Our Stocks to Watch today include Vsurance, Inc. (OTCBB: VSUR), Ariel Way, Inc. (OTCBB: AWYI), Kreido Biofuels, Inc. (OTCBB: KRBF), Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASD: ABPI), Hollywood Media Corp. (NASD: HOLL), Propalms, Inc. (OTC: PRPM)
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VSURANCE INC (OTCBB: VSUR)
"Up 16.88% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/VSUR.php
Company Profile: http://www.otcpicks.com/vsurance/vsurance.htm
Vsurance is a leading provider of pet health insurance and other pet health-related services in the United States. Programs include its Get HIP™ Pet Health Insurance for Pets program, the most comprehensive full-coverage pet health insurance plan in the industry. Vsurance provides pet and horse resource centers through the Internet including VetpetMD™, Spot the Pet™, and Purrfect Pet Club™. Programs include life, liability, and health insurance for pets, horses, and other companion animals.
VSUR News:
December 12 - Vsurance, Inc. Completes Breed Encyclopedia For Pet Owners
Vsurance, Inc. (OTCBB: VSUR), a leading provider of pet health insurance, announced that it has completed development of its companion animal breed encyclopedia for dogs and cats.
The proprietary reference material, which will serve as a key component to enable Vsurance to cost-effectively market its pet health insurance products and services to dog owners, provides in-depth information on more than 386 breeds of dogs and cats. It includes information on the breed’s disposition; common health problems; breed history and origin; space and nutrition needs; grooming requirements; and one of the most important questions is whether the breed is good with children. From a bold, adventurous, and playful Airedale Terriers to an affectionate, reliable, and obedient Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsl, this is complete and thorough breed encyclopedia.
“We are very excited that this breed encyclopedia is completed because it will form part of the Company’s upcoming in-store retail products and provides pet owners or people considering owning a pet with usable, reliable, and complete information,” stated Russell Smith, CEO of Vsurance, Inc. “This is an important milestone for the Company because it allows us to educate pet owners on the health problems common in certain breeds which then ties to the importance of pet insurance. We will continue to expand this proprietary encyclopedia as we move forward with our aggressive growth plan.”
ARIEL WAY INCORPORATED (OTCBB: AWYI)
"Up 46.15% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/AWYI.php
Ariel Way, Inc. operates as a technology and services company for global communications, multimedia, and digital signage solutions and technologies. It develops and deploys solutions for business television, digital signage, and interactive media delivered over a combination of satellite, terrestrial, and wireless local networks. The company's digital signage service includes technologies using LCD television and plasma screens to deliver video based messaging directly to consumer audiences. Its integrated multimedia services include music radio, video, and Internet protocol based file transfer for training/catalogs/point of sale integrated with other information to the clients. Ariel Way serves finance-oriented services companies primarily in United Kingdom. The company is headquartered in Vienna, Virginia.
AWYI News:
December 11 - Ariel Way, Inc. Signs LOI to Acquire Syrei Holding UK, Ltd
Deal Expected to Add More than $7.5 Million Revenue, be Immediately Accretive to Ariel Way 2008 Earnings
Ariel Way, Inc. (OTCBB: AWYI) announced that the Company has signed a letter of intent to acquire Syrei Holding UK, Ltd, a UK and Sweden based a telecom-consulting firm comprised of senior specialists and experts in the evolving global telecommunications market (www.syrei.com). The deal is forecast to add more than $7.5 million in annualized revenue and to be accretive to Ariel Way's 2008 earnings with over 10% EBITDA. The transaction, which is subject to the signing of definitive agreements and customary closing conditions, has a two-step closing process with a first expected closing in late December 2007. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Arne Dunhem, Ariel Way president and CEO, said, "We are excited with the prospect of having Syrei and its highly skilled consultants to be part of our operation. Thomas Strangert's team of technical experts have over ten years successfully provided and will continue to provide services worldwide to major corporations and telecom operators. They will also add global expertise to our strategy of building a state-of-the-art highly secure Digital Signage Network and will have primary focus on markets in Europe and Asia. We expect this acquisition to be immediately accretive to Ariel Way's earnings. Further, upon the full integration of this transaction, we anticipate moving into the black at the operating income line on a consolidated basis."
Thomas Strangert, CEO of Syrei, said, "We are looking forward to working with Arne and his team to integrate Syrei with Ariel Way's strategy. We are excited about actively supporting the Digital Signage activities in Europe and Asia in addition to continue to expand our current customer base on a worldwide basis."
Syrei, founded in 1997, is a telecom-consulting firm operating out of the UK and Sweden comprised of senior specialists and experts in the evolving global telecommunications market. Syrei's management and technical experts have successfully delivered professional services to value added service providers, telecom equipment manufactures and operators in more than 40 countries around the world. Syrei is a complete solution provider and a system integrator that is able to accept the total responsibility of large and complex projects. Syrei's consultants have been brought in to advise and aid major corporations and telecom operators like Ericsson, Nokia, 3GIS, ABB, Orange, SonyEricsson, Swedbank, Tele2, TeliaSonera, TIM etc.
