(MEIL) Closes a Total of $1.5M Working Capital Facility

Methes Energies Closes a Total of $1,500,000 Working Capital Facility

(NTSC) to be Acquired by Aurora Capital Group

CALABASAS, Calif., Aug. 16, 2013 — National Technical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTSC) (NTS), a leading provider of testing and engineering services, announced today that the Company has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to be acquired by an affiliate of Aurora Capital Group, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, that will result in NTS becoming a privately held company when the merger is completed.  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the merger each share of the Company’s outstanding common stock will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $23.00 per share, which reflects a premium of 38.7 percent over the closing price of the Company’s common stock on August 15, 2013.

The proposed merger is subject to the approval of NTS shareholders.  The Company will ask its shareholders to consider and vote to approve the Merger Agreement at a Special Meeting of Shareholders, which is expected to be held no later than October 31, 2013.

Completion of the merger is not subject to a financing condition, but is subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties, performance of the covenants and other agreements included in the Merger Agreement, and customary closing conditions for a transaction of this type. Assuming satisfaction of those conditions, the Company expects the merger to close before the end of 2013.

NTS President and CEO William C. McGinnis said, “This is an exciting time to be a part of NTS.  We view this announcement as good news for our employees, good news for our customers and business partners, and good news for our shareholders.  We believe Aurora Capital Group, based on its proven expertise in many industries that are important to NTS, like aerospace, defense and transportation, to name just a few, is the right partner for us. We look forward to working closely with them and continuing to build a bright and prosperous future for NTS and all our stakeholders.”

McGinnis added that NTS will continue to operate in much the same way as it always has and that he expects the core management team and staff will remain in place.

NTS Founder and Vice Chairman of the Board Aaron Cohen said, “I am extremely pleased and proud to see this transaction come to fruition. It will allow NTS and our employees to continue to grow and excel as the preeminent independent testing and engineering services organization in North America. With Aurora as a partner, I believe the Company’s potential is limitless. I wish to thank all our employees for their years of dedicated service to the Company and our clients for their continued support and trust in NTS.”

If the merger is approved by the shareholders and consummated, all outstanding shares of NTS common stock will be acquired for $23.00 per share.  The Company’s shares of common stock will then be deregistered under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act); NTS will no longer be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act; and the shares of its common stock will no longer trade on any market.

The NTS board of directors formed a special committee of three independent directors to consider the transaction and to negotiate the price per share and the terms of the Merger Agreement on behalf of the Company. Based upon the unanimous recommendation of the special committee, the board of directors approved the Merger Agreement and determined that the terms of the merger transaction are fair to, and in the best interests of, the public shareholders of NTS.

Donald J. Tringali, Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Special Committee, said “After a thoughtful evaluation of all alternatives in consultation with our advisors, we conclude this is the best option for our shareholders.  We believe Aurora’s unique perspective on NTS and the industries it serves not only will allow Aurora to be a great partner for the Company going forward, but will also deliver an exceptional result to our current shareholders. On behalf of the Board and all shareholders, I would like to thank the exceptional executive management team for putting us in a position to bring this transaction to our shareholders.”

Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor and Sheppard Mullin LLP as legal counsel for the special committee. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as legal counsel to Aurora Capital Group.

Further details of the Merger Agreement are contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company today with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).

About Aurora Capital
Aurora Capital Group is a Los Angeles-based private investment firm managing over $2 billion of capital across several funds. This transaction would be executed by Aurora’s traditional private equity vehicle, which focuses on control investments in middle market businesses with leading market positions, strong cash flow profiles, and actionable opportunities for growth in partnership with operating management. Aurora also maintains a Resurgence fund, which invests in debt and equity securities of middle market companies and targets complex opportunities that are created by operational or financial challenges.

About National Technical Systems
National Technical Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of engineering services to the aerospace, defense, telecommunications, automotive and high technology markets. Through a world-wide network of resources, NTS provides full product life-cycle support, offering world class design engineering, compliance, testing, certification, quality registration and program management. For additional information about NTS, visit our website at www.nts.com or call 800-270-2516.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward looking statements” regarding the acquisition of NTS and other future events.  Factors that could cause actual events to differ include, but are not limited to: (1) the incurrence of unexpected costs, liabilities or delays relating to the merger; (2) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the merger; and (3) the failure to obtain shareholder approval for the merger.  Factors that may affect the future results of the Company are set forth in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its recent filing on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013.   Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. NTS undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Important Additional Information:
In connection with the proposed merger, the Company will file a proxy statement and other relevant documents concerning the proposed merger with the SEC. The proxy statement and other materials filed with the SEC will contain important information regarding the merger, including, among other things, the recommendation of the Company’s board of directors with respect to the merger. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS THAT THE COMPANY FILES WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS. You will be able to obtain the proxy statement, as well as other filings containing information about the Company, free of charge, at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the proxy statement and other filings made by the Company with the SEC can also be obtained, free of charge, by directing a request to National Technical Systems, Inc.,   24007 Ventura Blvd., Calabasas, CA 91302, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

The Company and its executive officers and directors may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s shareholders with respect to the proposed merger. Information regarding the executive officers and directors of the Company is included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 30, 2013.  More detailed information regarding the identity of the potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with SEC in connection with the proposed merger.

(AXX) Places Orders for New Autogenous and Ball Mills for the Kami Project

Alderon Iron Ore Corp.
Montreal Office
514-281-5048
514-350-3346

Alderon Iron Ore Corp.
Vancouver Office
604-681-8039
604-681-8030

Alderon Iron Ore Corp.
Ian Chadsey
Investor Relations
1-514-350-3346 or 1-888-990-7989
info@alderonironore.com
www.alderonironore.com

(BIOL) Declares Stock Dividend for 2013 Third Quarter

(VLTR) Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Volterra Semiconductor

— Maxim Integrated to acquire Volterra Semiconductor for $23 per share — Transaction valued at $605 million equity value; $450 million enterprise value — Maxim expects transaction to be immediately accretive to GAAP EPS, excluding special items — Volterra product portfolio increases Maxim’s leadership position in integrated power management — Adds talented engineering team with proven track record of success

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 15, 2013 — Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (NASDAQ:MXIM) announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (NASDAQ:VLTR) for $23 per share, which represents a 55% premium to Volterra Semiconductor’s closing share price on August 14, 2013. The transaction value is approximately $605 million equity value or $450 million net of Volterra’s cash position of approximately $155 million.

Volterra is an industry leader in high-current, high-performance, and high-density power management solutions. The company develops highly integrated solutions primarily for the enterprise, cloud computing, communications, and networking markets. Volterra’s portfolio of highly integrated products enables better performance, smaller form factors, enhanced scalability, improved system management, and lower total cost of ownership.

“Maxim Integrated is known for its highly integrated solutions. With Volterra, we will strengthen our position in the enterprise and communications markets,” said Tunç Doluca, Maxim’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We add a very talented team and leading-edge proprietary technology in high-current power management solutions, which further diversifies our business model.”

“This is an attractive transaction for our employees, customers, and investors,” said Jeffrey Staszak, Volterra’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Volterra team will build upon Maxim’s scale and market leadership to expand our ability to deliver innovative and differentiated products to our customers. We remain committed to providing our customers with advanced technology solutions and world-class quality and support. Joining forces with the innovative Maxim team will present exciting new opportunities for Volterra’s talented employees.”

At $9 billion, power management is currently the largest and fastest-growing product segment in the analog market, according to Databeans. Maxim offers a broad portfolio of products for power conversion: switching regulators, linear regulators, charge pumps, digital Point-of-Load (POL) converters, and Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMICs), primarily in medium-to-low current applications. Volterra’s high-current technology expands our position in this growing segment of the analog market.

Pending regulatory approvals, Maxim’s acquisition of Volterra is expected to close early in the December quarter.

Conference Call

Maxim has scheduled a conference call on August 15, 2013 at 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time to discuss the acquisition. To listen via telephone, dial (866) 804-3545 (toll free) or (703) 639-1326. The call will be webcast by Shareholder.com and can be accessed at www.maximintegrated.com/investor. A presentation on Maxim’s Investor Relations webpage details the strategic rationale for the acquisition. This presentation may also be accessed at www.maximintegrated.com/investor.

About Maxim Integrated

At Maxim Integrated, we put analog together in a way that sets our customers apart. In Fiscal 2013, we reported revenues of $2.44 billion.

About Volterra

Volterra Semiconductor Corporation, headquartered in Fremont, CA, designs, develops, and markets leading edge silicon solutions for low-voltage power delivery. The Company’s product portfolio is focused on advanced switching regulators for the computer, datacom, storage, and portable markets. Volterra operates as a fabless semiconductor company utilizing world-class foundries for silicon supply. The Company is focused on creating products with high intellectual property content that match specific customer needs. For more information please visit www.Volterra.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.   These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as Maxim, Volterra or management of either company “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “foresees,” “forecasts,” “estimates” or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe the proposed transaction, including its financial impact, and other statements of management’s beliefs, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. It is uncertain whether any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on the results of operations and financial condition of the combined companies or the price of Maxim or Volterra stock. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed merger and the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to consummation of the proposed merger, including the ability to secure regulatory approvals at all or in a timely manner; the ability of Maxim to successfully integrate Volterra’s operations, product lines and technology and realize additional opportunities for growth; the ability of Maxim to realize synergies in terms of growth and cost savings; and the other risks and important factors contained and identified in Maxim’s and Volterra’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other SEC filings of the companies, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof, based on the information available to Maxim as of the date hereof, and Maxim assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law.

