inc., a licensed cannabis producer acquired at the start of 2019.

Andy Gauvin is vice president of sales for Pure Extracts. Gauvin is an accomplished senior sales leader with over 30 years of experience in the cannabis space. Gauvin also brings extensive knowledge of the complex federal and provincial regulatory environment to the Pure Extracts team.

Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (PRXTF), closed Wednesday’s trading session at $0.4773, up 0.146874%, on 107,717 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 76,811 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.438603997/$1.00.

Recent News

• CannabisNewsBreaks - Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF) (XFRA: A2QJAJ) Sells First Batch of Cannabis Oil Extracts to German Pharma Company
• 420 with CNW - Pharmacies in Portugal to Begin Selling Medical Marijuana in April
• PsychedelicNewsBreaks - Pure Extracts Technologies Corp. (CSE: PULL) (OTC: PRXTF) (XFRA: A2QJAJ) Enters Strategic LOI with ShroomBloom

Grapefruit USA Inc. (OTCQB: GPFT)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Grapefruit USA Inc. (OTCQB: GPFT).

Grapefruit USA (OTCQB:GPFT), a premiere, fully licensed California-based cannabis company, has inked a digital services consulting agreement with Roger Choudhury and his Business Financial Network (“BFN”). According to the agreement, BFN will produce tailored video presentations about Grapefruit and its products at least three times a month. To view the full press release, visit: https://cnw.fm/a4xGQ

Grapefruit USA Inc. (OTCQB: GPFT) is a Delaware corporation that is a fully licensed premier cannabis manufacturer and distributor in the legal cannabis marketplace with its own patented and branded line of products.

The company manufactures its patented product line and distributes it, along with other cannabis products, to all properly licensed cannabis product businesses.

Grapefruit is the only cannabis company that has harnessed cutting edge science and technology to bring patented, truly disruptive products to the medicinal and recreational cannabis marketplace, fundamentally changing the way individuals use THC, CBDs and hemp-derived CBDs and capitalizing on the rise in demand for these unique products.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the company has held licensing in the state for manufacturing and distributing cannabis since 2018. Grapefruit currently owns and operates a California-licensed cannabis extraction laboratory and a licensed wholesale distribution facility in the Coachillin’ Canna-Business Park near Palm Springs, California. Grapefruit is managed by a team of experts who possess the experience, skills and resources required to succeed in the competitive cannabis marketplace.

Hourglass™ Topical Delivery Cream

Grapefruit’s patented Hourglass™ topical delivery cream has solved the previously insurmountable difficulties of efficient skin absorption of THC and other cannabinoids.

Hourglass™ allows users to experience a sustained and holistic delivery of THC/cannabinoids providing “the entourage effect” following initial application to the skin. Additional applications may be made confidently and discreetly at the user’s discretion. There simply is no other product on the planet which successfully utilizes a patented time release THC and CBD delivery mechanism to deliver the holistic benefits of cannabis to those who need it.*

Hourglass™ is a unique, highly concentrated full spectrum time-release topical delivery cream that releases a holistic amount of THC, along with a wide range of cannabinoids (or just CBD), over a four- to eight-hour period.* The formula then comes off through the natural sloughing process of dead skin cells. Hourglass provides many holistic benefits, all of which promote health and wellness as it’s number one goal.

Hourglass™ provides users with an entourage effect of THC plus a wide range of cannabinoids, including CBD, Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabigerol (CBG), Delta-8, Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and Cannabielsoin (CBE) in a Patchless Patch™ system that is novel and proprietary to the company.

Hourglass™ Topical Delivery Cream has fundamentally changed the way individuals use THC and cannabinoids to obtain their holistic benefits.* As a result, smoking cannabis or hemp flowers and orally consuming edibles, which are metabolized in the gut and liver resulting in uneven reactions, are no longer the exclusive ways to receive both the medicinal and recreational benefits of THC/cannabinoids.* Now for the first time in history, there is an effective, easy to use third choice – Hourglass™ by Grapefruit.

*This product is not regulated by the FDA and is not intended to cure, mitigate, treat or prevent disease.

Grapefruit Cannabis Services

Grapefruit distributes cannabis flower and cannabis products, including its own proprietary products, as well as a wide range of services, to other properly licensed cannabis product businesses. These products and services include:

• Distribution – As a premier licensed distributor, Grapefruit handles the distribution of all-things cannabis throughout California, specializing in bulk AAA exotic indoor flowers sourced from farms located in the state. The wholesale distribution arm facilitates flowers, fresh and dry frozen, and oil transactions in bulk wholesale form. Its wholesale distribution arm distributes its patented Hourglass™ topical delivery cream.
• Manufacturing – The company owns and operates a fully licensed and compliant ethanol extraction lab that produces a high-quality distillate. This THC Honey Oil distillate is a universal product used in everything, including infused edibles, tinctures, creams and even vape cartridges. Its patented Hourglass™ cream is also manufactured exclusively at Grapefruit’s Coachillin lab facility by highly trained Grapefruit personnel.
• Hourglass™ Topical THC+CBD Delivery Cream – The company’s patented Hourglass™ Topical Delivery Cream has solved the inherent difficulties of efficient skin absorption of THC and cannabinoids such as CBD, CBN, CBG and CBC, as well as hemp-derived CBDs and cannabinoids. Hourglass™ is a truly novel and disruptive delivery technology which fundamentally changes the way individuals will use THC and CBD to obtain their holistic benefits.*
• Rainbow Dreams – Rainbow Dreams is the company’s lifestyle brand designed for the recreational cannabis marketplace. The brand captures the party-mode of the 1970s and offers vape carts with unique cannabis strains and natural flavors. The product fulfills an important marketplace niche – a top-shelf product that is competitively priced.