KREIDO BIOFUELS (OTCBB: KRBF)
"Up 10.00% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/KRBF.php
Kreido Biofuels, Inc. provides a process intensification technology, the STT system, for the manufacture of biodiesel and other chemical products primarily in the United States. The company's STT technology provides solutions to various research, development, and manufacturing issues related to the production of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. This technology could be used in various applications, including biodiesel and other biofuels, specialty chemicals, flavor and fragrance, small molecule pharmaceuticals, and food processing. Kreido Biofuels has collaborations with university and government laboratories, including the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), as well as with Fortune 500 chemical and pharmaceutical companies for the development of advanced chemical processes. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Camarillo, California.
KRBF News:
December 12 - Kreido Biofuels Retains Ben Binninger as Chief Executive Officer
The Board of Directors of Kreido Biofuels, Inc. (OTCBB: KRBF), a renewable energy company, announced that it has named interim Chief Executive Officer and Board member G.A. Ben Binninger to the post of Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Binninger was appointed interim CEO in July 2007 and has served on the Board of the company and its predecessor, Kreido Laboratories, since 2004.
Betsy Wood Knapp, Kreido’s Chair of the Board, stated, “During the course of Ben’s involvement with Kreido, he has provided an extraordinary range of experience in the fuels and chemicals industries. His familiarity with Kreido’s technology, business and staff has enabled him to be immediately effective in carrying out the company’s mission. In the last five months, it became clear that Ben’s background and expertise make him uniquely qualified to continue to lead the company.”
Chief Executive Officer Ben Binninger said, “I strongly believe in the company and its future. For this reason I have committed to serve as Kreido’s Chief Executive and dedicate myself to the goal of creating a profitable, growing leader in biofuels. Since mid-summer when I accepted the interim CEO position, we have achieved the following noteworthy accomplishments:
Met ASTM standards for conversion in the STT® system with animal fats, in addition to soy, palm, canola, jatropha and castor oils, tested earlier.
Expanded our Camarillo facilities to manufacture reactors for at least four plants annually from a single shift operation.
Manufactured and are assembling the four reactors required for our Wilmington plant.
Ran the Foothill pilot plant and produced biodiesel that significantly exceeded the conversions necessary to meet industry specifications based on pork fat.
Substantially completed the first modular plant, which is being readied for shipment to Wilmington.
Laid the ground work for rapid execution of licensing for commercial plants and international facilities following the start up of the Wilmington plant.
Previously, Mr. Binninger served as a director and advisor to Kreido Laboratories, the predecessor company. He has hands-on experience leading technologically sophisticated global process and service businesses up to $1 billion with Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), Rio Tinto Borax, Exxon and Hercules. Mr. Binninger has a B.E. degree in Chemical Engineering from Manhattan College and a M.B.A. from Harvard University.
ACCENTIA BIOPHARMACEUTICALS (NASD: ABPI)
"Up 11.39% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/ABPI.php
Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, together with its subsidiaries, develops and commercializes late-stage clinical products in the therapeutic areas of respiratory disease and oncology. It operates in two segments: Biopharmaceutical Products and Services, and Specialty Pharmaceuticals. The Biopharmaceutical Products and Services segment develops late-stage biopharmaceutical products. Its products, which are under Phase III clinical trials, include SinuNase for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis; and BiovaxID, a patient-specific anti-cancer vaccine focusing on the treatment of follicular non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This segment also provides various consulting services relating to biopharmaceutical product development; and engages in the production of custom biologic products and cell culture instruments and systems for biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical schools, universities, hospitals, and research institutions. The Specialty Pharmaceuticals segment markets and sells pharmaceutical products that are developed primarily by third-party development partners. Its products comprise Respi-TANN, a prescription antitussive decongestant for temporary relief of cough and nasal congestion; MD Turbo, a breath-actuated inhaler device used by patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and CRSFungal Profile, a test used in connection with the diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. This segment's products under development include AllerNase, a formulated suspension of an intranasal topical steroid indicated for the treatment of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis; and Emezine, a product for control of nausea and vomiting. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
ABPI News:
December 11 - Biovest Announces It Has Closed an $8.5M Financing to Support Unblinding and Data Analysis of Fast Tracked Pivotal Phase 3 Study of BiovaxID for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma with Public Release of Results Anticipated by April 2008
Biovest International, Inc. (OTCBB: BVTI) (“Biovest” or the “Company”), a majority-owned subsidiary of Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASD: ABPI), announced that it has secured an $8.5M debt financing from two institutional investors. The proceeds from the loan will be used in part to finance the analysis of unblinded data on BiovaxIDTM, an active immunotherapeutic in a pivotal Phase 3 study of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Biovest has closed the trial to new enrollment and downsized its vaccine production staffing in Worcester, MA, as it unblinds the study for the independent Data Monitoring Committee’s (DMC) review and performs analysis of the trial data. The trial was initiated by the National Cancer Institute in 2000 then acquired by Biovest in 2005. Accordingly, some patients in the trial have now been followed for nearly 7 years.
