Still, stem cell treatments are being developed for many ailments including arthritis, "joint" injuries, neurologic diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), dementia, and even wound repair, among a host of others. However, progress with the development of stem cell-based therapies has been tempered somewhat, largely because of the characteristics of the stem cells themselves.

The way the process is supposed to work is that stem cells or other therapeutic cells are implanted or injected into a patient's body to enable the cells' therapeutic action. This therapeutic action can be achieved by the cells producing a "beneficial" healing factor, or by "signaling" to other cells and stimulating healing.

Clear the Hurdles - Reignite the Phenomenon

However, industry leaders have consistently found a number of hurdles limiting the success of stem cell treatments including; immune system attacks on the transplanted cells, migration of the cells after transplantation, formation of abnormal growths (including tumors) after such migration, problems with long-term storage of the cells for later use, and problems with the use of the cells inside bioreactors.

With recent estimates predicting that the global market for stem cells and stem cell products will reach nearly $6.6-billion by 2016, the research continues. Companies like StemCells, Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM), BioTime, Inc. (NYSE: BTX), Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTM), International Stem Cell Corp. (OTCQB: ISCO) and Advanced Cell Technology (OTCQB: ACTC) are hard at work in the sector trying to solve the roadblocks that keep the FDA from approving any stem cell treatment to date.

Meanwhile, Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB: NVLX), an international biotech headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, is currently in negotiations with biotechnology and pharmaceutical entities that wish to examine the employment of Nuvilex's living cell encapsulation technology, or Cell-in-a-Box™, in the development of treatments for various diseases that would utilize stem cells.

What is Nuvilex's Cell-in-a-Box? Could this living cell encapsulation technology be the silver bullet to get many stem cell companies through some of the roadblocks that have plagued their success?

Understand the Science - Understand the Benefits

Nuvilex's "Cell-in-a-Box" technology uses living cells, and the company takes a very specific type of cell to address a specific problem a patient suffers from. Scientists then enclose the cells in unique "capsules", made mainly of cellulose, forming essentially "cotton bags" with live cells inside. The capsules are about the size of the head of a pin. The capsules have "pores" in them that allow nutrients for the cells inside to enter and waste products and "beneficial" factors produced by the encapsulated cells to leave. Each bundle of encapsulated cells becomes much like a miniature cell factory with the ability to produce whatever is needed.

This basic cell encapsulation process can serve as a "platform" upon which treatments for many serious, debilitating, and even fatal diseases may be built. Some of these diseases include different types of cancer, diabetes, diseases for which stem cell therapies are being developed, and diseases caused by viruses.

Why are companies that work with stem cells interested in this technology?

Well, for starters, the development of treatments for many diseases using stem cells has been problematic because, when unencapsulated stem cells are transplanted, about 50% of these transplantations are destined to fail. Among the issues plaguing the science are immune system attacks on the stem cells and the stem cells migrating to other parts of the body after being transplanted, making them less effective and, in some cases, resulting in their forming "abnormal" growths, including tumors.

A few highlights of Nuvilex's Cell-in-a-Box technology include:

• Encapsulation of stem cells with the Cell-in-a-Box technology protects the cells from attack by the body's immune system - the "pores" of the capsules are too small for immune system cells to get inside and destroy the cells within the capsules and are too small to allow the encapsulated cells to leave the capsules.

• Due to the size of Cell-in-a-Box capsules, many cells can easily be fixed in one location. Capsules can be infused, injected or implanted into almost any tissue, organ or location in the body.

• The Cell-in-a-Box capsule material is biologically inert, meaning that it doesn't cause any immune reaction or inflammation at the site of capsule implantation, in the tissues that are near the capsules.

• Once the cells have done their job, the Cell-in-a-Box capsules can be removed, if necessary… depending on implantation location.

• By being safely enclosed in the Cell-in-a-Box capsules, the cells cannot "migrate" to distant locations within the body and form abnormal growths in those places.

The belief that Nuvilex's cell encapsulation process protects the cells inside the capsules from migrating to distant sites within the body and from immune system attacks comes from the company's two independent trials in advanced pancreatic cancer. Here, not only did encapsulated cells remain where they were implanted, but also, they were not attacked by the patient's immune systems; thus, surviving and functioning for more than 2 years inside the body without stimulating immune responses towards them.

Because Nuvilex's technology would keep stem cells at the location in which they are implanted, the cells would be able to secrete "beneficial" factors that are released from the capsules right where they were needed- while the stem cells remain inside the capsules. This property alone could result in the encapsulated cells performing their desired functions with more efficiency than if they were not encapsulated.

Again, Nuvilex's encapsulation of stem cells can greatly reduce the chance of the formation of abnormal growths at sites distant from the site of implantation - encapsulated stem cells do not escape from the capsules.

Additional areas where companies might benefit by using Nuvilex's cell encapsulation technology include long-term cell storage and in bioreactors.

Stem cells encapsulated using Cell-in-a-Box can be frozen and stored for long periods of time without being damaged. This has been somewhat problematic for other forms of encapsulation. Because cells, like other biologic materials, are often shipped over long distances for various uses, it is often advisable that they be shipped in a frozen state; this property of Nuvilex's technology would allow for successful transport of stem cells over long distances without damage.

Additionally, large biotech and pharmaceutical companies like Genentech, Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN), Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK), Pfizer, Inc. (NYSE: PFE), etc. might benefit from the advantages of using the Cell-in-a-Box technology in bioreactors. Bioreactors are large (often 10,000 to 20,000 liters or more) vessels (usually stainless steel) in which some medicines and drugs and industrial biomolecules such as antibodies, therapeutic proteins and enzymes are made. In some cases, like with stem cells, the cells themselves are the product - in others they are a step in the production process.

