Our Stocks to Watch today include Micromet, Inc. (NASD: MITI), Aethlon Medical, Inc. (OTCBB: AEMD), H3 Enterprises, Inc. (OTC: HTRE)
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MICROMET INCORPORATED (NASD: MITI)
"Up 20.59% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/MITI.php
Micromet, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, develops antibody-based products for cancer, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. Its products under clinical trials include MT103, a Phase I clinical trial product candidate for the treatment of patients with non-Hodgkins lymphoma; and Adecatumumab, a recombinant human monoclonal antibody that is under clinical Phase IIa status for metastatic breast cancer and other adenocarcinoma indications, and is being evaluated in clinical Phase Ib trials for treatment of metastatic breast cancer in combination with docetaxel. The company's preclinical development products include MT203 and MT204 human antibodies to treat various acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis; EphA2, a cell surface membrane-associated receptor tyrosine kinase for the treatment of cancer; CEA, which is indicated for the treatment of tumors of epithelial origin, such as colorectal carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, mucinous ovarian carcinoma, and endometrial adenocarcinoma; MORAb28, a human IgM monoclonal antibody binding to an antigen that is identified as a cell-surface antigen present on human melanomas and tumors of neuroectodermal origin; and MT110, a molecule that combines binding specificities for EpCAM and for CD3 on T cells. Micromet's product pipeline also consists of D93, a humanized, anti-metastatic, and anti-angiogenic monoclonal antibody for treatment of patients with solid tumors. It has strategic collaborations with MedImmune, Inc. for MT103; Nycomed for development of anti-GM-CSF antibodies; and Merck Serono Biopharmaceuticals S.A. for adecatumumab. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.
MITI News:
January 22 - Preclinical Study Published in Cancer Research Demonstrates Anti-Tumor Activity of Micromet's BiTE Antibody at Well Tolerated Doses
Micromet, Inc. (NASD: MITI), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, proprietary antibodies for the treatment of cancer, inflammation and autoimmune diseases, today announced the publication of a new preclinical study in Cancer Research(1) demonstrating that efficacious doses of a BiTE® antibody targeting epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM or CD326) are well tolerated in two mouse cancer models. BiTE antibodies join cytotoxic T cells with cancer cells for a tightly controlled elimination of cancer cells.
EpCAM is one of the most frequently and highly expressed tumor-associated antigens and is found on the majority of colon, lung, breast, prostate, ovarian, gastric, pancreas and on cancer stem cells. Like other tumor- associated antigens used as targets for antibody-based therapeutics, EpCAM is expressed on certain normal tissues. In order to assess the safety profile of an EpCAM-specific BiTE antibody, Micromet's researcher constructed a murine- specific BiTE antibody, called muS110, that is similar to the human-specific BiTE antibody MT110 with respect to structure, binding strength, efficacy and epitope recognition on EpCAM. EpCAM was found to be similarly expressed by mice and humans.
Low doses of muS110 that prevented growth of orthotopic breast cancer and formation of lung metastases in mice were well tolerated. Treatment with MuS110 did not lead to any damage of EpCAM-expressing normal tissues at any dose studied. This indicates that the EpCAM-specific BiTE antibody did recognize EpCAM on tumor cells but not on cells of normal tissues.
"We were pleased to see that an EpCAM-specific BiTE antibody showed anti- tumor activities at well tolerated doses," commented Patrick Baeuerle, Micromet's Chief Scientific Officer. "It appears that normal tissues expressing EpCAM are not affected by our BiTE antibody. We are now looking forward to testing the safety and clinical activity of MT110, a human EpCAM- specific BiTE antibody, in a phase 1 clinical trial in the near future."
ABOUT BITE® ANTIBODIES
BiTE® antibodies are designed to direct the body's cytotoxic, or cell- destroying, T cells against tumor cells, and represent a new therapeutic approach to cancer therapy. BiTE antibodies have been shown to induce an immunological synapse between a T cell and a tumor cell in the same manner as observed during physiological T cell attacks. These cytolytic synapses enable the delivery of cytotoxic proteins from T cells into tumor cells, ultimately inducing a self-destruction process in the tumor cell referred to as apoptosis, or programmed cell death. In the presence of BiTE antibodies, T cells have been demonstrated to serially eliminate tumor cells, which explains the activity of BiTE antibodies at very low concentrations and at very low ratios of T cells to target cells. Through the process of killing cancer cells, T cells proliferate, which leads to an increased number of T cells at the site of attack.