An independent clinical study at the University of Navarra in Spain, results of which were published in October 2006, has demonstrated that the administration of a BiovaxID formulation given to patients with relapsed follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma following chemotherapy can induce complete long-lasting remissions. The median duration of the second complete response has not been reached after nearly 3 years of follow-up and, as a result, 100% of those immunologic responding patients are sustaining significant disease free survival benefit measured in terms of years.
In the Phase 2 BiovaxID clinical study conducted at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), 20 patients in continuous first complete remission (CR) after chemotherapy treatment were treated with a series of 5 monthly vaccinations of BiovaxID conjugated to KLH and administered with local GM-CSF. After vaccination, 95% of patients showed autologous tumor-specific cellular T-cell responses and 75% of patients showed humoral antibody responses. With a median follow-up of 9.2 years, 45% of patients remained in continuous first CR and the median Disease Free Survival (DFS) for the cohort was 96.5 months, 8.0 years (American Society of Hematology, December 2005, Abstract #2441). Furthermore, 73% of evaluable patients were converted into molecular remission (bcl-2 negative) after the administration of BiovaxID and, thus, cleared their blood of residual cancer cells (American Society of Clinical Oncology, June 2006). At 9.2 years of follow-up, 95% of the patients remained alive, comparing favorably to historical controls where an approximate 50% survival would be expected at that time.
Furthermore, a Phase 2 trial conducted by the NCI shows BiovaxID yielded an 89% survival rate in mantle cell lymphoma patients. The median follow-up was 3.8 years. Historically, patients with this type of lymphoma only have had a 50% chance of surviving 3 years and a 20% chance of surviving 5 years. The data were published in a recent edition of Nature Medicine (Nat Med.2005; 11(9): 986-91).
Biovest believes that the unblinding of its pivotal Phase 3 study will provide strong evidence supporting the appropriateness of BiovaxID for accelerated approval in the US under subpart E and conditional approval in the EU. The company may use molecular data for the purposes of detecting early recurrence of the cancer prior to clinical evidence on physical exam and CT scans. The Company believes that this molecular data will provide additional evidence of efficacy for BiovaxID. The Company intends to prepare an application for accelerated and conditional approval in the US and EU, respectively, where it has orphan status.
The financing was provided to Biovest by two of Biovest’s existing secured lenders, Valens Offshore SPV II, Corp. (“Valens Offshore”) and Valens U.S. SPV I, LLC. (“Valens US” and collectively “Valens”) pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement. Biovest issued secured Promissory Notes in the aggregate amount of $8,500,000 to Valens, which bear interest at Prime + 2% with a six-month term. Biovest paid closing fees and costs of approximately $300,000 and a portion of the loan proceeds was used to prepay interest and principal due to Biovest’s senior secured lender, Laurus Master Fund Ltd., with the balance of the proceeds to be used for operating capital and to complete the interim analysis of the BiovaxID clinical trial data. Biovest also granted a royalty in the aggregate amount of seven percent (7%) of worldwide net sales of the BiovaxID vaccine to Valens Offshore and Valens U.S. pursuant to a Royalty Agreement. The loan is secured by a security interest in all assets of Biovest and its subsidiaries.
Accentia and Biovest utilize a shared resource model for certain administrative, investor relations, accounting, and legal functions. James A. McNulty, CPA, serves as Secretary and Treasurer of Accentia and has been Biovest’s Chief Financial Officer since Accentia Biopharmaceuticals’ investment in June 2003, along with officer responsibilities in other related companies. Due to the requirement to devote more time to non-Biovest matters, Mr. McNulty will relinquish his Biovest CFO responsibilities effective December 31, 2007. Alan Pearce, CFO for Accentia, will assume the CFO role for Biovest at that time.
About Biovest International, Inc.
Biovest International, Inc. is a pioneer in the development of advanced individualized immunotherapies for life-threatening cancers of the blood system. Biovest is a majority-owned subsidiary of Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., (NASD: ABPI) with its remaining shares publicly traded. Biovest has a foundation in the manufacture of biologics for research and clinical trials. In addition, Biovest develops, manufactures and markets patented cell culture systems, including the innovative AutovaxIDTM, which is being marketed as an automated vaccine manufacturing instrument and for production of cell-based materials and therapeutics. Biovest is currently conducting a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for BiovaxIDTM, which is a patient-specific anti-cancer vaccine focusing on the treatment of follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. BiovaxIDTM has been granted Fast Track status by the FDA. For further information, visit the Company Web site at www.biovest.com.
