Canada’s Newest Exchange – Aequitas NEO Exchange!
“We at Aequitas are on a mission to reverse the trends that currently trouble our markets, to restore confidence and to build a new exchange that puts the interests of investors and issuers first.”
-Jos Schmitt, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aequitas Innovations Inc.
On November 17th, The Ontario Trade Commission has recognized Canada’s newest exchange, the Aequitas Neo Exchange. It is expected to go online March 1, 2015. The last time this happened was the Canadian Securities Exchange in 2004. The ANE aims to limit high frequency trading with higher commissions as well as other bumps. Jos Schmitt, CEO of Aequitas Innovations, hopes to have 20{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} of the market in trade volume in the next 4-5 years, so its reasonable to expect some aggressive campaigns in the coming months for the exchange.
“We are thrilled to receive approval from the OSC to move forward and launch the Aequitas NEO Exchange,” Schmitt said.
“We appreciate the careful review undertaken by the OSC. We are now in a position to help promote confidence and build an exchange of the future using a bold new blueprint that puts investors, companies and their dealers first.”
Aequitas’ founding shareholders include Barclays Corp Ltd., a subsidiary of the well-known British bank; RBC Dominion Securities Inc.,telecommunications giant BCE; mutual fund companies CI Investments Inc. and IGM Financial (Investors Group); OMERS Capital Markets, the investment arm of the OMERS (the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System); and ITG Canada, a market maker.
- Published in Blog
Dundee Sustainable Technologies – Making big moves in South America
Dundee Sustainable Technologies (C:DST) is this relatively new company trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange. Over the course of it’s history this small cap company has developed several highly efficient and patented technologies, with efforts being put into licensing out their technologies in exchange for royalties.
On Oct. 31, 2014, Jose Louis Gioja issued a decree in San Juan in view of implementing DST’s proprietary cyanide-free technologies. San Juan Mining has committedto raising an estimated $100 million in order to set up a processing plant with a capacity of 200 tons of concentrate (6000 tons of ore) a day. In turn, DST would receive a 3{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) on all precious and base metals thus produced. This is a major step forward for DST – this will be the 3rd plant for processing, and the second country to endorse their technologies.
Argentina (among other countries) has had many issues in the past over cyanide heap extraction. With blanket issues over heap leaching and the effects that these tailing ponds have on the environment, several provinces have banned the use of cyanide in mining. Without a viable extraction method, many projects in Argentina have simply stagnated. This is where DST comes in, with their new chlorination method.
Chlorination extraction has several distinct advantages over traditional methods. With high yields (90{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce}+), low contact time (avg. Several hours vs. Several days) and lower capital costs of about 10-15{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce}, this method is economically competitive. The most distinctive aspect though, is in it’s tailings – It only leaves behind Salt and Potash. No mecury. No cyanide.
Between the plant being set up in January and this, DST is looking about a provisional $60 Million in revenue stream. Considering they have been trading since April, they have made some great strides. And just think – this is simply one technology.
We might be seeing the tipping point on Dundee Sustainable Technologies.
Upcoming Montreal Event – IIROC’s “Tips for Traders Montreal”
MomentumPR strives to provide you the best tools to tackle Canadian small caps today. In this investing environment, staying ahead of the curve is the only way to increase your portfolio. Need to brush up the latest compliance issues? Come check out Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC)’s “Tips for Traders Montreal”! Attending will also provide you with 1.5 hours of IIROC Continuing Education Compliance Credits.
The event will cover a variety of subjects, mostly in English. Some topics include
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electronic Trading Rules
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Overview
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TCC Observations
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Third-Party Electronic Access
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Odd-Lot Order Rulings
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Single-Stock Circuit Breakers
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Marketplace Thresholds
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Debt Reporting Update
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Best Execution
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Identification of Trading Groups
Day? Thursday, November 13, 2014
Time? 4:30-6:00pm
Where? Centre Mont-Royal, “Cartier 1”, 3rd Floor, 2200, rue Mansfield, Montreal
A Guide to the Canadian Securities Exchange
The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) was established in 2003 and is governed by CNSX Markets Incorporated. The CSE obtained stock exchange status in 2004, and was created to provide companies with a resourceful and contemporary alternative to access public capital markets in Canada. Furthermore, the CSE currently provides over 200 different structured IPs, and government bonds and equities, and continues to expand at an exponential rate in order to meet the discerning needs of its investors.