Market Outlook

The global cannabis market was valued at $10.6 billion in 2018. During the forecast period from 2019 to 2026, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 32.92%, reaching a projected value of $97.35 billion by the end of 2026 (https://nnw.fm/eTMSX).

Cannabis legalization has been gaining momentum around the world. Grapefruit is currently in a position to disrupt the industry – both the medicinal and recreational sectors – with proprietary products and manufacturing processes that harness the power of cutting-edge science and technology.

Management Team

Bradley J. Yourist is the Chief Executive Officer of Grapefruit. Mr. Yourist has been a follower of the medical cannabis market since the late 1990s, which allows him to understand the distribution model and the legal issues facing the market. He has also seen the benefit of cannabinoids in the medical industry. He understands the planning and operations of Grapefruit’s cannabis distribution arm and extraction lab and was instrumental in the planning for the facility.

Daniel J. Yourist is the Chief Operating Officer of Grapefruit. He is a licensed attorney in the state of California and a Real Estate Broker. Mr. Yourist is a licensing expert in the cannabis space and has gained extensive experience in all areas of managing a cannabis business in California. He ensures that every aspect of the company is run in accordance with state and local cannabis laws and regulations.

Grapefruit USA Inc. (OTCQB: GPFT), closed Thursday’s trading session at $3.80, up 4.1096%, on 376,304 volume. The average volume for the last 3 months is 496,606 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $1.95000004/$11.00.

Recent News

• CannabisNewsBreaks - Grapefruit USA Inc. (GPFT) Signs Digital Services Consulting Agreement with BFN
• 420 with CNW - Legislators in Mexico to Vote on Cannabis Legalization Bill This Week
• CannabisNewsBreaks - Grapefruit USA Inc. (GPFT) Announces Update on Informal Acquisition Inquiry

Brain Scientific Inc. (OTCQB: BRSF)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Brain Scientific Inc. (OTCQB: BRSF).

Brain Scientific (OTCQB: BRSF), a commercial-stage, health-care company developing products related to the brain including neurology, AI and machine learning, has signed a memorandum of understanding (“MoU”) with Ehave Inc. (OTC: EHVVF), a provider of digital therapeutics for the mental health sector (https://ibn.fm/ktiLG). The two companies aim to collaborate by using data and AI to correlate biomarkers to identify chronic pain, depression (major and persistent), PTSD, bipolar disorder, general anxiety, ADHD and schizophrenia.

Brain Scientific Inc. (OTCQB: BRSF) is a commercial-stage health care company focused on developing innovative and proprietary medical devices and software. With a mission of modernizing brain diagnostics by employing cutting edge technologies to bridge the widening gap in access to quality care, the company offers two FDA-cleared products that provide next-generation solutions to the neurology market.

The company’s proprietary, clinical-grade neurological devices are supported by its intellectual property portfolio featuring patents in the United States, China and Europe.

Brain Scientific’s first commercialized devices, NeuroCap(TM) and NeuroEEG(TM), are designed to disrupt the current electroencephalogram (EEG) market by offering cost-effective and disposable substitutes to existing solutions, allowing medical professionals to collect diagnostic information quickly.

The company’s goal is to improve diagnostics by leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning processes to analyze a database of brain readings as a method of detecting seizures and dementia. The company is also working to improve patients’ access to neurological care.

Headquartered in New York, Brain Scientific and its predecessor (and now wholly owned subsidiary, MemoryMD Inc.) was founded in 2015 and went public in 2018.

Brain Scientific’s first phase of development, from 2018 to 2019, saw the inception of portable, clinical-grade, easy-to-use neurological devices. The second phase, currently ongoing, aims to create cloud-based, secure infrastructure to transmit patient data between patients and their neurologists. The company’s third phase of development is scheduled for 2021-2022 and is expected to focus on the use of AI-assisted diagnostic analysis to increase the efficiency, consistency and accuracy of neurology specialists.

NeuroCap(TM) – Disposable EEG Headset

The NeuroCap is a disposable pre-gelled EEG headset featuring 22 electrodes and 19 active EEG channels, all adhering to the international 10-20 system. The NeuroCap was FDA-cleared in 2018. The headset can be used for recording EEGs in virtually any setting, including urban and rural emergency departments, neurology clinics, urgent care clinics, ICUs, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and remote clinical research labs.

Through a universal cable adapter, the NeuroCap is compatible with other EEG amplifiers. The cap also works in parallel with Brain Scientific’s NeuroEEG amplifier, initiating EEG studies in less than five minutes.

The company is currently seeking FDA approval for additional features for the NeuroCap, as the device has the potential to fill a gap in EEG testing availabilities during the current coronavirus pandemic: in October 2020, Brain Scientific filed an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) application. The EUA is required for the rapid distribution of the NeuroCap device to emergency departments, intensive care units and other treatment centers to administer prescriptive EEGs safely on critically ill patients or those suspected of being diagnosed with COVID-19.

