LexaGene Holdings Inc. (TSXV: LXG) (OTCQB: LXXGF)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight LexaGene Holdings Inc. (TSXV: LXG) (OTCQB: LXXGF).

LexaGene Holdings Inc. (TSXV: LXG) (OTCQB: LXXGF) was featured today in a publication from BioMedWire, examining how wearable technology is one of the latest and upcoming trends in medicine. Patients’ outcomes, population and other emerging trends are also going to improve due to the growing prominence of the fitness tracking device. This fitness tracking device is also gaining pace in the U.S. as most adults are using it in tracking their fitness habits. However, if the issues below are addressed, then wearable technology will play a smart role in improving the health sector. Also today, NetworkNewsWire released a report on the company detailing how LXXGF has developed a unique pathogen detection instrument—a fully automated genetic analyzer used to rapidly identify multiple pathogens, bacteria, and viruses including COVID-19. LexaGene’s breakthrough technology is highly accurate, designed to be used at sample collection sites, and can deliver test results on 27 pathogens and/or antimicrobial resistance factors at once in about an hour. LexaGene is already working with the FDA on its submission plan for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 testing.

LexaGene Holdings Inc. (TSXV: LXG) (OTCQB: LXXGF) is a molecular diagnostics company that develops genetic analyzers for rapid detection of pathogens at the point-of-need.

Based in the greater-Boston, Massachusetts area, the company’s fully automated genetic analyzer for pathogen detection, the MiQLab™, is designed to deliver reference-quality data with ease of use. MiQLab’s technology screens samples for up to 27 different targets at once—looking for pathogens and antimicrobial resistance factors—and returns results in approximately one hour. It is designed to be operated at the site of sample collection to avoid the delay associated with shipping and manually processing samples. This technology is designed for use in multiple markets, including human and veterinary diagnostics, as well as food safety testing ($12.9B, $2.2B, and $23.4B markets, respectively).

Portfolio Benefits

Rapid, automated pathogen detection

LexaGene’s MiQLab pathogen detection system offers rapid and sensitive testing to markets in need of better vigilance against pathogens that could endanger health and harm public safety and the bottom line. The company’s disruptive technology is on-demand and offers results in approximately an hour.

End users collect a sample, load it onto the MiQLab genetic analyzer with a sample preparation cartridge, enter a sample ID and press ‘go’.

MiQLab is open-access, which allows users to easily customize their own tests, in addition to running the company’s own validated tests. No comparable technology exists on the market today for automating customized testing. The open-access market is over $20 billion in value and includes industries like pharma and biotech that currently need an automated method of performing PCR testing in a cost-efficient way.

Improved COVID-19 Testing

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a threat to global safety, the need for improved testing procedures has been well established. LexaGene’s technology is automated and designed to be used at the point-of-need, thereby avoiding the 12- to 24-hour shipping time. Plus, it performs sample preparation and the gold standard RT-PCR chemistry for exceptional data quality in about one hour.

Because LexaGene’s open-access instrument can be rapidly configured to detect novel pathogens, it is ideally suited to prevent pandemic spread with its easily deployed testing that facilitates rapid quarantine-related decision making.

This speed is in stark contrast to competitor point-of-care technologies that have reagents pre-embedded into complex and expensive cartridges that are only manufactured at specialized production sites – making it impossible to rapidly meet a swift increase in demand.

According to Dr. Jack Regan, LexaGene’s CEO and founder, the world needs easy-to-use, fully automated pathogen detection instruments operating at points-of-need that can be equipped with tests to detect a novel pathogen within a week of knowing its genetic sequence. For this pandemic, the lack of such technology forced the majority of testing to occur in distant reference laboratories, making rapid decisions on quarantine impossible and making the likelihood of successful containment remote.

Regan explained in a press release (http://nnw.fm/Vz5Ju), “LexaGene expects to be the first company to commercialize an automated open-access microfluidic technology designed for use at the point-of-need that can be configured to detect a novel pathogen in just a week’s time of its emergence – for use on-site to return results in one hour – and improve our chances of successful containment.”

Market Potential

LexaGene’s technology has a wide range of applications across many other markets, including biotech and pharma testing, water quality monitoring, agricultural testing, biodefense, and use at point-of-need at border crossings, military bases, aircraft carriers and cruise ships.

Markets for customized testing solutions are poised for significant growth. Industry analysts forecast considerable expansion of many of LexaGene’s potential target markets in the coming years, including:

• The genotyping sector, forecast to reach a valuation of $31.9 billion by 2023;
• PCR assays, expected to make up a $7 billion market opportunity by 2026;
• The sample prep market, forecast to eclipse $9.3 billion by 2025;
• Water quality monitoring, set to grow to $1.59 billion by 2022; and
• Agricultural testing, anticipated to reach $6.29 billion by 2022.

LexaGene’s patented microfluidic system was invented by company CEO Regan, a leading scientist who developed a bio-warfare surveillance instrument that has been adopted by the Department of Homeland Security. Regan is also known for developing an instrument that detects respiratory pathogens from nasal swab samples. The development of these instruments was supported by $20 million in government funding.

Management Team

LexaGene’s experienced leadership team drives company growth with a focus on innovation, pursuing unique market opportunities and providing shareholder value.

Dr. Jack Regan, Chief Executive Officer & Director, is the inventor of the company’s flagship automated pathogen detection technology, the MiQLab. Before founding LexaGene, he led a team of scientists at Bio-Rad Laboratories (NYSE: BIO) in developing tests for detecting pathogens, cancer and neurological disorders using droplet digital PCR. Prior to Bio-Rad, Regan helped QuantaLife, a startup company, bring its product from concept to commercialization, where it was subsequently acquired by Bio-Rad. He has also worked at Applied Biosystems/Life Technologies on automated sample preparation and did his post-doctoral training at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. His doctoral training at the University of California San Francisco focused on influenza viral replication.

Daryl Rebeck, President, has over 20 years of capital market experience with an established international financial network. Rebeck was a vice president and senior investment advisor with Canada’s largest independent investment bank, Canaccord Genuity, where he was responsible for raising significant risk capital for growth companies, with a particular focus on natural resources and medical technology. He has since worked to provide management expertise and grow shareholder value. He served as senior VP of corporate finance of Auryn Resources (NYSE: AUG), a $250 million market cap mining exploration company.

Jeffrey Mitchell, CFO, boasts over two decades of financial and SEC experience. Before joining LexaGene, he served as controller and director of finance, overseeing areas such as public company financial reporting, audits, and financial planning and analysis for Palomar Medical Technologies Inc. In addition to his many years at Palomar, Mitchell has served in numerous financial and strategic advisory roles for medical device, imaging and diagnostic companies.

LexaGene Holdings Inc. (TSXV: LXG) (OTCQB: LXXGF), closed Wednesday's trading session at $0.7384, up 0.846763%, on 380,794 volume with 254 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 293,189 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.303799986/$0.928245007.

Recent News

• Wearable Tech Could Play a Strong Role in Health If These Issues Are Addressed
• Testing's Critical Role in Stemming the Tide
• Breakthroughs and Advancements in Pathogen Detection Offer Hope as Virus Cases Surge

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) is rapidly emerging as a fintech innovator singularly equipped to help car and truck buyers nationwide complete purchases through an online platform that emphasizes a simplicity, speed, and cost-efficiency never before available through a virtual auto sales network. Also today, NetworkNewsWire released a report on the company detailing how PWWBF’s virtual transaction platform recently launched, via Comprehensive Auto Resources Company Inc. (“CARco”), to auto dealerships throughout the United States (http://nnw.fm/Xu8mn). 

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. A partnership with Tesla was recently finalized, making MUSA the only approved, non-captive lease partner for Tesla in the U.S.
• 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 $0.19, up 2.786%, on 43,724 volume with 10 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 87,121 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.038600001/$0.241600006.

Recent News

• PowerBand Solutions Inc. (TSX.V: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (FRA: 1ZVA) Sees Promise of New Revenue as Auto Loan Program Launches
• PowerBand Solutions Inc.'s (TSX.V: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (FRA: 1ZVA) Virtual Transaction Platform Standout in Sector Looking for Change
• PowerBand Solutions Inc. (TSX.V: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (FRA: 1ZVA) Makes Vehicle Purchase and Sale Possible with Only a Few Clicks or Swipes on a Smart Phone

Pure Extracts Corp.

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Pure Extracts Corp..

