According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2015-2016 National Survey (http://dtn.fm/0hCVP), there are roughly 86 million pet cats in the United States, up from about 21.5 million in 1970. Across the nearly 43 million American households that currently own a pet cat, one seemingly nondescript product has become virtually ubiquitous – cat litter. Cat litter originally burst onto the scene nearly 70 years ago, according to a report (http://dtn.fm/h8mJR) by The Washington Post, when a man named Ed Lowe repurposed some excess clay into a cleaner alternative to soil or sand, the standard solutions to feline waste in those days. This clay-based product, which he marketed as Kitty Litter, proved an exceptional choice for absorbing large quantities of waste while simultaneously controlling odors by encapsulating the cat waste. The total U.S. litter market is estimated to be about $2.5 billion with clay litters growing at approximately 3%, while the natural litter market is estimated to be about 10%-15% of the total and growing over 10% annually.

This clumping clay litter was a hit, quickly replacing sand as the standard in feline waste management. The clay clumps formed made waste removal easier and kept the odor physically locked up. Now having a cat in the home became easier, and less “smelly”, than ever before. Although the clay litter was a disrupter for the pet industry, there were some problems associated with it such as adding an estimated two million tons of non-biodegradable litter to the landfills, dust being inhaled by cats and possibly contributing to silicosis in the long run (also known as coal miners disease), a difficulty and inconvenience of transporting the heavy clay from the store to the home, and the realization that clay is a non-sustainable resource.

To try and combat the problems that came with using clay litter, cat owners started using biodegradable, natural litters made from grains such as wheat and corn. These “second generation” litters were sustainable, lighter, and had good odor control. Although these alternate litters were an improvement over clay, they had their limitations. They were more costly and more price variable since the grains were also used for food and fuel. These litters could have traces of fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides from their sources’ plant growth. Lastly, their high starch content could result in mold growth under certain conditions of warmth and moisture.

After years of extensive product development and testing, OurPet’s Company (OTCQX: OPCO) has ushered in the “third generation” of cat litter made from switchgrass and biochar, a non-food alternative to the other corn or wheat based natural cat litters in the marketplace. Switchgrass is a hardy, natural grass native to North America that does not require fertilization or the use of chemicals during plant growth, such as fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides and the toxins associated with them. Switchgrass is biodegradable and has a history of being used for flood control and ornamental purposes, not for feedstock or as a base for fuel. Biochar is made using the pyrolysis process to convert natural pine wood chips to activated, non-marking carbon particles that are highly odor and moisture absorbent. During pyrolysis, the volatile gases are collected and used as clean burning fuel while the CO2 is trapped in the pine wood with minimal CO2 release into the atmosphere.

The OurPet’s Switchgrass Biochar cat litter is biodegradable, all natural, sustainable, price competitive and price stable, 50% lighter than clay litter, and has excellent odor and moisture control with minimal dust and track-ability.

OurPet’s has filed a utility patent for their Switchgrass Biochar litter and plans on marketing it primarily under a private label strategy, with a branded option in certain specific situations. The Switchgrass Biochar litter will be launched at Global Pet Expo 2016, March 16-18. OurPet’s will be at booth #2455.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ourpets.com

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Short interest in OurPet’s Company (OTCQX: OPCO) has sharply fallen, presumably driven by a host of factors, including word that the specialty pet retailer has several new pet products and strategies on deck. The company’s total short interest was 1,900 shares in February, as reported by FDANewsAlert.com (citing FINRA), a drop of 70.7% from 6,500 shares previously reported. Based on average trading volume of 2,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently one day.

OPCO Tuesday said it will unveil a new product at next month’s Global Pet Expo, sending shares up nearly 11% to an intraday high of $0.89 on 1,000 traded hands. Earlier in February, the company announced its strategic partnership with Aplix IP Holdings Corp., a software and solutions provider in Japan that will help OPCO further develop its product lines in the $60 billion pet industry.

