New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/20/2017 -- OTI Global, a leader in processing cashless payment solutions, will soon process payments in Bitcoin. As a visionary innovator in cashless payment technologies and solutions, OTI's move into cryptocurrencies should not come as a surprise to those following the company.

OTI stock more than doubled following the announcement made pre-market on December 18. While most experts acknowledge that cash is becoming a thing of the past, national currencies may also start to phase out as blockchain-based cryptocurrencies become widely acceptable. OTI can play a key role in enabling physical retailer locations around the world to accept Bitcoin.

OTI's Bitcoin strategy was articulated by OTI CEO Shlomi Cohen in the company's press release, "At OTI we are working hard and intend to rapidly become Bitcoin acceptable in transactions via NFC, Bluetooth or QR code. We also look forward to integrating Bitcoin acceptance in our innovative ATM and secure cashless vending products."

OTI already has its payment processing technologies integrated at retail locations across the world, from ATMs, to vending machines, to fast food chains, to gas stations. OTI accepting Bitcoin will mean each of its retail customers will be able to receive payment in Bitcoin. I believe OTI's ability to Bitcoin enable retailers is a huge competitive advantage for the company and will lead to many new, larger and more lucrative contracts for OTI. It can also propel Bitcoin higher by expanding the number of retailers that accept the blockchain-based cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin itself has gone from $1,000 on January 1, 2017 to nearly $19,000 on December 18, 2017.

One of the first retailers to accept Bitcoin, Overstock.com (OSTK), has seen its stock mirror Bitcoin's trajectory.

Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne, a thought leader in the cryptocurrency asset class just stated, ""Blockchain is going to change the world more, I think, than the internet has." He states his case for why currencies like Bitcoin are a "form of sound money".

Bottom line: As a leader in cashless and contactless (NFC) payment solutions, OTI is ideally positioned to bring Bitcoin usage to the physical retail market. While a growing number of online retailers and merchants accept Bitcoin, it's still rare that a retail location can process a Bitcoin payment in person. OTI has the technology and infrastructure to become the world's leader in Bitcoin payment processing for physical retailers.

RAY DIRKS Research suggests that Readers/Investors place no more than 1% of the funds they devote to common stocks in any one issue. It's best to diversify.

About Ray Dirks
Ray Dirks came to Wall Street with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1963 where he was established as the leading insurance stock analyst dealing with institutional investors and high -net worth investors both in the U.S. and internationally. In 1973 Ray uncovered the biggest Ponzi scheme of the 20th century, the Equity Funding fraud. Over the years Ray has expanded his stock market research to include Healthcare Stocks and Special Situations. Ray has written two books, "The Great Wall Street Scandal" and "Heads You Win, Tails You Win", published by McGraw-Hill and Bantam Books respectively. He continues to provide research to institutions and individuals, and he manages money for some individual investors.

For more information visit: http://www.raydirks.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

- Multi-billion dollar head & neck cancer treatment market represents 6% of all cancers with 600,000 people worldwide. - Dire need for new treatment as FDA has not approved a new drug for head and neck cancer in 60 years. - CEL-SCI’s immunotherapy works by boosting immune system before surgery, chemo and radiation.

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/20/2017 -- Top line results may soon be in at CEL-SCI, which concluded patient enrollment and dosing in the world's largest Phase III trial in the treatment of head and neck cancer. Between 2011 and 2016, 928 patients were enrolled and treated. According to the study's protocol, the effectiveness of CEL-SCI's drug in prolonging life can only be judged after 298 of the enrolled patients have died, since the FDA wants to see survival benefit. The number of deaths, or 'events', as they are termed in clinical trials, is unfortunately how and when the primary endpoint of most cancer studies are determined.

A quick look at the enrollment numbers and simple math using published survival data reveal that a total of 298 events may happen by 2018. In the table I've put together below, the number of patients enrolled each year is based on a recent company press release. The number of deaths is an estimate based on CEL-SCI's assumption that overall survival will be 55% for standard of care 3 years after diagnosis, with 45% unfortunately succumbing to the disease.