Pure Extracts, a private, plant-based extraction company with a new vertical in functional mushrooms, leverages CO2 technology, a process based on pressurized carbon dioxide that provides some of today’s cleanest, healthiest products. The company’s dedication to this process was highlighted in a recent article, which reads, “Pure Extract’s Vitalis C02 extraction technology allows for full-spectrum oil extraction, which results in the purest, highest-quality oil. In addition, the company, which notes that ‘extraction is our business,’ will soon have the capacity for more than 100,000 kg of biomass per year with a technique that has been tried and tested through its teams’ industry experience (http://ibn.fm/ohQl6).” To view the full article, visit http://ibn.fm/sEJEv

Pure Extracts Corp., headquartered in Pemberton, British Columbia, is a private, 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 Extract 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.

Recent News

• Pure Extracts Corp. Leverages CO2 Technology in ‘Extraction Is Our Business’ Model
• Pure Extracts Corp. Moves to Further Expand in the Functional Mushrooms Market
• QualityStocksNewsBreaks – Why Pure Extracts Corp. Is ‘One to Watch’

Cybin Corp.

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Cybin Corp..

Cybin Corp., a Canada-based, life-sciences company focused on the pharmaceutical development of psychedelic products as well as the functional mushroom market, looks to be in the right place at the right time. A mushrooming interest fuels this sector in an era where psychedelics, once a taboo substance, are being viewed in a powerful new light. To view the full article, visit http://ibn.fm/2OLON

Cybin Corp. is a Canada-based life sciences company focused on the pharmaceutical development of psychedelic products, as well as the functional mushroom market.

The early-stage company boasts an experienced management team featuring industry veterans from pharmaceutical and consumer product backgrounds who have run multiple clinical trials and collectively helped facilitate billions of dollars in product revenues. The team is dedicated to the development of products and protocols within the psychedelic, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

In particular, Cybin aims to further build upon and expand its intellectual property (IP) portfolio, which is structured around unique psilocybin delivery mechanisms that target a number of different therapeutic indications. In addition, the company has dedicated itself toward furthering its research and IP within the fields of synthetic compounds, extraction methods, the isolation of chemical compounds, new drug formulations and protocol regimes.

Serenity Life Sciences & Natures Journey Inc.

The company’s business model is centered around its two core subsidiaries, Serenity Life Sciences and Natures Journey Inc., which comprise Cybin’s two-pronged approach toward delivering fungi-derived psychedelic and medicinal products.

Serenity Life Sciences is focused on furthering research and development of psilocybin-based medications. Psilocybin is found in certain species of mushrooms and is a non-habit forming, naturally occurring psychedelic compound. Research into psilocybin has shown positive results for the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, eating disorders, ADHD and other indications.

Natures Journey Inc. operates the Journey brand, which specializes in developing proprietary medicinal mushroom products that target and promote mental wellness, immune boosting detoxification and overall general health and wellbeing.

Partnership with the Toronto Centre for Psychedelic Science (TCPS)

Staying true to its axiom of being a research-first medicinal mushroom life sciences company, Cybin recently announced its entry into a strategic partnership with the Toronto Centre for Psychedelic Science (TCPS), with the goal of furthering its ongoing psilocybin research efforts and expanding Cybin’s psilocybin IP portfolio (http://nnw.fm/9EUkI).

“While there is evidence to support psilocybin as a treatment for certain indications, the Toronto Centre for Psychedelic Science is taking a clinical approach to prove or disprove the safety and efficacy of psilocybin-based microdosing through an open science approach,” Paul Glavine, CEO of Cybin, stated in a news release.

“We are excited to join forces with Cybin and to offer our expertise. A number of firms had approached TCPS, but Cybin demonstrated a superior commitment to high-quality research and integrity in product development. Our high standards for scientific rigor and transparency will find a fitting home within the culture Cybin is cultivating in Canada and abroad,” Thomas Anderson, co-founder of the Toronto Centre for Psychedelic Science, added.

Journey’s Product Monetization & Market Potential for Nutraceutical Supplements

Although Cybin is at the forefront of companies seeking to conduct clinical trials aimed at gaining regulatory approval for psilocybin and other psychedelic products, the company has also placed a great deal of emphasis on generating meaningful revenue from its very outset.

Cybin’s Journey brand has is launching a range of supplements comprised of popular fungi-derived ingredients such as Reishi, Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps. Purported to aid focus and concentration while promoting neurogenesis, Journey’s range of nutraceutical products provides Cybin with a crucial foothold within the non-psychedelic legal supplement market, which is valued at over $25 billion globally and growing at a 9% year-over-year rate.

Pharmaceutical Psychedelics

In addition to the company’s range of non-psychedelic supplements, Cybin has plans to carry out a clinical trial with a new delivery system for its psilocybin-based medications later this year. Ultimately, the company aims to enter into technology transfer agreements with global pharmaceutical companies after phase 1 & phase 2 clinical trials are complete in order to accelerate regulatory approvals in major indications in global markets with entire lifecycle product management.

With products such as psilocybin truffles already legal in nations such as the Netherlands, Jamaica and Bulgaria, Cybin has positioned itself to capitalize on an eventual legalization of psychedelic mushroom-derived products in the future. Working within a regulatory environment with strong similarities to that which dealt with cannabis prior to the industry’s eventual legalization by the Canadian government in 2018, Cybin is laying the groundwork for the moment pharmaceutical psychedelics gain acceptance in North America and abroad.

Amalgamation Agreement and Financing

Cybin recently announced its entry into an amalgamation agreement dated June 26, 2020, with Clarmin Explorations Inc. (TSX.V: CX) and 2762898 Ontario Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Clarmin (http://nnw.fm/w04LH). Completion of the transactions contemplated in the amalgamation agreement will result in the reverse takeover of Clarmin by Cybin.

In connection with the proposed transaction, Cybin plans to complete a “best-efforts” brokered private placement of subscription receipts of Cybin, with a syndicate of agents co-led by Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc. (Stifel GMP) and Eight Capital, to raise a minimum of C$14 million ($10 million) and a maximum of C$21 million ($15 million), with a 15% agents’ option.

To date, Cybin has raised approximately C$10,400,000 through an initial financing round and its series A financing round.

Recent News

• Cybin Corp. Emerging as Leader in Growing Psychedelics Space
• Cybin Corp. is “One to Watch”
• Cybin Corp. and IntelGenx Corp. to Collaborate in Development of Fast-Acting Psilocybin Film

Deltec Bank & Trust Ltd.

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Deltec Bank & Trust Ltd..

Deltec Bank & Trust, a leading financial hub for global investors, financiers and entrepreneurs, recently delved into the recent surge in retail investing and the dangerous game many may be playing in its latest research note titled “Robin Hood-Winked” (http://ibn.fm/oLvus). To view the full article, visit http://ibn.fm/Nl4Kw

Deltec Bank & Trust Ltd. is a leading financial hub for global investors, financiers and entrepreneurs. The private and corporate bank offers its clients a unique suite of bespoke financial solutions, institutional expertise and highly attentive service with an aim toward creating a network of opportunities to enhance client wealth. Deltec Bank & Trust Ltd. is the flagship company of the Deltec International Group, a diversified independent financial services group providing a range of financial services including fund administration, corporate advisory, merchant banking, global insurance and digital asset solutions.

Founded in 1959, Deltec draws upon the collective experience of more than 150 professionals. These specialists come from a wide array of backgrounds, including private bankers and investment advisors, trust officers, lawyers and certified public accountants, many of whom have previously worked at some of the world’s largest and most prestigious financial institutions. Deltec specializes in providing its clients with private banking and fiduciary expertise, fund administration, investment management solutions, digital asset financial services, insurance, and corporate and merchant banking capabilities.

Following the purchase of Société Generale’s private banking business in The Bahamas in 2016, Deltec has seen its group-wide assets under management, administration and custody rise to over $12 billion, as of late 2019 (http://nnw.fm/n0YQx).

Deltec Bank has received a number of accolades throughout its lengthy history, most recently being named the ‘Best Private Bank in the Caribbean 2020’ by Global Banking and Finance Review (http://nnw.fm/jx4rS), an award which it also won in 2015. The company was recognized for its outstanding performance and achievements, scoring particularly highly in the following categories:

• Strong client relations with personal and client-focused services;
• Highly personalized and innovative products and services; and
• Continued commitment to providing clients with the best possible financial solutions.

Opportunity within Fintech

Remarkably for a private bank, Deltec Bank & Trust has historically been at the forefront of the digital banking and fintech revolution within the financial services industry. Deltec has also gained renown for its annual conference, with the latest iteration focusing on disruption with financial services (http://nnw.fm/3m0kX). Hosting over 300 delegates, including the Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance of The Bahamas, the conference featured ‘The Innovator’s Marketplace’, a forum providing an opportunity for emerging companies in biotech/life sciences, virtual reality, blockchain, fintech, quantum computing and other cutting-edge industries to pitch their ideas to investors and attendees in 45-minute presentations.