With more than 80 percent of hospitalized patients infected with COVID-19 displaying neurological symptoms, the NeuroCap could prove to be a valuable device by offering fast testing with limited contact between technicians and patients.

NeuroEEG(TM) – Miniature and Portable Wireless EEG Amplifier

The NeuroEEG is a compact, portable and affordable wireless EEG amplifier intended for prescription use. The 16-channel, FDA-cleared, clinical-grade device acquires, records, transmits and displays electrical brain activity for patients of all ages.

Both the NeuroCap and NeuroEEG are delivered by MemoryMD Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Brain Scientific.

Products in Active Development

Currently, Brain Scientific and MemoryMD are working on leveraging their existing products and drawing from ongoing research to develop and commercialize the next generation of solutions for the brain diagnostics market. The devices under development are being designed to address the following issues:

Routine EEG

• NeuroCap-8 is an 8-channel EEG cap. The reduced number of electrodes is vital in emergency room situations, where the time it takes to set up the EEG is critical.

Pediatric EEG

• NeuroCap Pediatric is positioned to become the first disposable and pre-gelled headset available for the pediatric market.

Long-Term Monitoring

• NeuroCap LTM for adult and pediatric patients is a disposable cap designed to monitor rhythmic and periodic patterns for up to 72 hours, providing essential diagnostic capabilities.
• NeuroEEG 24 Channel Amplifier is a portable and wireless amplifier with over 24 hours of battery life.

Artificial Intelligence

• Brain E-Tattoo is a minimally invasive four-channel EEG electrode designed for long-term monitoring.
• An AI database of brain biomarkers collects data on both normal and abnormal brain data to detect neurological diseases. The goal is for machine learning algorithms to enhance understanding of brain-behavior related to epilepsy, memory dementia and pre-Alzheimer’s diagnostics.

Telemedicine

Brain Scientific is expanding the vision for telemedicine in neurology. The company aims to address the current acute neurologist shortfall (20 states have less than 10 neurologists per 10,000 patients) through the use of teleneurology.

 

Partnership with Marketing Brainology

Brain Scientific has a longstanding partnership with Marketing Brainology, a neuromarketing firm using neuroscience approaches to understand consumer behavior. In 2019, Marketing Brainology conducted a study using NeuroCap and NeuroEEG to determine the most effective Super Bowl commercials.

“Thanks to Brain Scientific’s NeuroCap and NeuroEEG, we are able to better understand the art and science of the human decision-making process,” Michelle Adams, Ph.D, Founder of Marketing Brainology, stated in a news release.

In April 2020, Marketing Brainology again conducted a study leveraging Brain Scientific’s disposable EEG cap to determine how brains were reacting to COVID-19 messaging. Subjects were presented with multiple media impressions, and Marketing Brainology analyzed their responsive biomarkers. The results identified the most effective messaging for engaging with an audience during a crisis.

Market Outlook

The current global market for EEG devices is estimated at $956.1 million. It is expected to rise with a CAGR of 8.7% from 2019 to 2026, reaching $1.6 billion in value by 2026, according to Grandview Research.

In total, there are approximately 6,150 hospitals in the U.S., according to the American Hospital Association. Critically, though, just 254 of those hospitals are certified Level 4 Epilepsy centers with 24/7 EEG coverage. Since very few non-Level 4 centers have extensive EEG tech coverage, this creates a significant opportunity for Brain Scientific to bridge the gap by providing over 5,900 hospitals with lower cost amplifiers and disposable EEG caps.

The company also see opportunities to work with other businesses, such as EEG manufacturers hoping to package Brain Scientific’s solutions with their products, which could greatly expand Brain Scientific’s addressable target market.

Management Team

Dr. Baruch “Boris” Goldstein, Ph.D., is co-founder and Chairman of Brain Scientific. He is a seasoned executive with a proven talent for aligning global business strategies with established and emerging management teams. Goldstein’s growth-focused leadership style has helped him raise over $750 million in venture capital for the development of innovative companies and startups in diverse industries, including financial services, biomedicine, alternate energy and new materials, as well as groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence. His recent achievements include important advancements in neurology and unlocking the potential of AI correlations and machine learning applied to life sciences and medical research. He built a suite of first-to-market companies as a technology-oriented leader, including Ryah Medtech, Brain Scientific, GrapheneCA, E-Forex and Intelligent Video Systems. He also co-founded BrainRX, a company specializing in pre-Alzheimer’s diagnostics.

Dr. Nikolay Kukekov, Ph.D., is a Director of Brain Scientific and a partner at HRA Capital. Before joining HRA Capital, Kukekov was Managing Director of Healthcare Investment Banking at Summer Street Research. His scientific background includes a bachelor’s degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He earned his Ph.D. in neuroscience from Columbia University – College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York.

Stuart Bernstein is the company’s Vice President of Marketing. He was recently named to the role after spending the first part of his professional career in senior technical management roles with Fortune 500 companies such as NCR (NYSE: NCR), IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Control Data Corp. He was the CEO of BioSignal, an EEG medical device company. He is also a co-founder of several software engineering and telemedicine firms. One of them, Brain Saving Technology, is now Specialist on Call (SOC Telemed) – a leading telemedicine company that powers over 850 facilities for teleneurology, telepsychiatry and critical care telemedicine with over 200 physicians.