Important Additional Information Will Be Filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

This announcement is not a recommendation, an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of Volterra’s stock. Maxim has not commenced the tender offer for shares of Volterra’s stock described in this announcement.  Upon commencement of the tender offer, Maxim will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a tender offer statement on Schedule TO and related exhibits, including an offer to purchase, letter of transmittal, and other related documents. Following commencement of the tender offer, Volterra will file with the SEC a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9. Stockholders should read the offer to purchase and solicitation/recommendation statement and the tender offer statement on Schedule TO and related exhibits when such documents are filed and become available, as they will contain important information about the tender offer. Stockholders can obtain these documents when they are filed and become available free of charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by contacting the investor relations departments of Maxim or Volterra at their respective email addresses included below.

(SPPR) Announces Dividends on Preferred Stock

(DRAM) Radeon™ RAMDisk Included in AMD’s “Never Settle Forever” Program

Dataram Corporation [NASDAQ: DRAM] announced today that Radeon™ RAMDisk is a promotional component of the third edition of AMD’s “Never Settle” franchise of game bundles – “Never Settle Forever”. The “Never Settle Forever” program is a new and unique opportunity that allows gamers the freedom to customize their own ideal game bundle from a substantial catalog of titles. AMD’s formal announcement of this program can be viewed on their website.

Radeon™ RAMDisk is a natural companion to the “Never Settle Forever” bundle program as this software product offers gaming enthusiasts the ability to launch games and levels up to 10x faster, experience faster transitions between game zones and earlier spawning in competitive online environments. Radeon™ RAMDisk is a collaborative product of AMD and Dataram, based off of Dataram’s related software and technologies.

This exclusive program will be offered to gamers upon registration of their Radeon™ Reward code via the new “Radeon™ Rewards” redemption portal on AMD’s website. AMD will be showcasing the titles in its “Never Settle Forever” program at Gamescom 2013 in Cologne, Germany, August 21–25.

To learn more about AMD’s “Never Settle Forever” program, visit www.amd.com/neversettleforever. To learn more about Dataram, visit www.dataram.com.

About Dataram

Founded in 1967, Dataram is a worldwide leader in the manufacture of high-quality computer memory and software products. Our products and services deliver IT infrastructure optimization, dramatically increase application performance and deliver substantial cost savings. Dataram solutions are deployed in 70 Fortune 100 companies and in mission-critical government and defense applications around the world. For more information about Dataram, visit www.dataram.com.

All names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

The information provided in this press release may include forward-looking statements relating to future events, such as the development of new products, pricing and availability of raw materials or the future financial performance of the Company. Actual results may differ from such projections and are subject to certain risks including, without limitation, risks arising from: changes in the price of memory chips, changes in the demand for memory systems, increased competition in the memory systems industry, order cancellations, delays in developing and commercializing new products and other factors described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be reviewed at www.sec.gov.

(NFEC) Announces 2013 Second Quarter Financial Results

SHENYANG, China, Aug. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — NF Energy Saving Corporation (NASDAQ: NFEC) (“NF Energy” or the “Company”), a leading energy saving services and solutions provider for China’s power, petrochemical, coal, metallurgy, construction, and municipal infrastructure development industries, today reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.

2013 First Quarter Results Highlight:

• Total revenues were $1.47 million and $2.77 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively.
• Gross profit was $0.43 million and $0.84 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively.
• Net income was $52,017 and $61,782 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively.

The decrease in total revenues for the second quarter as compared with the corresponding period last year was primarily was due to the decrease in service revenues, however, net profit increased as compared with the corresponding period last year based upon a decrease in total cost and expense. On the other hand, for the three month period ended June 30, 2013, net profit showed a significant increase of $9,765  from  the three month period ended March 31, 2013, as a result of the increase in production capacity as the new manufacturing facility approached completion. The Company anticipates that both revenue and profit will continue to increase in the future as a result of both the gradual increase of orders and the resumption of normal production.

About NF Energy Saving Corporation

NF Energy Saving Corporation (NASDAQ:  NFEC) is a China-based provider of integrated energy conservation solutions utilizing energy-saving equipment, technical services and energy management re-engineering project operations to provide energy saving services to clients. The Company’s customers are mainly concentrated in the electrical generation (large-scale thermal power generation, hydroelectric power, and nuclear power), water supply, and heat supply industries. The majority of revenues are from energy efficient flow control solutions including equipment and energy efficiency project services. For more information, visit http://www.nfenergy.com

Safe Harbor Statement

The statements contained herein that are not historical facts are considered “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements may be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” or “anticipates” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, statements regarding the efficacy of investment in research and development are examples of such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the effect of political, economic, and market conditions and geopolitical events; legislative and regulatory changes that affect our business; the availability of funds and working capital; the actions and initiatives of current and potential competitors; investor sentiment; and our reputation. We do not undertake any responsibility to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this report. Additionally, we do not undertake any responsibility to update you on the occurrence of any unanticipated events, which may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. The factors discussed herein are expressed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available at http://www.sec.gov.

Contact Person: Andy Gao
Phone Number: 0086-24-25609775
Email: info@nfenergy.com

(SKBI) Reports Second Quarter 2013 Results

Quarterly Revenue of $11.3 Million; Net Income of $3.7 Million; $0.49 Diluted EPS

Skystar Bio-Pharmaceutical Reports Second Quarter 2013 Results

Quarterly Revenue of $11.3 Million; Net Income of $3.7 Million; $0.49 Diluted EPS

(CXM) Q2 Financial Results And Recent Business Developments

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Cardium Therapeutics (NYSE MKT: CXM) today presented its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013, and reported on recent highlights and other business developments including:

• Distribution agreement with AvKARE Inc. for the sale and distribution of Excellagen into government medical facilities throughout the United States. AvKARE services a diverse customer base that includes government (federal, state and municipal) and commercial sectors.
• Distribution agreement with Kasiak Holdings AG for the marketing and sale of Excellagen in Germany and Switzerland.
• New FDA 510(k) clearance submission for the Company’s current FDA-cleared Excellagen to reflect additional and specific structural and functional properties based on the Company’s supplemental research and development activities.
• Collaboration agreement with researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital, assess the medical utility of Excellagen as a delivery scaffold to seed autologous mesenchymal fetal stem cells for ex-vivo engineering of tissue grafts for transplantation into infants to potentially repair prenatally diagnosed birth defects.
• Collaboration agreement with Orbsen Therapeutics Ltd and the National University of Ireland, Galway, to utilize Excellagen as a delivery agent for Orbsen’s proprietary stromal cell therapy in pre-clinical studies for the potential treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
• Publication of the paper, “Mechanistic, Technical, and Clinical Perspectives in Therapeutic Stimulation of Coronary Collateral Development by Angiogenic Growth Factors,” authored by Gabor M. Rubanyi, M.D., Ph.D., Cardium’s Chief Scientific Officer, in Molecular Therapy.
• Presentation at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Spring 2013 Meeting highlighting Excellagen’s capability of promoting rapid granulation and complete wound dehiscence and healing in three difficult and complex post-surgical wounds, including Mohs surgery.
• Preferred stock financing with Sabby Management LLC for gross proceeds of $4.0 million.

2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Related Corporate Development Activities 

At the 2013 annual meeting, stockholders approved the following matters:  (a) the re-election of the Company’s Class I Directors, which included Edward W. Gabrielson, M.D. and Lon E. Otremba, each to serve for a three-year term; (b) the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers; (c) establishment of a three-year advisory say on pay frequency; (d) the sale of certain Series A preferred stock; (e) a reverse stock split; and (f) ratification of the selection of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.

Based on matters reported in the Proxy Statement dated April 29, 2013, and consistent with Cardium’s long-term medical portfolio business strategy, we are advancing a diversified portfolio of product opportunities and businesses, leveraging our skills in late-stage product development in order to bridge the critical gap between promising new technologies and readiness for commercialization – and plan to partner or monetize such product opportunities or businesses with established organizations capable of advancing their commercialization. We have already advanced and monetized a first business unit, Innercool Therapies, Inc., which was sold to Philips Electronics North America Corporation.

We now have four business units in our portfolio: (1) Angionetics Biologics, which includes Cardium’s late-stage DNA-based Generx^® cardiovascular biologic product candidate; (2) Activation Therapeutics, which includes the Company’s regenerative medicine wound healing technology platform, including its Excellagen^® advanced wound care product; (3) To Go Brands, Inc. which includes the Company’s health sciences and nutraceutical business; and (4) LifeAgain Insurance Solutions, Inc. which is focused on building the Company’s medical data analytics technology platform.

We intend to consider additional corporate development transactions designed to place our product candidates or businesses into larger organizations or with partners having existing commercialization, sales and marketing resources, and a need for innovative products. Such transactions could involve the sale, partnering or other monetization of particular product opportunities or businesses. In parallel, as our businesses are advanced and corresponding valuations established, we plan to pursue new product opportunities and acquisitions with strong value enhancement potential.

Depending on the extent and timing of such product advancements or business monetizations, and based on recently-issued amendments to Rule 506 and Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 that were implemented under Section 201(a) of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), we may also consider financings through the sale of private equity interests to qualified investors or strategic partners based on the JOBS Act amendments, and/or through other private placements or a public offering of securities, which could potentially be made in the parent company or independently in one or more of our subsidiary business units. In addition, in order to reduce operating expenses, Cardium has implemented certain cost reductions that include relocating the Company to a smaller corporate office, as well as headcount and salary reductions.

Excellagen Update

Cardium recently filed a 510(k) submission for its current FDA-cleared Excellagen advanced wound care product to reflect additional and specific structural and functional properties based on the Company’s supplemental research and development activities.  The new 510(k) submission provides further insight into the significantly accelerated and activated healing response seen with Excellagen.  In addition, the Company plans to modify Excellagen’s packaging to include individually pouched applicator syringes and a large volume syringe applicator to allow for easier use in larger-sized wounds such as those found in limb salvage, orthopedic surgery and other surgical applications.