Engagement with the Community

Deltec Bank has long held strong ties within the local community in The Bahamas through its Deltec Initiatives Foundation, which was designed to foster an environment that empowers young Bahamians to drive positive social impact through the power of arts, entrepreneurship and education.

Since 2013, the foundation has discovered, launched and mentored many talented, motivated and driven Bahamian artists, artisans and entrepreneurs. The Deltec Initiatives Foundation comprises three pillars: The Initiative for the Arts, The Initiative for Young Entrepreneurs and The Initiative for Scholarship & Education.

Expert Team of Professionals

Jean Chalopin, chairman of Deltec International Group, is a global business leader with a remarkably diverse background encompassing several industries, including banking, wealth management, biotechnologies and entertainment.

Odetta Morton, CEO of Deltec Bank & Trust, is a seasoned banker and CPA with over 20 years of experience in the financial services sector, including financial management, shareholder relations, business leadership and corporate strategy.

Gregory Pepin, Deputy CEO of Deltec Bank & Trust, is an expert financial strategist with vast experience in blockchain technology, investments, wealth management and insurance.

Fabio Gama, Chief Operating Office of Deltec Bank & Trust, has 15 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Fabio has been directly responsible for operations, IT, facilities and procurement. He is an expert in developing teams and has a proven track record for supporting business needs.

Tanya Carey, Chief Financial Officer of Deltec Bank & Trust, is a resourceful finance professional and licensed CPA with over 20 years of experience in financial services and solid industry and regulatory knowledge.

Terry Girling, Chief Administrative Officer of Deltec Bank & Trust, is a senior executive, chartered accountant and banking professional with over 40 years of experience in the finance and banking sectors. Girling is experienced in all facets of banking, including accounting, compliance, operations, technology, fund administration, trust administration and human resources.

Hugo Rogers, Chief Investment Officer of Deltec Bank & Trust, is a multi-asset investment and award-winning global equity and hedge fund manager. He has actively managed investments for over 15 years. He is also a CFA Charterholder with a master’s degree from Oxford University.

Recent News

• Deltec Bank & Trust Ltd.’s Recent Research Note Shines Spotlight on Dangerous Investing Game
• QualityStocksNewsBreaks – Deltec Bank & Trust Ltd. Is ‘One to Watch’
• Award-Winning Deltec Bank & Trust Ltd. Provides Financial Expertise to Global Investment Community in Navigating Pandemic Era

Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Predictive Oncology (POAI).

Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI), a knowledge-driven company focused on applying artificial intelligence (“AI”) to personalized medicine, has completed its acquisition of Quantitative Medicine (“QM”) (http://ibn.fm/vqmwL). POAI signed a letter of intent to acquire QM, a biomedical analytics and computational biology company, in January (http://ibn.fm/4iRTV). The strategic move should accelerate the commercialization of Predictive Oncology’s proprietary AI-driven drug discovery and development. Also today, the company was featured in a publication from BioMedWire, examining how POAI is on a well-funded path to move forward with its goals. A recent article discussing this quotes POAI CEO Dr. Carl Schwartz, who states, “[POAI] improved our liquidity position and streamlined our capital structure with the conversion of a $2.1 million convertible note, previously held by me, to newly issued equity. This action demonstrates my confidence in the commercial viability of our work, and when combined with the additional capital we raised through an equity offering, provides us with the cash runway to fund key clinical, regulatory and operational milestones for the next several quarters. In addition, we have significantly reduced the corporate structure of our Skyline Medical business to enable it to operate independently as we consider strategic alternatives for this business.” To view the full article, visit: http://ibn.fm/kGMZk

Predictive Oncology (POAI) is a knowledge-driven precision medicine company focused on applying data and artificial intelligence (AI) to personalized medicine and drug discovery. The company applies its smart tumor profiling and AI platform to extensive genomic and biomarker patient data sets to build predictive models of tumor drug response to improve clinical outcomes for the cancer patients of today and tomorrow. The company has several tools that support its mission of bringing precision medicine to the treatment of cancer.

Through its subsidiaries, Predictive Oncology’s portfolio of assets includes the following:

• A database of clinically validated historical and outcome data from patient tumors
• An in-house Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified lab
• A “smart” patient-derived tumor profiling platform
• An in-house bioinformatics artificial intelligence (AI) platform
• A new computerized approach growing tumors in the lab to rapidly develop patient specific treatment options
• An FDA-approved fluid collection and disposal system

Using these resources, and in collaboration with key players in the pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotech industries Predictive Oncology is working to determine the best pathways for more individualized and effective cancer treatment.

Subsidiaries

Predictive Oncology leverages the synergies of its three wholly owned subsidiaries to bring precision medicine to the diagnosis of cancer.

Helomics applies artificial intelligence to its rich data gathered from the company’s trove of more than 150,000 tumors to personalize cancer therapies for patients as well as drive the development of new targeted therapies in collaborations with pharmaceutical companies. This database, the largest of its kind in the world, is comprised of ovarian, head and neck, colon and pancreas tumors. Helomic’s CLIA-certified lab provides clinical testing that assists oncologists in individualizing patient treatment decisions, by providing an evidence-based roadmap for therapy.

In addition to its proprietary precision oncology platform, Helomics offers boutique CRO services that leverage its TruTumor™ patient-derived tumor models coupled to a wide range of multi-omics assays (genomics, proteomics and biochemical), and an AI-powered proprietary platform (D-CHIP) to provide a tailored solution to its clients’ specific needs.

TumorGenesis is developing a new, rapid approach to growing tumors in the laboratory without the use of rats or mice, allowing for the identification of biomarkers indicative of cancer. This methodology “fools” the tumor into thinking it is still in the body. As a result, the tumor reacts as it naturally would, thereby increasing the accuracy of the biomarker. Once the biomarkers are identified, they can be used in TumorGenesis’ Oncology Capture Technology Platforms which isolate and helps categorize an individual patient’s heterogeneous tumor samples to enable development of patient-specific treatment options.

Skyline Medical’s patented, FDA-cleared STREAMWAY® System is the first true, direct-to-drain fluid disposal system designed specifically for medical applications such as radiology, endoscopy, urology and cystoscopy procedures. The STREAMWAY system is changing the way healthcare facilities collect and dispose of potentially infectious waste fluid by connecting directly to a facility’s plumbing system to automate the collection, measurement and disposal of waste fluids.

The STREAMWAY minimizes human intervention for better safety and improves compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory agency safety guidelines. The STREAMWAY eliminates canisters, carts and evacuated bottles, which reduces overhead costs and minimizes environmental impact by helping to eliminate the approximately 50 million potentially disease-infected canisters that go into landfills annually in the United Sates.

Skyline has achieved sales in five of the seven continents through both direct sales and distributor partners.

Competitive Advantage

Precision medicine has become the holy grail of cancer therapeutics. Data driven predictive models of tumors and their responses are critical in both new drug development and individualized patient treatment. The race has begun to model various tumors, which takes 5 to 7 years of clinical evaluation to establish historical and outcome data.

Predictive Oncology enjoys significant competitive advantage. The company already has a vast historical collection of tumors and related data, plus the ability to obtain existing associated outcome data. While others wait for outcome data, Predictive Oncology is in a unique and powerful position, working to deliver the promise of precision medicine to reality. Predictive Oncology already has the clinical data, including how a tumor responded to certain drugs, an in-house bioinformatics AI platform, and only needs to do the tumor sequencing. The significance is underscored by the collaboration with UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital, designed to reveal which mutations responded to which drug then develop powerful predictive models for future testing and treatment.

Leadership Team

Dr. Carl Schwartz was appointed to Skyline Medical’s board of directors in March 2015 and became interim president and CEO in May 2016. Dr. Schwartz became CEO of Plastics Research Corporation in 1988, leading the company to become the largest manufacturer of structural foam molding products in the U.S. with more than $60 million in revenues and 300 employees by the time he retired in 2001. He holds a bachelor’s degree and DDS degree from the University of Detroit.

CFO Bob Myers has over 30 years of experience in multiple industries focusing on medical device service and manufacturing. He has spent much of his career as a CFO and controller. Myers holds an MBA in Finance from Adelphi University and a BBA in public accounting from Hofstra University.

