Our Stocks to Watch tomorrow include Cotton & Western Mining, Inc. (OTC: CWRM), Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASD: ACHN), Laser Energetics, Inc. (OTC: LNGT), U.S. Precious Metals, Inc. (OTCBB: USPR) and Smart Chip Technologies (OTC: SCTN).
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COTTON & WESTERN MINING (OTC: CWRM)
"Up 200.00% on Friday"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/CWRM.php
Cotton & Western Mining, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a pubic corporation traded under the symbol CWRM, was founded in early 2005 as a Nevada Corporation by Robert L. Cotton, with a specific plan and goal in mind; that being, to operate a low cost and high profit junior "Iron Mineral Mining" company. Iron ore mining can be a simple low-tech process or a very expensive and sophisticated undertaking.
CWRM News:
February 1 - Cotton & Western Mining, Inc. Projects 2008 Revenues to Exceed $100 Million
Cotton & Western Mining, Inc. (OTC: CWRM), Robert L. Cotton, President & C.E.O. of Houston-based Cotton & Western Mining, said today that the company is expecting to get at minimum six months production from its Baja California new iron and copper ore production in year 2008 and with metal mineral prices at all time highs, only 60,000 dry metric tons of copper ore and 900,000 dry metric tons of iron ores would be needed to exceed $100,000,000.00 in gross revenues.
The company anticipates production of crude iron and crude copper ore to begin no later than June, 2008 with modest expectations for production of ores.
The company has received several offers within the last few weeks for off-take agreements for both the iron ore and copper ore production from its Baja Pacific No. 5 mineral deposit. Bench mark pricing for the first quarter of 2008 for raw crude iron ore in fines at minimum 64.5% Fe is $62.00 F.O.B. per each dry metric ton and bench mark pricing for the first quarter of 2008 for raw crude copper ore in lump at minimum 28% Cu is $1,350.00 C.I.F. per each dry metric ton. The company is planning on setting up production of copper ore at 10,000 DMT per month and production for iron ore fines will be set at 150,000 DMT per month.
ACHILLION PHARMACEUTICALS (NASD: ACHN)
"Up 41.21% on Friday"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/ACHN.php
Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of treatments for infectious diseases. It focuses on the development of antivirals for the treatment of HIV infection and chronic hepatitis C; and antibacterials for the treatment of serious hospital-based bacterial infections. The company's lead drug candidate is elvucitabine, an antiviral in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of HIV infection. It also develops ACH-702, a preclinical candidate for the treatment of serious hospital-based bacterial infection; and NS4A Antagonists, a preclinical-stage program for chronic hepatitis C. The company has research collaboration with Gilead Sciences, Inc. to develop and commercialize compounds for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Achillion was founded in 1998 and is based in New Haven, Connecticut.
ACHN News:
January 31 - New Data for Achillion's Elvucitabine Demonstrate Drug's Safety, Efficacy and Suitability for Combination Therapy in HIV-Infected Patients
Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASD: ACHN), a leader in the discovery and development of small molecule drugs to combat the most challenging infectious diseases, announced positive safety and efficacy results from two ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials studying elvucitabine in patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Elvucitabine, Achillion's HIV product candidate, is an L-cytosine nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that has previously demonstrated potent antiviral activity against HIV, including strains resistant to other NRTIs.
The objectives of these trials include demonstration of the safety, tolerability and antiviral activity with a 10 mg dose of elvucitabine, as compared to 3TC (lamivudine), in a standard triple-combination regimen in two distinct patient populations: treatment-naive patients and treatment-experienced patients, particularly those harboring the M184V mutation in the reverse transcriptase protein of HIV.
24-Week Safety and Efficacy Findings
In the first trial, results at 24 weeks in treatment-naive patients demonstrated that elvucitabine had a potent anti-viral effect similar to 3TC, with a mean change in HIV-RNA from base-line in the elvucitabine treatment group of -3.0 log10 (+/- 0.6) vs. -3.2 log10 (+/- 0.5) in the 3TC treatment group. In the elvucitabine-treated group, 96% of patients reached undetectable viral load, defined as achieving fewer than 50 copies/ml after 24 weeks of therapy, compared to 94% in 3TC group. Elvucitabine was well-tolerated and demonstrated a safety profile comparable to 3TC for both incidence and severity adverse events. Additional results from this trial at both 48 and 96 weeks will be announced as available, and full 24-week data will be presented at a future scientific forum.
Short-term Resistance Findings
The second trial, designed to provide insight into elvucitabine's ability to address difficult-to-treat patients harboring the M184V mutation, included a first phase consisting of exploratory viral kinetic and pharmacokinetic analysis, followed by an open label extension phase. After 14 days of therapy, the Company noted similar viral load reductions in the elvucitabine and 3TC treatment groups. Importantly, however, the trial results demonstrate significant improvement in response in the second open-label extension phase where 8 of 14 patients who received elvucitabine, or 57%, had achieved 0.5 log10 reduction or more in viral load, likely related to the fact that elvucitabine reaches steady-state levels in patients after approximately 21 days of treatment. These data will be presented at a future scientific forum.