Cardium recently entered into a distribution agreement with AvKARE Inc., its new sales and distribution partner for Excellagen in Veterans Hospitals and other governmental medical facilities throughout the United States. The new agreement and commercialization arrangement with AvKARE effectively replaces an earlier arrangement with Academy Medical, LLC.  Cardium elected to transfer the Excellagen distribution responsibilities to AvKARE, which provides five direct wound care experts and allows Cardium’s distributor representatives access to all government accounts.  AvKARE services a diverse customer base that includes government (federal, state and municipal) and commercial sectors.

In addition, the Company recently entered into a distribution agreement with Kasiak Holdings AG for the marketing and sale of Excellagen in Germany and Switzerland, with the potential for expansion into additional European markets.  Kasiak Holdings is focused on developing stem cell-based therapeutics for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.  Kasiak Holdings is affiliated with Kasiak Research, which is an operating unit of India-based Bharat Serums and Vaccines, that develops and manufactures specialized biological, pharmaceutical and biotechnology products.

Cardium also announced two research collaborations with (1) Orbsen Therapeutics Ltd and the National University of Ireland, Galway, to utilize Cardium’s Excellagen as a delivery agent for Orbsen’s proprietary stromal cell therapy in pre-clinical studies for the potential treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. The research is being conducted by the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), at the National University of Ireland, Galway, and which is being funded by REDDSTAR, a European Union Framework 7 (EU FP7) research collaboration focused on treating diabetes and its complications with a defined MSC therapy and enlisting academic and industry partners throughout Europe; and (2) researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital, to assess the medical utility of Excellagen as a delivery scaffold to seed autologous mesenchymal fetal stem cells for ex-vivo engineering of tissue grafts for transplantation into infants to potentially repair prenatally diagnosed birth defects.

Regarding Excellagen’s CE mark submission, Cardium recently reported that based on the current status, all information requests has been provided to the notified body, BSI and that the Company believes this process should lead to CE mark certification for its FDA-cleared advanced wound care product.  Excellagen’s ISO 13485;2003 certification that was issued in the first quarter 2013 provides important support for Cardium’s CE mark submission.

As reported, since Excellagen’s initial FDA clearance and consistent with its long-term business strategy, Cardium does not plan to build an internal sales force and is focused on establishing  strategic partnerships that would cover the marketing and sale of Excellagen into U.S. vertical wound healing market channels, including: (1) podiatry, (2) wound care centers, hospitals, and long-term care facilities, (3) government agency providers (such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Bureau of Indian Affairs and military hospitals), (4) dermatology and plastic surgery, and (5) orthopedic surgery.  The Company’s commercialization strategy is similar to other companies in the advanced wound care space and is to focus on registrations, product characterizations and medical claims, as well as pre-clinical and clinical research, to potentially enhance Excellagen’s long-term economic value, rather than to build a marketing and sales organization which is outside the scope of Cardium’s financial resources and internal key skill set.  For example, GraftJacket^® products developed by Wright Medical are now being marketed and sold by Kinetic Concepts Inc.; TEI Biosciences’ products are being sold by Boston Scientific^®, Medtronic^® and Stryker^®; and Cook Medical’s Oasis^® products are currently being marketed and sold by Healthpoint Biotherapeutics (which was recently acquired by Smith + Nephew^®).

LifeAgain Insurance Solutions, Inc.

LifeAgain™ Insurance Solutions, Inc. is a newly-formed medical data analytics business that is focused on the development, marketing and sale of “survivable risk” term life insurance programs for cancer survivors or others with medical conditions that are currently considered uninsurable based on traditional underwriting standards.  Working in cooperation with large and established life insurance companies, LifeAgain seeks to use the power of internally developed and proprietary medical data analytics technology platform to quantitatively support decision rule adaption to broaden eligibility for individuals with specific medical conditions, more deeply assess mortality on an individualized basis using the prognostic value of advanced diagnostic information that is supported by long-term clinical studies, and establish customized premium pricing in a cost effective and scalable manner operating within current life insurance standard operating procedures.  LifeAgain’s initial focus will be to potentially develop, market and sell affordable survivable risk life insurance to men with active localized prostate cancer for substantial coverage levels at affordable premium rates.  LifeAgain is developing additional new and innovative insurance solutions for other medical conditions currently considered uninsurable by traditional underwriters.  The Company is developing intellectual property as it relates to Cardium’s advanced medical data analytics technology that is focused on applications for life insurance underwriting and risk assessment.

Financial Report

Product sales for the three months ended June 30, 2013 totaled $585,000, compared to $13,000 for the same period in 2012. Product sales for the six months ended June 30, 2013 were $1.2 million, compared to $34,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.  The increase in product sales was comprised of sales from the Company’s To Go Brands health sciences business, which Cardium acquired in late September 2012.

Cardium’s research and development costs for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013 totaled $0.5 million, and selling, general and administrative expenses were $1.9 million, compared to $0.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for second quarter ended June 30, 2012.  The increase in selling, general administrative expenses for the three-month period was primarily due to the costs associated with the To Go Brands, Inc. operations, offset by decreases in advertising and professional fees.

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, research and development costs were $1.3 million, and selling, general and administrative expenses were $3.6 million, compared to $1.6 million and $3.0 million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012.  The decrease in research and development costs was the result of decreased expenses related to the development of Excellagen, offset by increased costs associated with the Generx ASPIRE study.  Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2013 included milestone payments and out-of-pocket costs for the ASPIRE study and product and testing costs for validating production volume and cost efficiency improvements for Excellagen.

For the three months ended June 30, 2013, the Company reported a net loss of $2.1 million, or $(0.37) per share, when compared to a net loss of $1.9 million, or $(0.31) per share for the three months ended June 30, 2012.  For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company reported a net loss of $4.4 million, or $(0.72) per share, compared to a net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2012 of $4.5 million, or $(0.78) per share.  As of June 30, 2013, the Company had $659,000 in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $2.3 million in cash and cash equivalents on December 31, 2012.   On June 30, 2013, 6,614,149 million shares of Cardium’s common stock were outstanding.

During the second quarter 2013, Cardium entered into a securities purchase agreement with one of its institutional investors to sell an aggregate of 4,012 shares of newly authorized Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, for a total purchase price of $4.0 million. No warrants were issued in connection with the offering, other than placement agent warrants.  At the initial closing, the Company sold 2,356 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for gross proceeds of $2.3 million.  On July 19, 2013, following a 1:20 reverse split of the Company’s common stock, a requirement of the second closing, the Company announced the completion of the second tranche of the registered direct offering consisting of an additional 1,656 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock for gross proceeds of approximately $1.7 million.  During second quarter 2013 and as of the date of this report, the Company has not sold any common stock under its “at-the-market” facility.

The Company recently reported that its exchange listing, NYSE MKT, had granted an additional quarterly extension of Cardium’s listing exchange plan from June 30, 2013 to September 30, 2013.  As previously reported, a communication from the staff of the Company’s current listing exchange, NYSE MKT, indicated that the Company was considered to be noncompliant with certain listing requirements based on its quarterly report for the period ended September 30, 2012, and provided that the Company should submit a plan to staff of the exchange that would re-establish compliance with the NYSE MKT listing requirement by March 31, 2013.  On December 6, 2012, the company reported that it had submitted a plan designed to reestablish compliance with the exchange’s requirement in advance of the March 31, 2013 time frame, and on January 6, 2013, announced that the plan had been accepted by the listing exchange.  On April 5, 2013, the Company reported the NYSE MKT had granted an additional quarterly extension of the listing exchange compliance plan from March 31 to June 30, 2013.  On July 2, 2013, the Company announced that as a result of stockholder approval of a 1:20 reverse stock split and the preferred stock financing, the NYSE MKT had granted an additional quarterly extension of the listing exchange compliance plan from June 30, 2013 to September 30, 2013.   As part of the Company’s overall cost reduction efforts, Cardium may consider relisting its common stock on the OTC Market.

About Excellagen

Excellagen is a syringe-based, professional-use, pharmaceutically-formulated 2.6% fibrillar Type I bovine collagen homogenate that functions as an acellular biological modulator to activate the wound healing process and significantly accelerate the growth of granulation tissue.  Excellagen’s FDA clearance provides for very broad labeling including partial and full-thickness wounds, pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, chronic vascular ulcers, tunneled/undermined wounds, surgical wounds (donor sites/graft, post-Mohs surgery, post-laser surgery, podiatric, wound dehiscence), trauma wounds (abrasions, lacerations, second-degree burns and skin tears) and draining wounds.  Excellagen is intended for professional use following standard debridement procedures in the presence of blood cells and platelets, which are involved with the release of endogenous growth factors.  Excellagen’s unique fibrillar Type I bovine collagen homogenate formulation is topically applied through easy-to-control, pre-filled, sterile, single-use syringes and is designed for application at only one-week intervals.  For more information, visit www.excellagen.com.

About Generx

Generx (Ad5FGF-4) is a disease-modifying regenerative medicine biologic that is being developed to offer a one-time, non-surgical option for the treatment of myocardial ischemia in patients with stable angina due to coronary artery disease, who might otherwise require surgical and mechanical interventions, such as coronary artery by-pass surgery or balloon angioplasty and stents.  Similar to surgical/mechanical revascularization approaches, the goal of Cardium’s Generx product candidate is to improve blood flow to the heart muscle – but to do so non-surgically, following a single administration from a standard balloon angioplasty catheter.  The ASPIRE Phase 3 registration is currently being conducted at up to leading cardiology centers in the Russian Federation to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Generx in patients with myocardial ischemia due to coronary artery disease. For additional information about Generx and the ASPIRE clinical study, please visit www.cardiumthx.com/generx.html.