669 patients were enrolled by the end of 2015. Fast forward 3 years to 2018 and 301 of those people will have died if treated only with the current standard of care, based on survival rates for this disease. However, we assume approximately half of those 669 patients had the benefit of being treated with Multikine before they received standard of care. We all hope those people benefited from Multikine and will have a longer survival.

The magic number in terms of the study's protocol is a 10% improvement in overall survival in the patient group treated with Multikine plus standard of care vs. standard of care alone. All primary and secondary outcome measures of the study have a timeframe of 3 year or less. If this 10% improvement is achieved, the study will be a success and Multikine will be eligible for regulatory approval worldwide.

CEL-SCI's success bringing Multikine to market would have a huge impact on the head and neck cancer treatment market which has not seen a new FDA approved drug in over 60 years.

600,000 people who currently have head and cancer worldwide, and the 50,000 Americans diagnosed each year, desperately need a better alternative than the current standard of care. Accounting for 6% of all cancer, the head and neck cancer treatment market is worth billions of dollars.

Immunotherapy, now acknowledged as one of the most promising paradigms to treat cancer, was heralded early on by the visionary scientists at CEL-SCI who developed Multikine. The idea is to treat newly diagnosed cancer patients with Multikine, prior to standard of care, which involves surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, all of which are proven to weaken the immune system. By boosting the body's natural ability to heal itself, Multikine can give patients a huge advantage before they receive the standard of care treatment.

For investors, CEL-SCI is a bargain and great bet. At only $23 million in market cap, this company is right around the corner from Phase III results that can transform its valuation. For a little investment risk, at under $2.00 per share, the rewards could be big.

RAY DIRKS Research suggests that Readers/Investors place no more than 1% of the funds they devote to common stocks in any one issue. It's best to diversify.

About Ray Dirks
Ray Dirks came to Wall Street with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1963 where he was established as the leading insurance stock analyst dealing with institutional investors and high -net worth investors both in the U.S. and internationally. In 1973 Ray uncovered the biggest Ponzi scheme of the 20th century, the Equity Funding fraud. Over the years Ray has expanded his stock market research to include Healthcare Stocks and Special Situations. Ray has written two books, "The Great Wall Street Scandal" and "Heads You Win, Tails You Win", published by McGraw-Hill and Bantam Books respectively. He continues to provide research to institutions and individuals, and he manages money for some individual investors.

For more information visit: http://www.raydirks.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/13/2017 -- In a recent clinical landmark, Rexahn Pharmaceuticals dosed its first patient in a Phase II pancreatic cancer study using its unique oral biologic RX-3117 together with Celgene Corp.'s Abraxane. A combination of Abraxane and RX-3117, based on former solid data, can change the face of treating cancer, thanks to Rexahn's tumor targeting technology.

Earlier studies showed RX-3117 to be superior to Gemzar, made by Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) and used in pancreatic cancer. Gemzar, like Abraxane, is considered a standard of care for this lethal disease but Gemzar leads to resistance in patients at an unacceptable rate of 25% of the time, with only a paltry 5% response rate and four months of extended life. Gemzar, now generic, still generates around $200 million in annual sales, and Abraxane, as a branded drug, pulls in $970 million.

Doctors clearly need something new and better. Rexahn has the answer. If suboptimal drugs draw such high revenue, think how well RX-3117 will be received.

Here's the appeal of Rexahn's approach: RX-3117 with Abraxane will be studied in patients with no prior chemotherapy treatment. This is known as 'first-line' treatment and the dream of many big and small biotechs so their drugs can be used initially, enhancing sales. If RX-3117 works as first-line, and previous data point to this, Rexahn's clinical credibility is ensured. Once approved, oncologists will clamor for RX-3117 and sales, after approval, will soar.

Pancreatic cancer, though the 4th largest killer of all malignancies, is considered rare with roughly 53,700 cases in the US each year and 400,000 in the rest of the world.

What causes pancreatic cancer is puzzling. Possibly congenital factors; possibly exposure to harmful chemicals in the environment or tobacco smoke. Possibly random changes in genes. The pancreas is found deep inside the body and problems are hard to detect, so early tumors cannot be seen or felt through routine physical exams. When found, it's usually too late as the cancer has spread. Then and only then do patients show symptoms like severe abdominal pain. This is why mortality is high.

