Sign Up NowThis Month's Tiny Gems - September 2013

Advaxis, Inc. (ADXS)
CytRx Corp. (NASDAQ:CYTR)
CodeSmart Holdings, Inc. (ITEN)
CodeSmart Holdings, Inc. (ITEN)

 

 

 

Advaxis, Inc. (ADXS)

 

Advaxis, Inc. (ADXS) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing the next-generation of immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases. The company’s immunotherapies are based on a novel platform technology that uses live, bio-engineered bacteria to secrete antigen/adjuvant fusion protein(s) that redirects the powerful immune response all human beings have to the bacteria to fight off cancer and disease. A second effect is to reduce the immune suppressive cells cancer tumors recruit to protect themselves from immune attack by over 80%. It is this combination that makes Advaxis special.

 

The company has more than fifteen distinct constructs in various stages of development, many in strategic collaborations with recognized centers of excellence such as the National Cancer Institute, Cancer Research – UK, the Wistar Institute, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of British Columbia, the Karolinska Institutet, and others.

 

Advaxis’ lead construct, ADXS-HPV, is currently in Phase 2 clinical development for recurrent/refractory and advanced cervical cancer, anal cancer, and HPV caused head and neck cancers. This important construct was recognized as the Best Therapeutic Vaccine (approved or in development) at the 5th Annual Vaccine Industry Excellence (ViE) Awards by the vaccine industry and the journal Expert Reviews of Vaccines.

 

The estimated global market for immunotherapies is projected to exceed $37.2B by 2012, with cancer vaccines forecast to grow into an $8B market. Protected by 75 issued and pending patents, Advaxis is extremely well positioned to capitalize on the burgeoning opportunities in the healthcare sector as it advances the development of next-generation treatments for today’s most challenging diseases.

 

 

CytRx Corp. (NASDAQ:CYTR)

 

CytRx Corp. (CYTR), a biopharmaceutical research and development company, specializes in the enhanced delivery of proven oncology therapies to treat cancer. The company’s novel linker platform technology can be utilized with multiple chemotherapeutic agents and could allow for greater concentration of drug at tumor sites while minimizing side effects.

 

Aldoxorubicin, the company’s flagship compound, is an improved version of the widely used chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin. CytRx is conducting a global Phase 2b clinical trial comparing aldoxorubicin to doxorubicin as a treatment for 1st-line soft tissue sarcomas. Top-line results are expected in Q4 2013. Preparations are underway for a Phase 3 trial in 2nd-line soft tissues sarcoma to begin in Q1 2014 based on results from a completed Phase 1b/2 clinical trial. The FDA granted CytRx a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for the Phase 3 clinical trial. The company is conducting a Phase 1b pharmacokinetics clinical trial and in Q4 2013 plans to start a Phase 2b trial in glioblastoma multiforme (stage IV brain cancer) and a Phase 2 trial in Kaposi’s sarcoma.

 

With no debt and significant cash resources, CytRx has the capital position necessary to support near and mid-term milestones across its entire oncology pipeline. CytRx also has rights to two additional drug candidates, tamibarotene and bafetinib, for which it plans to seek a partner for further development.

 

Collectively, CytRx's management and Board of Directors have significant oncology experience and have brought numerous oncology drugs to market. Daniel Levitt, M.D., Ph.D., EVP and Chief Medical Officer, served as President of R&D at Protein Design Labs, as head of oncology drug development at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, as director of clinical oncology at Hoffmann-LaRoche, and was instrumental in the development of five approved cancer drugs. Joseph Rubinfeld, Ph.D., a director since July 2002 is a renowned expert in the field of oncology, was one of the four initial founders of Amgen, Inc. and was a founder of SuperGen, Inc. Max Link, Ph.D., Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors since 1996, was a former Chairman and CEO of Sandoz Pharma (now Novartis) and is currently the Chairman of the Board of Alexion Pharmaceuticals.

 

 

 

ForceField Energy, Inc. (FNRG)

 

ForceField Energy, Inc. (FNRG) is an international manufacturer, distributor, and licensee of alternative energy products and solutions. The company operates in three of the largest and fastest-growing areas of the global renewable energy space: industrial waste heat recovery and conversion, commercial LED lighting products, and solar cell feedstock production.

 

TransPacific Energy, a subsidiary of ForceField Energy, has patented a technology that uses “waste heat” from various industry processes and other sources to provide clean electricity. The subsidiary’s process directly captures and converts heat from the heat source, without any heat transfer fluids, at temperatures from 80ºF up to 900ºF. This is a far broader range than any other competing systems on the market, unlocking a countless number of new applications.

 

Through its exclusive multinational distribution agreement with Lightsky, ForceField has a firm foothold in the commercial lighting products industry as well. The LED lighting market is growing at a 32% compound growth rate because of the absence of dangerous chemicals, government regulation phasing out old lighting technology, 50-70% lower energy costs, exceptionally long life, and beautiful illumination.

 

ForceField is also a significant manufacturer and distributor of trichlorosilane ("TCS") in China. TCS is a specialty chemical primarily used in the production of polysilicon, which is an essential raw material in the production of solar cells for PV panels that convert sunlight to electricity. TCS is considered to be the first product in the solar PV value chain before polysilicon, and is also the principal source of ultrapure silicon in the semiconductor industry.

 

 

 

NanoString Technologies Inc. (NSTG)

 

Innovation is a keyword when related to NanoString Technologies. It is a corporation committed to providing the means by which scientists and clinicians are able to convert foremost research into improved patient care through clinical and actionable testing. This is achieved with their innovative product development, which enables them to reveal genomic information from limited amounts of tissue.

 

An example of the extraordinary services provided by this corporation is seen in the provision of life-science capabilities, via translational research and molecular diagnostic products, provided by their nCounter® Analysis System. This is an uncomplicated and cost effective method of profiling the expression of high volumes of genes or miRNA’s. In addition, it provides the facility to copy, simultaneously, variations with a high degree of sensitivity and precision. This enables a wide and varied source of applications for basic and translational research, which includes biomarker discovery and validation.

 

NanoString Technologies has the distinction of developing the first nCounter-based in vitro diagnostic kit. Known as the Prosigna™ Breast Cancer Prognostic Gene Signature Assay, it is based on the PAM50 gene signature and is available in countries where the CE Mark is established, such as the European Union, in which Prosigna is registered.

 

The nCounter system provides an original support for translational research. This is due to its ability in providing greater reproducible results than other methods that require amplification. Leading researchers and institutions have established that the NanoString nCounter system offers the perfect foundation for validating their discoveries and their translation into diagnostic assays that are clinically beneficial.