About LifeAgain

LifeAgain is a newly-formed medical data analytics business that is focused on the development, marketing and sale of “survivable risk” ten-year level term life insurance programs for cancer survivors or others with medical conditions that are currently considered uninsurable based on traditional underwriting standards.  Working in cooperation with large and established life insurance companies, LifeAgain will use its new actuarial methods, and scientific and medical data driven insights, to design life insurance solutions at affordable prices and substantial coverage levels.  LifeAgain’s initial focus will be to develop, market and sell affordable survivable risk life insurance to men with active localized prostate cancer and expects to develop additional innovative solutions for men and women with other medical conditions that are currently considered uninsurable.

About To Go Brands

Since 2007, To Go Brands has been making healthy, great tasting and anti-oxidant-rich phytonutrients and nutraceutical supplements in an array of easy use formats, including drink mixes, chews, powders and capsules, to empower busy lifestyles in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.  The Go Active! product line includes High Octane^®, Green Tea Energy Fusion™, Acai Natural Energy Boost™, and Neo-Energy^®.  The Go Healthy! product line includes Greens to Go^®, Extreme Berries to Go^®, Healthy Belly^®, VitaRocks^®, and Neo-Chill™.  Go Trim! products include Smoothie Complete^®, Trim Energy Green Coffee Bean™, Trim Energy^®, and Neo-Carb Bloc^®.  To Go Brands products are sold through mass, food and drug channels at retailers including Target, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, GNC, RiteAid, Jewel-Osco, Ralph’s Supermarkets, Vitamin World, Meijer, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, and the Vitamin Shoppe, as well as directly from the company’s web-based store.  To learn more about To Go Brands, visit www.togobrands.com.

About Cardium

Cardium is an asset-based health sciences and regenerative medicine company focused on the acquisition and strategic development of innovative products and businesses with the potential to address significant unmet medical needs and having definable pathways to commercialization, partnering or other economic monetizations. Cardium has four primary business units in its medical opportunities portfolio: (1) Angionetics Biologics, which includes Cardium’s late-stage DNA-based Generx^® cardiovascular biologic product candidate; (2) Activation Therapeutics, which includes the Company’s regenerative medicine wound healing technology platform, including its Excellagen^® advanced wound care product; (3) To Go Brands^®, which includes the Company’s health sciences and nutraceutical business; and (4) LifeAgain™ Insurance Solutions, Inc. which is focused on building the Company’s medical data analytics technology platform.  In addition, consistent with its capital-efficient business model, Cardium continues to actively evaluate new technologies and business opportunities. For more information, visit www.cardiumthx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact, the matters discussed in this press release are forward looking and reflect numerous assumptions and involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control and may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. For example, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in advancing, capitalizing and partnering or monetizing its four primary businesses and technology platforms; that the Company can raise capital through the private or public sale of equity interests on a company-by-company basis or otherwise; that planned product development efforts and clinical studies can be performed in an efficient and effective manner; that results or trends observed in one clinical study or procedure will be reproduced in subsequent studies or in actual use; that new clinical studies will be successful or will lead to approvals or clearances from health regulatory authorities, or that approvals in one jurisdiction will help to support studies or approvals elsewhere; that the Company or its partners will be successful in developing and marketing survivable risk life insurance programs or that any intellectual property developed in the area will be effective for excluding potential competitors; that the Company will satisfy the requirements of its exchange listing compliance plan and will otherwise continue to satisfy the listing requirements of its exchange or that its shares can continue to be listed on a national exchange; that we can raise sufficient capital from partnering, monetization or other fundraising transactions to maintain our stock exchange listing or adequately fund ongoing operations; that the Company can attract suitable commercialization partners for our products or that we or partners can successfully commercialize them; that our product or product candidates will not be unfavorably compared to competitive products that may be regarded as safer, more effective, easier to use or less expensive or blocked by third party proprietary rights or other means; that our or our licensor’s intellectual property can be successfully developed and enforced and that we will not be accused of infringing on intellectual property developed by third parties; that the products and product candidates referred to in this report or in our other reports will be successfully commercialized and their use reimbursed, or will enhance our market value; that our To Go Brands business can be successfully integrated and expanded; that new product opportunities or commercialization efforts will be successfully established; that third parties on whom we depend will perform as anticipated; that the preferred stock offering can be completed as proposed or that the Company will not be adversely affected by risks and uncertainties that could impact our operations, business or other matters, as described in more detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.

Copyright 2013 Cardium Therapeutics, Inc.  All rights reserved.
For Terms of Use Privacy Policy, please visit www.cardiumthx.com.

Cardium Therapeutics^®, Generx^®,Cardionovo^®, Tissue Repair™, Excellagen^®, Excellarate™, LifeAgain™, Genedexa™, Neo-Apps^®, MedPodium^®, Neo-Energy^®, Neo-Chill™ and Neo-Carb Bloc^® are trademarks of Cardium Therapeutics, Inc. or Tissue Repair Company.  To Go Brands^®,  High Octane^®, Green Tea Energy Fusion™, Acai Natural Energy Boost™, Greens to Go^®, Extreme Berries to Go^®, Healthy Belly^®, VitaRocks^®, Smoothie Complete^®, Trim Green Coffee Bean™, and Trim Energy^®, are trademarks of To Go Brands, Inc.  Other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

(HOTR) to Acquire American Roadside Burgers

CHARLOTTE, NC- Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. (HOTR) (“Chanticleer Holdings” or the “Company”), headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., announced today that the Company has signed a non-binding Letter Of Intent to purchase all of the outstanding shares of American Roadside Burgers, Inc. (“ARB”), a Charlotte, N.C.-based chain of 5 restaurants.

ARB is a casual dining restaurant chain with the original location opened in 2006 in Smithtown, N.Y., and now has 2 locations in Charlotte, N.C., 1 location in Columbia, S.C. and the newest location in Greenville, S.C. ARB was created in 2003 by John Tunney, III, a nationally renowned creator of award winning restaurants throughout the United States. Tom Lewison, a current Director of ARB, will join the Chanticleer Holdings Board of Directors and provide strategic direction for the companies.

The 10 year old chain is known for its diverse menu featuring fresh salads; customized burgers made from fresh beef, turkey or veggies; milk shakes; and a large selection of various sandwiches, beers and wine. In-restaurant dining is fast and convenient and the existing restaurant locations are strategically located in high traffic areas. Each restaurant features a nostalgic “made in America” theme.

Mike Pruitt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated: “This intended acquisition of an exciting chain of restaurants is our first departure from our ongoing development of Hooter’s restaurants in foreign countries. This acquisition will in no way change our focus on the development of Hooters restaurants internationally, but American Roadside presents a unique strategic opportunity in a high-growth space. We believe acquiring American Roadside at this stage of their development will allow Chanticleer to guide it’s growth and we plan to expand the chain as on-going improvements and future opportunities occur.”

Tom Lewison, a 35 year veteran of the restaurant business and former Chief Operating Officer of Bojangles, commented: “Mike came to American Roadside Burgers with the idea to combine our two brands under our experienced leadership and grow the two separate operating companies into a great combination of domestic and foreign restaurant brands. Joining forces with Chanticleer at this time is the perfect opportunity for our brand to grow within a solid corporate restaurant environment. I am really looking forward to bringing my experience to Chanticleer Holdings as a Board member and strategic advisor.”

The intended terms of the preliminary agreement call for Chanticleer to issue 740,000 HOTR units to the owners of Roadside Burgers, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock, and one five-year warrant, priced at $5.00. The value of the share exchange will be dependent upon Chanticleer Holding’s stock price at date of closing. Chanticleer Holdings will assume minimal debt of ARB. Closing and final terms are anticipated on September 30, 2013, pending approval by Chanticleer’s Board of Directors, the NASDAQ Stock Market and the SEC.

About Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.
Chanticleer Holdings (HOTR) is focused on expanding the Hooters® casual dining restaurant brand in international emerging markets. Chanticleer currently owns in whole or part of the exclusive franchise rights to develop and operate Hooters restaurants in South Africa, Hungary and parts of Brazil, and has joint ventured with the current Hooters franchisee in Australia, while evaluating several additional international opportunities. The Company currently owns and operates in whole or part of six Hooters restaurants in its international franchise territories: Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Emperor’s Palace in South Africa; Campbelltown in Australia; and Budapest in Hungary.

In 2011, Chanticleer and a group of noteworthy private equity investors, which included H.I.G. Capital, KarpReilly, LLC and Kelly Hall, president of Texas Wings Inc., the largest Hooters franchisee in the United States, acquired Hooters of America, a privately held company. Today, Hooters of America is an operator and the franchisor of over 430 Hooters® restaurants in 28 countries. Chanticleer maintains a minority ownership stake in Hooters of America and its CEO, Mike Pruitt, is also a member of Hooters’ Board of Directors.

For further information, please visit www.chanticleerholdings.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ChanticleerHOTR
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/ChanticleerHOTR

About American Roadside Burgers, Inc.
For further information on American Roadside Burgers, Inc., visit http://americanroadside.com

For further information on Hooters of America, visit www.Hooters.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Hooters
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/Hooters

Forward-Looking Statements:
Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA), which statements may be identified by words such as “expects,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “should,” “intends,” “estimates,” and other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions or orders that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of global economic conditions, the performance of management and our employees, our ability to obtain financing or required licenses, competition, general economic conditions and other factors that are detailed in our periodic reports and on documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made, and the companies do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA.

