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"Penny Stocks that Perform" picks are: LEVEL Vision Electronics (LVLV) Signs Letter of Intent for $4.7 Million Financing!(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Pennyperformers.com "Penny Stocks that Perform" picks are: Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTIC), LEVEL Vision Electronics Ltd. (PINKSHEETS: LVLV), Medarex, Inc. (NASDAQ: MEDX), QIAGEN (NASDAQ: QGEN), VIASPACE Inc. (OTCBB: VSPC)...and Proudly Introducing Proprietary Push Technology (PPT). The Newest and Revolutionary Technology for Increasing Investor Visability. REAL Awareness for REAL Companies. Click below for a full demonstration. http://newmediaadvisors.info/newmedia.swf Sign-up for our FREE Stock Alerts AND NEWSLETTER at www.pennyperformers.com April 21, 2009 -- Systems Medicine, LLC (SM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) (NASDAQ and MTA: CTIC), presented data from a preclinical study, which utilized RNA interference (RNAi) and bioinformatics to identify genetic markers - "contexts of vulnerability" - that enhance the anti-tumor response to the experimental drug candidate brostallicin, at the 2009 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in Denver, Colorado. "Contexts of vulnerability" refers to the genetic configuration in a patient's tumor that makes it susceptible to a specific drug thus providing the genetic rationale for targeted therapy. The study's objective was to identify molecular determinants of brostallicin's anti-tumor response that could guide clinical development and drug combination studies by incorporating an integrated pharmacogenomics approach. The study was conducted by SM in collaboration with the Translational Genomics Research Institute's Pharmaceutical Genomics Division in Scottsdale, Arizona. "This study has identified certain patient groups which might be more likely to benefit from therapy with brostallicin and have been invaluable in assisting us in identifying promising clinical development strategies for future development of this novel drug candidate," said Jack Singer, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of CTI. "Ultimately, we believe this approach should shorten the clinical development time and increase the success rate by bringing us closer to being able to offer the right drug to the appropriate patient." Brostallicin is a small-molecule chemotherapeutic agent with a unique mechanism of action -- it binds to the minor grooves located in the DNA double helix. To identify genes associated with cellular response to brostallicin, a high-throughput RNA interference screen was performed in selected ovarian cancer cell lines. RNA interference is a cellular process that results in the targeted knockdown of specific genes. The current screen assayed the effect of over 7,000 individual gene knockdowns, representing the "druggable" genome, on brostallicin response. The identified genes, representing unique contexts of vulnerability to brostallicin, converged on cellular concepts relating to DNA repair and chromosome modification. These findings were further extended and confirmed in breast cancer cell lines, wherein the knockdown of specific genes involved in these concepts, mentioned above, resulted in an increased response to brostallicin. To substantiate the brostallicin response observed in the RNAi studies, drugs that target selected genetic targets were tested for synergistic activity in combination with brostallicin. The outcome of this validation work has identified important contexts and rational drug combinations that will be critical for the clinical development of brostallicin. About Brostallicin Brostallicin, a novel synthetic second-generation DNA minor groove binder, has shown potent cancer killing activity and has demonstrated synergism in combination with standard cytotoxic agents as well as with newer targeted therapies in preclinical experimental tumor models. Brostallicin binds covalently to DNA within the DNA minor groove, interfering with DNA division and leading to tumor cell death. More than 200 patients have been treated with brostallicin in single-agent and combination studies. Brostallicin had predictable and predominantly hematologic toxicities. Activity was demonstrated in a number of solid tumor types. A phase II study of brostallicin in relapsed/refractory soft tissue sarcoma met its pre-defined activity and safety hurdles and resulted in a first-line phase II study that is currently being conducted by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). About Systems Medicine (SM) In July 2007, CTI acquired Systems Medicine, a privately held oncology company, in a stock-for-stock merger. SM applies a systems biology approach to drug development, combining pharmacogenomics and bioinformatics with experienced preclinical, clinical, and regulatory expertise to find and exploit a specific cancer's 'context of vulnerability.' Specifically, SM defines the molecular and genetic alterations (context) that cause cancer cells to be particularly sensitive (vulnerable) to a drug or combination of drugs--the "context of vulnerability." About Cell Therapeutics, Inc. Headquartered in Seattle, CTI is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing an integrated portfolio of oncology products aimed at making cancer more treatable. Apr 21, 2009 -- LEVEL Vision Electronics Ltd. (PINKSHEETS: LVLV) today announced that the company has signed a letter of intent with Cunningham-Adams Small Cap Fund I of Barbados, for a $4.7 million Financing. According to the terms of the Letter of Intent, Cunningham-Adams intends to invest a total of US $4.7 million in a secured, non-toxic convertible debenture. The general terms proposed are a 7 year, 9% annual interest, convertible into common shares at 25% discount to market at a floor price (minimum) of $0.53 per share and a ceiling (maximum) price of $1.28. The debenture will be secured by a general security agreement. The financing is subject to a complete due-diligence by an independent firm mandated by Cunningham-Adams and is schedule to be concluded by or before May 30, 2009. The companies intend to sign a definitive financing agreement by or Before April 30, 2009 and closing will be subject to a satisfactory due-diligence. "This is great news for our continued marketing developments," said Habib Coriaty, President and CEO of LEVEL Vision Electronics. "The