“We literally searched the world for the strategic partner who shares the same passion as we do and would closely work with us to bring these ideas to reality. We’re fortunate to have found what we were looking for in Aplix of Japan, a world leader in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi design, development and manufacture of related components,” OPCO CEO Dr. Steve Tsengas said in the news release. “OurPet’s and Aplix have invested extensive resources to develop new products fueled by smart technology and we look forward to collaborations that continue this development.”

Since July, shares of OPCO have risen nearly 13%, outperforming the S&P500 by 22.7%, most likely given a boost by well-paced and frequent updates on new products, a new communication strategy, executive appointment and strong second-quarter, third-quarter and nine-month 2015 performances.

OPCO currently has more than 160 issued or pending patents and derives more than 75% of its revenue from proprietary products. For the first nine months of 2015, OPCO reported revenues of $17.1 million, an increase of 6% compared to the comparable period of 2015. Gross profit increased 15% to $5.4 million vs. the year prior, while gross profit margin increased 2.5 percentage points to 31.6% for the first nine months of 2015 from 29.1% the prior year. Net income for the first nine months of 2015 increased 146% to $886,319, or $0.04 per share, from $359,935, or $0.02 per share, for the same period in 2014.

Increased market exposure and growing recognition of the company’s firming position in the specialty pet retail market have squeezed out the majority of short sellers looking to profit off a misplaced forecast for a decline in OPCO’s share price.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ourpets.com

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Parkinson’s disease is caused by death of dopamine-producing cells in a brain region called the substantia nigra, which hampers movement. Current treatments focus primarily on replacing the lost dopamine, but these treatments eventually fail because the dopamine-making cells continue to die. For this reason, stem cell therapy is of interest. International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) is a biotechnology company that focuses on the development of therapeutic and biomedical products worldwide. The company’s products are based on human parthenogenetic stem cells, a proprietary type of pluripotent stem cells. International Stem Cell Corp. develops cell types, including neural stem cells, for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time. Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s disease. The cause is unknown, and although there is presently no cure, there are treatment options such as medication and surgery to manage its symptoms.

The amount of money that the U.S. and individuals spend each year on Parkinson’s disease is staggering. The combined direct and indirect costs of Parkinson’s disease – including treatment, social security payments and lost income from inability to work – is estimated to be nearly $25 billion per year in the U.S. alone. Medication costs for an individual person with Parkinson’s average $2,500 a year, and therapeutic surgery can cost up to $100,000 per individual, according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation’s website (http://dtn.fm/4uIwr).

Stem cell research has the potential to significantly impact the development of disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson’s disease, and considerable progress has been made toward creating dopamine-producing cells from stem cells. The development of new cell models of Parkinson’s disease is a particularly promising area of stem cell research, as the current lack of progressive, predictive models of Parkinson’s disease remains a major barrier to drug development.

International Stem Cell Corp. has pioneered development of a new class of stem cells – human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) – that has the best characteristics of each of the other classes of stem cells. These stem cells are created by chemically stimulating the oocytes (eggs) to begin division. The oocytes are not fertilized and no viable embryo is created or destroyed. The ethical advantage of derivation from unfertilized oocytes, combined with immunomatching advantages, makes these stem cells a very promising source for cell-based therapy.

For more information, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

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GTX Corp. (OTC: GTXO) stands at the forefront of wearable GPS technology while being a leader in two-way personal location services. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the company shows off its knowledge of miniaturized and low-power consumption GPS, BLE, and cellular tracking solutions. GTXO has distributors in 13 countries that send-off customizable solutions like hardware, apps, and connectivity services to valued customers.

GTXO promises real-time location and monitoring solutions that are on call 24/7. These solutions are specially made to track people, pets, vehicles, and high-end assets. Through its many devices, customers can track and receive updates constantly via a data monitoring server that gives history and current movements using Google Maps. Customers can also set up geozones, which are specific areas that, if breached or encountered, will result in an instant notification.