(BRCD) Announces Fiscal Q3 2013 Results

Brocade Announces Fiscal Q3 2013 Results

(CACH) Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2013 Results

Cache, Inc., (NASDAQ: CACH), a specialty chain of women’s apparel stores, reported results for the thirteen (“second quarter”) and twenty-six week periods (“first six months”) ended June 29, 2013.

For the 13-week period ended June 29, 2013:

• Net sales decreased 2.5% to $60.1 million from $61.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. Comparable store sales increased 0.5%, which compares to an increase of 4.7% in the second quarter of fiscal 2012;
• Gross profit decreased to $20.9 million, or 34.7% of net sales, from $26.4 million, or 42.8% of net sales, in the second quarter of fiscal 2012;
• Operating loss totaled $3.1 million, which included costs of $956,000 associated with employee separation charges incurred, in connection with severance for corporate employees. This compares to operating income of $1.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, which included $152,000 of employee separation charges;
• Net loss totaled $3.2 million, or ($0.17) per diluted share, as compared to net income of $1.0 million or $0.08 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2012; and
• Adjusted net loss totaled $2.2 million, or ($0.12) per share, as compared to adjusted net income of $1.1 million or $0.09 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. (See reconciliation of adjusted net income/(loss) to net income/(loss).)

Jay Margolis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are pleased with the progress made toward our strategic objectives during the second quarter. During the quarter, we focused on clearing assortments that were not consistent with our go-forward merchandising plan and significantly reducing promotional activity on the web while continuing to make strategic hires to allow us to drive our business forward. While our turnaround efforts negatively impacted profitability in the quarter, this activity allowed us to begin the third quarter in an improved position. Following quarter end, we announced a new credit facility which enhances our financial flexibility to pursue our initiatives. I am pleased to welcome our new Chief Financial Officer, Tony DiPippa to Cache and believe he will make a significant contribution to the company.”

“In the first six weeks of the third quarter, our comparable store sales are positive, driven by increased traffic and regular price selling, reflecting the success of our new deliveries, especially in dresses, accessories and targeted promotions,” Mr. Margolis, continued. “I expect our sales performance to continue to strengthen, as a greater percentage of our assortments are impacted by our moves, and we see the initial benefits from our process and marketing changes. I remain confident in our strategies and our ability to achieve improved operating performance in the near term and put us on a path to achieve sustained profitable long term growth in the future.”

For the 26-week period ended June 29, 2013:

• Net sales decreased 3.4% to $113.6 million from $117.6 million in the first six months of fiscal 2012. Comparable store sales decreased 0.4%, as compared to a increase of 6.9% in the first six months of fiscal 2012;
• Gross profit decreased to $37.3 million, or 32.8% of net sales from $48.6 million, or 41.3% of net sales, in the first six months of fiscal 2012;
• Operating loss totaled $11.4 million, which included costs of $2.5 million associated with employee separation charges incurred, in connection with the separation agreement with the former CEO, as well as severance for other corporate employees. This compares to operating loss of $346,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2012, which included $277,000 of employee separation costs;
• Net loss was $21.7 million or ($1.37) per diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $177,000, or ($0.01) per diluted share in the first six months of fiscal 2012; and
• Adjusted net loss was $9.0 million, or ($0.57) per share, as compared to adjusted net loss of $16,000 or ($0.00) per diluted share in the first six months of fiscal 2012. (See reconciliation of adjusted net income/(loss) to net income/(loss).)

Gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 was $20.9 million, or 34.7% of net sales, compared to $26.4 million, or 42.8% of net sales, in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. For the first six months of fiscal 2013, gross profit was $37.3 million, or 32.8% of net sales, compared to $48.6 million, or 41.3% of net sales in the first six months of fiscal 2012. The decrease in gross margin for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2013 was primarily driven by an increase in markdowns on prior season assortments, as compared to the prior year.

In total, operating expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 were $24.0 million, or 40.0% of net sales, as compared to $24.7 million, or 40.1% of net sales, in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. For the first six months of fiscal 2013, operating expenses were $48.7 million, or 42.9% of net sales, compared to $48.9 million, or 41.6% of net sales, in the first six months of fiscal 2012. The decrease in operating expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 was driven by decreases in marketing, as well as payroll and payroll-related expenses. The decrease in operating expense for the first six months of fiscal 2013 was driven by decreases in marketing, payroll and payroll-related expenses, and depreciation expense.

At June 29, 2013, cash and marketable securities totaled $15.1 million, as compared to $24.4 million in cash and marketable securities at June 30, 2012. Total inventory at cost decreased 13.2% at quarter end from the prior year period.

A table summarizing financial results follows:

Store Count Information

During the second quarter, the Company opened two stores and closed one existing location, ending the period with 250 stores in operation. During the balance of fiscal 2013, the Company expects to open no new stores and close one additional store, ending the year with 249 stores and approximately 500,000 square feet in operation.

Conference Call Information

The Company announced that it will conduct a conference call to discuss its second quarter fiscal 2013 results today, August 13, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 705-6003 approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be web-cast live at www.cache.com. A replay of this call will be available at 12:00 p.m. ET on August 13, 2013 and remain active until 11:59 p.m. ET on August 20, 2013. The replay can be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176 and entering confirmation code 418816.

About Cache, Inc.

Cache is a nationwide, mall-based specialty retailer of sophisticated sportswear and social occasion dresses targeting style-conscious women who have a youthful attitude and are self-confident. The Company currently operates 250 stores, primarily situated in central locations in high traffic, upscale malls in 41 states, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Certain matters discussed within this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although Cache, Inc. believes the statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that these expectations will be attained. Actual results and timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, our ability to successfully implement our business strategy and to integrate new members of management, industry trends, merchandise and fashion trends, competition, seasonality, changes in general economic conditions and consumer spending patterns, factors specific to our Company and merchandise, such as demand for our merchandise and markdowns, well as other risks outlined from time to time in the filings of Cache, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(INSY) Reports Second Quarter 2013 Results

Reports Record Revenue of $18.8 Million and EPS of $0.26 per Diluted Share

Insys Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2013 Results

Reports Record Revenue of $18.8 Million and EPS of $0.26 per Diluted Share

(OSIR) Grafix® Massive Efficacy in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIR), reported today that its multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing the safety and effectiveness of Grafix® to standard of care in patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers had met the pre-specified stopping rules for overwhelming efficacy as determined by the data monitoring committee during a planned interim analysis. For the primary endpoint, 62% of patients receiving Grafix had complete wound closure compared to only 21% (p<0.0001) of patients who received conventional treatment for their wounds – a relative improvement of 191% and the largest ever reported from such a study. A total of 131 patients were enrolled with the interim analysis being conducted on the first 97 to complete the trial.

The trial also reached statistical significance in favor of Grafix on all top-line secondary endpoints, demonstrating faster wound closure and a reduction in the number of treatments needed to achieve wound closure. In the crossover phase of the trial, patients whose wounds failed to close after 12 weeks of standard of care had an 80% closure rate when switched to Grafix. Importantly, patients randomized to receive standard of care were 74% more likely to experience an adverse event than those receiving Grafix (p=0.008). As a result, the blinded phase of the trial is being discontinued immediately and all patients randomized to the control arm will be offered treatment with Grafix.

“Today, Osiris has established a new standard in diabetic wound care and has demonstrated to the world the tremendous impact stem cell products can have in medicine,” said C. Randal Mills, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer. “Diabetic foot ulcers afflict 25% of all diabetics and are responsible for more hospitalizations than any other diabetic complication. With 25 million diabetics in the United States, the cost to our health care system is enormous. Through this rigorous study we have shown that Grafix can heal more patients, in less time, and with fewer complications.”

“These data are very compelling as we have not had a new cellular therapy for diabetic foot ulcers in over 10 years,” said Dr. Larry Lavery, Principal Investigator and Professor of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. “Compared to other similarly designed studies, this trial demonstrates, by far, the largest relative improvement in complete wound closure. This is great news for our patients with diabetic foot ulcers that are at such high risk of losing their legs.”

Grafix is a human cellular repair matrix that provides a high-quality source of living mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). It is a flexible, conforming membrane that is applied directly to acute and chronic wounds.

“We know now that an unfortunate consequence of diabetes is the pathological change that occurs with the number and functionality of certain stem cell populations necessary for optimal wound repair,” said Michelle LeRoux Williams, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer. “With Grafix, we are able to help correct this problem by providing patients with a rich source of healthy, non-controversial stem cells contained within a biologic matrix for easy delivery in the out-patient setting.”

Osiris partnered with CPC Clinical Research, an Academic Clinical Research Organization (CRO), who was responsible for all clinical monitoring, data management, and biostatistics services.

“One key aspect of an academically led CRO is our credible scientific oversight and quality control during the execution of the trial,” said William R. Hiatt, M.D., President of CPC and Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine. “This is one of the most rigorous wound care trials conducted, enhanced by our proprietary wound core lab technology which is able to independently assess wound closure in a blinded manner.”

About the Trial (Protocol 302)

Protocol 302 is a single-blind, randomized, controlled multi-centered trial is evaluating the efficacy and safety of weekly applications of Grafix for the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers. A total of 131 patients were enrolled at 19 leading wound care centers across the United States. Patients between 18 and 80 years of age with confirmed type 1 or type 2 diabetes and chronic diabetic foot ulcers on the dorsal or plantar surface of the foot were randomized to Grafix or control dressings at a 1:1 ratio. Ulcers had to be present for at least 4 weeks prior to randomization and be between 1 cm² and 15 cm² in size. Patients were excluded from the trial if the ulcer decreased with more than 30% during the one week screening period. Patients received treatment weekly for up to 12 weeks. The primary endpoint measures complete wound closure by 12 weeks as determined by the investigator and confirmed by an independent, blinded Wound Core Lab. Secondary endpoints include complete wound closure rates for those patients that complete all scheduled treatments, time to wound closure, number of applications, proportion of patients achieving at least a 50% reduction in wound size by day 28 and number of re-occurrences. Patients randomized to the control group who did not heal within 12 weeks entered a cross-over arm for evaluation in an additional 12 week open-label treatment with Grafix.