Gerald Vardzel, President of Helomics, has over 25 years of healthcare executive management experience developing and implementing commercialization strategies and models for technology launches. His Go-To-Market expertise includes equity financing, strategic planning, market intelligence, M&A, and new market development in both start-up and established settings including fortune 500 market leaders. He has developed innovative solutions for both CLIA and FDA regulatory paths defining the delivery chains from discovery to clinical acceptance. Mr. Vardzel also has significant experience designing and implementing sales and marketing programs tailored not only to expand market share, but to empirically assess client satisfaction, strengthen business processes, and maximize profitability. Mr. Vardzel was previously Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategic Initiatives at Global Specimen Solutions. Furthermore, as an executive affiliate to the healthcare industry, he routinely consults for several small-to-mid sized private equity firms advising on, in part, the feasibility of acquisition targets. Mr. Vardzel graduated from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Mark Collins, Chief Information Officer of Helomics, has held multiple executive roles in a variety of discovery, informatics and bioinformatics functions within global pharma, and founded three startup software companies in the machine learning and drug discovery space. In 2001, Dr. Collins worked for Cellomics (now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific), where he played a pivotal role in establishing the High-Content Cell Analysis market, building and commercializing several key informatics and bioinformatics products. After leaving Thermo Fisher, Dr. Collins developed and commercialized informatics solutions for clinical and translational research, specifically in the specimen tracking, omics data management and NGS analysis space, through key roles at BioFortis, Global Specimens Solutions and Genedata. Dr. Collins received his undergraduate degree in Applied Science from the University of Wolverhampton, UK and his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Surrey, UK.

Predictive Oncology (POAI), closed Wednesday's trading session at $1.73, off by 0.574713%, on 1,168,401 volume with 2,910 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 1,125,885 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $1.25/$7.0999999.

Recent News

• Predictive Oncology Inc. (NASDAQ: POAI) Finalizes Acquisition Deal Expected to Revolutionize Role of AI-Driven Predictive Models
• Predictive Oncology Inc. (NASDAQ: POAI) on 'Cash Runway' to Fund Key Milestones
• Could Daily Aspirin Intake Prevent Colorectal Cancer?

Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX).

Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX) was featured today in a publication from BioMedWire, examining how machine learning may lead to limited generalization, confusion and even complex correlations between variables. Besides, new modelling using machine learning may not be easily explained by policymakers and physicians. Analysts may be faced with various challenges of the variables to model and which one to be ignored. These variables are always arbitrary and may lead to different interpretations and findings.

Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX) is a clinical-stage gene therapy company developing potentially life-changing technologies for cancer patients based upon a unique proprietary technology platform, including Genprex’s initial product candidate, Oncoprex™ immunogene therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Genprex’s platform technologies are designed to administer cancer-fighting genes by encapsulating them into nanoscale hollow spheres called nanovesicles, which are then administered intravenously and taken up by tumor cells where they express proteins that are missing or found in low quantities.

Research and Development

Genprex holds a portfolio of 30 issued and two pending patents covering its technologies and targeted molecular therapies. The company’s research and development program is focused on identifying and developing leading-edge gene therapies that can be used alone or in combination with other therapies for treatment of cancer.

Genprex’s initial product candidate is Oncoprex™, an immunogene therapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Oncoprex works by interrupting cell signaling pathways that cause replication and proliferation of cancer cells, re-establishes pathways for apoptosis (or programmed cell death) in cancer cells, and modulates the immune response against cancer cells. Oncoprex has also been shown to block mechanisms that create drug resistance.

Preclinical research is being conducted with the goal of developing Oncoprex to be administered with targeted therapies in other solid tumors, and with immunotherapies in NSCLC and other solid tumors. In addition, Genprex has conducted and plans to continue research into other tumor suppressor genes associated with chromosome 3p21.3, as well as other potential applications of the company’s immunogene therapy platform.

Clinical Trials

Genprex is currently conducting the second phase of a phase I/II clinical trial at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The company plans to expand its clinical program by adding a new clinical study evaluating Oncoprex™ in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor for treatment of Stage IV or recurrent NSCLC. In research presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research in Washington, D.C., Genprex’s collaborators showed that TUSC2 in combination with PD-1 checkpoint inhibition has a significantly greater anti-tumor effect in lung cancer than either agent alone. The research also shows that TUSC2 in combination with PD-1 blockade has synergistic activity in upregulating natural killer (NK) cells, correlating with prolonged survival in mice.

TUSC2 (Tumor Suppressor Candidate 2) is a tumor suppressor gene that is absent or deficient in cancer cells of many different cancer types.

The Market

Genprex technologies seek to bridge a critical gap by combining with targeted therapies and immunotherapies to provide treatments to large patient populations who would otherwise not be candidates for those therapies or who have become resistant to them. Genprex technologies are being developed to overcome genomic limitations which are inherent in targeted therapies and immunotherapies in order to provide new treatment solutions to large cancer populations, such as those with lung cancer.

Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for about 85 percent of all lung cancers, according to the American Cancer Society (“ACS”). Despite radical advances in drug development and novel therapeutic standards, survival for late stage lung cancer has not improved significantly in the past 25 years.

Senior Management

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer J. Rodney Varner, JD, is a co-founder of Genprex and has served in these roles since August 2012. He has more than 35 years of legal experience with large and small law firms and as outside general counsel of a Nasdaq-listed company. Varner has served as counsel in company formation, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, other business transactions, protection of trade secrets and other intellectual property, real estate, and business litigation. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Court and the U.S. Tax Court.

Julien L. Pham, M.D., MPH, is president and chief operating officer of Genprex. In March 2013, Dr. Pham co-founded RubiconMD, a healthcare IT company that connects primary care providers to specialists for additional guidance and opinions on medical cases and served as its chief medical officer. He has served on the faculty at Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital and is a board-certified internal medicine doctor and nephrologist.

Ryan M. Confer, MS, has served as Genprex chief financial officer since September 2016. Confer has more than 10 years of executive experience in planning, launching, developing, and growing emerging technology companies and has served in the chief operating and chief financial roles for non-profit and for-profit entities since 2008. Confer has also served as an international business development consultant for the University of Texas at Austin’s IC2 Institute, where he focused on evaluating the commercialization potential of nascent technologies in domestic and international markets applicable to technology incubator programs associated with the University. Confer holds a BS in finance and legal studies from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and an MS in technology commercialization from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

Jan Stevens, RN, is vice president of Clinical Operations. Stevens has nearly 20 years of comprehensive clinical operations experience in the biopharma industry and a specialization in early-to-late stage oncology companies. Stevens joined the company to help support the various clinical development programs for Oncoprex™.

Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX), closed Wednesday's trading session at $4.10, up 20.2346%, on 10,734,795 volume with 28,960 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 2,683,311 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.231000006/$7.0300002.

Recent News

• Promises and Challenges of Machine Learning and Data Science in Health
• Genprex, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX) Announces $2.59M NIH Research Grant to Lead Researcher Behind Its Diabetes Gene Therapy
• Using Protein Biomarkers Enhances Clinical Trial Outcomes

Willow Biosciences Inc. (TSX: WLLW) (OTCQX: CANSF)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Willow Biosciences Inc. (TSX: WLLW) (OTCQX: CANSF).

Willow Biosciences (TSX: WLLW) (OTCQX: CANSF) this morning announced that it has been approved to commence trading on the OTCQX(R) Best Market (the "OTCQX") under the symbol "CANSF,” beginning today, July 22, 2020. Willow has upgraded to the OTCQX from the OTCQB(R) Venture Market (the "OTCQB"). "We are very excited to migrate to the top of the OTC market, the OTCQX(R) Best Market," Trevor Peters, president and CEO of Willow, stated in the news release. To view the full press release, visit http://cnw.fm/nXa9X

Willow Biosciences Inc. (TSX: WLLW) (OTCQX: CANSF) is a leading developer of biosynthetic production systems for high-value, plant-derived active pharmaceutical ingredients (“APIs”) and intermediates. The company’s cannabidiol (“CBD”) yeast-based biosynthesis program produces a high yield, ultrapure, low-cost and scalable manufacturing solution for pharmaceutical, food, beverage and personal care consumers of CBD.

The company is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Biosynthesis Platform

Willow’s proprietary yeast-based lab strains produce CBD, tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), and cannabigerol (“CBG”), as well as certain minor and novel cannabinoids.

The company’s expertise in the esoteric field of biosynthesis and in delivering commercial fermentation pathways for the production of pharmaceutical-grade compounds grew from its origins in opiate research. Willow recently delivered a de novo biosynthesis pathway in yeast for thebaine, a key precursor API used as a feedstock in the manufacture of semi-synthetic opiates such as naloxone (used to reverse opioid overdose) and several common analgesics. Led by Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Peter Facchini, Willow’s research team discovered and patented numerous previously unknown genes coding for core catalytic pathway enzymes, as well as a number of additional non-pathway, yet commercially-essential, accessory genes.