Several antibodies in Micromet's product pipeline are BiTE antibodies and have been generated based on Micromet's proprietary BiTE antibody development platform. The most advanced BiTE antibody is MT103 (MEDI-538), targeting CD19, and has provided proof-of-concept for the platform in an ongoing phase 1 clinical study in advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. Three other BiTE antibodies, targeting EpCAM (CD326), CEA and MCSP, are in pre-clinical development.
AETHLON MEDICAL INCORPORATED (OTCBB: AEMD)
"Up 17.54% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/AEMD.php
Aethlon Medical, Inc. engages in the research and development of a medical device known as the Hemopurifier that removes harmful substances from the blood. The company's Hemopurifier platform technology is designed to reduce the presence of infectious viruses and other toxins from human blood. It focuses on developing therapeutic devices to treat acute viral conditions caused by pathogens targeted as potential biological warfare agents, and chronic viral conditions, including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis-C. The company was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
AEMD News:
January 22 - The Aethlon Hemopurifier(R) Proves Effective in Capturing Bird Flu Virus
Aethlon Medical, Inc. (OTCBB: AEMD), a pioneer in developing therapeutic devices for infectious diseases, disclosed that researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of the Aethlon Hemopurifier® in capturing the highly-fatal H5N1 strain of the Avian Flu Virus (Bird Flu.) In pre-clinical studies, high concentrations of H5N1 flu virus (~ 3 million flu virus/ml) were observed to be rapidly depleted from cell culture fluids when circulated through the Hemopurifier®. The study data indicated that during a six-hour testing period, the Hemopurifier® removed up to 99.4 percent of infectious H5N1 flu virus. Verification of viral capture was documented by both real-time PCR and conventional plaque assay (TCID 50) measurements.
“The data provides real hope for a post-infection treatment against pandemic influenza and further reinforces the ability of our Hemopurifier® to address a broad spectrum of viral conditions,” stated James A. Joyce, Chairman and CEO of Aethlon Medical. “Additionally, it appears possible that the use of the Hemopurifier® could open the door for drugs previously considered incapable of providing clinical benefit as a stand-alone therapy.”
The Aethlon Hemopurifier® is a medical device designed for the single use removal of infectious viral pathogens from blood. The device, which augments the natural immune response of clearing infectious viruses and toxins before cell and organ infection, is positioned to fill a void in treating drug and vaccine resistant infectious diseases. In order to further support the use of the Hemopurifier® as a broad-spectrum treatment countermeasure against bioterror and pandemic threats in the United States, Aethlon will include this new data in a forthcoming submission to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the newly established Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA.) Based on the significance of the H5N1 data and the continued demonstration of safety in human studies, Aethlon may on a limited basis provide the Hemopurifier® to countries that request the Hemopurifier® as a treatment option for infected citizens. Researchers at the Battelle Biomedical Research Center conducted the H5N1 studies.
It is feared that the H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus, whose mortality rate in infected humans exceeds 60 percent, will spark a global epidemic should it evolve to allow for an efficient spread of host-to-host infections in humans. The recent discovery that H5N1 avian influenza virus can spread via the bloodstream to organs and other regions of the body typically not attacked by influenza viruses explains in part, the high virulence of H5N1 infection and why it remains a serious pandemic threat. The ability of H5N1 virus to proliferate in blood represents a causative effect for triggering hypercytokinemia (cytokine storm), a direct parallel to the Spanish Flu of 1918, which reportedly killed up to 40 million people within 20 months. Though governments and health agencies are stockpiling antiviral drugs to treat influenza, these therapies have yet to demonstrate effectiveness against human H5N1 infection. A further complication to drug treatment has arisen from the clinical observation that drug absorption appears impaired in severely ill H5N1 patients, and in H5N1 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.
Researchers believe the removal of circulating H5N1 hemagglutinin, a surface protein that is deleterious to the host and immune system, combined with the removal of infectious H5N1 virus would be clinically beneficial to infected patients. Corresponding to this belief, the Hemopurifier® targets the rapid removal of both infectious H5N1 virus and immunosuppressive H5N1 hamagglutinin from circulation. As a result, Aethlon believes the Hemopurifier® is positioned to benefit infected patients, both as a stand-alone therapeutic, and as an adjunct treatment able to improve the clinical benefit of other candidate therapies.