About Grafix

Grafix is a human cellular repair matrix containing living stem cells for acute and chronic wound repair. It is a flexible, conforming membrane that provides a high quality source of living MSCs and growth factors directly to the site of the wound. Grafix is produced by BioSmart^TM Intelligent Tissue Processing of human placental membrane. The manufacturing process maintains the integrity of the extracellular matrix, the viability of the neonatal MSCs, and the biologically active growth factors.

About Osiris Therapeutics

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., is the leading stem cell company, having developed the world’s first approved stem cell drug, Prochymal®. Osiris currently markets Grafix and Ovation® for wound and tissue repair, and Cartiform® for cartilage repair. Osiris is a fully integrated company with capabilities in research, development, manufacturing and distribution of cell therapy products. Osiris has developed an extensive intellectual property portfolio to protect the company’s technology, including 51 U.S. and 162 foreign patents.

Osiris, Prochymal, Chondrogen, Grafix, Ovation and Cartiform are registered trademarks of Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. More information can be found on the company’s website, www.Osiris.com. (OSIR-G)

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project” or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Examples of forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding any of the following: our product development efforts; our clinical trials and anticipated regulatory requirements, and our ability to successfully navigate these requirements; the success of our product candidates in development; status of the regulatory process for our biologic drug candidates; implementation of our corporate strategy; our financial performance; our product research and development activities and projected expenditures, including our anticipated timeline and clinical strategy for mesenchymal stem cells and biologic drug candidates and marketed Biosurgery products (including Prochymal, Chondrogen®, Grafix, Ovation and Cartiform); our cash needs; patents, trademarks and other proprietary rights; the safety and ability of our products and potential products to treat disease; our ability to supply a sufficient amount of our marketed products or product candidates and, if approved or otherwise commercially available, products to meet demand; our costs to comply with governmental regulations; our plans for sales and marketing; our plans regarding facilities; types of regulatory frameworks we expect will be applicable to our products and potential products; and results of our scientific research. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other Periodic Reports filed on Form 10-Q, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

(BBRY) Board of Directors Announces Exploration of Strategic Alternatives

Media Contact:
Heidi Davidson
BlackBerry Media Relations
(519) 590-0482
hdavidson@blackberry.com

Investor Contact:
BlackBerry Investor Relations
(519) 888-7465
investor_relations@blackberry.com

(EDS) Announces the Appointment of Additional Directors

FUJIAN, China, Aug. 12, 2013 — Exceed Company Ltd. (NASDAQ: EDS) (“EDS”, “Exceed” or the “Company”), the owner and operator of “Xidelong” brand – one of the leading domestic sportswear brands in China, today announced that the board of directors (the “Board”) has appointed Mr. Pang Xiaozhong as an independent non-executive director, and Mr. Ding Dongdong as an executive director, both effective August 12, 2013. Mr. Pang has also been appointed by the Board as a member of the Board’s audit committee, compensation committee, and nomination committee.

Mr. Pang Xiaozhong is the former director of the research and development department of the Institute of Sports Science under the General Administration of Sport in China. Mr. Pang has been working in the sports science area and dedicating to the promotion of sports science in China for over 30 years. Mr. Pang has organized and coordinated the implementation of a number of major national key projects. He has a deep understanding of the national science and technology policies, domestic and international sports technological development, and domestic and international sports industry. Mr. Pang has been recognized by the government and enterprises for promotion of social and economic benefits through his success in organizing various technology projects in sports industry campaigns.

Mr. Ding Dongdong is our Executive Senior Vice President. He is primarily responsible for the design, research and development of footwear and apparel. Mr. Ding joined us in September 2001. He was the development manager of the apparel department of Fujian Xidelong Sports Goods Co., Ltd, Exceed’s PRC subsidiary, from 2002 to 2003, where he was responsible for data collection, apparel design, processing and production, quality control, and after-sales of the apparel department. Mr. Ding obtained a diploma in apparel design from the Guangdong Apparel Institute in July 2002. Mr. Ding is the brother-in-law of Mr. Lin Shuipan, an executive director of the Company.

“On behalf of the board of directors, I am pleased to welcome Mr. Pang Xiaozhong and Mr. Ding Dongdong to the Board. Mr. Pang and Mr. Ding will bring to Exceed a wealth of experience gained from their extensive services in the areas of academia and business. Their expertise in these areas will be a valuable asset to the Company, and we look forward to working closely with them,” said Mr. Lin Shuipan, Exceed’s founder, Chairman and CEO.

About Exceed Company Ltd.

Exceed Company Ltd. designs, develops and engages in wholesale of footwear, apparel and accessories under its own brand, XIDELONG, in China. Since it began operations in 2002, Exceed has targeted its growth on the consumer markets in the second and third-tier cities in China. Exceed has three principal categories of products: (i) footwear, which comprises running, leisure, basketball, skateboarding and canvas footwear, (ii) apparel, which comprises sports tops, pants, jackets, track suits and coats, and (iii) accessories, which comprise bags, socks, hats and caps. Exceed Company Ltd. currently trades on NASDAQ under the symbol “EDS.”

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations
Exceed Company Ltd.
Vivien Tai
+852 2153-2771
ir@xdlong.cn

(RGDX) Announces Contract With MultiPlan, Inc.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 12, 2013  — Response Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:RGDX), a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests that help determine a patient’s response to cancer therapy, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with MultiPlan, Inc., the industry’s most comprehensive provider of healthcare cost management solutions.

As a participating provider in the PHCS and MultiPlan Networks, MultiPlan’s clients will now have access to all of Response Genetics’ molecular diagnostic testing. Response Genetics specializes in predictive genomic testing that supplies treating physicians with actionable information helping the physicians determine what drugs will have the greatest response from each of their patients battling lung, colorectal, gastric and melanoma cancers. The personalized nature of Response Genetics’ testing allows for each patient to be placed on the most effective drug regimen for his or her cancer treatment.

About MultiPlan

MultiPlan, Inc. is the industry’s most comprehensive provider of healthcare cost management solutions. The company provides a single gateway to a host of primary, complementary and out-of-network strategies for managing the financial risks associated with healthcare claims. Clients include insurers/health plans, third-party administrators, self-funded employers, HMOs and other entities that pay medical bills in the commercial healthcare, government, workers compensation and auto markets. MultiPlan contracts with over 900,000 healthcare providers across the nation and has an estimated 67 million consumers accessing its provider network products. MultiPlan is owned by BC Partners, a leading international private equity firm, and Silver Lake, the world’s largest private investor in technology. For more information, visit www.MultiPlan.com.

About Response Genetics, Inc.

Response Genetics, Inc. (the “Company”) is a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic testing services for cancer. The Company’s technologies enable extraction and analysis of genetic information derived from tumor cells stored as formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. The Company’s principal customers include oncologists and pathologists. In addition to diagnostic testing services, the Company generates revenue from the sale of its proprietary analytical pharmacogenomic testing services of clinical trial specimens to the pharmaceutical industry. The Company’s headquarters is located in Los Angeles, California. For more information, please visit www.responsegenetics.com.

Forward-Looking Statement Notice

Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release and the statements of representatives of the Company related thereto contain or may contain, among other things, certain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions, such as the ability of the Company, to provide clinical testing services to the medical community, to continue to strengthen and expand its sales force, to continue to build its digital pathology initiative, to attract and retain qualified management, to continue to strengthen marketing capabilities, to expand the suite of ResponseDX® products, to continue to provide clinical trial support to pharmaceutical clients, to enter into new collaborations with pharmaceutical clients, to enter into areas of companion diagnostics, to continue to execute on its business strategy and operations, to continue to analyze cancer samples and the potential for using the results of this research to develop diagnostic tests for cancer, the usefulness of genetic information to tailor treatment to patients, and other statements identified by words such as “project,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan” or similar expressions.

These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities Exchange Commission. Actual results, including, without limitation, actual sales results, if any, or the application of funds, may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the Company’s control). The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTACT: Investor Relations Contact:
         Peter Rahmer
         Trout Group
         646-378-2973

         Company Contact:
         Thomas A. Bologna
         Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
         323-224-3900

(GALT) Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for GR-MD-02

NORCROSS, Ga., Aug. 12, 2013 — Galectin Therapeutics (Nasdaq:GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and cancer, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted GR-MD-O2 (galactoarabino-rhamnogalacturonate) Fast Track designation for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with hepatic fibrosis, commonly known as fatty liver disease with advanced fibrosis.

Galectin Therapeutics is currently conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability and exploratory biomarkers for efficacy for single and multiple doses of GR-MD-02 over four weekly doses of GR-MD-02 treatment in patients with fatty liver disease with advanced fibrosis. The study will enroll eight patients in each dose escalation cohort and there will be at least three cohorts and potentially up to five cohorts, with a maximum of 40 patients at six clinical sites in the US, which each have extensive experience in clinical trials in liver disease. More information on the first-in-man Phase 1 clinical study of GR-MD-02 is available at http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01899859?term=gt-020&rank=1.

