OTCPicks.com Stocks to Watch for Monday, July 7th
NUBV,
AOGN,
MBRK,
ATHX,
UPDV,
ZYNX Our Stocks to Watch tomorrow include NutriPure Beverages Inc. (OTC:
NUBV), Avalon Oil & Gas Inc. (OTCBB:
AOGN), MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:
MBRK), Athersys Inc. (NASDAQ:
ATHX), Universal Property Development & Acquisition Corporation (OTCBB:
UPDV) and Zynex Medical Holdings Inc. (OTCBB:
ZYNX).
Visit http://www.otcpicknews.com/otcmail/link.php?M9187&N46&L to register for our Daily Market Mover`s Digest Newsletter, and Email Stock Watch Alerts.
NUTRIPURE BEVERAGES INCORPORATED (OTC:
NUBV) "Up 100.00% on Thursday" Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicknews.com/otcmail/link.php?M9187&N46&L46 NutriPure Beverages, Inc. is bringing to market a complete line of nutrient-enhanced bottled water products under the NU2O label. These products are created using a patented technology that is more efficient and less costly than any other currently in use. This unique process adds organic nutrients to water without adding masking flavors, colors or sweeteners, yielding premium enhanced water products that contain no calories, no carbohydrates, no colors and most importantly, no flavors other than pure water. The process is further enhanced using desirable ?cold-fill? techniques, which save energy and reduce harmful, ?plastic chemical leaching? into the product. The company intends to market a full line of Nu2O nutrient-enhanced water products which will compete with currently available products. Nu2O products will include those that provide vitamin support for general health, a diet formulation for weight watchers, an immune booster, an energy and fitness drink, and additional products to be announced later. For more information, visit www.nutripurebeverages.com.
NUBV News:
July 2 - NutriPure Beverages, Inc. Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire 100% of XND Technologies, Inc.
NutriPure Beverages, Inc. (OTC:
NUBV) announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent with XND Technologies, Inc. setting forth the parameters under which NutriPure will acquire 100% of the stock of XND and XND will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of NutriPure. The final agreement is expected to be announced shortly.
Under the terms of the proposed agreement, management of both companies will remain intact and Steve Nickolas will remain as Chairman and CEO of the XND subsidiary. NutriPure?s CEO Ken Jones commented, ?We are very pleased to announce that we are in the final stages of completing the restructuring of our relationship with XND Technologies, Inc. All parties believe that this is a vastly superior arrangement that will allow us to quickly move forward with the planned rollout of our Nu2O product line while simultaneously pursuing additional opportunities and income streams. XND will continue to focus its efforts on formulating, developing and bringing to market scientifically cutting edge enhanced beverages while NutriPure?s management team focuses on funding and supporting XND?s efforts, securing additional markets for XND?s products, and expanding the company?s product lines into additional related areas.? AVALON OIL & GAS INCORPORATED (OTCBB:
AOGN) "Up 53.15% on Thursday" Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicknews.com/otcmail/link.php?M9187&N46&L80 Avalon Oil & Gas, Inc. engages in the acquisition of producing oil and gas properties in the United States. It holds 50% working interest in the J.C. Kelly wellbore, a 121.9 acre lease in Wood County, Texas; the E.A. Chance wellbores, a 40 acre lease in Camp County, Texas; 50% working interest in the Dixon Heirs, Deltic Farms and Timber, the Gunn wells, and associated units and leases, in Miller County, Arkansas; 10% working interest in 13 wellbores located in Upshur County, Texas; 25% working interest in a six well production property located in Grant Parish, Louisiana; and 15% working interest in the Janssen prospect in Karnes County, Texas. The company also holds 20% interest in the Talora Block and 15% interest in the Mecaya Block. Avalon Oil & Gas, through its subsidiaries, owns licenses for the mitigation of paraffin wax deposition from crude oil using ultrasonic waves; borehole casing technology; and to a system for determining the presence and location of leaks in underground pipes. Avalon Oil & Gas, Inc. has a strategic alliance with
UTEK Corporation to develop a portfolio of new technologies for the oil and gas industry. The company is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
AOGN News:
July 3 - Avalon Increases Ownership in the East Chandler Field Avalon Oil & Gas Inc. (OTCBB:
AOGN) (FWB: A3MA.F) (Avalon) announced it has signed a letter agreement to acquire all of the oil- and gas-producing assets owned by Bedford Energy, Inc. in the East Chandler Field, Lincoln County, Oklahoma. Avalon will increase its current interest in the Grace #2 well and acquire working interests in four other producing wells in the East Chandler Field, the Grace #1, Grace #3, Grace #5A and Grace #6 wells. Avalon initially acquired a working interest in the Grace #2 well in June, 2008.