Through its network of medical and research talent, Rexahn enrolled patients for its Phase II study of RX-3117 coupled with Abraxane, all the better to get fast results and quicken the regulatory path. Now its first patient has been treated. More will follow.

The future: Rexahn, ever forward-thinking, sees RX-3117 also used with current cancer immunotherapy drugs, primarily popular PD-1 inhibitors like Merck & Co's Keytruda and Bristol-Myers Squibb's Opdivo.

In Rexahn's third quarter (ended September 30, 2017), cash and investments stood at almost $23 million, beefed up by a direct offering of shares to institutional investors for gross proceeds of $8 million. Exercise of stock warrants and options contributed to its war chest. Funds will greatly aid in moving RX-3117 through pancreatic cancer trials. With a burn rate of roughly $1.4 million per month (although variable quarter-to-quarter), close to a two-year runway is likely.

This is to point out that Rexahn has historically, and continues to use funds conservatively.

Rexahn moves forward, with an excellent chance of bringing a more refined and effective medicine than Gemzar or Abraxane for pancreatic cancer, and has proven to do so in clinical trials by destroying cancer cells at their source. More good news: a premier European drug regulator has recognized RX-3117's importance and issued a recommendation for Orphan Drug designation, just as the FDA did in 2014. Patents surrounding RX-3117 are protected until 2036.

RX-3117 could someday emerge as the treatment of choice by oncologists at the onset of pancreatic cancer diagnosis. If this current clinical trial with Abraxane is successful, as past ones were with Gemzar, toxic chemotherapy can be avoided. Upcoming trial read-outs, expected next year, could bring to Rexahn an accelerated FDA approval nod, and ultimately alter the landscape in treating metastatic pancreatic cancer.

RAY DIRKS Research suggests that Readers/Investors place no more than 1% of the funds they devote to common stocks in any one issue. It's best to diversify.

About Ray Dirks
Ray Dirks came to Wall Street with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1963 where he was established as the leading insurance stock analyst dealing with institutional investors and high -net worth investors both in the U.S. and internationally. In 1973 Ray uncovered the biggest Ponzi scheme of the 20th century, the Equity Funding fraud. Over the years Ray has expanded his stock market research to include Healthcare Stocks and Special Situations. Ray has written two books, "The Great Wall Street Scandal" and "Heads You Win, Tails You Win", published by McGraw-Hill and Bantam Books respectively. He continues to provide research to institutions and individuals, and he manages money for some individual investors.

For more information visit: http://www.raydirks.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/09/2017 -- The U.S. Department of Defense may soon be armed with the right to approve drugs and devices that it deems essential to protecting U.S. troops, according to a recent Politico article. To date, the U.S. FDA has been the only government agency with the authority to approve drugs and devices. Section 732 of the National Defense Authorization Act, currently in the Senate, could change this fact. Such a seismic shift in healthcare regulation could have a huge impact on Pluristem Therapeutics' pipeline of cell therapies. Pluristem's PLX-R18 product has shown efficacy in the treatment of Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) and is currently being evaluated by both the Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health as a countermeasure for nuclear catastrophes including a potential nuclear attack, a dirty bomb, on a Fukushima-like accident.

Emergency use of medical products is something the FDA already has authority to approve, if there is a threat of biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear attack. The Pentagon may soon gain the same power and be in a position to take faster action on the front lines.

Threats from North Korea could be a catalyst to make countermeasure for ARS front and center at the Pentagon. Section 732 of the National Defense Authorization Act titled, "Additional emergency uses for medical products to reduce deaths and severity of injuries caused by agents of war" is all about defending troops on the front lines.

Anyone in harm's way, not just troops, may be impacted by the new law, according to the Politico article, "…[Section 732] creates a new regulatory structure that would allow the Pentagon to sign off on unapproved devices and drugs for emergency use on military personnel and others in harm's way."

"Traditional pathways to [FDA] approval and licensure of critical medical products, like freeze dried plasma, for battlefield use are too slow to allow for rapid insertion and use of these products on the battlefield," a Senate Armed Services Committee's conference report indicated, as reported by Politico. Freeze dried plasma has been the prime example and a reason for the proposed law in defense circles. If passed, the law would apply to any medical product, including cell therapies. The Pentagon appears to be taking things into their own hands.