“Our preclinical data has shown that GR-MD-02 has robust treatment effects in reversing fibrosis and cirrhosis. Fast Track designation enables us to expedite the compound’s development and review process, with the ultimate goal of bringing a first-in-class treatment to the millions of Americans suffering from fatty liver disease with advanced fibrosis,” said Dr. Peter G. Traber, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Medical Officer of Galectin Therapeutics Inc. “We are very pleased that the FDA sees the clinical value of GR-MD-02 and seriousness of fatty liver disease, and we look forward to working closely with the FDA throughout this process.”

The FDA’s Fast Track program is designed to expedite the review of new drugs that are intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions and demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs.

About GR-MD-02

GR-MD-02 is a complex carbohydrate drug that targets galectin-3, a critical protein in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease and fibrosis. Galectin proteins play a major role in diseases that involve scaring of organs such as cancer, and inflammatory and fibrotic disorders. The drug binds to galectin proteins and disrupts their function. Preclinical data has shown that GR-MD-02 has robust treatment effects in reversing fibrosis and cirrhosis in kidney, lung, and liver.

About Fatty Liver Disease with Advanced Fibrosis

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), also known as fatty liver disease, has become a common disease of the liver with the rise in obesity rates, estimated to affect nine to 15 million people, including children, in the US. Fatty liver disease is characterized by the presence of fat in the liver along with inflammation and damage in people who drink little or no alcohol. Over time, patients with fatty liver disease can develop fibrosis, or scarring of the liver, and it is estimated that as many as three million individuals will develop cirrhosis, a severe liver disease where liver transplantation is the only current treatment available. Approximately 6,300 liver transplants are done on an annual basis in the US. There are no drug therapies approved for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

About Galectin Therapeutics

Galectin Therapeutics (Nasdaq:GALT) is developing promising carbohydrate-based therapies for the treatment of fibrotic liver disease and cancer based on the Company’s unique understanding of galectin proteins, key mediators of biologic function. We are leveraging extensive scientific and development expertise as well as established relationships with external sources to achieve cost effective and efficient development. We are pursuing a clear development pathway to clinical enhancement and commercialization for our lead compounds in liver fibrosis and cancer. Additional information is available at www.galectintherapeutics.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or future financial performance, and use words such as “may,” “estimate,” “could,” “expect” and others. They are based on our current expectations and are subject to factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements. These statements include those regarding plans, expectations and goals, expectations and goals regarding the clinical trial, our FAST TRACK submission and the potential benefits of a FAST TRACK designation, potential therapeutic uses and benefits of our galectin inhibitors and further related studies and potential partnerships. Factors that could cause our actual performance to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, among others, that the receipt of a FAST TRACK designation from FDA is no guarantee that we avoid delays in the development of our drug product and provide no assurance of FDA approval of our drug development plans and of the grant of marketing approval for our drug product. Future clinical studies may not begin or produce positive results in a timely fashion, if at all, and could prove time consuming and costly. Plans regarding development, approval and marketing of any of our drugs are subject to change at any time based on the changing needs of our company as determined by management and regulatory agencies. Regardless of the results of current or future studies, we may be unsuccessful in developing partnerships with other companies that would allow us to further develop and/or fund any studies or trials. To date, we have incurred operating losses since our inception, and our ability to successfully develop and market drugs may be impacted by our ability to manage costs and finance our continuing operations For a discussion of additional factors impacting our business, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and our subsequent filings with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although subsequent events may cause our views to change, we disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Galectin Therapeutics Inc.
         Peter G. Traber, MD, 678-620-3186
         President, CEO, & CMO
         ir@galectintherapeutics.com

(HOTR) Exclusive Video Interview With Equities.com From Marcum MicroCap Conference

Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. (HOTR) Exclusive Video Interview

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About Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. 
Chanticleer Holdings (HOTR) is a franchisee of international Hooters® restaurants and is focused on expanding the Hooters® casual dining restaurant brand in international emerging markets. Chanticleer currently owns in whole or part of the exclusive franchise rights to develop and operate Hooters restaurants in South Africa, Hungary and parts of Brazil, and has joint ventured with the current Hooters franchisee in Australia, while evaluating several additional international opportunities. The Company currently owns and operates in whole or part of six Hooters restaurants in its international franchise territories: Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Emperor’s Palace in South Africa; Campbelltown in Australia; and Budapest in Hungary. Chanticleer maintains a minority ownership stake in Hooters of America and its CEO, Mike Pruitt, is also a member of Hooters’ Board of Directors. Hooters of America is an operator and the franchisor of over 430 Hooters® restaurants in 28 countries.

For further information, please visit www.chanticleerholdings.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ChanticleerHOTR
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ChanticleerHOTR

For further information on Hooters of America, visit www.Hooters.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Hooters
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/Hooters

Forward-Looking Statements:
Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA), which statements may be identified by words such as “expects,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “should,” “intends,” “estimates,” and other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions or orders that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of global economic conditions, the performance of management and our employees, our ability to obtain financing or required licenses, competition, general economic conditions and other factors that are detailed in our periodic reports and on documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made, and the companies do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA.

Contact:
Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.
Mike Pruitt
Chairman/CEO
Phone: 704.366.5122 x 1
mp@chanticleerholdings.com

(CXM) Use Of Excellagen To Repair Prenatally Diagnosed Birth Defects

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 12, 2013 – Cardium Therapeutics (NYSE MKT: CXM) today reported on a research collaboration with researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital, to assess the medical utility of Excellagen^® as a delivery scaffold to seed autologous mesenchymal fetal stem cells for ex-vivo engineering of tissue grafts for transplantation into infants to repair prenatally diagnosed birth defects.

Autologous mesenchymal fetal stem cells are derived prenatally from infants with a medical defect requiring life-saving tissue repairs.  These stem cells are sourced from amniotic fluid, the placenta or umbilical cord blood.  The stem cells are then seeded into a scaffold to promote the growth of an engineered tissue graft.  These grafts will potentially be used to surgically repair, either in the fetus or immediately following birth, certain prenatally diagnosed birth defects that could include congenital diaphragmatic hernia, tracheal and chest wall defects, bladder extrophy and various cardiac anomalies.  Preliminary pre-clinical research has confirmed that Excellagen collagen homogenate maintains mesenchymal fetal stem cell viability.  Additional proof of concept studies are currently underway.

“Boston Children’s team has made remarkable progress in the field of tissue regeneration and surgical repair of prenatally diagnosed congenital defects.  We believe that Excellagen has an opportunity serve as a delivery platform in the field of stem cell therapy and we look forward to continuing to work with the Boston Children’s team to help make their innovative therapeutic vision a new standard of care, and potentially advance stem cell therapies toward commercialization,” stated Christopher J. Reinhard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cardium. “Excellagen was specifically designed to support advanced biologics and this new application further highlights its potential versatility as an important delivery agent for a variety of innovative therapeutic applications.”

Cardium’s FDA-cleared Excellagen is an aseptically-manufactured, quaternary fibrillar Type I bovine collagen homogenate that is configured into a staggered array of three-dimensional, triple helical, telopeptide-deleted, tropocollagen molecules.  This linear array forms a flowable, biocompatible and bioactive structural matrix that can promote chemotaxis, cellular adhesion, migration and proliferation to stimulate tissue formation. The Excellagen homogenate represents a new product delivery platform that allows for the potential development of a portfolio of advanced tissue regeneration therapeutic opportunities that could include anti-infectives, antibiotics, peptides, proteins, small molecules, DNA, stem cells, differentiated cells and conditioned cell media.

About Excellagen^®

Excellagen is a syringe-based, professional-use, pharmaceutically-formulated 2.6% fibrillar Type I bovine collagen homogenate that functions as an acellular biological modulator to activate the wound healing process and significantly accelerate the growth of granulation tissue.  Excellagen’s FDA clearance provides for very broad labeling including partial and full-thickness wounds, pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, chronic vascular ulcers, tunneled/undermined wounds, surgical wounds (donor sites/graft, post-Mohs surgery, post-laser surgery, podiatric, wound dehiscence), trauma wounds (abrasions, lacerations, second-degree burns and skin tears) and draining wounds.  Excellagen is intended for professional use following standard debridement procedures in the presence of blood cells and platelets, which are involved with the release of endogenous growth factors.  Excellagen’s unique fibrillar Type I bovine collagen homogenate formulation is topically applied through easy-to-control, pre-filled, sterile, single-use syringes and is designed for application at only one-week intervals.

There have been important, positive findings reported by physicians using Excellagen as part of Cardium’s physician sampling, patient outreach and market “seeding” programs.  In several case studies, physicians reported a rapid onset of the growth of granulation tissue in a wide array of wounds, including non-healing diabetic foot ulcers (consistent with the results of Cardium’s Matrix clinical study), as well as pressure ulcers, venous ulcers and Mohs surgical wounds.  In certain cases, rapid granulation tissue growth and wound closure have been achieved with Excellagen following unsuccessful treatment with other advanced wound care approaches.  From a dermatology perspective, a previously unexplored vertical market, remarkable healing responses have been observed following Mohs surgery for patients diagnosed with squamous and basal cell carcinomas, including deep surgical wounds extending to the periosteum (a membrane that lines the outer surface of bones).  Additionally, because of the easy-use and platelet activating capacity, physicians have been employing Excellagen in severe non-healing wounds at near-amputation status, in combination with autologous platelet-rich plasma therapy and collagen sheet products.  These case studies and positive physician feedback provide additional support of Excellagen’s potential utility as an important new tool to help promote the wound healing process.  Excellagen case studies are available at http://www.excellagen.com/surgical-wounds.html.