Brain Scientific Inc. (OTCQB: BRSF), closed Friday's trading session at $2.60, up 5.6911%, on 204,093 volume with 654 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 133,461 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $1.05/$3.357.

Recent News

• Brain Scientific Inc. (BRSF) Teams Up with Ehave Inc. to Leverage Use of AI in Mental Health Space
• Life-Saving Invention Simplifies Treatment of Heart Disease
• BioMedNewsBreaks - Brain Scientific Inc. (BRSF) Secures FDA Clearance for Next-Gen NeuroCap(TM)

PlantX Life Inc. (CSE: VEGA) (Frankfurt: WNT1) (OTCQB: PLTXF)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight PlantX Life Inc. (CSE: VEGA) (Frankfurt: WNT1) (OTCQB: PLTXF).

PlantX Life (CSE: VEGA ) (Frankfurt: WNT1) (OTCQB: PLTXF), a multifaceted marketplace providing consumers all things plant based, has announced that its founder, Sean Dollinger, will be presenting at the Q1 Virtual Investor Summit. The three-day summit is slated for March 23–25, 2021. Dollinger’s presentation will begin at 11:30 a.m. ET on March 24th and will include compelling information about PlantX Life. To register for the event, visit http://ibn.fm/dB7XT. To view the full press release, visit http://ibn.fm/PyjSK.

PlantX Life Inc. (CSE: VEGA) (Frankfurt: WNT1) (OTCQB: PLTXF) aims to redefine the plant-based community through e-commerce, with a core objective of becoming the most trusted and convenient destination for people living plant-based lives. PlantX is a multifaceted marketplace providing consumers all things plant-based ranging from an efficient e-commerce experience, connecting consumers with interactive PlantX brick-and-mortar stores, and a PlantX home delivery system for products, meals, recipes and more.

PlantX is a high-growth technology company focusing on consumer-packaged goods (“CPG”) for the plant-based opportunity. The PlantX platform aims to serve as the digital face of this community with its one-stop-shop for everything plant-based, including:

• An easy-to-use e-commerce shopping experience featuring the following:
• Plant-based grocery items (from all your pantry needs to vitamins, cosmetics and even pet food)
• Meal delivery with recipes created by well-known plant-based chefs throughout the world
• Plant shop – delivering a wide variety of affordable indoor houseplants to homes across Canada and the U.S.
• Easy to follow plant-based recipes every week
• Partnerships with restaurants, nutritionists, chefs and brands
• A community of like-minded individuals
• State-of-the-art flagship PlantX locations

Since first launching in February 2020, PlantX Life has offered various services available through its comprehensive platform. This online marketplace features over 10,000 items across diverse product categories such as pantry items, beverages, personal care, pet food and indoor plants. In addition, PlantX has collaborated with renowned chefs and nutritionists to create 20 unique and pre-made meals delivered to the comfort of your own home.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, PlantX’s mission is to spearhead the plant-based movement, celebrate and promote health and wellbeing, raise plant-based awareness in a hyper-palatable world, connect with global consumers and forge a welcoming plant-based community.

The company currently reports 4 million stock options and 24 million warrants outstanding, with a total of 88,832,159 shares issued and outstanding and a total market cap of $89.9 million on January 18, 2021. PlantX has continued to catalyze its capital markets dynamics by applying to list its common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“NASDAQ”). The company’s common shares are eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) in the United States.

Market Outlook

With its comprehensive e-commerce platform, PlantX is strongly positioned for a prominent role in the fast-growing plant-based food market, e-commerce and the online food delivery sectors. The global plant-based food market is expected to reach $74.2 billion by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 11.9%. Similarly, the online food delivery market has steadily grown, especially during the current pandemic. This trend seems here to stay. In the United States alone, the sector is expected to report $28.5 billion by 2024, with companies such as UberEats experiencing 152% increases in food deliveries in the summer of 2020.

Complementary to these trends, and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, online sales and digitization have also both grown exponentially in 2020. Grocery shopping has seen a remarkable transition to e-commerce, with online grocery sales growing by 53% in 2020. Amid the pandemic-imposed physical interactions and related consumer behavior change, large retailers have been compelled to meet this surge in e-commerce demand. For example, Whole Foods Markets has increased its online sales capacity by over 60% in 2020. The global meal kit delivery system is also becoming increasingly popular and is expected to achieve a market value of $19.92 billion by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 12.8%.

PlantX aims to capitalize on this anticipated exponential market growth of the plant-based, e-commerce and home-delivery industries.

Digital Platform for the Plant-Based Community

The digital interface provided by PlantX spans a health and wellness initiative that offers thousands of plant-based products, meal delivery, indoor plants, recipes and a community space for those who are like-minded about plant-based products and healthy lifestyles. PlantX has been compared to Amazon, except with a focused tailored selection of plant-based offerings.

PlantX provides everything a consumer needs for plant-based living at the click of a button. With PlantX, customers can:

• Shop
• Find recipes
• Read blogs
• Join a community forum
• Listen to podcasts
• View cosmetics
• Research vitamins
• Purchase plant-based pet foods
• Read corporate updates
• Subscribe to an insightful newsletter

The company’s website was designed with a user-friendly interface that allows customers to visit the site and easily find what they need. Forums for communicating with a plant-based community make it easier to swap recipes or locate the best restaurants serving vegan and vegetarian-friendly cuisine.