In addition, the CSE launched the first unremitting auction market in September, 2007. It was established for investors and companies who were looking to trade securities that were listed on alternative Canadian stock exchanges. Interestingly, the newly introduced auction market provides many benefits vis-à-vis other stock exchanges; including an inviting fee configuration; a low-latency environment for trading stocks, and a high capacity milieu that allows investors to use proprietary and state-of-the-art trading technologies that maximise ROI. As a result, the Canadian marketplaces’ competiveness on the worldwide marketing spectrum has risen exponentially. Moreover, it is important to note that CSE listed stocks and symbols on alternative Canadian exchanges have now been conglomerated since “Project One” was completed on December 2, 2013.
In sum, the CSE provides many benefits when compared to other stock exchanges. In addition to being an approved market maker system that boasts streamlined regulation and cost effective measures, the CSE is also a centralized auction marketplace than ensures augmented disclosure. For instance, if we were to compare the initial listing fees of the CSE to the TSX or TSX-V, one would notice that the fees incurred via the CSE are significantly lower than those of the aforementioned stock exchanges (e.g., $12,500 versus $40, 750 & $30,000). Arguably just as important, if not more so, is that the CSE does not use a transaction based modus operandi. In other words, the CSE charges a flat monthly fee of only $500, allowing investors to perform an unlimited amount of transactions at their discretion. In fact, investors can expect to spend only $18,000 worth of annual fees for listing on the CSE during the first year, followed by only $6,000 in annual fees in perpetuity afterwards. Interestingly, if one were to tabulate the initial, sustaining, and additional listing fees of the TSX-V-, TSX, and CSE, the clear advantage that the CSE provides becomes increasingly evident (e.g., $51,000/$58,950/$18,500). That is, CSE total fees are 65{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} lower than those of the TSX and 69{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} lower than the fees incurred by the TSX Venture. Ergo, the CSE is the quintessential choice for innovative companies that are looking to go public in Canada.
For more detailed information on the CSE please visit their official website.
Written by: Prakash Mylvaganam
- Published in Blog
Soros Doubles YPF Stake in Argentina’s Nascent Shale Boom
George Soros’s $28 billion family office more than doubled its stake in YPF SA, making the state-controlled oil producer its biggest U.S.-traded stock holding two years after Argentina seized control of the company.
Soros Fund Management LLC added 8.47 million shares of YPF in the second quarter, according to a filing yesterday, bringing its position to 3.5 percent of the American depositary receipts. That was worth $450 million at the end of June, making Soros the fourth-biggest holder. The stock rallied today. click here to read the full article – http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-14/soros-adds-to-ypf-trims-teva-exits-monster-in-quarter.html
- Published in Blog
CANNABIS TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES SECOND THERAPY — CTI-091
CANNABIS TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES SECOND THERAPY — CTI-091
Cannabis Technologies Inc. has developed a therapy containing a proprietary mixture of cannabinoids and non-cannabis-based active ingredients, CTI-091, for the relief of joint pain and swelling associated with arthritis and joint disease. Preliminary laboratory studies showed CTI-091 suppresses the human macrophage interleukin-6, a major biomarker of inflammation, indicating strong scientific evidence that cannabis extracts reverse the disease progression.
CTI-091 is designed to enhance retention and absorption of the key ingredients around the target site and designed for the relief of joint pain and swelling.
Currently the formulation is in preclinical stage of development. The company is also working to improve the delivery system to increase efficacy. It is expecting to go to initiate clinical phase 1 trials upon completion of these steps.
Craig Schneider, Cannabis Technologies president and chief executive officer, said: “We are extremely pleased to announce a second therapy in our expanding product pipeline. The pain and arthritis therapy takes our company to the next stage of development, reinforcing the proof of concept of our cannabinoid drug design platform. This platform is designed to effectively identify and fast-track new drug therapies. The company plans to have numerous therapies over the next 12 months within the product pipeline focusing on other areas like metabolic diseases (obesity and diabetes), orphan diseases (Huntington’s and epilepsy) as well as cancer and angiogenesis.”