About Cardium

Cardium is an asset-based health sciences and regenerative medicine company focused on the acquisition and strategic development of innovative products and businesses with the potential to address significant unmet medical needs and having definable pathways to commercialization, partnering or other economic monetizations. Cardium’s current portfolio includes LifeAgain medical data analytics, Tissue Repair Company, Cardium Biologics, and the Company’s To Go Brands^® nutraceutical business. The Company’s lead commercial product, Excellagen^® topical gel for wound care management, has received FDA clearance for marketing and sale in the United States.  Cardium’s lead clinical development product candidate Generx^® is a DNA-based angiogenic biologic intended for the treatment of patients with myocardial ischemia due to coronary artery disease. To Go Brands^® develops, markets and sells dietary supplements through established regional and national retailers.  In addition, consistent with its capital-efficient business model, Cardium continues to actively evaluate new technologies and business opportunities. For more information, visit www.cardiumthx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact, the matters discussed in this press release are forward looking and reflect numerous assumptions and involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control and may cause actual results to differ materially from stated expectations.  For example, there can be no assurance that Excellagen can be effectively applied to repairing prenatally diagnosed birth defects using mesenchymal stem cells or that it can be successfully developed for this or any other therapeutic application; that case study observations will be reproducible or generalizable, or that results or trends observed in a clinical study or follow-on case studies will be reproduced in subsequent studies or in actual use; that new clinical studies will be successful or will lead to approvals or clearances from health regulatory authorities, or that approvals in one jurisdiction will help to support studies or approvals elsewhere; that the company can attract suitable commercialization partners for our products or that we or partners can successfully commercialize them; that our product or product candidates will not be unfavorably compared to competitive products that may be regarded as safer, more effective, easier to use or less expensive or blocked by third party proprietary rights or other means; that the products and product candidates referred to in this report or in our other reports will be successfully commercialized and their use reimbursed, or will enhance our market value; that new product opportunities or commercialization efforts will be successfully established; that third parties on whom we depend will perform as anticipated; that we can raise sufficient capital from partnering, monetization or other fundraising transactions to maintain our stock exchange listing or adequately fund ongoing operations; or that we will not be adversely affected by these or other risks and uncertainties that could impact our operations, business or other matters, as described in more detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.

Copyright 2013 Cardium Therapeutics, Inc.  All rights reserved.
For Terms of Use Privacy Policy, please visit www.cardiumthx.com.

Cardium Therapeutics^®, Generx^®,Cardionovo^®, Tissue Repair™, Excellagen^®, Excellarate™, LifeAgain™, Genedexa™, Neo-Apps^®, MedPodium^®, Neo-Energy^®, Neo-Chill™ and Neo-Carb Bloc^® are trademarks of Cardium Therapeutics, Inc. or Tissue Repair Company.  To Go Brands^®,  High Octane^®, Green Tea Energy Fusion™, Acai Natural Energy Boost™, Greens to Go^®, Extreme Berries to Go^®, Healthy Belly^®, VitaRocks^®, Smoothie Complete^®, Trim Green Coffee Bean™, and Trim Energy^®, are trademarks of To Go Brands, Inc.  Other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

(PME) Reports Unaudited Financial Results For Its Second Quarter And Six Months

FUZHOU, China, Aug. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Pingtan Marine Enterprise Ltd. (Nasdaq: PME), (“Pingtan,” or the “Company”) an integrated marine services company in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter and first six months of 2013.

Update on Potential Sale of Dredging Subsidiary

As previously announced, Pingtan’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) received an offer from its Chairman and CEO, Mr. Xinrong Zhuo, to acquire the assets of China Dredging Group, or CDGC, and its PRC operating subsidiaries, Fujian Xinggang Port Service Co., Ltd. The Board retained an independent financial advisor and investment banking firm, Duff & Phelps LLC, to provide a fairness opinion in connection with the proposed transaction. Mr. Zhuo has offered to purchase the CDGC business and assets in exchange for (i) writing off the Company’s current $155.2 million promissory note (which matures on June 19, 2015 and bears an interest rate of 4%); (ii) the transfer of certain fishing trawlers to the Company (the number of which will be determined by the difference between the enterprise value of CDGC less the $155.2 million promissory note divided by the average value of each fishing trawler). As part of the Proposed Transaction, the Board will also retain, BMI Appraisals Limited (“www.bmi-appraisals.com“) to provide an independent valuation report on the vessels that would constitute a portion of the consideration.

Duff and Phelps is currently undergoing its due diligence process and expects to deliver a fairness opinion to the Board in the coming weeks. In addition, BMI Appraisals Limited will also submit a valuation report on additional fishing trawlers.

The Company intends to provide additional information for investors, including financial metrics used by Duff and Phelps in the evaluation of the transaction and will make public all the valuation reports for vessels delivered as part of this potential transaction.

Second Quarter 2013 Management Comments

Mr. Xinrong Zhuo, Chairman and CEO of the Company, stated, “We remain focused on expanding our fishing enterprise in light of China’s increasing consumer demand. During the quarter, we negotiated a transaction to add another 46 vessels to the Company’s fleet, which will greatly increase our fish harvest volume and carrying volume, resulting in the Company having a total of 86 vessels. In addition, each of our fishing vessels require an approval from the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China to carry out ocean fishing projects in foreign territories. The primary barrier to entry into the ocean fishing industry has been obtaining the necessary licenses to operate these vessels because the number of such licenses is limited by government authorities so as to prevent overfishing. The newly acquired vessels are fully licensed to fish in Indonesian waters and a fishing license can be transferred to a new vessel when an old vessel retires. We believe that there are no other companies building a leading market share in the fishing industry in China like Pingtan.  This is a highly-fragmented market, and we believe this market share will help in our negotiations with distributors and exporters, and also open up the possibility of selling downstream directly to end markets directly. This will increase our margins in the long-term. However, we recognize that growing our asset base is only one element of the equation, as we also must hire and train highly qualified captains and crew to successfully operate these vessels. This will be instrumental in ensuring that we continue to deliver a consistent and quality product to our customers. We feel that the Company is operating in a sustainable and growing sector and we look forward to keeping investors apprised of our progress.”

Consolidated Financial and Operating Review

Revenues

For the three months ended June 30, 2013, revenues increased by 2.8% to $71.9 million from $69.9 million for the same period in 2012.

The Company’s revenue from its fishing business increased by 106.8% to $21.4 million compared to $10.3 million in the same period last year. This increase was primarily due to an increase in sales volume as a result of the acquisition of 20 new fishing vessels in 2012, 10 of which were acquired in the second half of 2012, and increased unit selling price.

On June 20, 2013, the Company’s fishing segment expanded its fleet from 40 to 86 through the signing of a “Master Agreement” to purchase 46 fishing trawlers in a transaction totaling approximately $410.1 million. The Company immediately began reporting operating results from this transaction for a short period in the current second quarter, with a full quarter beginning in the third quarter of 2013.

An increase in the revenues from the Company’s fishing business was offset by lower volume from the Company’s dredging business. For the three months ended June 30, 2013, revenue from dredging services decreased to $50.5 million from $59.6 million in the same period of 2012. This decrease was primarily due a decrease in dredging volume as we terminated the leasing agreements of three dredgers in July 2012 and one in December 2012. As a result, Pingtan completed 23.3 million cubic meters of dredging volume in the second quarter of 2013, compared to 32.8 million cubic meters in the same period of 2012.

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company reported revenues for the first half of 2013 of $118.3 million, compared to $145.0 million in the prior year period.

Gross Margin

The Company’s gross margin was 47.9% in the quarter ended June 30, 2013, compared to 47.5% for the same period last year. The increase was largely due to increased margins at the Company’s fishing segment, offset by lower gross margins for the dredging segment, which included $6.1 million in reclamation cost for its BT project.

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, gross margin decreased to 42.7% from 48.6% in the same period of 2012, principally due to lower gross margins for the dredging segment. In addition, the Company incurred $10.3 million in reclamation costs during the period.

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses

For the three months ended June 30, 2013, total selling, general and administrative expenses were $3.3 million, or 4.7% of total revenue, compared to $2.8 million, or $4.0% of total revenue, in the same period of 2012. The increase was mainly due to higher administrative costs associated with the company being a publicly listed company, as well as an expanded scale of operations.

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, total selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $5.0 million from $5.5 million in the same period of 2012. The lower expenses were primarily attributable to lower revenue taxes for dredging services as a result of a decrease in dredging services revenue.

Net Income

For the three months ended June 30, 2013, the Company’s net income was $24.8 million, or $0.31 per basic and diluted share, compared to $21.3 million, or $0.27 per basic and diluted share, in the same period of 2012.

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company’s net income was $38.6 million, or $0.49 per basic and diluted share, compared to $48.2 million, or $0.61 per basic and diluted share, in the same period of 2012.

About Pingtan

Pingtan is a marine enterprises group, engaging in dredging services and ocean fishing through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, China Dredging Group and Merchant Supreme, and their respective PRC operating subsidiaries, Fujian Xinggang Port Service Co., Ltd., or Fujian Service, Pingtan Xingyi Port Service Co., Ltd., or Pingtan Xingyi and Fujian Provincial Pingtan County Ocean Fishing Group Co., Ltd., or Pingtan Fishing.

Pingtan Fishing primarily engages in ocean fishing with many of its self-owned vessels operating within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone and the Arafura Sea of Indonesia. Pingtan Fishing is a growing fishing company and provider of high quality seafood in the PRC.

Business Risks and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Pingtan’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Pingtan’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Definitive Proxy Statement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Pingtan undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

CONTACT:
Roy Yu
Chief Financial Officer
Pingtan Marine Enterprise Ltd.
Tel: +86 591 87271753
ryu@ptmarine.net

INVESTOR RELATIONS:
The Equity Group Inc.
Adam Prior, Senior Vice President
(212) 836-9606
aprior@equityny.com

In China
Katherine Yao, Associate
86 10 6587 6435
kyao@equityny.com