Avalon is increasing its working interest in the Grace #2 from 2.5% to 7.5%; and increasing its net revenue interest in the Grace #2 to 11.95%. Avalon is also acquiring interests in four additional wells in the East Chandler Field. The company is acquiring a 10% working interest and 13.825% net revenue interest in the Grace #1, Grace #3, Grace #5A and Grace #6 wells. Avalon is also acquiring a salt water disposal well and offset and development acreage in the two quarter sections of the East Chandler Field.
The Grace #2 was completed in the Viola Limestone, and is currently producing 350 MCF of gas per day. The Grace #5A was completed in the Prue Sand with an initial potential of 50
BOPD and 300
MCFPD. The Grace #5, the Grace #1, the Grace #3 and the Grace #6 wells will be completed in the Hunton Lime.
In this transaction, Avalon will acquire total reserves of 90,000 barrels of oil and 559
MMCF of gas.
The Hunton Lime Reserves from the Grace #1, the Grace #3 and the Grace #6 wells are estimated to be 48,000 barrels of oil and 423
MMCF gas.
The Upper Red Fork Sand reserves for the Grace #5A are estimated to be 30
MMCF of gas.
Avalon will also be acquiring Prue Sand potential in the Grace #3, Grace #5A and the Grace #6 wells. Estimated Prue Sand reserves for these three wells are 33,000 barrels of oil and 81
MMCF of gas.
?We are extremely pleased with this expansion of our ownership in the Grace #2 and newly acquired interests in the four other producing wells in the East Chandler Field,? said Kent Rodriguez, Avalon CEO. ?This acquisition will increase our revenues nearly three-fold. Avalon will continue to expand our ownership in these wells in the coming months,? he added. The company?s growing energy portfolio now includes production assets of 49 producing oil and gas wells in 5 states, and is continuing to expand its capital deployment through acquisitions of high potential oil and gas producing properties in the region.
MIDDLEBROOK PHARMACEUTICALS (NASDAQ:
MBRK) "Up 41.45% on Thursday" Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicknews.com/otcmail/link.php?M9187&N46&L89 MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals, Inc. develops and commercializes anti-infective drug products for the treatment of infectious diseases.
It develops a proprietary, once-a-day pulsatile delivery technology called PULSYS. The company is developing anti-infective drugs based on its novel biological finding that bacteria exposed to antibiotics in front- loaded staccato bursts than those under standard treatment regimens. Its pulsatile product candidates include MOXATAG, based on the antibiotic amoxicillin, for the treatment of pharyngitis/tonsillitis (strep throat) for adults and pediatric patients age 12 and older; and Keflex PULSYS product candidate, based on the antibiotic cephalexin, which is in Phase I clinical trials for skin and skin structure infections. In addition, MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals sells its Keflex products in both capsule and powder formulations for the treatment of skin and skin structure infections, and upper respiratory tract infections primarily through pharmaceutical distributors and wholesalers to physicians, hospitals, and pharmacies in the United States. The company was founded in 1999. It was formerly known as Advancis Pharmaceutical Corporation and changed its name to MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2007. MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Germantown, Maryland.
MBRK News:
July 1 - MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals Announces $100 Million Investment to Support Launch of MOXATAG? Strategic Review Results in $100MM Investment by Equity Group Investments Experienced Commercial Executive Management Team Appointed Preparing for Potential MOXATAG Launch in the First Half of 2009 MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:
MBRK), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel anti-infective products, announced that its Board of Directors has completed its previously announced review of strategic alternatives and has entered into an agreement with Equity Group Investments, L.L.C. (EGI) for a $100 million equity investment in the Company. As part of the agreement, a new, commercially-focused senior management team will be appointed. Proceeds from the transaction will allow MiddleBrook to move forward with the commercial launch of its once-daily MOXATAG? product, and to continue the development of its clinical pipeline.