Clearly, the Department of Defense is interested in Pluristem's PLX-R18 because it is already conducting studies for the cell therapy in ARS. PLX-R18 works by boosting blood cell production in bone marrow. High doses of radiation can destroy the bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells, leading to a risk of death.

As an off-the-shelf product, PLX-R18 is ideally suited for rapid deployment in large populations in case of a nuclear emergency because it can be administered without prior testing of individuals for their level of radiation exposure.

A pivotal study for FDA approval in ARS under the Animal Rule and potential orders for government stockpiles were considered the next step for PLX-R18 in ARS. However, if the National Defense Authorization Act passes with Section 732 intact, then the Department of Defense could speed up PLX-R18's approval. Pluristem and each of its cell therapy products and indications, including those in Phase III, would benefit.

RAY DIRKS Research suggests that Readers/Investors place no more than 1% of the funds they devote to common stocks in any one issue. It's best to diversify.

About Ray Dirks
Ray Dirks came to Wall Street with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1963 where he was established as the leading insurance stock analyst dealing with institutional investors and high -net worth investors both in the U.S. and internationally. In 1973 Ray uncovered the biggest Ponzi scheme of the 20th century, the Equity Funding fraud. Over the years Ray has expanded his stock market research to include Healthcare Stocks and Special Situations. Ray has written two books, "The Great Wall Street Scandal" and "Heads You Win, Tails You Win", published by McGraw-Hill and Bantam Books respectively. He continues to provide research to institutions and individuals, and he manages money for some individual investors.

For more information visit: http://www.raydirks.com/.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/27/2017 -- Standardization marks the turning point in an emerging industry when it goes from promising good idea to established way of doing things. The standard gauge did it for the railroad industry in the 19th century. At the end of the 20th century, Wi-Fi was adopted as a standard for local area networks and now in the 21st century WiFi is used by billions of wireless devices worldwide. The emergent cell therapy industry needs a standard for harvesting stem cells from donor tissue. Cellect Biotechnology's novel stem cell collection technology, ApoGraft™ is the solution. If adopted as an industry standard, the ApoGraft™ platform could be used in every cell therapy treatment center in the world. The FDA's recent moves point to the need for standardization.

"One of the most promising new fields of science and medicine is the area of cell therapies and their use in regenerative medicine," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb. "These new technologies, most of which are in early stages of development, hold significant promise for transformative and potentially curative treatments for some of humanity's most troubling and intractable maladies. Recent advances in our basic knowledge of the pathways involved in tissue damage and regeneration have combined with remarkable progress in adult stem cell biology to put us at a genuine inflection point in the history of medicine."

While praising the promise of the cell therapy industry in his recent statement, Gottlieb went on to point out the challenges the industry is currently facing including unscrupulous players who are using cell harvesting methods that are not FDA approved, and the fact that the FDA itself has not given clear guidelines on which cell therapies require FDA approval and which do not.

Cells that are taken out of a patient in the form of fat or other tissues, processed in some way to separate out the stem cells which are then put back into the patient, are considered minimally manipulated and therefore are not subject to FDA regulation. These procedures are now done at cell therapy clinics across the country, with no standardization in how the cells are harvested.

570 cell therapy clinics are in operation in the U.S. today according to an article in the peer reviewed journal Cell Stem Cell. 61% of these are using fat as the stem cell source. Each of these clinics likely has its own method for separating the unwanted and potentially dangerous mature fat cells from the much-desired stem cells.

These clinics are now very motivated to adopt standards that meet with the FDA's approval so that they don't get shut down. In the past few weeks, the FDA has shut down clinics in California and Florida which it labeled as 'unscrupulous actors' in the industry.

Alternatively, biotech and big pharma companies creating cell therapies that are highly manipulated, patented, and used for a specific indication are FDA regulated.

Cellect's product solves a central problem in cell therapy faced by both of these groups. The challenge is separating mature donor cells, which can cause severe damage to the patient, from the donor's therapeutic stem cells which heal through regenerative medicine.