PlantX Flagship Locations – British Columbia (Canada), San Diego (California), & the State of Israel

PlantX will link the e-commerce platform to flagship brick-and-mortar stores for a highly sensory customer experience. This is anticipated to drive corporate growth and global brand recognition.

These PlantX branded flagship locations will first launch in:

• Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
• San Diego, California, United States
• Tel Aviv, State of Israel

Customer engagement, education and creating a global plant-based community will be furthered through this initiative.

PlantX Restaurant Partnerships

With consumers becoming better informed and more health and environmentally conscious, a growing number of restaurants will start catering to the needs of customers who are vegan, vegetarian, have food-allergies (or specialized diets), or simply want to eat healthier.

PlantX proactively aims to support this change and help restaurants meet the needs of the plant-based community. Restaurants that want to increase revenue, drive traffic and make an impact can therefore partner with PlantX to better serve their customers by expanding and refining their menus.

Future Goals for PlantX Life

Having successfully completed all of the milestones that PlantX had set-out to achieve in the second half of 2020, PlantX strives to continue scaling through organic growth, strategic partnerships and accretive M&A opportunities. The upcoming plans from PlantX includes a global expansion strategy for distribution in North America, Europe and Israel.

Verticals launched in 2020 include:

• New meals and programs by renowned chefs
• Flagship PlantX locations
• PlantX branded goods
• United States meal delivery and LIV
• Online peer-to-peer fitness

Management Team

Sean Dollinger, the Founder of PlantX Life Inc., has had a very active professional career that started when he was only 17. While still in college, he started a delivery service that soon became one of Canada’s largest delivery firms (before companies like Postmates and Uber Eats ever existed). In 2014, Mr. Dollinger founded Namaste Technologies, the largest international e-commerce distributor of vaporizers and accessories. He brought Namaste public and turned it into a $1.2 billion business in two years. After finding a plant-based diet himself, and seeing the massive benefits that it provided for him, he decided he wanted to find a way to give back to the community and focus on something he loves. PlantX Life was born from this desire and became his passion project. He truly walks the talk.

Julia Frank is the CEO of PlantX Life. She has an MBA in digital entrepreneurship, and, in her past roles, she set up renowned strategies for large corporations like BMW and Daimler in Germany. Beyond her professional business prowess, Ms. Frank finds tremendous joy in preparing delicious and nutritious plant-based meals and is the face of the company. She practices a healthy and active lifestyle that includes experiencing as many cultures as possible to add more knowledge of the industry at large. This globally inclusive perspective gives her the unique advantage of being able to see plant-based living from all angles.

Lorne Rapkin, CPA, CA, LPA, is the President and CFO of PlantX Life and is also a partner at Rapkin Wein LLP. He has experience with clients in almost every industry, including finance, professional services, real estate, automotive, media and manufacturing. Mr. Rapkin works very closely with investment and public firms, seeking to comply with IFRS accounting standards. His roles often require him to work with management on go-public transactions, acquisitions and mergers. His keen attention to detail is an asset to any client he works with, and PlantX is no exception.

Alex Hoffman is the company’s CMO and has spent the last 10 years in the creative field cultivating her passion for design and appreciation for beauty. This is apparent in all of the creative decisions and outcomes seen at PlantX. Her role within the company is to oversee all of the brand marketing activities, establish and execute key processes for rapid growth, and work closely with management to refine the brand’s message for key segments and emerging opportunities. She has a sharp vision for exactly what’s needed to convey the company’s core messages and principles to both the public and investors, and she is a visionary with respect to creative marketing ideas and concepts.

PlantX Life Inc. (CSE: VEGA) (Frankfurt: WNT1) (OTCQB: PLTXF), closed Friday’s trading session at $2.51, up 5.4622%, on 319,044 volume with 271 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 245,853 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.0315/$2.78999996.

Recent News

• InvestorNewsBreaks - PlantX Life Inc. (CSE: VEGA ) (Frankfurt: WNT1) (OTCQB: PLTXF) Company Founder Scheduled to Present at Upcoming Investor Summit
• Advances in Clean Processing of Ingredients Could Further Invigorate Plant-Based Lifestyle
• PlantX Life Inc. (CSE: VEGA) (Frankfurt: WNT1) (OTCQB: PLTXF) Announces Two Widely Recognized, Enthusiastic Brand Ambassadors: Venus Williams and Alicia Silverstone

Healthtech Solutions Inc. (OTC: HLTT)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Healthtech Solutions Inc. (OTC: HLTT).

Healthtech Solutions (OTC: HLTT), through its Mediscan Inc. subsidiary, has developed a cloud-based software for ultrasound technology which has proven to be highly effective in diagnosing internal organs potentially affected by COVID-19. Moreover, ultrasounds have also shown an ability to monitor a patient’s vital signs and single out any potential abnormalities. Also today, the company was highlighted in a publication from InvestorWire, examining how through its subsidiary, Mediscan Inc., can transform traditional 2D images from a portable ultrasound machine into invaluable 3D images to provide even more accurate internal views and, consequently, better diagnosis and health care. This is especially significant in the world of medicine, where the ultrasound has become one of the most efficient, reliable ways to examine the human body in the least amount of time. To view the full article, visit https://ibn.fm/AtXxN

Healthtech Solutions Inc. (OTC: HLTT), through its Mediscan Inc. subsidiary, created a cloud-based software for ultrasound technology that reconstructs the analog two-dimensional grayscale visual image into a digital three-dimensional, high-definition quantifiable format.