Utilizing this proven synthetic biology platform, Willow’s research team has already begun producing cannabinoids at lab scale, using yeast as the host cell “factory.” This biosynthetic fermentation-based process is capable of producing pharmaceutical grade CBD in 10 days – far less time than traditional plant-based extraction methods.

Willow anticipates its technology can be scaled to produce hundreds of kilograms per batch of cannabinoid API at less than $1,000 per kilogram, thus costing approximately 60% less than current chemical synthesis methods and 90% less than conventional plant-based extraction methods.

World-Class Collaboration

Willow and Noramco Inc., the world’s largest producer of high-quality synthetic cannabinoid APIs and other controlled substance APIs for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, have an exclusive, worldwide Joint Development Agreement (“JDA”) to design a yeast-based biosynthesis platform for the production and distribution of a highly pure CBD isolate.

The mutually exclusive agreement calls for Willow to be responsible for optimizing yeast strains in a biosynthetic process to generate ultrapure CBD at high yield and substantially lower cost compared to current methods. Noramco will leverage its decades of experience in producing and delivering CBD and pharmaceutical APIs by being responsible for the scale-up, regulatory submission, marketing and distribution of products manufactured under the JDA.

Each company will invest comparable funds, will retain the intellectual property associated with their respective scopes of work and share equally in gross profits from sales of products manufactured under the JDA.

Market Opportunity

The agreement with Noramco (http://nnw.fm/Mz1vW) addresses the increasing demand for CBD-based APIs and other CBD-infused products by pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, consumer packaged goods, beverages and other industry sectors.

The U.S. market potential of cannabinoids is significant, with industry analysts projecting $50 billion in cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical sales and $16 billion in CBD consumer goods retail sales by 2025. As of June 2019, 34 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands have legalized cannabis for medical use. Another 13 states and territories have approved recreational cannabis for adult use while other states are considering similar measures.

The cannabinoid API market continues to evolve with CBD and other cannabinoid-based treatment options currently in clinical trials for indications such as post-traumatic stress syndrome, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, schizophrenia, cancer treatments and other challenging unmet medical conditions.

Capitalization

Willow is fully funded after raising $29 million via private placement and $8 million in exercised warrants by Tuatara Capital Fund II, L.P. Proceeds of the funding will be used to enhance the existing laboratory space in Calgary and Vancouver, Canada, and in San Francisco, California. The company anticipates exiting 2020 with $15.8 million in cash.

Leadership

President and CEO Trevor Peters is an experienced executive who co-founded four startup companies in the past 15 years. He has raised over $1 billion in equity and debt financings at various stages of corporate development and has been integral to successful transactions totaling over $4 billion on sale. Mr. Peters previously was chief financial officer at Caracal Energy Inc., which sold to Glencore plc in 2014 for $1.8 billion.

Chief Financial Officer Travis Doupe has over 18 years of experience in financial leadership roles, principally in the international oil and gas industry, where he provided corporate strategic direction while overseeing all aspects of financial operations. Mr. Doupe is the treasurer and a member of the board of directors of the Canada Council for the Americas – Alberta and holds a CA-CPA designation and earned a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Calgary.

Dr. Peter Facchini, Chief Scientific Officer, has been professor of plant biochemistry in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary since 1995. He is recognized internationally as a leader in plant specialized metabolite biosynthesis. Dr. Facchini is the Canada Research Chair in Plant Metabolic Processes Biotechnology and has published more than 150 research papers and scholarly articles. Dr. Facchini received a PhD from the University of Toronto and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Kentucky and Université de Montréal.

Dr. Joseph Tucker, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, holds more than 20 issued or pending patents and is a member of the Board of Directors of BioAlberta. He has extensive senior leadership experience in multiple public and private biotech companies. Dr. Tucker received a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Calgary.

Willow Biosciences Inc. (OTCQX: CANSF), closed Wednesday's trading session at $0.3573, up 1.9401%, on 35,065 volume with 14 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 45,368 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.218999996/$0.738600015.

Recent News

• Willow Biosciences Inc. (TSX: WLLW) (OTCQX: CANSF) Moves to the Top of the OTC Market
• Live Investor Conference & Webinar: Cannabis & CBD Biopharma Industry Companies Present July 9th
• Willow Biosciences Inc. (TSX: WLLW) (OTCQX: CANSF) to Present at VirtualInvestorConferences.com

VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: VIVO) (OTC: VVCIF)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight VIVO Cannabis Inc. (VVCIF).

VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) was featured today in the 420 with CNW by CannabisNewsWire. For many young entrepreneurs, launching a startup is pretty straightforward. Make a snazzy business plan, secure as much funding as you can from investors and hit the ground running. However, acquiring startup capital is no easy task and if you do, you and your business are often at the mercy of your investors and advisory boards. More often than not, these entrepreneurs find themselves running businesses that while successful and profitable, have strayed far from their original visions.

VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: VIVO) (OTC: VVCIF) is a globally licensed, cost efficient producer of premium quality, organic, standardized medicinal cannabis. One of the earliest licensed medical marijuana producers under Canada’s federally-controlled Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), VIVO has five years of operating experience in the burgeoning medical marijuana space through its flagship operation, ABcann Medicinals, Inc. The company recently received its Health Canada license to produce medical cannabis oils and is working toward production of saleable, extracted, finished products that will lead to a final inspection allowing sales of its oils.

“Receipt of the license to produce cannabis oils is a major milestone in our pursuit to provide our medical cannabis patients with additional product formats that can be precisely dosed. The expansion and innovation of our product lines are a top priority for the Company as we continue to serve the needs of our customers, and we anticipate strong demand for our cannabis oil products,” VIVO CEO Barry Fishman said.

VIVO owns and operates a fully functioning 14,500 square foot facility in Napanee, Ontario, which is being doubled in size to produce 1,400 kg of cannabis per year. The company’s expansion plans include adding a seasonal greenhouse and a hybrid, multipurpose facility, capable of producing 31,000 kg of cannabis per year between the two facilities, to be constructed on 65 acres it already owns near the Napanee facility. This additional location is properly zoned with existing infrastructure in place for an eventual 1.2 million square feet of production space.

VIVO has built a reputation over the years for its best-in-class standardized approach to growing cannabis that includes the absence of pesticides and a computer monitored growing technique that provides a consistent, pharmaceutical-grade with high yields. The company’s custom, scalable growing chambers with proprietary lighting can be replicated anywhere in the world, leading to lower production costs. This technique has helped it record a customer retention rate of 94.7 percent alongside 30 percent month-over-month customer growth. When combined with VIVO’s current yield rate, which it has measured at roughly 100 percent greater than the industry average, the company has constructed a strong foundation upon which to build a sizable presence in the global cannabis industry.

This global growth potential is illustrated by VIVO’s partnership with Israel’s Syqe Medical, producer of the world’s first selective-dose pharmaceutical grade medicinal plant inhaler. After visiting VIVO’s production facility, Perry Davidson, founder of Syqe Medical, noted that the company’s production technologies put it “in a class with the best in the world” in its ability to produce standardized pharmaceutical grade cannabis.

VIVO’s recent acquisition of Harvest Medicine Inc. represents further progress toward the company’s goal of becoming a vertically integrated medical cannabis company. Harvest Medicine is one of the fastest growing medical cannabis clinics in Canada – adding over 1,200 new patients monthly from a single location – with an aggressive expansion plan and a patient-focused approach that perfectly aligns with VIVO’s philosophy of quality and innovation.

VIVO’s seasoned management team, board of directors and advisory board features well over a century of combined industry experience. Fishman, who has over 20 years of experience as a business leader, previously served as CEO of both Teva Canada and Taro Canada, as vice president of marketing at Eli Lilly Canada, and as past chair of the Canadian Generic Manufacturers Association. He most recently served as CEO of international specialty pharmaceutical company Merus Labs.

Notably, VIVO also has access to the ‘Father of Cannabis Research’, Raphael Mechoulam, PhD, through its board of advisors. An organic chemist and professor of medicinal chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mechoulam was the first scientist to isolate both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). He has received more than 25 prestigious academic awards, including the Rothschild Prize in Chemical Sciences and Physical Sciences in 2012.

With more than 65 acres of growth capacity, a healthy cash balance to fund upcoming construction efforts, steady sales growth, industry-leading yield rates and an established operations team in place, VIVO is well positioned to compete in the rapidly expanding Canadian cannabis industry and beyond.

VIVO Cannabis Inc. (VVCIF), closed Wednesday's trading session at $0.1765, up 0.857143%, on 37,302 volume with 37 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 130,839 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.109999999/$0.432339996.