The ApoGraft™ platform technology's ApoTainer is a container which looks much like a blood bag. On the inside, it holds unique proteins that kill older cells through apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Cellect has discovered that in an apoptotic environment where mature cells die, stem cells survive and thrive. The cell selection process is quick, just hours, and the result is an enriched, more purified, non-toxic batch of stem cells ready to be implanted.

Cellect leads the world in providing a pioneering method to harvest stem cells that seek to cure many diseases. ApoGraft™ is simple, inexpensive, can be used in virtually any clinical setting and lends itself to becoming an industry standard, and it is now on the path to FDA approval.

The FDA just granted Orphan Drug status to ApoGraft for the treatment of graft-vs-host-disease (GvHD). In a Phase I/II study, Cellect is evaluating its technology in allogenic (donor) bone marrow transplant (BMT) where up to 50% of patients suffer GvHD under current methods, often leading to sickness and death. With the right stem cell procedure, GvHD can be reduced and potentially eliminated.

While pursuing FDA approval for its first indication in GvHD, Cellect plans to out-license its ApoGraft™ platform to pharma, biotech, research centers and hospitals, furnishing them with an unprecedented tool. Non-exclusive licensing gives Cellect a broad array of potential partners.

ApoGraft™ can be used in thousands of R&D centers globally that are developing adult stem cells based therapeutics. Before Cellect's ApoGraft, harvesting stem cells was extremely complex, inefficient and required substantial resources in both cost, time and infrastructure requirements. ApoGraft can now be used to significantly advance the use of stem cells across multiple therapeutics indications as well as research and biobanking purposes.

Cellect had approximately $6 million in cash and short term deposits at the end of the second quarter of 2017. Additionally, the Company recently raised $4.3 million. With the stock trading at about $8.50, the market cap is $50 million. H.C. Wainwright just upped their price target on the stock to $14.

ApoGraft can become a valuable commodity for clinics to use easily and effectively, a standard modern-day medical tool. Cellect's technology is both simple and revolutionary, enabling stem cell medicine to become an effective, widely available, and cost-efficient treatment.

RAY DIRKS Research suggests that Readers/Investors place no more than 1% of the funds they devote to common stocks in any one issue. It's best to diversify.

About Ray Dirks
Ray Dirks came to Wall Street with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1963 where he was established as the leading insurance stock analyst dealing with institutional investors and high -net worth investors both in the U.S. and internationally. In 1973 Ray uncovered the biggest Ponzi scheme of the 20th century, the Equity Funding fraud. Over the years Ray has expanded his stock market research to include Healthcare Stocks and Special Situations. Ray has written two books, "The Great Wall Street Scandal" and "Heads You Win, Tails You Win", published by McGraw-Hill and Bantam Books respectively. He continues to provide research to institutions and individuals, and he manages money for some individual investors.

For more information visit: http://www.raydirks.com/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/14/2017 -- The United States Department of Defense (DOD) will fund a study of Pluristem's cell therapy PLX-R18 evaluating its use as an antidote for Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) when administered prior to, or within 24 hours of, exposure to deadly radiation. Studies will be led by the DOD's Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) whose mission is to protect the U.S. military from ionizing radiation.

PLX-R18's development for ARS appears to be in the most capable hands. AFRRI provides the Joint Staffs and the Joint Task Force Commander with expert advice during response to a radiation incident. Research pioneered by AFRRI led to FDA approval of Neupogen® and Neulasta® as ARS countermeasures. Both are Amgen products and both are dual use products for ARS and for treating cancer patients who are exposed to radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Blockbuster drugs, they had combined 2016 sales of over $5.4 billion. $157 million worth of Neupogen® was purchased and stockpiled in 2013 by the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in case of a nuclear attack or accident.

PLX-R18 could be next on the list of approved ARS countermeasures. It is already being evaluated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is ready to move into a pivotal trial for PLX-R18 for use 24 hours after radiation exposure. The DOD's AFRRI is looking to use PLX-R18 as a preemptive measure.

The DOD would immediately administer Pluristem's cell therapy to U.S. military personnel stationed in Guam if PLX-R18 were approved today, I believe. This, given the recent threats hurled at the U.S. from North Korea. State and other government officials may do the same for their own constituents.