"These data show that elvucitabine can achieve substantial antiviral effect in both naive and treatment-experienced patients with the M184V mutation, with a safe and tolerable profile. Viral load decline in the treatment experienced patients appears to be correlated with achieving steady state elvucitabine concentrations, which occur at approximately 21 days, due to the long half-life of elvucitabine," said Elizabeth A. Olek, D.O., Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. "Results from these trials also confirm the safety and efficacy of elvucitabine in a 10 mg daily dose. Elvucitabine's combination of long half-life and favorable resistance profile position it as a potentially important alternative to currently available nucleosides in the treatment of HIV patients."
"We are extremely pleased that a once-daily 10 mg dose of elvucitabine is safe and efficacious in treatment naive as well as treatment experienced patients in these studies. The results are positive indicators to prospective partners with whom a fixed dose combination of elvucitabine and other antiretroviral agents can be developed. With these data, we plan to advance collaboration discussions currently underway. With its long half-life as a potential safeguard against the emergence of resistance, we believe that elvucitabine will be an important entry in the armamentarium for HIV patients and their physicians," commented Michael D. Kishbauch, President and CEO of Achillion.
Study Designs
The first Phase 2 clinical trial (ACH443-015) is a randomized, double-blind study in patients infected with wild-type HIV-1 virus. The trial included a 12-week blinded treatment period after which responders (patients with viral loads below 400 copies/mL, or less than 2 log10 decrease) continued to a now ongoing 84-week open-label extension period. The trial enrolled 78 subjects who were randomized 1:1 into two treatment groups: 10 mg/day elvucitabine with 600 mg/day efavirenz and 300 mg/day tenofovir or 300 mg/day 3TC with 600 mg/day efavirenz and 300 mg/day tenofovir.
The second Phase 2a clinical trial (ACH443-014A) is a randomized, double-blind, comparative viral kinetic and pharmacokinetic study in patients infected with HIV-1 virus containing the M184V variant. The trial included a 14-day blinded treatment period after which trial participants were given elvucitabine plus optimized background medications during a now ongoing 48-week open-label extension period. The trial enrolled 18 subjects who were randomized 1:1 into two treatment groups: 10 mg/day elvucitabine with background antiretroviral therapy or 300 mg/day 3TC with background antiretroviral therapy.
Teleconference
Achillion will hold its regularly scheduled year-end earnings announcement and conference call and simultaneous webcast on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. During that call, members of management will review the results of the elvucitabine clinical trials outlined above, as well as other program updates. To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 440-5788 in the U.S. or (719) 325-4928 for international callers. A live audio webcast of the call will be accessible at www.achillion.com, under the News Center section of the website. Please connect to Achillion's website several minutes prior to the start of the broadcast to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be necessary.
A replay of the webcast will be available on www.achillion.com. Alternatively, a replay of the conference call will be available starting at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on February 27, 2008, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on March 1, 2008 by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820. The replay passcode is 4744390.
ABOUT ELVUCITABINE
Elvucitabine, Achillion's HIV product candidate, is an L-cytosine nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that has demonstrated potent antiviral activity against HIV, including strains resistant to other NRTIs. NRTIs are the predominant class of drugs for use in HIV combination therapy and are frequently prescribed given their established potency, favorable short and long-term safety profile and fewer and less severe adverse side effects. Clinical and pre-clinical data collected to date indicate that elvucitabine can be dosed as a 10 mg pill once daily and may be used in combination therapy. In addition, the L-nucleoside configuration of the compound may provide protection against mitochondrial toxicity, a serious side effect often seen with D-nucleosides. Finally, elvucitabine has been demonstrated to have a longer half-life than other approved NRTIs, providing a potential barrier to the emergence of drug resistance in patients who are less than perfectly compliant.
LASER ENERGETICS INCORPORATED (OTC: LNGT)
"Up 25.00% on Friday"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/LNGT.php
Laser Energetics Incorporated (LEI) continues to develop a comprehensive and strategic laser product line that addresses applications in Industry, Science, Medicine and the Military. The Company has had a primary focus on its Alexandrite laser technology. These tunable solid state lasers are unique in that they can be conductively air cooled to compete favorably against water cooled lasers in many applications. In addition, these lasers have one of the greatest wavelength tuning ranges with a bandwidth of over 250nm. The company is pursuing markets that are diverse yet can use the same laser with their compact user friendly design. This laser technology provides a sustainable advantage over many other lasers because of their tune-ability, conductively air cooled operation, and their efficiency allowing these lasers to operate at preferred lower voltages such as 110 Volts as well as the military standard 28 VDC, as compared to other less efficient competitive lasers that are large and need 220 Volts to operate.