ABOUT BATTELLE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER
Battelle Biomedical Research Center is a research group in the National Security Global Division of Battelle Memorial Institute, an organization that provides solutions to some of the world's most important challenges through its three global businesses: National Security, Energy Science and Technology, and Health and Life Sciences. Battelle is the world's largest independent research and development organization with technology contributions that find their way into hundreds of commercial products each year. Conducting multi-billion dollars in global R&D annually, Battelle oversees over 20,000 employees in more than 120 locations worldwide, including five national laboratories that Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy. Battelle was recently approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Select Agent Programs of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to carry out studies on highly pathogenic avian influenza, including the H5N1 strain. Battelle was established in 1929 as a non-profit charitable trust and is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit http://www.battelle.org/.
H3 ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED (OTC: HTRE)
"Up 11.11% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/HTRE.php
H3Enterprises, Inc. owns, creates, licenses, and franchises HipHopSodaShops in the United States. The HipHopSodaShop is a Hip Hop themed fast food franchise that offers a line of H3WhiteTea sodas, lemonades, and energy drinks, and various other food; Hip Hop music; merchandise and media; live HD sportscasts; CyberSports arena featuring professional sports played on PlayStation and Xbox; and H3Raps, which are a selection of Biggie and Smallie wraps. It also operates Hip Hop Heaven, a restaurant that serves meats, seafood, salads, and beverages; H3Players.com, a CyberSports league featuring sports games that offer customers the opportunity to play for cash, prizes, and bragging rights; and ChannelH3, which offers hi-definition signage, music videos, ads, and promos targeting the Hip Hop generation, and real time information on plasma and LCD displays placed throughout the restaurants. In addition, the company provides computer based high resolution LCD television displays under neTVizon name. H3Enterprises, Inc. is based in New York, New York.
HTRE News:
January 22 - H3's President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Announces Co-Branding Partnership Between Sean Jean Fashion Empire and H3's HipHopSodaShops
Chavis Appears Live on CNN and Fox Business News to Discuss Latest H3 Business Breakthroughs
H3 Enterprises, Inc. (OTC: HTRE) President and CEO, Dr Benjamin Chavis, announced a "Co-Branding Partnership" between Sean "Diddy" Combs' Sean Jean Fashion Empire and H3's HipHopSodaShops. The companies have agreed to work together through marketing, promotions and sales of each other's products.
Dr. Chavis made the initial announcement live on FOX Business Network television yesterday morning on their highly rated show "Money for Breakfast" hosted by Alexis Glick and Peter Barnes. Fox Business Network reaches 42 millions viewers worldwide.
Chavis emphasized, "The timing of this important partnership between one of the word's most successful young entrepreneurs and the HipHopSodaShop is highly significant from a business perspective. Sean 'Diddy' Combs is an icon. He is a mogul who only associates his brands with the best businesses in the market. Sean Jean is an upscale fashion empire that is recognized globally for the finest quality and authentic representations of the highest aspirations of hip-hop and popular culture."
"I have known Diddy for over twenty years," continued Chavis. "And it is a special honor for us to work together to encourage the empowerment of people and communities through education, fashion and economic development. To make this very important announcement on the day our nation officially celebrates the birthday and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. exemplifies why I proudly affirm that our emerging HipHopSodaShop franchise units are in fact a fulfillment of Dr. King's dream of economic empowerment. Sean Jean Fashions and HipHopSodaShops have remarkable co-branding synergies. Our brands mutually stand for empowerment."
Tony Harris and CNN's Newsroom featured Dr. Chavis on their primetime newscast on Sunday night. CNN reaches 86 million viewers worldwide.
Chavis stated on the broadcast, "I am so proud of the hip-hop generation. It transcends race, gender and other issues that are used to divide people. Our HipHopSodaShops represent the cultural and economic transformation of our society and world. Our customers are young professionals, college students, and entire families who enjoy the entire SodaShop experience including tasty food, Xbox 360 online video games and branded merchandise."
ABOUT SEAN JEAN:
Sean "Diddy" Combs has built a $500 million award-winning fashion business. In 1998, he decided to fulfill a life-long dream when he launched a signature collection of sportswear under his name Sean John. Mr. Combs created the line to fill a void in the market for well-made, sophisticated fashion forward clothing that also reflected an urban sensibility and style. Through the support of both the fashion community and retailers, Sean John quickly grew from an urban label to an international brand.
Sean John has become a usual suspect at the prestigious award ceremony for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) held annually in New York. For five consecutive years since 2000, Sean John has been nominated for its excellence in design. Sean John shares this distinction with an elite group of designers that include Marc Jacobs and Helmut Lang. In 2004, Sean John was awarded the CFDA Men's Designer of the Year award.
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