financing will enable us not only to finance our ongoing Purchase Orders but also to support the International Launch of our new EVA Software," further added Mr. Coriaty. About LEVEL Vision Electronics LEVEL Vision Electronics is an ODM / OEM (designer and manufacturer) of consumer electronics (mainly Wireless Handsets) primarily concentrating on the world's emerging markets. Through its Unique Business Model, LEVEL works hand-in-hand with the Telcos to customize the products to their specific targeted market requirements. Apr 21, 2009 -- Merck & Co., Inc., (through an affiliate), Medarex, Inc. (NASDAQ: MEDX) and Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories (MBL) of the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) today announced that they have signed an exclusive worldwide license agreement for CDA-1 and CDB-1 (also known as MDX-066/MDX-1388 and MBL-CDA1/MBL-CDB1), an investigational fully human monoclonal antibody combination developed to target and neutralize Clostridium difficile toxins A and B, for the treatment of C. difficile infection (CDI). CDA-1 and CDB-1 were co-developed by Medarex and MBL. Under the terms of the agreement, Merck gains worldwide rights to develop and commercialize CDA-1 and CDB-1. Medarex and MBL will receive an upfront payment of $60 million and are potentially eligible to receive additional cash payments up to $165 million upon achievement of certain milestones associated with the development and approval of a drug candidate covered by this agreement. Upon commercialization, Medarex and MBL will also be eligible to receive double-digit royalties on product sales and milestones if certain sales targets are met. In accordance with the co-development agreement between Medarex and MBL, all payments will be divided equally. The incidence of C. difficile infection (CDI) in the U.S. is rapidly increasing, with rates doubling from 2000 to 2005. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has projected that there will be as many as 750,000 cases of CDI per year by 2010(1). "C. difficile infection is the primary cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitalized elderly patients in developed countries," said Tony Ford-Hutchinson, Ph.D., senior vice president and franchise head, Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Merck Research Laboratories. "This agreement underscores Merck's ongoing commitment to infectious disease and our strategy of licensing promising candidates with the potential to address serious unmet medical needs." "Discovering and developing an effective new treatment for a significant public health threat is the mission of MBL," said Donna Ambrosino, M.D., executive director of MBL and professor of pediatrics at UMMS. "We are delighted that through this license agreement this candidate will advance towards final clinical studies and thus will potentially be available to patients in the shortest possible time." "This agreement exemplifies our ability to execute our corporate strategy combining creative science with an industry-leading platform to successfully enter into partnerships that are financially attractive and value-enhancing," said Howard H. Pien, chairman and chief executive officer of Medarex. "We will continue to invest in our growing pipeline of innovative product candidates to address significant unmet medical needs, advance them to proof-of-concept and explore strategic options, either through partnership or by advancing the candidate ourselves, that would create long-term value for Medarex shareholders." Top-line results from a Phase II multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating CDA-1/CDB-1 provided evidence of a statistically significant reduction in the rate of recurrence of CDI compared with placebo. In the study, 200 patients symptomatic with an acute episode of CDI receiving standard of care antibiotics (metronidazole or vancomycin) were randomized to receive intravenous CDA-1/CDB-1 or intravenous placebo. An oral presentation of the Phase II data is scheduled at the upcoming Digestive Disease Week (DDW) in Chicago on June 2, 2009 at 2:15 p.m. local time. About CDA-1 and CDB-1 CDA-1 and CDB-1 (also known as MDX-066/MDX-1388 and MBL-CDA1/MBL-CDB1) are novel, fully human antibodies that were developed by MBL and Medarex to target and neutralize the effects of toxin A and toxin B, respectively, the toxins produced by the bacterium C. difficile and which are associated with a serious and sometimes deadly form of diarrhea called C. difficile associated diarrhea. Published epidemiologic studies of hospitalized patients at risk for CDI have shown a positive correlation between detectable levels of antibodies in the blood to both toxins A and B and protection from disease or relapse. About Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) C. difficile is a spore-forming bacterium that is common in the environment and can colonize the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can be easily spread among hospitalized patients and residents of long-term care facilities, but also can be found in otherwise healthy individuals in the community. The disease most often develops in the presence of antibiotics administered for other infections, in which the complex microbial makeup of the GI tract is altered, and C. difficile spores may germinate, grow, and produce toxins A and B. The toxins cause damage to the GI tract lining in the colon, resulting in severe diarrhea, and may lead to perforation of the colon and/or death. Treatment of severe disease requires administration of additional antibiotics to kill the C. difficile bacteria, but because of the persistence of spores, as well as the difficulty for the intestinal flora to re-normalize in the setting of antibiotics, relapse/recurrence of CDI is common, and is estimated to occur in 20 percent of cases, with post-therapy recurrence rates as high as 60 percent. Recurrence can be difficult to manage and is a challenging complication of CDI; however, the use of non-antibiotic based approaches to neutralize C. difficile toxins may be important options to facilitate recovery of the GI flora. About Merck Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The Company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service. About Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories The Massachusetts Biologic Laboratories is the only non-profit FDA- licensed manufacturer