Recent News

• 420 with CNW - You Don't Need Lots of Capital to Be Big in the Marijuana Industry
• VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) Issues Update on Global Medical Business
• VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) Issues Update on Adult-Use Products

ISW Holdings (ISWH)

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

ISW Holdings (ISWH) (“ISW Holdings”) is a brand management portfolio company with diverse partnerships that focus on growing businesses in multiple sectors, including crypto mining, renewable energy, home health care for the chronically ill, wellness and restoration, and the adult beverage industry, as well as early-stage operations in supply chain and logistics management. ISW Holdings operates as the nexus between its partnerships and their essential services for end users.

Mission
The company’s core mission is to enhance these sectors by implementing innovative services and products 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, which ensure their success in their chosen industries. This enables the company to return maximum shareholder value with its focus always on its partnerships’ various sector volatility.

The Revolution
Positioned to create industry leaders, the company’s process entails strategic development and aggressive early growth of its partner brands to establish them as profitable and viable. ISW Holdings’ method is to nurture emerging partner brands through the essential stages of market development (from conceptualization to distribution) in sectors relevant to today’s marketplace. In addition, the company has a holistic approach to business development, with every strategy being delivered person-to-person from developers to end users.

The Challenge
The company’s goal is to turn its target audience into loyal consumers by ensuring transparency and a clear understanding of its products and services, thus creating visibility, credibility, and trust.

ISW Holdings’ Innovative Approach
ISW Holdings has diversified positions in its partnerships across technology, health care, wellness, renewable energy, and the adult beverage sectors. The company seek to provide industry leading modern solutions to its clients and sound business practices to its partners. This is accomplished through an early growth platform that cultivates its partnerships with the necessary resources and expertise to expand exponentially.

ISW Holdings’ Opportunity
The company’s opportunity is considerable. In the ever-changing high demand global marketplace, the need for timely innovation is critical. ISW Holdings’ portfolio brand management and creative thinking has allowed the company to develop and deploy enterprises that meet the needs of 21st century consumers. Through a fully vetted system of scalability, it is able to meet consumer demands with turn-key solutions.

Portfolio of Partnerships and Businesses
ISW Holdings’ diverse portfolio reflects the growing demand for essential services in a dynamic modern operational landscape. With partnerships that incorporate a depth of experience and industry insight, ISW Holdings has established itself as a portfolio company in technology, home health care, and wellness, with a focus on reshaping industry benchmarks.

Bit5ive

ISW Holdings operates a joint venture with Bit5ive, a global leader in cryptocurrency mining. As an official distribution partner of Bitmain (the industry’s leading fabless manufacturer of computing chips and distributor of Antminers to more than 30 countries in Latin America, Central America, and the Caribbean), Bit5ive is quickly becoming one of the largest U.S.-based companies in the cryptocurrency mining and bitcoin farm sectors of the market.
Valued at $293.66 million in 2019, the bitcoin technology market is expected to reach $477 million by 2025, according to Mordor Intelligence. 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

With a growing awareness of the importance of renewable energy worldwide, 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 – two fields with a typically high energy demand.

Because crypto mining companies mostly operate outside of the United States with higher asset security risks, Proceso will assist these entities in securing their investments by providing a local source of power and infrastructure development. This is aimed at helping to reduce power consumption while creating secure crypto mining data centers in the U.S. For the gaming industry, Proceso is ready to tackle one of its biggest problems, latency, by building next-level infrastructure in key locations.

PHH – Home Health

PHH Paradigm Home Health answers the growing need for homecare 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. PHH aims to be at the forefront of this change by offering quality care services infused with new emerging technologies.

ISW Holdings’ home health division is currently developing a pilot for on-demand health care, which consists of a dedicated, stable platform for different medical services. The platform will offer greater freedom of choice and transparency by allowing users to find outpatient clinics in their vicinities, compare costs, and pick the most suitable choices. PHH is also developing specialized technology and tools to support health care services outside of the bounds of specialized facilities by focusing on homecare facilities. This can not only shift the burden from hospitals and clinics, but also streamline specific parts of the health care process to enhance service and product distribution.

VOLUM

ISW Holdings’ logistics and supply chain management division was designed with the core goal of increasing supply chain efficiency as one of the key aspects of successfully growing any business. The VOLUM project’s focus is on identifying and then implementing advanced supply chain management strategies and methods that will enable ISW Holdings’ partner companies to scale and grow exponentially. To achieve this goal, the company develops and offers reliable systems and solutions that create innovative technologies and unmanned system operations for overall higher cost-effectiveness.

In the wellness sector, ISW Holdings has opted for a two-pronged approach to create effective, technologically advanced products, as well as developing innovative ways to educate customers about these products. To this end, ISW Holdings has partnered with BioPulse to achieve state-of-the-art research and development and production capabilities, as well as a direct route to market. The company plans to design and launch up to five unique brands in the wellness and restoration sector in 2020.

ISW Holdings is committed to developing product and service innovation in the consumer spirits and adult beverage industry, which faces increasingly strict regulations but growing demand. The company has been a key innovator in the industry for 25 years, having grown successful luxury brands such as Besado Tequila and others. By leveraging its expertise, ISW Holdings can help companies in the adult beverage industry increase production, streamline their supply chains, implement better processes, innovate their marketing strategies, expand into new areas, and build sustainable relationships with partners and customers.

Management Team

Terry Williams, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Terry 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, Williams amassed considerable corporate experience at United Parcel Service, where he took several logistical roles, including controller, where he managed more than 2,000 employees and a budget of more than $10 billion.

Williams also serves as president of Airwave Transportation and logistics and chief financial officer of AVI Insurance Caribbean, and he has worked in over 37 domestic and international airports. In 2013, he received the National Airport Minority Advisory Council Award for mastering skills in the aviation industry.

Alonzo Pierce, Chairman
Alonzo Pierce is chairman of ISW Holdings and brings a wealth of business development and wealth management experience to the ISW team. He has spent the past 20 years building recognizable brands in multiple industry sectors. He 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, including selling the world’s only black vodka. He served as regional director for Sapphire Brands, covering the Southwest and Southeast regions. 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, Secretary, Treasurer, Director
Kristina Mahoney-Brown is secretary and treasurer as well as 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, 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 (ISWH), closed Wednesday's trading session at $0.215, up 19.4444%, on 9,002 volume with 19 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 22,573 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.109999999/$7.00.

Recent News

• ISW Holdings' (ISWH) TeleCare Targets Strong Momentum to Telehealth
• ISW Holdings (ISWH) Eyes Opportunity in Promising Crypto-Mining Sector
• ISW Holdings (ISWH) Launching TeleCare Tech Solution as Integral Piece of Growing Home Healthcare Business

Bullfrog Gold Corp. (CSE: BFG) (OTCQB: BFGC) (FSE: 11B)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Bullfrog Gold Corp. (CSE: BFG) (OTCQB: BFGC) (FSE: 11B).

Bullfrog Gold Corp. (the “Company”) (CSE: BFG) (OTCQB: BFGC) (FSE: 11B) is a Delaware corporation engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of gold and silver properties in the United States. The Company controls strategic lands with established 43-101 compliant resources in one of the most exciting gold exploration areas in the United States. The Bullfrog Gold Project (“Project”) includes a lease/option on much of the lands where Barrick Bullfrog Inc., a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corp., produced more than 2.3 million ounces of gold and 2.49 million ounces of silver from 1989 to 1999. The Project is located within the prolific Walker Trend about 125 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Project Highlights

• The Company initially acquired 79 unpatented claims and two patents in mid-2011 and has since staked, leased, optioned, or purchased lands that now total 5,250 acres. Via a 2015 lease/option with Barrick, the Project includes the northern one-third of the Bullfrog deposit where most of the current resources in the Bullfrog mine area occur, along with their interest in the Montgomery-Shoshone deposit which gave the Company 100% control.
• In mid-2017, a NI 43-101-compliant report by independent mining consultancy Tetra Tech Inc. estimated measured and indicated (“M&I”) resources of 624,000 ounces of gold and 1.73 million ounces of silver at average grades of 0.70 g/t and 1.93 g/t, respectively. The expansion plans of these two pits were based on a $1200 gold price, use of heap leach processing, and also included 110,000 ounces of inferred gold resources averaging 1.20 g/t. Barrick used conventional milling to process an average gold grade of 3 g/t.
• The established resources and exploration potential of the Project are strongly supported by a large data base obtained from Barrick, including detailed information on 155 miles of drilling in 1,262 holes in the Bullfrog mine area.