Hawaii just became the first state in the U.S. to prepare an official disaster management plan in case of a nuclear attack from North Korea. The state is planning for a worst-case scenario of having only 8-12 minutes for the public to take cover if a 15-kiloton nuclear weapon is dropped 1,000 feet over Hawaii. North Korea could land one in Hawaii in a mere 20 minutes.

Over 13,000 nuclear warheads are stockpiled or deployed around the world today by eight countries, not including North Korea, according to the Federation of American Scientists. With or without North Korea's threat, the need for an ARS prophylactic is clear. Nuclear proliferation is the reason.

Data published by the NIH from its own studies of PLX-R18 showed subjects who were exposed to high levels of radiation and then treated with PLX-R18 had a survival rate of 85%, compared to 50% in the untreated groups. PLX-R18 treats bone marrow that is unable to produce enough blood cells due to a variety of causes including ARS, certain cancers or cancer treatments, or immune-mediated bone marrow failure. Pluristem is conducting a U.S. Phase I trial for PLX-R18 in incomplete bone marrow recovery following hematopoietic cell transplantation, a procedure often used in cancer patients who have been exposed to radiation.

Superior safety results from the NIH studies indicate PLX-R18 is ideally suited for rapid deployment in large populations in case of a nuclear emergency because it can be administered without prior testing of individuals for their level of radiation exposure. This could be the key to why the DOD is evaluating it for preemptive or preventative use, before people are exposed to radiation.

While everyone hopes for a de-escalation of the rhetoric between North Korea and the U.S., on the upside, the situation may result in the U.S. becoming more prepared with ARS countermeasures that can also have dual use applications to help people suffering from cancer-related radiation exposure.

RAY DIRKS Research suggests that Readers/Investors place no more than 1% of the funds they devote to common stocks in any one issue. It's best to diversify.

About Ray Dirks
Ray Dirks came to Wall Street with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1963 where he was established as the leading insurance stock analyst dealing with institutional investors and high -net worth investors both in the U.S. and internationally. In 1973 Ray uncovered the biggest Ponzi scheme of the 20th century, the Equity Funding fraud. Over the years Ray has expanded his stock market research to include Healthcare Stocks and Special Situations. Ray has written two books, "The Great Wall Street Scandal" and "Heads You Win, Tails You Win", published by McGraw-Hill and Bantam Books respectively. He continues to provide research to institutions and individuals, and he manages money for some individual investors.

For more information visit: http://www.raydirks.com/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/25/2017 -- Proven efficacious as an antidote for Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) with data recently published from studies conducted by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), Pluristem Therapeutics' PLX-R18 cell therapy addresses an even more substantial, $11 billion market in hematology. Boosting blood cell production, PLX-R18 is a cell therapy that shows promise for damaged bone marrow resulting from high levels of radiation from a nuclear or dirty bomb and for the treatment of cancer related hematology indications.

Data recently published from an NIH dose-finding large animals study show that subjects treated with PLX-R18 had a survival rate of 85% as compared to 50% in the untreated groups. Superior safety results indicate PLX-R18 is ideally suited for rapid deployment in large populations in case of a nuclear emergency because it can be administered without prior testing of individuals for their level of radiation exposure.

A pivotal study for FDA approval in ARS under the Animal Rule and potential orders for government stockpiles are the next step for PLX-R18 in ARS. These contracts, in the U.S. alone, range from $30 million for an initial order, up to $1 billion. While the threat of a nuclear attack or accident requires precautions, radiation used in the treatment of cancer every day is a huge area of dire need.

A Phase I trial in the U.S. is underway for PLX-R18 in the treatment of hematopoietic recovery following bone marrow transplants, an indication that treats the damaging side effects of radiation and chemotherapy.

$11 billon is the estimated size of the global market by 2025, for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation according to Accuracy Research Market. This is a CAGR of 11% over the next decade. Technological advancement in cell therapies such as Pluristem's is a primary driver behind these numbers.

8 out of the 14 cell, tissue and gene therapies approved by the FDA are hematologic (blood) products, according to the FDA's Office of Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies. Clearly, the FDA is inclined to approve cell therapies to treat hematologic indications. PLX-R18 cells may be the next to join this group of FDA approved cell therapies.