The Mediscan software application dramatically increases the medical professional’s ability to use existing ultrasound devices at the point of care to derive meaningful data-driven clinical evaluations of a patient’s pathology or trauma, facilitate support for treatment options, monitor the patient’s ongoing progress or regress, and document compliance with required protocols and procedures. The Mediscan application also integrates with all popular EMR systems.

Healthtech Solutions Inc. acquired all of Mediscan’s capital stock in a reverse acquisition transaction on November 13, 2020. On November 23, 2020, the shareholders of Healthtech Solutions Inc. consented to a resolution changing its name to Healthtech Solutions Inc.

The company’s operational focus for the immediate future will be on Mediscan’s continuing research and development of imaging, development of other medical solutions, and making strategic investments.

Mediscan Technology

Mediscan software transforms an ultrasound analog 2D grayscale image into a digital 3D HD format. When paired with a portable ultrasound machine, the software application can enable these detailed and quantifiable scans by on-the-scene medical professionals, such primary care physicians, specialists and technical support staff, as well as sports trainers, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, and technicians in isolation wards and emergency rooms.

Once an image has been captured in 2D, it is converted using a cloud-based software application process – a process that takes approximately one minute. The completed 3D image is viewed on the medical professional’s computer monitor, pad or smartphone at the point of service. This technique can generate 3D medical images of different organs, such as the heart, lungs, tendons, skin and nerves.

This cloud-based software application for ultrasound devices is easy to use anywhere there is an internet connection. The application provides the convenience of point of care ultrasound with the image quality of CT or X-ray and the safety of very expensive MRI technology. For patients, it provides a convenient and comfortable medical experience.

Mediscan has filed two patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, both for a System Method, Apparatus, and Computer Program Product for Ultrasonic Clinical Decision Support (https://ibn.fm/lpImS).

The technology will initially be available as medical software-as-a-service (SaaS), resulting in cost-efficiency. The SaaS model eliminates the customer’s need for external hardware and software solutions, as well as technical maintenance. The SaaS model is already widely used in the health care industry, most notably for clinical information systems and supply chain management, revenue cycle management and billing. Benefits include increased patient and physician satisfaction, lower operational costs, better workflows and more. Per company data, the Mediscan system is fast and efficient, which could generate a significant cost reduction.

Health and Wellness Applications

Mediscan’s technology has shown success in musculoskeletal (MSK), lung and cardiac imaging, enabling rapid pathology evaluation. Scanning the lung and or the MSK sub-system, the application directly images the target area, saves it as a reference, and then compares it to previous images, helping to determine if the patient is progressing or regressing.

The cardiac application combines imaging with a therapy system that detects and classifies cardiac myopathy conditions via an “entrainment” process similar to that used in treating tachycardia. This application also features a comparison function where the latest imagery is interpreted against previous vetted cardiac images to detect progression or regression.

Mediscan’s technology can also be utilized on the wellness market for diagnostics and support in a wide range of situations, such as sports injuries, physical therapy and dermatological indications.

COVID-19 Applications

COVID-19 causes complications with patients’ cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Mediscan’s technology could help meet the growing need for advanced diagnostic and monitoring imaging at the point of care.

Portable ultrasounds equipped with Mediscan’s application are a flexible and easy-to-use solution for health care providers to evaluate, triage and diagnose COVID-19 effects on contagious patients in isolation where MRI, CT or PET Scans are not accessible. With this technology, health care providers can easily detect lung lesions or heart muscle shredding, which often appear in patients with COVID-19.

Diagnostic Imaging Market Outlook

With the increasing demand for early diagnosis and a widening scope of clinical applications, any promising technological advancements in the field constitute a significant investment opportunity. The global market is also being driven by technological advances in the diagnostic imaging industry.

As standard ultrasound 2D greyscale images are generally the norm, and 3D imaging typically requires the use of CT, PET, MRI or X-ray technology, Mediscan’s application could have a dramatic impact on the medical imaging industry, meeting the need for imaging equipment and devices that can generate human anatomy data in 3D.

The global market for diagnostic imaging was estimated at approximately $100 billion in 2016 (https://ibn.fm/xtInK) and was expected to grow steadily, creating a promising opportunity for Mediscan to distribute its technology and achieve its mission as a developer and distributor of medical imaging solutions designed for both long-term care and acute and emergency medical services.

Management Team

David Rubin is the Chairman and CEO of Healthtech Solutions Inc. Mr. Rubin has been in the financial services business for over 20 years. Concurrently, he is also the CEO of Capital Stack LLC and CEO of eProdigy Financial LLC. Rubin attended Kingsborough Community College from 1985 to 1988.