The company’s award-winning GPS SmartSole still stands as its headliner, most recently appearing on FOX News in one of the network’s Tech Take segments. This tracking insole fits perfectly inside the shoe of a loved one who tends to wander. Using GTXO’s latest technology, wearers are able to be located in an instant through the company’s app or portal.

The Take Along Tracker is another device offered by GTXO. It is a miniature quad-band receptor the size of a D-battery. It’s light and thin, which means it can easily be placed on a person, pet, or object. This GPS/GSM communication device syncs with the GTX Corp. Tracking Portal to give instant notifications regarding geofences and locations. It also comes with a long battery life, SOS Button, and voice call capabilities.

Taking home multiple awards – including Second Place Winner of the CTIA E-Tech Awards in the Wearables, Health, Fitness, and Wellness category – GTXO aims to continue “empowering the global community” by consistently developing its innovative portfolio. The company believes in giving families a sense of connectedness and peace of mind through its technology.

For more information, visit www.gtxcorp.com

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Star Mountain Resources, Inc. (OTC: SMRS) is a microcap mining company that builds shareholder value by way of acquiring and developing mineral properties and turning them into major producing mines. SMRS’s growth plan uses this acquisition model as its guide. Currently, Star Mountain Resources is busy developing operations to restart its Balmat zinc mining operation in St. Lawrence County, New York. Operations are aimed at transforming the company into an active mining producer rather than a junior explorer. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the company acquired Northern Zinc, LLC, a private company, and closed on the acquisition of the Balmat Holding Corporation from Hudbay Minerals. The deal gave SMRS access to this quality-rich mineral asset.

With zinc showing signs of a value-based comeback, this positive trend appears to be on course to recover most of the 20% loss zinc suffered in 2015. Last year, metal was down 26% due in large part to China’s economic slowdown, which, in turn, hampered demand. As for 2016, zinc is leading the base metal sector, because mine depletion and production cutbacks are tightening supply and therefore boosting prices. With zinc gaining 6.8% on the London Minerals Exchange in February alone, Goldman Sachs predicts that, in 12 months, the price of zinc will be $1,800 a ton.

A Goldman analyst noted in a recent report, “Against the backdrop of still significant short metals positioning (particularly copper and aluminum), we reiterate that the recent stabilization of the GS China Metals Consumption Index, the upcoming seasonal improvement in metals demand (post Chinese New Year), China State stockpiling, and potential further capacity closures could be catalysts for a short covering rally near term.”

Star Mountain Resources sets and upholds the highest ethical standards and business practices. The company’s dealings with employees, governments, stakeholders and communities are open, honest and transparent. SMRS is a company that’s ‘passionate about continuous improvement’ while identifying and executing on operational practices that drive innovation, speed to market and cost efficiency.

For more information, visit www.starmountainresources.com

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Wisdom teeth are an oxymoron. Why would someone label something that has no real value and brings nothing but pain with ‘wisdom’? Almost everyone eventually has to have one to all four of their wisdom teeth removed, which is followed immediately by a long bout of pain and discomfort. In addition to the rounds of antibiotics that are typically prescribed to prevent infection, narcotic pain medications are also prescribed, which can lead to habit-forming tendencies.

Nutra Pharma Corporation (OTCQB: NPHC) markets pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pain under the brand Nyloxin® and also has a product for pets under the name Pet-Pain Away. Nyloxin is offered over the counter without a prescription and can be taken by people with chronic pain without the worry of habit-forming narcotics.

Many people avoid having wisdom teeth removed, having bones reset, having vertebrae fused, etc. because of the fear of developing a habit with narcotics. Nutra Pharma offers a great alternative to this with all natural ingredients that relieve pain symptoms much more effectively than Tylenol. This peace of mind is very important to insure against any negative effects associated with getting the treatment required to heal injuries.

Living with chronic pain is impossible, especially when trying to perform daily activities. Nutra Pharma offers pain relief without any of the habit-forming side effects. The company offers a suitable substitute to these potentially dangerous medications with its Nyloxin product – an all-natural product aimed at treating moderate to severe chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than three months and may be related to certain medical conditions, including diabetes, arthritis, migraines, fibromyalgia, cancer, shingles, sciatica, and previous trauma or injury.