As part of the agreement with EGI, Edward M. Rudnic, Ph.D. will step down from his current position as MiddleBrook`s President and CEO and will be replaced by John Thievon, effective upon the closing of the transaction. In addition, David Becker has been appointed as MiddleBrook Executive Vice President, Finance and CFO, replacing Robert C. Low as MiddleBrook`s principal financial officer, also effective upon the transaction closing. Dr. Rudnic and Mr. Low will continue to serve as consultants to the Company following the closing.
Mr. Thievon brings more than 17 years of pharmaceutical sales and marketing experience to MiddleBrook, and will be responsible for the successful launch and commercialization of MOXATAG Tablets and the continued development of the Company`s other PULSYS? pipeline products.
Most recently, Mr. Thievon was Executive Vice President, Sales and Corporate Accounts for Adams Respiratory Therapeutics (Adams). While with Adams, Mr. Thievon launched the Mucinex? brand and built the Mucinex franchise into more than $350 million in annual revenue. Mr.
Thievon left Adams in February 2008, following its acquisition by Reckitt Benckiser.
Mr. Becker was also a former senior executive at Adams, where he was Chief Financial Officer from 2000-2007. He completed Adams` initial public offering in 2005, and was appointed Chief Financial and Administrative Officer in 2007. Mr. Becker has 18 years of public accounting, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance experience, and will be responsible for all of MiddleBrook`s finance and operating activities.
Several changes to the Board of Directors will result from the agreement with EGI. Dr. Rudnic will depart from the MiddleBrook board, effective upon the transaction closing. At closing, William C. Pate, Managing Director at EGI; Mark Sotir, Managing Director at EGI; and John Thievon will join the current Board, which will be expanded to nine members.
"We are very pleased to have completed this agreement with Equity Group, and believe it provides MiddleBrook with both the financial resources and the operational management expertise to make our FDA-approved MOXATAG product a commercial success," stated R. Gordon Douglas, M.D., MiddleBrook Chairman of the Board. "With our strategic review now concluded, we look forward to focusing the Company`s initiatives on successfully executing its operating plan." "Additionally, with the forthcoming departure of Ed Rudnic, I would like to join the Company`s employees and all its shareholders in expressing my profound gratitude for his contribution in creating MiddleBrook, its intellectual property, and in leading the team to the successful approval of MOXATAG," Dr. Douglas continued. "Ed`s leadership, vision, and proven entrepreneurial achievements will continue to serve MiddleBrook well following his departure, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. The current Board of Directors looks forward to working closely with MiddleBrook`s new executive management team in driving MOXATAG to the market. We are all very focused and eager to present MOXATAG to the market and to communicate its unique benefits of improved convenience and likely enhanced patient compliance to the healthcare community." Investment Terms MiddleBrook announced today that it entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement with EGI for the sale of 30,303,030 shares of its common stock at $3.30 per share and a five-year warrant to purchase a total of 12,121,212 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.90 per share. EGI`s investment totals approximately $100 million.
In connection with the transaction, MiddleBrook has agreed to repurchase its Keflex assets previously sold to funds affiliated with Deerfield Management in November of 2007, contemporaneously with the closing of the transaction. The Company will reacquire the Keflex assets as well as its ongoing royalty obligations to Deerfield for approximately $11 million. Additionally, as a result of the EGI transaction, MiddleBrook will redeem the 3.0 million warrants issued to Deerfield in conjunction with the Keflex asset sale for a total of $8.8 million.
The transaction is subject to approval by MiddleBrook`s common stockholders, and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in 60 to 90 days. Three of MiddleBrook`s largest stockholders, HealthCare Ventures, Rho Ventures and Deerfield, have entered into voting agreements with EGI and the Company, agreeing to vote their shares of MiddleBrook common stock in favor of the EGI transaction.
These MiddleBrook shareholders collectively represent approximately 37 percent of the Company`s currently outstanding shares of common stock.