of vaccines and other biologic products in the United States. MBL produces 30 percent of the U.S. tetanus/diphtheria vaccine supply. In addition to the C. difficile program, MBL has discovered and developed human monoclonal antibodies for rabies and Hepatitis C, which are expected to enter clinical trials in 2009. The MBL was established in 1894 and since then the MBL's mission has been to improve public health through applied research, development and production of biologic products. MBL has been a part of the University of Massachusetts Medical School since 1997. About Medarex Medarex is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and potential commercialization of fully human antibody-based therapeutics to treat life-threatening and debilitating diseases, including cancer, inflammation, autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases. Medarex applies its UltiMAb(R) technology and product development and clinical manufacturing experience to generate, support and potentially commercialize a broad range of fully human antibody product candidates for itself and its partners. Over forty of these therapeutic product candidates derived from Medarex technology are in human clinical testing or have had INDs submitted for such trials, with the most advanced product candidates currently in Phase III clinical trials, the subject of regulatory applications for marketing authorization or approved in Canada and Europe. Medarex is committed to building value by developing a diverse pipeline of antibody products to address the world's unmet healthcare needs. Apr 21, 2009 -- QIAGEN (NASDAQ: QGEN) (Frankfurt Prime Standard:QIA), a provider of sample and assay technologies, and the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI) announced on 21 April that they have signed a partnership for the formation of the first large-scale cervical cancer screening programme for women in Kolkata, India. The initiative will be conducted over a duration of five years and is expected to reach 50,000 women. The cervical cancer screening programme will be officially launched at the opening ceremony of the 2009 Asia-Oceania Research Organization on Genital Infections and Neoplasia (AOGIN) conference in Kolkata on 25 and 26 April. The first women are expected to be screened in June. Under the partnership, QIAGEN will provide its diagnostic tests for the human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. CNCI will conduct the screening and provide appropriate treatment as needed. The "QIAGENcares Kolkata Project" will use QIAGEN's hybrid capture 2 (hc2) HPV DNA testing technology (digene HPV Test) to screen women for cancer-causing types of HPV to identify those with or at risk for developing cervical cancer. Participating women will also be screened using VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid). Screening will take place at community-based mobile field clinics and women found to have cervical cancer or pre-cancer will be immediately treated at the field clinic. The companies also stated that the project includes educational campaigns to raise awareness about HPV, cervical cancer and other women's health issues. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that every year more than 130,000 Indian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 74,000 die from it. This makes cervical cancer the leading cause of cancer related deaths in India and represents approximately a quarter of the world's total cervical cancer cases and mortality. April 21, 2009 -- VIASPACE Inc. (OTCBB: VSPC) an alternative energy company with subsidiary operations in security technology, is planning a mid-May 2009 field demonstration of its high-sensitivity system for detecting and analyzing chemical, explosive, and drug residues in suspect vessels. The demonstration is part of a competitively selected/awarded phase II contract for two years and up to $786,000 in funding. Through its subsidiary Ionfinity, VIASPACE is developing a sensitive miniaturized "sniffer" in a joint collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech, General Dynamics, Sionex, and Imaginative Technologies. The development project, entitled "Miniature Electronic Sniffer for Navy Vertical Take off Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (VTUAVs)" was awarded by the U.S. Navy's Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program. Ionfinity Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and Principal Investigator James Weiss said: "We believe the new sensor we will demonstrate will substantially raise the standard for future chemical detection and analysis and at the same time make the process much more convenient and timely." Weiss added that while Ionfinity's new sensor technology has direct application in the $55 billion security industry, it is also expected to have commercial applications in environmental monitoring, agriculture and medicine. According to the Company, the sensor is a compact stand-alone chemical device consisting of: 1) a new and powerful detector called a Differential Mobility Spectrometer; 2) a non-radioactive ionization method that does not fragment or multiply-ionize sampled specimens; and 3) a micro-gas chromatograph for confirmation and enhanced detection capability. The device will detect chemicals and materials of interest at parts-per-billion (ppb) levels after 6 seconds. The sensor is self contained with respect to power and communications. About VIASPACE Inc. VIASPACE is a clean energy company providing products and technology for renewable and alternative energy that reduce or eliminate dependence on fossil and high-risk-pollutant energy sources. The Company provides raw material for cellulosic biofuels and develops and markets fuel cell cartridges, products and technology. VIASPACE subsidiary Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation owns a portfolio of fuel cell patents licensed from Pasadena-based California Institute of Technology (Caltech), which manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where the direct methanol fuel cell was invented. About PennyPerformers.com PennyPerformers.com has become one of the premier stops for investors who wish to experience huge profits via investing in up-and-coming publicly traded companies. Penny Performers email report service is free to those investors who sign up on our website. 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