Manuel Iglesias is the President and a Director of Healthtech Solutions Inc. Mr. Iglesias has practiced law since 1980, specializing in business law, merger and acquisitions, securities and health care. Mr. Iglesias served as President, CEO and a board member of Hygea Holdings Corp., which provided primary care medical services throughout Florida and Georgia. He served as the National Chairman of the Republican National Lawyers Association in 2019 and 2020. Mr. Igleisias was awarded his MBA degree from the University of Chicago in 1981, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1979, and a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1976.

Denis Kleinfeld is a Director of Healthtech Solutions Inc. and General Counsel and a Director of Mediscan Inc. Mr. Kleinfeld has extensive experience in business planning and regulatory compliance. Mr. Kleinfeld is a renowned expert in international tax and estate planning law. Kleinfeld received his Juris Doctorate from the Loyola University of Chicago School of Law in 1970.

Richard F. Parker is the Chief Research Officer of Mediscan Inc. He developed the technology that is the foundation of Mediscan’s business plan. Before he joined Mediscan, Mr. Parker was employed as an engineer and business executive for 37 years. Previously, he was President and Chief Technology Officer of CytoWave LLC. Mr. Parker was awarded a patent for technology that supported a Method and Apparatus for Generating a Therapeutic Magnetic Waveform. During the past 10 years, Mr. Parker has published 14 papers and made numerous presentations focused on magnetic imaging and treatment of sports and equine injuries. He obtained his MSEE degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1971.

Healthtech Solutions Inc. (HLTT), closed Wednesday's trading session at $5.66, up 3.8532%, on 2,794,086 volume with 13,390 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 5,114,041 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.779999971/$6.4499998.

Recent News

• Healthtech Solutions Inc. (HLTT) Mediscan Burnishes Credentials as Early Diagnosis Tool for COVID-Linked Organ Damage
• InvestorNewsBreaks - Healthtech Solutions Inc. (HLTT) Subsidiary Provides Point-of-Care Imaging Capabilities
• InvestorNewsBreaks - Healthtech Solutions Inc.'s (HLTT) Mediscan Software Offers Convenient, Cost-Effective Imaging Alternative

VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN).

VistaGen (NASDAQ: VTGN), a biopharmaceutical company developing new generation medicines for anxiety, depression and other central nervous system (“CNS”) disorders, today announced promising preclinical data for its PH10 drug candidate. The data demonstrate that the potential mechanism of action of PH10, VistaGen’s Phase 2 investigational pherine nasal spray with potential as a rapid-onset, stand-alone treatment for major depressive disorder (“MDD”), does not involve direct activation of GABA-A receptors. To view the full press release, visit http://ibn.fm/a4enX

VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN) is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing a new generation of medications that go beyond the standard of care for anxiety, depression and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

The company is headquartered in South San Francisco, California, the “Birthplace of Biotechnology,” among the largest cluster of biotechnology companies in the world.

New Generation Medications

VistaGen currently has three innovative CNS drug candidates in its pipeline: PH94B, PH10 and AV-101. With a differentiated mechanism of action and an exceptional safety profile in all clinical studies to date, each of VistaGen’s three drug candidates offers significant commercialization potential in multiple large CNS markets.

PH94B

Fast-acting (10-15 minutes), non-systemic and non-sedating in Phase 2 clinical studies, PH94B is a first-in-class neuroactive nasal spray that, administered in microgram doses, binds to chemosensory receptors in the nasal passage that trigger neural circuits responsible for suppressing fear and anxiety caused by stressful social or performance situations.

PH94B is currently being developed as an acute treatment of anxiety in adults with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). In December 2019, PH94B became the first drug candidate to be granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for development of a treatment for SAD, positioning it to potentially become the first FDA-approved fast-acting acute treatment for adults with the anxiety disorder, if planned Phase 3 studies are successful.

A successful Phase 2 program has been completed, and, after achieving consensus with the FDA in mid-2020 that the design of its Phase 3 studies of PH94B in SAD may mirror the design of the highly statistically significant (p=0.002) Phase 2 public speaking study of PH94B in SAD, the company’s preparations for pivotal Phase 3 clinical development of PH94B are underway.

To support Phase 3 development and commercialization of PH94B for anxiety disorders in large anxiety disorder markets in Asia, VistaGen recently entered into a strategic licensing and collaboration agreement with EverInsight Therapeutics, a company formed and currently funded by a large global venture capital firm, CBC Group. The company received a $5 million non-dilutive upfront license payment from EverInsight in August 2020. If Phase 3 development is successful, VistaGen is eligible to receive additional development and commercial milestone payments of up to $172 million, plus tiered royalties on sales of PH94B in Greater China, South Korea and Southeast Asia. VistaGen retains exclusive rights to develop and commercialize PH94B in all other markets.

VistaGen is also assessing potential Phase 2A clinical development opportunities to evaluate PH94B in a range of other anxiety disorders, including:

• Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Postpartum Anxiety
• Perioperative Anxiety
• Panic Disorder
• PTSD

PH10

PH10 is an investigational fast-acting synthetic neuroactive nasal spray with therapeutic potential in a wide range of neuropsychiatric indications involving depression and suicidal ideation. VistaGen is initially developing PH10 as a potential fast-acting, non-sedating, non-addictive new generation treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Upon self-administration, a microgram-level dose of PH10 sprayed into the nose binds to nasal chemosensory receptors that, in turn, activate neural circuits in the brain that lead to rapid-onset antidepressant effects, without side effects, systemic exposure or safety concerns that may be caused by FDA-approved drug treatments for MDD, including oral antidepressants and intranasal esketamine.