In addition to satisfying the Deerfield obligations described above, the Company intends to use the proceeds from the financing to support the creation of a sales and marketing infrastructure supporting the commercial launch of MOXATAG, for restarting the clinical development of its once-daily PULSYS version of Keflex?, as well as the pediatric version of its Amoxicillin PULSYS product that were previously on-hold, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated acted as financial advisor to MiddleBrook in connection with this transaction.
The shares sold in the private placement and the shares issuable upon the exercise of the related warrants have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or through an applicable exemption from SEC registration requirements. The shares and warrants were offered and sold only to EGI. MiddleBrook has agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC covering the resale of the common stock issued in the private placement and issuable upon the exercise of the warrants.
ABOUT EGI Equity Group Investments, L.L.C. (EGI) is a Chicago-based private investment firm that has an active portfolio spanning industries and continents with interests in finance, energy, pharmaceuticals, transportation, media, telecommunications and real estate. Founded 40 years ago by financier Sam Zell, the firm has a successful track record of investing in and partnering with companies to maximize their potential. EGI`s origins were in commercial real estate, and the company served as the catalyst for three of the largest real estate investment trusts in the industry`s history.
ATHERSYS INCORPORATED (NASDAQ:
ATHX) "Up 21.74% on Thursday" Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicknews.com/otcmail/link.php?M9187&N46&L14 Athersys, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery and development of therapeutic product candidates in multiple disease areas in the United States. Its product pipeline includes
ATHX-105, a Phase I clinical trial product for the treatment of obesity. The company also develops orally active pharmaceutical products for the treatment of central nervous system disorders that include sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy or excessive daytime sleepiness; and other potential indications comprising attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other cognitive disorders. In addition, Athersys, through its product co-development collaboration with Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., develops MultiStem for the treatment of damage caused by myocardial infarction and peripheral vascular disease, as well as for hematopoietic stem cell transplant support, ischemic stroke, and other disease indications. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
ATHX News:
July 2 - Athersys Added to Russell Microcap Index Athersys, Inc. (NASDAQ:
ATHX) announced it was added to the Russell Microcap? Index when Russell Investments reconstituted its comprehensive family of U.S. indexes on June 27, 2008.
According to the Russell Investment Group, the Russell indexes are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for both passive and active investment strategies. An industry-leading $4.4 trillion in assets currently are benchmarked to them.
?We believe the selection of Athersys to the Russell Microcap Index represents a meaningful milestone for our company and shareholders,? said Gil Van Bokkelen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Athersys. ?We believe that inclusion in this index will further increase our visibility and exposure with institutional investors and index fund managers as well as contribute to enhanced liquidity.? Membership in the Russell Microcap, which remains in place for one year, means automatic inclusion in the appropriate growth and value style indexes. Russell determines membership for its equity indexes primarily by objective, market-capitalization rankings and style attributes.
Annual reconstitution of Russell indexes captures the 4,000 largest U.S. stocks as of the end of May, ranking them by total market capitalization to create the Russell 3000? Index and Russell Microcap.
These investment tools originated from Russell`s multi-manager investment business in the early 1980s when the company saw the need for a more objective, market-driven set of benchmarks in order to evaluate outside investment managers.
Total returns data for the Russell Microcap and other Russell Indexes is available at www.russell.com/Indexes/performance/daily_total_returns_us.asp.
ABOUT RUSSELL Russell Investments aims to improve financial security for people by providing strategic advice, world-class implementation, state-of-the-art performance benchmarks, and a range of institutional-quality investment products. With more than $213 billion in assets under management, Russell serves individual, institutional and advisor clients in more than 40 countries. Russell provides access to some of the world`s best money managers. It helps investors put this access to work in corporate defined benefit and defined contribution plans, and in the life savings of individual investors.
Founded in 1936, Russell is a subsidiary of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Headquartered in Tacoma, Wash., U.S., Russell has principal offices in Amsterdam, Auckland, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Melbourne, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto.
UNIVERSAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITION CORPORATION (OTCBB:
UPDV) "Up 21.05% on Thursday" Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicknews.com/otcmail/link.php?M9187&N46&L00 Universal Property Development and Acquisition Corporation (
UPDA), through its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, production, development, storage, and distribution of oil and natural gas in Texas and Kansas. The company also involves in the purchase, transportation, storage, and resale of petroleum products. In addition, it provides drilling, pipeline construction, and well maintenance and development services. The company, formerly known as Procore, Inc., was incorporated in 1982 and is based in Juno Beach, Florida.
UPDV News:
July 2 - Heartland Completes and Successfully Pressure Tests 4 Mile Pipeline, Installation of Flow Lines to Commence for Connection of 12 Wells Expected to Double Coalbed Methane Production Heartland Oil and Gas Corp. (OTCBB:
HTOG) (FWB:
HOCA), a subsidiary of Universal Property Development and Acquisition Corporation (OTCBB:
UPDV), has successfully conducted pressure testing on its new 4 mile pipeline in Kansas, signaling the completion of that pipeline. Work was then immediately commenced to install the flow lines to each of the 12 new wells to be connected in order to begin the sale of the coalbed methane being generated by those wells.
With this successful testing and anticipated connection of 12 wells, Heartland expects to double the coalbed methane production from this field in Southeast Kansas. In addition, vast additional acreage will be open for further development and drilling along the 4 miles to be accessed by the pipeline.
?We put the necessary pressure into the pipeline and found no leaks along its entire length,? reports Augie Soto, COO of Aztec Well Services, Heartland?s prime contractor on the work. ?The four road crossings and 2 creek crossings were our greatest concern and they held without any problems. The 8 inch main is tied into the 12 inch main and the pipeline is secure all the way to the sales meter. We will begin installation of the 4 inch flow lines without delay and have scheduled the contractor to fracture the wells so they are ready for production as soon as we can connect them.? ABOUT HEARTLAND OIL AND GAS CORP.
In April 2007, Universal Property Development and Acquisition Corporation (OTCBB:
UPDV) (www.universalpropertydevelopment.com) acquired a controlling interest in Heartland Oil and Gas Corp. and designated Heartland as its exploration and production arm. Since that time,
UPDA has also established Aztec Well Services, Inc.
(www.aztecwell.net) as its wholly owned field services subsidiary. For further information, visit www.heartlandoilandgas.com.
ZYNEX MEDICAL HOLDINGS INCORPORATED (OTCBB:
ZYNX) "Up 17.14% on Thursday" Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicknews.com/otcmail/link.php?M9187&N46&L26 Zynex Medical Holdings, Inc. engineers, manufactures, markets, and sells medical devices for the electrotherapy, and stroke and spinal cord injury rehabilitation markets primarily in the United States. It primarily offers electrotherapy products for pain relief and pain management; and NeuroMove for stroke and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. The company`s products are useful for patients suffering with impaired mobility from stroke and spinal cord injury, as well as for those suffering from debilitating and chronic pain. Its electrotherapy products include IF 8000, an interferential and muscle stimulation device; IF 8100, a fixed program version of the IF8000; TruWave, a dual channel transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (
TENS) device; E-Wave, a dual channel neuromuscular electrical stimulation device (
NMES); and NM 900, an EMG triggered electrical stimulation device. In addition, the company distributes Elpha 3000, a dual channel
NMES device; Conti4000, an electrical stimulation device for incontinence treatment; Valu
TENS and Elpha 1000 Dual Channel
TENS Devices;
DCHT, a cervical traction device; LHT, a lumbar traction device; and electrodes that are re-usable for delivery of electrical current to the body. Zynex Medical Holdings markets its products through commissioned, independent sales representatives, as well as directly to end users through advertisements and articles in relevant publications and on the Internet. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado.
ZYNX News:
July 3 - Zynex Announces Increased Orders in June Zynex Medical Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:
ZYNX), a provider of pain management systems and electrotherapy products for medical patients with functional disability, announces an increase in its orders of 171% for June of 2008 compared to the same month last year.
Thomas Sandgaard, CEO, commented, ?We are excited to see yet another all-time record for orders in a month.? Zynex received 1,930 orders in June 2008 versus 713 orders twelve months ago and 1,731 orders in May 2008. Zynex has not yet finalized its results for the second quarter of 2008, including the impact of increased orders. Zynex will state these results in the Form 10-Q for the quarter.
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