Pain and arthritis market
More than 46 million Americans have arthritis or a related disease, and some experts estimate the global market for arthritis drugs brings as much as $35-billion a year in profits. The many different types of drugs used to treat arthritis and its accompanying pain include over-the-counter and prescription-only drugs, with delivery methods of injections, infusions, patches and topical agents.
We seek Safe Harbor.
- Published in Blog
Highmark Executes Definitive Agreement to Acquire BCBUD
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Aug 06, 2014 (Marketwired via COMTEX) — Highmark Marketing Inc. (cse:HMK) (“Highmark”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share exchange agreement (the “Agreement”) with BCBUD Producers Inc. (the “BCBUD”) to acquire 100{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} of its authorized share capital from the shareholder of BCBUD, Blue Moon Advertising Inc. (“Blue Moon”). Highmark is also pleased to announce that it has entered into a consulting agreement with the President of BCBUD, Bill Marshall.
BCBUD has prepared an application to become a licensed producer of marijuana and has informed Highmark that it is ready to file its first application under the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (the “MMPR”).
The Agreement contemplates that 2,500,000 common shares will be issued by Highmark to Blue Moon for the acquisition of BCBUD but that shares will be held in escrow and will be released upon the occurrence of the following events:
----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Release Date Number of Shares Released ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- On receipt of a letter from Health Canada 250,000 common shares confirming a submission number of the BCBUD's application to become a licensed producer under the MMPR ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- On receipt of a Ready to Build letter from 250,000 common shares Health Canada confirming that BCBUD has approval from Health Canada to build a facility pursuant to the MMPR ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- On receipt by BCBUD of a license to produce 2,000,000 common shares marijuana under the MMPR (the "License Shares") ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The License Shares will also be subject to a stock restriction agreement whereby the stock will be released over a period of three years.
On August 1, 2014, Highmark entered into a Consulting Agreement with Bill Marshall, President of BCBUD, pursuant to which Highmark has agreed to pay Mr. Marshall $3,500 per month. Mr. Marshall has gained extensive experience with MMPR applications, whilst working as a consultant to prospective licensed producers. As the designated Senior Person in Charge, he will be responsible for communicating with Health Canada and assisting with all matters relating to the issuance of a license under the MMPR.
BCBUD cannot legally become a producer under the MMPR until it has been granted a license, and it is currently not known if and when BCBUD will obtain that license. The key milestones to becoming a licensed producer include filing an application, receiving a Ready to Build letter, completion of the upgrades as per the Ready to Build letter, approval from Health Canada to produce upon inspection of the facility, and finally approval to distribute the product to patients.
Highmark would also like to announce a change to its Advisory Board. Highmark’s current Consulting Agreement with Greenline Ventures Ltd. has been terminated effective September 4, 2014. From September 4, 2014, Don Schultz of Greenline Ventures Ltd. will no longer be a member of Highmark’s Advisory Committee. Highmark has made this change as part of a broader initiative to more closely align compensation to specific performance based milestones. Highmark intends to continue to work with Greenline and Don Schultz where possible on a project basis.
About Highmark
Highmark is a nutraceutical company, based in British Columbia, focused on bringing the health benefits of natural and herbal remedies to the market. Highmark intends to acquire, license, distribute, and market products in the nutraceutical industry.
Further information about Highmark is available under its profile on the SEDAR website www.sedar.com and on Highmark’s page on the CSE website.
The CSE has not reviewed, nor approved or disapproved the content of this press release.
Forward-Looking Information:
This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of Highmark. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of Highmark, including future plans for acquisitions. Although Highmark believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because Highmark can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Highmark disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.
Contacts: Highmark Marketing Inc. Marc Branson Chief Executive Officer 604.283.1722 info@highmarkcorp.ca
SOURCE: Highmark Marketing Inc.
- Published in Medical Marijuana
If Big Pharma Isn’t Nervous, It Should Be; Early Stage Cannabis Technologies…Potentially the Next GW Pharma
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 31, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Deep in the brain, buried within the central nervous system as well as lymphatic tissues and organs throughout the body are cannabinoid receptors; patiently waiting to help address a myriad of diseases. With the advent of cannabis research and therapy development many patients will likely trigger them very soon.
Two known receptors in the Endocannabinoid system are CB1 and CB2. There is mounting evidence that there are many more. Simply put, this system of receptors is involved in dealing with a variety of physiological processes including appetite, pain-sensation, mood and memory.