With sales of over $1 billion in 2015, Amgen's Neupogen® has been the blockbuster drug in this space. Approved since the 1990s to boost white blood cell production to fight infections in cancer patients going through chemo and radiation therapy, and approved in 2015 as an ARS antidote, Neupogen is the closest comparable drug to PLX-R18 in terms of market potential. Biosimilars have taken some market share away from Neupogen in 2016.

PLX-R18 is anything but a biosimilar. In fact, early data show Pluristem's cell therapy is far superior to Neupogen and its knock-offs. While Neupogen increases white blood cell production, PLX-R18 has shown to boost production of platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells. There is a huge distinction here.

Speeding up the process of blood production while bone marrow rebuilds itself, PLX-R18 works at a critical time when the patient could die from infections. PLX-R18 could go beyond blockbuster status with an ability to treat a broad range of indications related to bone marrow function damaged by either cancer treatments or nuclear catastrophes.

Cell therapy may be the optimal method of boosting the success rate of bone marrow transplants, which can be very helpful to people fighting cancer. Because bone marrow is where blood cells are produced, any therapy that can improve bone marrow's health and its ability to produce more white blood cells to boost immunity, and more red blood cells and platelets for a healthy functioning body, is both critical and fundamental.

Bone marrow transplants are now used to treat blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. The procedure is also performed on solid tumor cancer patients whose bone marrow has been damaged by chemo and radiation therapy. Aside from cancer, several other conditions such as anemia and severe immune system illnesses impede bone marrow's ability to produce cells.

If it weren't for the high risks involved with bone marrow transplantation today, including graft vs. host disease (GvHD), the procedure would be used much more extensively. This is where cell therapy, and specifically PLX-R18 cells come in.

Data presented at the American Society of Hematology and published in the peer reviewed journal Blood, demonstrated that PLX-R18 has the capacity to generate and regulate adaptive cell responses and secrete cytokines, helping heal blood and immune systems and restore bone marrow function. Other preclinical data from trials conducted by Hadassah Medical Center in Israel and the U.S. National Institutes of Health show PLX-R18 cells secrete a range of specific proteins that trigger the regeneration of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells.

Data from the PLX-R18 Phase I study should begin to flow out this year, as the study is an open label trial. The dose escalating study will evaluate the safety of intramuscular injections of PLX-R18 in 30 patients. Clinical sites in the U.S. include the prestigious Baylor University Medical Center in Texas and the University of Chicago Medical Center. Efficacy-related endpoints for the study include measuring changes in platelet and hemoglobin levels, transfusion frequency, frequency of shift from transfusion dependence to transfusion independence, quality of life, and immunological parameters in the blood.

Cell therapy holds great promise to treat a wide range of medical conditions, and hematologic indications appear to be the trailblazers in gaining FDA approvals. Neupogen, now and old technology, produced over $7.42 billion in revenues for Amgen between 2010 and 2015 alone. That is a very impressive comp for PLX-R18 which, as a new cell therapy technology, displays superior abilities to produce blood cells. This may translate into superior revenue performance for PLX-R18 following FDA approval.

RAY DIRKS Research suggests that Readers/Investors place no more than 1% of the funds they devote to common stocks in any one issue. It's best to diversify.

About Ray Dirks
Ray Dirks came to Wall Street with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1963 where he was established as the leading insurance stock analyst dealing with institutional investors and high -net worth investors both in the U.S. and internationally.

In 1973 Ray uncovered the biggest Ponzi scheme of the 20th century, the Equity Funding fraud. Over the years Ray has expanded his stock market research to include Healthcare Stocks and Special Situations. Ray has written two books, "The Great Wall Street Scandal" and "Heads You Win, Tails You Win," published by McGraw-Hill and Bantam Books respectively. He continues to provide research to institutions and individuals, and he manages money for some individual investors.

For more information, log on to http://www.raydirks.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/13/2017 -- Up to 12 million Americans, mostly children, get head lice each year causing indirect damages estimated at $4-8 billion annually in the United States including 24 million schools and work days lost. Products that aim to eliminate head lice amount to an enormous $1.8 billion global market. The market needs a new product that is safe and effective. Current treatments are ineffective and toxic.