LNGT News:
January 31 - Laser Energetics Provides Joint Venture Update to Shareholders
Laser Energetics, Inc. (OTC: LNGT) provided an update to shareholders on the status of its joint venture with Lantis Laser for the sales and marketing of its BrightStar(TM) Laser for dental applications. The update was provided to clear up some confusion about the transaction that has been expressed by some shareholders.
Robert D. Battis, CEO of Laser Energetics, stated, "We are not placing orders to ourselves through a newly formed entity that we created. Rather, HyGeniLase, Inc., which is a joint venture between LEI and Lantis, has its own capital and corporate existence. LEI is not responsible for funding HyGeniLase, and HyGeniLase has already begun making payments to LEI. That responsibility belongs to Lantis, who has already arranged for funding, and is further contemplating taking HyGeniLase public."
Battis continued, "LEI will supply HyGeniLase on a cost plus basis on every laser system sold to HyGeniLase. In addition to the profit LEI makes on the laser system sale, LEI will, by virtue of being a shareholder, share in additional profits that HyGeniLase will generate from its sales through its worldwide distribution channels. As a result, because of the larger anticipated sales, LEI will effectively generate more profit for every system sale to HyGeniLase than it could otherwise generate by not working with a dental Company such as Lantis."
"We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, and will only enter into those transactions which are in the best long term interest of the company. The HyGeniLase transaction meets that exacting requirement. The involvement of Lantis, whose management have an intimate knowledge of the dental field, opens a new market for LEI that we would have otherwise had to ignore at the present time because of our limited size. HyGeniLase is negotiating some significant contracts at this time, and we look forward to making additional exciting announcements in the very near future."
US PRECIOUS METALS (OTCBB: USPR)
"Up 25.00% on Friday"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/USPR.php
U.S. Precious Metals, Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It focuses on gold and base mineral resource properties primarily located in the southern portion of the states of Michoacan and Sonora, Mexico. The company owns exploration concessions to the Solidaridad properties located in Michoacan, Mexico. It also owns interest in the El Diamante gold and silver mining property in southern Michoacan, Mexico. In addition, it holds an option to conduct geological studies on six mining claims located near Caborca in the state of Sonora, Mexico; and to acquire exploration rights on La Ceibra property, which is located in the state of Sonora, Mexico. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Lithia, Florida.
USPR News:
February 1 - U.S. Precious Metals Starts Drilling Campaign
U.S. Precious Metals, Inc. (OTCBB: USPR) Director Sheldon Baer announced that the roads at the La Sabila project in southern Michoacan have been repaired, the drilling company has arrived and drilling has begun. Mr. Baer went on to say that the certification contractor had arrived on site and would be monitoring the drilling campaign and the processing of the core, to maintain complete integrity.
Mr. Baer also said he recognized the importance of processing the core in a timely manner and that as the assay results are received by USPR they would be released to the public.
Dave Burney, President of USPR also said today "the first drill hole is located adjacent to an outcrop that assayed .062 opt gold, 17.3 opt silver. Rock chip samples from another location assayed 0.335 opt gold, 1.093 opt silver, 0.185% copper, and is scheduled to be cored next.
US Precious Metals, Inc. is a gold exploration company operating in Mexico through its wholly owned Mexican subsidiary, U.S. Precious Metals de Mexico. US Precious Metal's common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "USPR."
SMART CHIP TECHNOLOGIES (OTC: SCTN)
"Up 25.00% on Friday"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/SCTN.php
Smart Chip Technologies' turnkey customer retention solutions, including Loyalty, Pre-Paid Stored Value, Punch Cards, and Gift Cards, enable issuers, acquirers, and merchants to take advantage of real-time programs using their cardholders' existing cards using bar codes, magnetic stripes, smart chips, RFID, Internet accounts, and other consumer electronic devices. The SCTN system is a scalable, high performance, end-to-end solution that uses an ASP model to customize the system's look and feel to reinforce customer branding.
SCTN News:
February 1 - SCTN Files 2003K With SEC
Smart Chip Technologies (OTC: SCTN) announced that the company has filed its 2003 10k with the SEC.
Forms 10K from 2004 through 2007 will also be filed shortly thereafter. Completing the filings will allow the company to move forward to the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) market once the SEC approves their filings.
The company believes that these filings will increase and enhance the company value for shareholders, potential investors, creditors, partners and customers as well as allowing for additional exposure with brokerage houses that will result in increased volume and liquidity for the company stock in the marketplace.
Major License sales and revenue contracts are moving closer and closer to the finalization process and several are expected to close within the next few months.
"We would like to thank our shareholders for their continued support and patience. It has been a long difficult road but the company is now beginning to achieve significant progress in reaching and accomplishing its objectives in Year 2008," stated Bernard McHale, Director of Smart Chip Technologies.
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