Nyloxin is available in two strengths and three forms, conditional on what is more convenient and applicable to the person in need. These forms include an oral spray, a roll-on and a topical gel.

For more information on the company, visit www.NutraPharma.com

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At the forefront of the peer-to-peer (P2P) vacation-home marketplace sits FlexWeek, Inc. (OTC: FXWK). Being the first of its kind, the company offers a platform for timeshare owners to market their unused vacation time to the public or other timeshare owners. FlexWeek provides direct access to its resort inventory while eliminating the need for timeshare owners to use other expensive trading platforms. The company charges booking fees to the renter of the vacation time instead of “banking” times with a trading company. This means that the private timeshare owner can offer his/her unused vacation time to renters to recoup the cost or even make a profit on the unused vacation time. Renters would also be saving money on these transactions as they are likely less expensive than hotel rooms.

Timeshares have been enticing Americans since 1969, the first being in Kauai, Hawaii, and have been generating billions of dollars annually. People are attracted to timeshares because they not only guarantee a space for vacation with fixed dates but they also provide a larger space to enjoy with multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, and washer/dryer amenities.

However, the vacation habits of Americans have been slumping in recent years with more and more vacation days going unused. According to the U.S. Travel Association, workers fail to use up to five vacation days during the year. To account for this lost time, a survey of 1,303 Americans was conducted in 2014 by Project: Time Off and concluded that the top reason for unused vacation days was the fear of returning to a mountain of work. Other reasons included affordability, fear of being seen as replaceable, and trying to show dedication to the company. Overall, workers are emerging from a tough economy and feel less secure about their jobs, which means fewer days off.

Since timeshare owners must pay for their shares whether used or not, FlexWeek offers a way for them to rent their time to others, and, potentially, make some extra money. The need for timeshare renters should only increase because Americans suffer from a “work martyr complex,” making FlexWeek a great alternative to paying for unused space. The company intends to continuously expand its presence in the timeshare rental market while offering inexpensive outlets for vacationers.

For more information, visit www.flexweek.com

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The pet industry has grown exponentially over the past decade with many pet adoption agencies springing up all over the world, the Westminster Dog Show, and products that have increased the general interest in the health and treatment of pets. Every pet we make a commitment to should be taken care of with the love and affection we would expect from our parents. Giving our dogs names, paying for their training and registering their credentials, and designing a specific diet and routine of exercise for them are prime examples of how much we care about our furrier halves. OurPet’s Company (OTCQX: OPCO) develops, produces and markets various pet accessory and consumable products designed to awaken pets’ natural instincts and build the pet/human relationship, be it in feeding, playing or waste management.

Sold globally through pet specialty retailers (PetSmart and PetCo), food, drug and mass chains (Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) and Kroger (NYSE: KR)), e-commerce and international channels, the company’s products are marketed under the OurPets®, Pet Zone® and PetTastic® brands, with well-known sub-brands such as Play-N-Squeak®, Cosmic Catnip™, Durapet®, SmartScoop® and Flappy®. In total, OurPet’s has an intellectual property portfolio featuring more than 160 individual patents, giving the company sustainable access to the pet products industry for the foreseeable future.

Nearly 100 million American households own either a dog or cat, and these families are expected to spend $61 billion in 2015 on their pets alone, according to the American Pet Products Association. With the health conscience consumer segment experiencing rapid growth, it is logical to predict that this type of shopper will want to buy the same type of safe, healthy and innovative products for their pets. In the most recent quarter, OurPet’s reported record revenue of $6 million, which was a 7 percent increase from the comparable quarter of 2014. The company also reported a massive 428 percent jump in net income to $410,450, or $0.02 diluted earnings per share, compared to $77,751, or $0.00, for the comparable quarter of 2014.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ourpets.com

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Since its founding over two decades ago, progressive innovation has fruitfully been OurPet’s Company’s (OTCQX: OPCO) modus operandi. True to its core mission to develop and market high-quality, innovative products designed to improve the health, safety, comfort and enjoyment of pets, OurPet’s is set to unveil a new, first-of-its-kind line of products at the pet industry’s largest tradeshow coming up next month.

The Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida, March 16-18, 2016, will feature the newest, most cutting-edge pet products on the market. If last year’s roster (1,051 exhibitors, 3,113 booths, and more than 3,000 new product launches) is any inclination, the 2016 event will provide OurPet’s with considerable exposure and the opportunity to showcase its progress since last year’s event. OurPet’s will be at the Global Pet Expo booth #2455.

“After the OurPets Catty Whack won ‘Best New Cat Product’ at SuperZoo last year, we knew that we had to build off of that momentum,” Gabriella Chessman, VP of marketing at OurPet’s, stated in today’s news release. “Our R&D team has been diligently working over the past year and we are really excited to finally show the world what we have been working on.”

OurPet’s operates under a “two-brand solution” to participate in key niches of the pet care industry: the OurPets brand caters to pet specialty customers and consumers, while the Pet Zone brand focuses on the needs of the food/drug/mass-market channel and shoppers.

With this strategy, OurPet’s offers a wide range of cat and dog products – including feeding solutions, waste management, intelligent pet care and more – all of which keep the company on track for progressive trajectory in the highly lucrative pet care industry.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ourpets.com

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Before the opening bell, Nutra Pharma Corporation (OTCQB: NPHC) announced a key expansion of personnel, naming Thomas W. Northrop as its senior commercial development officer. Northrop is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives with experience leading hospitals, healthcare networks and physician groups in several regions of the country. He is also a member of Tri-State Capital Partners, LLC, a New York-based management advisory and investment firm offering combined management resources, strategy development and implementation and capital funding expertise to promising businesses. As a member of the Nutra Pharma management team, Northrop will lead new marketing efforts in healthcare, governmental and military entities; aging athletes; and the elderly, as well as playing a key role in the completion of scientifically rigorous pain relief trials in multiple settings.

“The addition of Tom Northrop and Tri-State’s arrival as part of Nutra Pharma’s expanded management team are the first steps in the company’s growth strategy for 2016,” Rik J. Deitsch, chief executive officer of Nutra Pharma, stated in the news release. “Tri-State believes, as we do, that Nutra Pharma has a powerful set of products that effectively combat chronic – often debilitating – pain, without the damaging side effects common to other treatments. We have been working closely over the last few months and they are now committed to helping us achieve our growth goals.”

In 2012, health care providers throughout the United States wrote 259 million prescriptions for opioid painkillers, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://dtn.fm/zqY9A), equating to roughly twice the number of painkiller prescriptions per person written in neighboring Canada. As opioid abuse continues to emerge as a growing cause for concern throughout the country, Nutra Pharma’s innovative pain relief solutions, which are non-opiate, non-narcotic and non-addictive, strategically position the company to address an expansive global market while simultaneously promoting sustainable financial growth.

“With opioid abuse at record levels, and increased recognition of the dangers of misusing acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) like ibuprofen, Nutra Pharma is well positioned to help an enormous global market, and to reap the associated rewards,” added Northrop.

Nutra Pharma is currently marketing both Nyloxin® and Pet Pain-Away in the over-the-counter pain management market. Nyloxin is available as both an oral spray and a topical gel and is specifically formulated to treat back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint pain, migraines, arthritis pain, pain from repetitive stress and neuralgia. Pet Pain-Away is an all-natural, anti-inflammatory analgesic pain relief targeting conditions that cause chronic pain in animals.

The company is also developing treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), adrenomyeloneuropathy and pain. In a letter to shareholders released in December, Deitsch highlighted Nutra Pharma’s recent progress toward promoting market growth – including the reception of orphan status for RPI-78M for the treatment of pediatric MS and submittal of an additional application for orphan status for the treatment of myasthenia gravis.

For more information on the company, visit www.NutraPharma.com

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