Gold Rush in the Bullfrog Territory

The area around Beatty, Nevada has now attracted AngloGold Ashanti, Kinross Gold, Corvus Gold, Coeur Mining as well as the Company and Waterton. In this regard, Northern Empire Resources Corp’s property located a few miles east of the Project was acquired by Coeur Mining in October 2018 for C$117 million, implying a valuation of C$134/oz of inferred resources. As of today, the Company is trading at a significant discount to the valuation at which Northern Empire was purchased (http://nnw.fm/9NaaN), thereby highlighting the Company’s value proposition for investors.

Bullfrog Gold Corp. is focused on enhancing shareholder returns by concurrently advancing Project development and performing exploration drilling programs on several targets identified by the Company.

Secured Financing for 2020 Operations

Bullfrog Gold Corp. raised C$2 million in January 2020 through a private placement of shares priced at C$0.13/share plus a one-half warrant exercisable within two years at C$0.20 on a full warrant basis. The raise was carried out primarily to fund a drill program that started on May 1 (http://nnw.fm/6nZ0m), and was completed on June 6, 2020. Results from drilling 12,520 feet in 25 holes will be released in the coming weeks. The Company subsequently intends to conduct a preliminary financial analysis and complete further drill programs to advance the Project and add value. The financing was subscribed by several influential shareholders, including a former director of Northern Empire, who handled the sale of the company to Coeur Mining, and Eros Resources, the management of which has been involved with several high-profile mining projects and sales in the past.

Gold Prices estimated to average $1,800/oz in 2021

Gold prices have been on a remarkable run in 2020, rising by $245/oz to $1,760 prior to peaking in early May. Global central banks carried out 144 interest rate cuts thus far in 2020, reducing their rates by a cumulative 5,035 basis points (http://nnw.fm/jzZt0). Meanwhile, the IMF has estimated that global governments have introduced fiscal support measures amounting to over $9 trillion since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (http://nnw.fm/Or9rI). The resulting weakness in the U.S. dollar and eventual inflationary pressures stemming from these measures prompted Credit Suisse to recently hike their gold price forecasts for the full year to $1,701/oz (from $1,570 previously), while the outlook for 2021 has been raised to $1,800/oz (versus $1,600 previously) (http://nnw.fm/Iqg0X).

Management Team

David Beling, CEO, President and Director
David Beling is a Registered Professional Mining Engineer with 55 years of diverse experience in areas such as engineering, development, permitting, construction, financing and management of mines and plants and the building and growth of several corporations. His initial employment included 14 years with Phelps Dodge, Union Oil, Fluor, United Technologies, and Westinghouse, followed by 41 years of senior management and consulting with 25+ U.S. and Canadian mining companies. In 2006-2007, he spearheaded an IPO, successfully drove equity raises totaling C$112 million and grew that Company’s market capitalization to $460 million. Beling has served on 14 boards since 1981, including three mining companies distinguished by the TSX Venture Exchange as top-10 performers.

Alan Lindsay, Chairman of the Board
Alan Lindsay is an entrepreneur and businessman who has founded seven companies within the mining and pharmaceutical industries, including Anatolia Minerals Development Ltd., Uranium Energy Corp., Oroperu Mineral, Strategic American Oil and AZCO Mining. Lindsay also developed the strategic vision for the 2011 acquisition and placement of the Project from NPX Metals into Bullfrog Gold Corp.

Kjeld Thygesen, Director
Kjeld is a graduate of the University of Natal in South Africa and has 48 years of experience as a resource analyst and fund manager. In 1972, he joined James Capel and Co. in London as part of its highly rated gold and mining research team before subsequently becoming manager of N. M. Rothschild & Sons’ commodities and Natural Resources Department in 1979. In 1987, he became an executive director of N. M. Rothschild International Asset Management Ltd., before co-founding Lion Resource Management Ltd., a specialist investment manager in the mining and natural resources sector, in 1989. Thygesen has been a director of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. since 2001 and served as investment director for Resources Investment Trust PLC from 2002 to 2006.

Tyler Minnick, CFO and Director of Administration & Finance
A registered member of the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants with over 24 years of experience within the fields of accounting, auditing, and administrative services. Minnick has been engaged with the Company since mid-2011 and previously worked in the finance department of MDC Holdings/Richmond American Homes, one of the largest residential construction companies in the United States.

Bullfrog Gold Corp. (OTCQB: BFGC), closed Wednesday's trading session at $0.19, up 5.5556%, on 90,402 volume with 47 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 206,933 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.047449998/$0.209999993.

Recent News

• Bullfrog Gold Corp. (CSE: BFG) (OTCQB: BFGC) (FSE: 11B) Announces Assay Results on 6 Remaining Holes at Its Nevada Project
• Bullfrog Gold Receives Assays on 6 Remaining Holes at Its Project in the Bullfrog Mining District of Nevada, Including 61 Meters of 0.78 g gold/t and 35 Meters of 0.44 g gold/t
• Bullfrog Gold Corp. (CSE: BFG) (OTCQB: BFGC) (FSE: 11B) Poised for Leap as Gold Maintains Momentum

Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE)

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

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 Wednesday's trading session at $15.45, up 3.4829%, on 368,716 volume with 2,718 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 1,641,858 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $1.472/$19.25.

Recent News

• Net Element, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: NETE) Pending Merger Partner Enters LOI for EV Assembly, EV Battery Production Facility in Spokane
• Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) Provides Update on Pending Mullen Technologies Merger; Mullen Enters LOI to Acquire EV Manufacturing Plant
• Pending Merger of Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) and Mullen Technologies Featured in The Spokesman Review

Pressure BioSciences Inc. (PBIO)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight Pressure BioSciences Inc. (PBIO).

Pressure BioSciences Inc. (PBIO) develops, markets and sells proprietary laboratory instrumentation and associated consumables to the life sciences sample preparation market. Sample preparation refers to the wide range of activities that precede most forms of scientific analysis. It is often complex and time-consuming, yet a critical part of scientific research. The market for sample preparation products is currently estimated at $6 billion worldwide.

The Company’s product line can be used to exquisitely control the sample preparation process. It is based on a patented, enabling technology platform called pressure cycling technology (“PCT”). PCT uses alternating cycles of hydrostatic pressure between ambient (14.5 psi) and ultra-high levels (up to 100,000 psi) to safely and reproducibly control critical biological processes, such as the lysis (breakage) of cells, the digestion of proteins, and the inactivation of pathogens.

Pressure BioSciences’ product line is led by its newly released, next-generation Barocycler 2320EXTREME instrument. Named a finalist in the prestigious 2017 R&D Awards (also known as the “Oscars of Innovation”), the Barocycler 2320EXT is already being touted by some key opinion leaders as an essential element of the $1.8 billion U.S. “Cancer Moonshot” program. For example, Professor Phil Robinson, Co-head of the cancer research center of the Children’s Medical Research Institute (Sydney, Australia), said in a recent interview: “We are collecting the whole proteome on 70,000 tumor samples from all classes where complete clinical outcome is known. Due to its unique capabilities, the Barocycler 2320EXT has become a critical part of our program. It is the primary enabler of the high-throughput component of the project. Without this step, our project simply could not be done. In fact, the Barocycler 2320EXT works so well we have just purchased two more.”

Momentum is building when it comes to the potential for using the Company’s unique PCT technology platform. Leading scientists are intrigued by Pressure BioSciences’ approach, which among other attributes, revolutionizes the process of rupturing cells (lysis) for further study, yielding superior biomolecules for investigation. The Company’s technology transcends current methods of breaking open cells, which use chemicals, blades, metal beads, or other damaging and altering methods that can ultimately adversely affect the result for researchers. Pressure BioSciences’ PCT technology utilizes customized, controlled hydrostatic (water) pressure to rupture cells in a chamber, enabling exquisitely customized levels of pressure to optimally break open different types of cells at prescribed pressure levels—something never before accomplished in a commercial setting. Using this pioneering method, the result is a truer, more legitimate sample, which boosts the efficacy of research and the quality of results. The potential impact of this technology on scientific advancement is enormous, enabling research scientists to begin their studies with biological samples of unprecedented integrity, with the potential to improve research outcomes at the earliest, most critical step. PCT can additionally inactivate pathogens (e.g., viruses, bacteria) using hydrostatic pressure, making the samples safer to study—another innovation with astronomical potential for application in a variety of markets.

The Company’s high-pressure instruments for research purposes are marketed throughout the United States, Europe, China and Japan. To date, Pressure BioSciences has installed nearly 300 PCT Systems in over 165 leading academic, government, biotech and pharma laboratories around the world. Its primary applications are in biomarker discovery, forensics, agriculture and pathology. Over 100 scientific papers have been published on the advantages of the PCT platform, which is also being used in the specialized fields of drug discovery and design, bio-therapeutics characterization, soil and plant biology, vaccine development and histology.