In a published exploratory Phase 2A MDD study, PH10 demonstrated rapid-onset and sustained antidepressant effects without the serious psychological side effects and safety concerns of ketamine-based therapy.

Following successfully completed Phase 2A development of PH10 for MDD, the company is currently preparing for a Phase 2B program in MDD.

VistaGen is also assessing the potential for Phase 2A clinical development of PH10 in a range of other depression-related indications, including:

• Postpartum Depression
• Treatment-resistant Depression
• Suicidal Ideation

AV-101

Part of a class of new generation investigational medicine in neurology and neuropsychiatry known as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) modulators, AV-101 is an oral prodrug of 7-chloro-kynurenic acid (7-Cl-KYNA), a potent and selective NMDAR glycine site antagonist. This drug candidate has the potential to serve as an innovative treatment for MDD and multiple neurological indications where current therapies are unsatisfactory.

VistaGen is currently evaluating AV-101, in combination with FDA-approved probenecid, in a range of neuropsychiatric and neurological indications, with both MDD and Neuropathic Pain already granted Fast Track designation by the FDA. The company is assessing the combination for a potential Phase 1B study to support a potential Phase 2A program in one or more of the following indications:

• Major Depressive Disorder
• Neuropathic Pain
• Levodopa-induced dyskinesia associated with Parkinson’s disease therapy
• Epilepsy
• Suicidal Ideation

CNS Therapeutics Market Outlook

The global CNS therapeutics market is estimated to reach $130 billion by 2025. The market was valued at approximately $82.3 billion in 2017 and is anticipated to grow at a healthy CAGR of more than 5.93% from 2018 to 2025. Even before the onset of the anxiety- and depression-provoking stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic, this growth was expected to be driven by a rise in mental illnesses and increased awareness of psychiatric disorders (https://nnw.fm/K2m0s) – all likely to be amplified by the diverse impacts of the pandemic.

The two most common mental health conditions – anxiety and depression – cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion each year. The impact of these conditions is particularly devastating among the young. Industry data suggest that approximately 20% of the world’s children and teens are affected by mental health conditions, and suicide is the leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds (https://nnw.fm/oftNb).

VistaGen’s mission is to help address the unmet needs of patients suffering from CNS disorders whose current treatments are either inadequate or generate debilitating side effects and serious safety concerns, including risk of abuse and death.

“Now more than ever, the new generation anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications we are developing at VistaGen – PH94B, PH10 and AV-101 – are relevant, necessary and demand the highly-focused and passionate efforts of our team and partners, with the support of our stockholders, to advance them to patients whose lives are disrupted by anxiety and depression disorders,” VistaGen CEO and Director Shawn K. Singh said in his closing remarks at the company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of stockholders.

Management Team

Shawn K. Singh, J.D. is the Chief Executive Officer and a Director of VistaGen. He has served on the company’s board of directors since 2000. He has nearly 30 years of experience serving in numerous senior management roles across multiple industries, including private and public biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, venture capital, contract research and development, and law. Singh has a B.A. with honors from the University of California – Berkley. He has a J.D. degree from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law. He is also a member of the State Bar of California.

H. Ralph Snodgrass, Ph.D., is the Founder, Chief Scientific Officer and Director of the company. Snodgrass has more than 20 years of experience in the biotechnology field as a senior manager. He is recognized as an expert in stem cell biology, with over 28 years of experience using stem cells as biological research tools to promote development and drug discovery. He received a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Pennsylvania. Snodgrass has published over 50 scientific papers with more than 17 patents and a number of patent applications.

Mark A. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., is VistaGen’s Chief Medical Officer He has over 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, primarily with CNS drug development. Smith has been a successful leader in the discovery and development of approximately 20 investigational new drugs. He has been a part of numerous CNS-related clinical trials. Smith received a bachelor’s and Master of Science from Yale University and a Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology and Pharmacology from the University of California – San Diego. He completed his residency in the psychiatry department at Duke University Medical Center.

Jerrold D. Dotson, CPA, is the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of VistaGen. He has over 25 years of experience in senior management positions in finance and administration at both public and private companies. Dotson is a licensed CPA in California and received his B.S. degree (Cum Laude) in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Abilene Christian College.

Mark A. McPartland is the company’s Vice President of Corporate Development and Investor Relations. He has over 20 years of experience in senior management roles in corporate development and investor relations at both public and private companies. McPartland received his Bachelor’s in business administration and marketing from Coastal Carolina University.

VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN), closed Wednesday's trading session at $2.67, up 1.5209%, on 79,767 volume with 353 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 60,700 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $2.40000009/$3.77010011.

Recent News

• BioMedNewsBreaks - VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN) Announces Preclinical Data Demonstrating Differentiated Mechanism of Action of PH10 from Benzodiazepines
• BioMedNewsBreaks - VistaGen Therapeutics Inc.'s (NASDAQ: VTGN) Pipeline Holds Potential to Go Beyond Standard of Care for Anxiety, Depression
• VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN) Committed to Developing New Generation Alternatives to Current Standard of Care for Anxiety Disorders