Activating these receptors by introducing the appropriate drug based on a specific formula of cannabis, primarily utilizing Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has already shown remarkable potential efficacy, albeit somewhat anecdotal, in the treatment of a host of afflictions ranging from cancer to epilepsy, glaucoma, MS, Tourette’s and even eczema.
To date there have been approximately 100 cannabinoids identified; each with the potential to be an integral component of a lower cost treatment; countering the expensive and frequently toxic Big Pharma drugs and therapies.
The current level of research and development of cannabis therapies is analogous to where the Internet was in the mid 1990’s. What is known is that the introduction of targeted phytocannabinoid formulations, such as those with CBD and THC, signal the body to make more endocannabinoids and open more cannabinoid receptors enhancing the body’s ability to fight pain and disease.
“At this point, we don’t actually know how many therapies are possible utilizing phytocompounds, but we suspect hundreds, if not thousands,” stated Craig Schneider, President and CEO of Cannabis Technologies (CAN: CSE, CANLF: OTCQB). “To that end, CAN has developed a proprietary Cannabinoid Drug Design Platform (CDP) to identify new bioactive compounds within the cannabis plant that interact with certain genes responsible for specific diseases.”
The poster stock in this Life Sciences sector is GW Pharmaceutical. The Company IPO’d at $8.90 in May 2013 and traded as high as $107 in 2014. When investors compare the metrics of peers GWPH and CAN, the case for the latter appears compelling.
While it would be easy to draw the usual David and Goliath analogy, in this case the participants, while competitors are really more peers, working toward the same therapeutic goals. And, as a result of the focused CDP development process, cannabis therapies can be on the market in 4-6 years versus 10-15 years as is the norm through the Big Pharma pathway.
GW currently trades at $87 has a market cap of $1.5 billion and had trailing twelve-month (ttm) revenues of $50 million, is virtually debt free and has approximately $163 million in cash. Cannabis Technologies trades at $0.37 is pre-revenue and has a market cap of $12 million with roughly $600k in cash. CAN shares have a 2014 high of $0.71 and low of $0.33.
GWPH market cap is 30 times revenue. Translating that multiple to eventual revenues to early stage CAN evidences compelling growth potential.
GWPH, as CAN, decided early on to dedicate R&D to therapy development and plant their respective flags firmly in Life Science space instead of the class of ‘Medical Marijuana’ companies with all the different connotations.
These companies are involved in serious and life saving science. There are others as well, including AbbVie, which makes the FDA approved chemotherapy nausea treatment Marinol, which is a synthetic formulation of THC. Valeant Pharmaceuticals produces Cesamet, which is a like treatment. The best known to investors is likely GW’s vapor delivered Sativex, used currently in 25 countries outside the US for treatment of the spasticity associated with MS. Sativex is currently in clinical trials for approval as a treatment of cancer pain.
CAN’s Schneider notes: “The media has categorized CAN as an early-stage GW Pharma, a comparison we welcome. We are currently entering Phase 1 trials for our glaucoma treatment CTI-085, which showed great therapeutic promise in pre-clinical trials relieving the ocular pressure associated. This initial therapy is much more, being a proof of concept of the ability of our CDP to identify specifically engineered treatments to deal with many debilitating and deadly diseases.”
For context, the $12 billion ocular disease market includes $5.7 billion for glaucoma.
Other drugs in development include GW’s Epidolex for the treatment of rare diseases as well as other compounds in clinical trials for treatment of autoimmune, diabetes and schizophrenia.
The key to therapy going forward is this specific engineering and the ability to replicate the compound for quality and consistency. Sativex is basically 50{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} CBD and 50{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} THC. The CBD component has the dual task of being the active ingredient as well as damping down the psychotropic effects of the THC. CBD comes from the hemp plant and has only trace THC.
As new cannabis drugs develop, individual formulations will be more therapy specific, have non-cannabis ingredients added and undergo stringent quality and consistency controls.
Big Pharma has a right to be nervous. Side effects from cannabis therapies are virtually non-existent, development costs are extremely low by comparison–$5 billion on average per Big Pharma drug—and companies like CAN are confident that as it progresses it can develop therapies in a period of 60-90 days instead of decades.