HOLLYWOOD MEDIA CORPORATION (NASD: HOLL)
"Up 13.10% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/HOLL.php
Hollywood Media Corp. provides information, data, news and other content, and ticketing services to consumers and businesses covering the entertainment, Internet, and media industries in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates in five segments: Broadway Ticketing, Data Business, Ad Sales, Intellectual Properties, and Cable TV. The Broadway Ticketing segment sells tickets to live theater events for Broadway, Off-Broadway, London's West End, and for hotel and restaurant packages, online and offline, as well as to domestic and international travel professionals, including travel agencies and tour operators, educational institutions, and consumers. The Data Business segment licenses entertainment content and data, including movie showtimes and other movie content; local listings of events to media, wireless, and Internet companies. It also creates exhibitor paid directory ads for insertion in newspapers and provides other exhibitor marketing services. The Ad Sales segment sells advertising on Hollywood.com and Broadway.com, as well as on cinema and live theatre Web sites in the U.K. and Ireland. The Intellectual Properties segment owns, controls, and licenses the rights to certain intellectual properties created by authors and media celebrities, as well as includes a book development business. The Cable TV segment offers interactive entertainment and information with on-demand video content to subscribers in certain cable TV systems. The company was incorporated in 1993 and is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.
HOLL News:
December 12 - Hollywood Media Corp's Broadway Ticketing Business Returns to Double-Digit Sales Growth
Hollywood Media Corp. (NASD: HOLL), a leading provider of news, information and ticketing covering the entertainment and media industries, reported that the Company's Broadway Ticketing division, which includes Broadway.com, returned to double- digit sales growth following the conclusion of the Broadway stagehands strike. The post-strike sales pace is consistent with growth trends prior to the strike.
The strike ended on November 28, 2007 and caused 19 days of cancelled Broadway performances. The Company estimates that the Broadway Ticketing division lost profits of approximately $1.1 million, due to the refunding to customers of service fees on tickets previously sold for the cancelled performances. The Company will receive full refunds for its costs of the tickets for all shows that were cancelled. The revenues from ticket sales are recognized for income statement purposes on the actual performance dates.
"We are proud of the way we handled our customer service during what was a difficult situation," commented Mitchell Rubenstein, Hollywood Media's Chief Executive Officer. "We maintained constant communication with ticket holders who were affected by canceled performances. We're obviously glad to have the strike behind us and are delighted with our recent sales. We're pleased with the volume that we saw immediately following the resolution of the stagehands strike and have returned to our double digit sales growth."
PROPALMS, INCORPORATED (OTC: PRPM)
"Up 11.94% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/PRPM.php
Propalms TSE, the complete Server-Based Management solution that extends Microsoft Terminal Services 2000/2003, offers features such as Application Publishing, Seamless Windows, Resource-based Load balancing, and Web-based management consoles.
PRPM News:
December 11 - Propalms, Inc. Retains Prestigious Law Firm Schiff Hardin LLP as General Counsel
Schiff Hardin Named 2008 'Best Lawyers in America'
Propalms, Inc. (OTC: PRPM) announced that the Company has signed an agreement with US-based law firm, Schiff Hardin LLP. The law firm was named 2008 "Best Lawyers in America." The team of lawyers at Schiff Hardin LLP will provide Propalms with counsel and assist with future mergers and acquisitions.
Schiff Hardin LLP is a general practice law firm with offices in seven cities. The firm has more than 400 attorneys in offices located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Lake Forest, New York, San Francisco and Washington. Schiff Hardin's attorneys are admitted to practice law in more than 100 jurisdictions -- including 31 states, 72 U.S. courts, and six countries. The Schiff Hardin attorneys include former Securities and Exchange Commission directors and senior staff members, former general counsel at public companies, and experienced business lawyers from multiple disciplines and jurisdictions.
"We're very pleased to have retained Schiff Hardin. Schiff Hardin will serve as a major asset for us as we enter a new stage in our development. Whether it is Merger and Acquisition negotiations or general counsel it is integral for us to have the right team in place as we move to the next level. We're looking forward to accomplishing our Company goals while working with their renowned staff in 2008," stated Robert Zysblat, President of Propalms.
Propalms, Inc.'s annual shareholder meeting will be held on Friday, January 11, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. PST at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shareholders that would like to reserve a room at the hotel to attend the shareholder meeting should contact the Luxor Hotel at 888-777-0188 or 702-262-4444. The Luxor Hotel is located at 3900 Las Vegas Boulevard, South Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119. Propalms' shareholder meeting will be held in the Nile Chamber C. The Company filed its form 10SB to uplist to the Nasdaq Bulletin Board.
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