Impressive as their biotech business is, there is more to the PBI story. Pressure BioSciences recently received two patents in China for its novel Ultra Shear Technology (UST), a process that has potential in a wide range of industrial applications, including extending the shelf life of some food products and making two insoluble liquids (like oil in water) soluble. Patents have also been filed in many other countries worldwide. UST is a novel technique based on the use of intense shear forces generated from ultra-high-pressure valve discharge.

This important technology has the potential to play a significant role in a number of commercially important areas through its ability to create high-quality, stable nanoemulsions. Scientific studies indicate that improved absorption, higher bioavailability, greater stability, lower surfactant levels and other advantages can be achieved with nanoemulsions – all hugely important factors in the fields of nutraceuticals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and in various medical products. There is an enormous opportunity in the cannabis market, since the technology can potentially reduce oil droplets containing cannabidiol (CBD) to nanoparticles, after which they can be safely suspended in a stable water solution—something many companies have endeavored to achieve without success. Researchers looking for a way to increase the bioavailability of cannabinoids in the body will find this technology a game changer.

The Company’s UST technology also has possibilities in the production of clean label foods, which are currently processed using several innovative methods, including high-pressure treatments (such as Starbucks’ Evolution line of juices). In 2015, the worldwide market for high-pressure processed (HPP) food was estimated at U.S. $10 billion. UST uses ultra-high pressures and certain valves to generate intense shear forces under controlled temperature conditions to produce nanoemulsions, and which also significantly reduces food-borne pathogens. Pressure BioSciences’ initial focus with this technology will be to evaluate UST for the production of high-quality dairy products and beverages.

Pressure BioSciences Inc. (PBIO), closed Wednesday's trading session at $2.15, up 2.381%, on 14,670 volume with 48 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 19,920 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $0.600600004/$4.48999977.

Recent News

• Pressure BioSciences First Quarter 2020 Financial and Business Update to Include Jim Morrison, In-Coming CEO for Merged Companies of Availa Bio
• Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (PBIO) and Leica Microsystems Collaborate to Offer Innovative Combined Workflow Expected to Accelerate Cancer R&D
• Pressure BioSciences Inc. (PBIO) Pending Acquisition Target Secures $3.5M Initial Hand Sanitizer Order

DarioHealth Corp. (NASDAQ: DRIO)

The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter would like to spotlight DarioHealth Corp. (DRIO).

New York and Israel-based DarioHealth Corp. (NASDAQ: DRIO) leads global digital therapeutics (DTx) with its popular, smartphone-centered personalized chronic illness management software-as-a-service (SaaS). The company’s strategic advantages include:

• AI-powered digital solutions that drive durable behavior change in chronic disease patients, and
• Personalized user experience at scale to make behavior change the path of least resistance.

Approximately $3 trillion in annual U.S. costs associated with chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension and obesity are largely preventable with behavioral therapies. Formerly limited to periodic office visits, these therapies can now scale to millions with tech-enabled, continual and remote health monitoring, as well as AI-driven digital and live coaching. This is all possible while still maintaining the personalization required for success in reducing illness and its related effects and costs.

Roughly 51,000 active, paying users manage their health with Dario’s platform that combines smartphone-connected vitals measurement, remote patient monitoring (RPM), lifestyle management tools, and AI-driven and human coaching to deliver improved clinical outcomes.

Among the most downloaded medical apps, the Dario platform is rated at 4.9 stars on the Apple App Store and features 11,000 reviews, along with a Net Promoter Score (a measurement of consumers’ willingness to recommend the product to others) that’s the highest in its field.

Company Strategy

Clinical studies demonstrate Dario’s direct improvement on users’ health measures like H1AC scores (diabetes) and blood pressure (hypertension).

Patient engagement in therapies leads to health success. Dario’s platform centers on continual maximization of patient engagement through personalization, including ‘nudges’ and live, AI-generated responses to health measures provided by Dario’s smartphone-connected medical devices.

Proprietary data analysis provides valuable insights that not only improve health care providers’ medical capabilities but, through artificial intelligence, encourage patients to take evidence-based and highly personalized preventative measures that reduce risk, emergency room visits and preventable hospitalization.

Dario is now deploying its successful B2C platform in B2B2C, targeting employers and health plans with competitive advantages in cost, software and hardware.

The company estimates an annual addressable U.S. market of $72 billion, only 1% of which has been penetrated with digital therapeutics.

The strategic transition to B2B2C (from exclusively B2B) is intended to accelerate revenue growth by reducing Dario’s cost per acquisition per user and expanding margins.

Dario’s commitment to aggressive growth is also shown by its appointment of a new president, chief medical officer and head of sales for North America, all from a highflyer behavioral health company.

Key growth drivers planned include expansion of the company’s paying B2C subscriber base; lateral expansion into other chronic conditions that overlap with its core diabetes populations, such as hypertension, obesity and depression; and increased B2B2C penetration.

Financial Highlights

The company plans to leverage a massive opportunity for growth, with a global addressable market for digital therapeutics of roughly $108 billion. In the U.S. alone, that number is estimated at $72 billion, and only about 1% of that market has been penetrated.

Dario’s strategic transition to an SaaS membership business model increased gross profit by 87% in Q1 2020, as compared to the prior year. Membership revenue increased from 27.1% to 46.7% in the same period. The company is seeing improved operating efficiencies as it shifts focus to the B2B2C business model, and it expects average revenue per user per month (ARPU), which was $6 and $25 in 2019 and 2020, respectively, to reach $70.

Value to Consumers and Businesses

Dario continually evaluates and optimizes the value and return its platform delivers to consumers and businesses.

Consumers seeking to understand how their everyday behavior impacts their personal health and chronic conditions benefit from actionable feedback on how to improve health and better collaborate with health care providers.

Businesses looking to increase employee satisfaction, loyalty and productivity with fewer health-related absences take advantage of Dario’s services for employers.

Health care providers improve patient compliance using the platform’s interactive services that allow for greater monitoring, which improve engagement with patients at the right times and with the right treatments.

Health plans can leverage DarioHealth’s solutions to improve patient outcomes and lower costs.

Recent Studies

The company recently presented the results of two new studies at the American Diabetes Association’s 80th Scientific Sessions, which showed sustained improvements in blood glucose levels and blood pressure among users of its digital therapeutic platform for chronic diseases. The results of these two studies demonstrate that the use of Dario’s therapeutic platform promotes behavioral modification, enhanced individual engagement and improved clinical outcomes.

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Agreements

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently approved RPM codes for Medicare patients, which enables physicians to bill for between-visit patient care.

This simplifies implementation of the company’s open and scalable AI-driven platform and further supports transition to the company’s high-margin, recurring SaaS model targeting B2B2C revenue channels.

Emergency COVID-19 FDA Guidelines Allow Self-Test Blood Glucose Meters

In an effort to preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and reduce contact between health care providers and patients in hospital settings due to COVID-19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized that home-use blood glucose meters, including Dario’s smartphone-connected metering device, may be used by patients with diabetes who are hospitalized due to COVID-19 to check their own blood glucose levels and provide the readings to the health care personnel caring for them.

As a result, hospitals can now allow patients to self-test using their Dario blood glucose testing strips and smartphone-connected devices, or hospitals can issue patients Dario devices upon admission for COVID-19-related conditions.

Irregularities in blood glucose levels are suspected as a factor in the increased severity of potentially deadly COVID-19 complications. As such, a high priority is being placed on stabilization of patients’ blood glucose levels.

Awards and Recognition

DarioHealth’s Blood Glucose Monitoring System was voted as the ‘Best Glucometer for Data Management’ by Top Ten Reviews. Jeph Preece, senior editor at Top Ten Reviews, said, “The Dario app is the best data management system that I’ve seen. Compared to apps by popular brands, Dario’s system looks and feels like it’s years ahead of the curve.”

‘The Global Digital Health 100’, an annual award sponsored by the reputable Journal of Health, recognized DarioHealth as a leader among health technology companies demonstrating the greatest potential to change the way that health care is delivered.

DarioHealth Corp. (DRIO), closed Wednesday's trading session at $6.95, up 1.9062%, on 107,160 volume with 427 trades. The average volume for the last 3 months is 75,173 and the stock's 52-week low/high is $3.01999998/$13.1260004.

Recent News

• Personal Preparedness Tips for People with Bleeding Disorders
• DarioHealth Corp. (NASDAQ: DRIO) Enters Strategic Agreement to Offer World-Class RPM Solution to HCPs Across the UK and Ireland
• How Clinical Researchers Can Stay Productive During This Crisis