Part of the strategic engineering is not just how much of this and that goes into a compound. The key is to develop plants that produce the right material for each formulation. It is not inconceivable that if there were 500 cannabis therapies, there would be 500 different strains of cannabis plant as ‘feed stock’.
The label of Medical Marijuana companies, when referring to enterprises such as GW, CAN, AbbVie and Valeant, are the exception to what appears to be a wild west show at times. These are serious life science companies. To include them with the plethora of Medical Marijuana initiatives, whether junior mining companies looking for a new direction or those that feel simply growing generic marijuana is a sound business plan, many will likely fail or be swallowed.
Like the Internet of old where there are few survivors today from that era, the cannabis space will eventually be littered with casualties as it builds out. What is not in dispute, is that the efficacy of cannabis appears undeniable and therapy development will continue and likely speed up, building on early successes. GW and CAN will likely be among those to grow and prosper; a good thing for both shareholders and, more importantly, those millions of patients suffering from particularly nasty diseases and conditions.
Innovative science requires scientists. Rounding out CEO Craig Schneider’s 20 years of capital market and biopharmaceutical experience CAN has two world-class scientists. Dr. Sazzad Hossain Ph.D, M.Sc., Chief Science Officer, brings two decades of experience in new drug discovery and natural health product development. His practical experience includes senior scientist at the NRCC bringing and has generated over $500 million in revenue from therapies he has been involved in developing from the discovery to commercialization.
Key as well is the Company’s breeding, genetics and cultivation division led by Dr. Hyder Khoja, Ph.D., M.Sc., A.Ag. who brings 17 years of extensive research and business provenance in life sciences and business services.
Management has spoken frequently about addressing larger therapy markets including cancer, metabolic diseases and pain and inflammation. On par with GW, CAN has plans to produce medicines in-house initiated by its CDP technology, breeding and cultivation division and proprietary formula engineering. Even at this early stage, the Company is keenly aware of the need for not just the development of therapies but the ability to replicate each with strict quality and consistency.
Further adding to shareholder value is a patent pending for CAN’s CDP and a plan to protect IP by filing patents as therapies are developed.
If you are considering investing in the cannabis space, buy the science. Hype has a very short shelf life.
Legal Disclaimer/Disclosure: A fee has been paid for the production and distribution of this Report. This document is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. No information in this article should be construed as individualized investment advice. A licensed financial advisor should be consulted prior to making any investment decision. Financial Press makes no guarantee, representation or warranty and accepts no responsibility or liability as to its accuracy or completeness. Expressions of opinion are those of the authors only and are subject to change without notice. Financial Press assumes no warranty, liability or guarantee for the current relevance, correctness or completeness of any information provided within this article and will not be held liable for the consequence of reliance upon any opinion or statement contained herein or any omission. Furthermore, we assume no liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage or, in particular, for lost profit, which you may incur as a result of the use and existence of the information, provided within this article.
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CONTACT: Cannabis Technologies #350-409 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC Canada, V6C 1T2 Tel: 604.669.7207 Fax: 604.683.2506 info@cannabis-tech.com
- Published in Life Sciences, Medical Marijuana
Marijuana, now officially more expensive then gold
Shatter hash and other similar concentrates make up one of the fastest-growing facets of Colorado’s bustling marijuana industry — but shatter, which can be used for dabbing, is also still quite controversial.
Shatter can be dangerous to produce, as many have learned after blowing up their garages or hotel rooms. And it’s also an incredibly potent method of ingesting THC — hardly ideal for the inexperienced pot connoisseur.
Just how popular is shatter?
“At this point gold costs $43.50 a gram,” said Tucker Eldridge, master grower at Nature’s Herbs & Wellness, “and shatter costs $40 a gram off the shelf for medical patients. You add another 30{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} tax to that, and it ends up costing more than gold.”
Shatter can sell recreationally for $60-$90 a gram, Eldridge said in the above video, by Denver Post photographer Joe Amon.
So why do some prefer shatter to flower or edibles?
“If you’re looking for something that’s significantly more potent, has significantly less adulterant plant matter, which is what combusts and produces carcinogens, then shatter hash is going to be more your cup of tea,” Eldridge said. “If you’re not looking for something that’s that potent it can be almost psychoactive.”
- Published in Blog