Americans will soon have a better option. Israel-based TechCare(TECR) is the first company in decades to offer a new, safe, all-natural, efficient and effective product to get rid of head lice, called Novokid.

Toxic pesticides are the active ingredient in current lice treatments. Children and their parents are exposed to these substances that are associated with a variety of hazardous side effects. Expensive and time consuming, these current treatments are unfortunately often ineffective because 98% of lice in the U.S. have developed resistance to these toxic treatments and morphed into "super lice", this according to an extensive study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology.

Further exasperating the problem, existing pesticide-based solutions do not kill unhatched eggs, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These eggs go on to hatch and reproduce, requiring parents to apply continuous treatments.

TechCare's patented Novokid product is soon to launch globally. Novokid is a non-pesticide, 100% natural, plant-based cold vaporization solution that eliminates lice and super lice with a 10 minute dry treatment. This compares with current treatments that require 20-40 minutes of shampooing and daily combing.

Michigan-based HoMedics, an international leader in self-care, wellness and personal health products, sees the value of Novokid in its market and has forged a strategic alliance with TechCare. The agreement comes with an upfront payment and minimum annual royalties paid to TechCare by HoMedics.

The companies recently announced the agreement, which appoints HoMedics as the exclusive manufacturer, marketer and distributor of TechCare's Novokid in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Costa Rica. As the innovator, TechCare does not need to invest in manufacturing and distribution infrastructure. Instead, TechCare collects royalties, and high-margin recurring revenues from the sale of its single-use capsules containing its all-natural active ingredients.

A distribution powerhouse, HoMedics currently sells its health and wellness consumer products at leading retailers including Target, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Costco, JCPenney, Kohl's, Sam's Club, and Sears. The Novokid device and its associated disposables are a complimentary fit for HoMedics' current product line. For retailers it will be a high-volume item that brings customers back into stores for consumables.

HoMedics' CEO Alon Kaufman recently expressed his insight on the market potential of TechCare's Novokid. "Today's consumer is incredibly eco-conscious, and there is great demand for all-natural yet effective wellness solutions. As this demand has grown, HoMedics has shifted its attention to developing high-value products that are free of synthetic ingredients. We are thrilled to partner with TechCare to drive innovative solutions for natural home lice treatments. Our reputation, infrastructure, and logistic excellence will enable us to maximize success for both parties."

Novokid is a razor/razor blade business model that includes the sale of the Novokid vaporizer device. More interesting for the economics of the business is the recurring revenues from the two disposables used by the vaporizer, a single use capsule that contains the active ingredient in liquid form, and a disposable head cap that keeps the vaporized active ingredient close to the scalp.

Regulatory approval is needed. HoMedics will obtain and maintain regulatory approval with the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S., Health Canada in Canada, and the respective health regulatory agencies in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Costa Rica.

TechCare's deal with HoMedics comes with a $150,000 up front payment and a minimum $1.6 million in royalties. This may dramatically change things for TechCare, a young tech company, which reported no revenues in 2015 and 2016. Specifics on the royalty percentage and the price paid by HoMedics to TechCare for the single-use capsules have not been disclosed. With 12 million cases of head lice each year in the U.S., if we were to assume a mere $2 dollars in revenue to TechCare per case of head lice, that's $24 million in revenues from the U.S. market alone. This is a very rough estimate, but points to the revenue potential of the Novokid product.

Novokid is the first of several products TechCare plans to launch in 2017 and 2018. Each product is based on the company's revolutionary platform that uses proprietary vaporization technology. With a current market cap of around $12 million, there is lots of room for upward momentum in TechCare's valuation.

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About Ray Dirks
Ray Dirks came to Wall Street with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1963 where he was established as the leading insurance stock analyst dealing with institutional investors and high -net worth investors both in the U.S. and internationally.

In 1973 Ray uncovered the biggest Ponzi scheme of the 20th century, the Equity Funding fraud. Over the years Ray has expanded his stock market research to include Healthcare Stocks and Special Situations. Ray has written two books, "The Great Wall Street Scandal" and "Heads You Win, Tails You Win," published by McGraw-Hill and Bantam Books respectively. He continues to provide research to institutions and individuals, and he manages money for some individual investors.

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