In a perfect world, cells in bioreactors will be able to perform their desired function with a 100% rate of success. However, due to the design of the systems, the cells inside the bioreactor are often damaged because of the stirring and agitation that is necessary within the bioreactor. These processes impose stresses on the cells that can cause the cells to have inhibited growth and/or biomolecule production. In addition, these stresses may limit the types of cells that can be used, the types of products that can be made, and the overall efficiency of the production processes themselves.

Scientists at Nuvilex feel their cell encapsulation process may optimize the use of stem cells, as well as other types of cells, in bioreactors by protecting them from the aforementioned damage. The Cell-in-a-Box technology might protect the cells sufficiently to allow them to grow and be more productive in the bioreactors. This broadens the scope dramatically for bioproduction from cells, and at the same time, may allow cell types that are too fragile for conventional bioreactors to be used.

For those investing in the stem cell sector, any solution that can help generate the energy and the phenomenon felt six years ago is welcomed. And, if at the same time, that solution can help bring some long-awaited successes to many companies in the sector, stem cells might finally get the "thumbs up" from the FDA and quite possibly approvals of stem cell-based treatments might occur one right after the other.

Stock House Group is an investment relations firm focused on research, content development and awareness.

Disclosure: Stock House Group has no positions in any stocks mentioned, and has no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. Stock House Group wrote this article, and it expresses Stock House Group's own opinions. Stock House Group is not receiving compensation for it.

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose and treat until it is at an advanced stage. Survival of patients with advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer is usually only several weeks or a few months. The National Cancer Institute estimates that, in the U.S. alone, 45,220 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed in 2013 and that 38,460 deaths will be attributable to the dreaded disease this year.

But, like two prize fighters, a pair of biotech companies is steadfast in the battle against a common enemy - pancreatic cancer. Both have presented astounding results that leave one to think, we may be extremely close to turning the corner in the fight against this brutal disease.

David and Goliath Strengthen Hand vs. Opponent

One is a Goliath in the biotech world, leaving the other to take on the role of David as a much smaller biotech, but for those who suffer with pancreatic cancer, they don't see size, they see results. And, the results these two companies are delivering are providing much needed hope to patients, interestingly though, from two completely different approaches.

Goliath in this case is Celgene Corp. The company presented its results from a large phase III trial it sponsored which included 861 patients across 151 clinical sites. Celgene's trial compared nanoparticle-albumin-bound (nab)-paclitaxel (Taxol®), or Abraxane®, plus gemcitabine (Gemzar®) to gemcitabine alone in patients with advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer.

Eli Lilly's (NYSE: [[LLY]]) blockbuster drug, Gemzar is the only drug approved by the FDA as a single agent for the treatment of advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer and the drug is considered the "gold standard" by the market.

Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, MD, Physician-in-Chief and Distinguished Professor at the Translational Genomics Research Institute in Scottsdale, AZ and Consultant to Celgene made the presentation at the Symposium where we learned what this study showed:

• Median survival time for patients treated with a combination of Abraxane plus gemcitabine was 8.5 months vs. 6.7 months for gemcitabine alone - an increase of 1.8 months or almost a 30% increase.

• One-year survival rate obtained with the Abraxane plus gemcitabine combination showed an increase of 59% over the results seen with gemcitabine alone.

The hope now is that Celgene will receive commercialization approval for the new treatment. In an interview with THE ASCO POST, a newspaper style publication collaborating with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO, an international organization), Dr. Von Hoff said:

"The past few decades have brought us very few treatment advances for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. I have counted 33 phase III trials since 1990, and only 3 were positive. This has been a frustrating area."

With that being said, enter Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB: NVLX) our David in this story. Nuvilex could very well be on the doorstep of having the next positive phase III trial since 1990. Through two independent mid-phase trials, this international biotechnology company is producing even more dramatic results than those found in the Celgene trials and doing it with a completely different approach.

This difficult to diagnose cancer, could be on the ropes with these two companies showing incredible promise. As Nuvilex prepares to enter a large-scale, late-stage trial with the combination of its living cell encapsulation technology and the widely used anticancer drug, ifosfamide, for the first time since Eli Lilly introduced gemcitabine (Gemzar®) back in 1996; two companies now have real science producing even better results than the current standard.

Different Approach with Big Pharma Results

Nuvilex uses a unique and proprietary technology - Living Cell Encapsulation.

The process forms a "platform" upon which treatments for many serious, debilitating, and even fatal diseases may be built. Some of these diseases include different types of cancer, diabetes, diseases for which stem cell therapies are being developed, and diseases caused by viruses.

While it does sound confusing, in laymen's terms, the process uses living cells, and the company takes a very specific type of cell to address a specific problem a patient suffers from. Scientists then wrap up cells in a type of cellulose, forming essentially "cotton" capsules with live cells inside that form this "platform" or bundled miniature "house" of cells about the size of the head of a pin. At that point, each bundled platform becomes much like a miniature cell factory with the ability to produce whatever is needed.

Nuvilex has participated in two independent Phase II clinical studies in patients with advanced, non-surgically-removable (inoperable), pancreatic cancer, using the encapsulated cells capable of converting the widely-used anti-cancer drug, ifosfamide, into its "cancer-killing" form.

The latest results using a broader set of data confirmed the results found in the first Phase I/II trial. Both trials offer sets of data that were done at different times, with different populations, and in different hospitals. In the first trial, one location was used; however the second Phase II trial expanded its database by using 4 different hospitals.

Twenty-seven (27) patients were included in the trials and a substantial response was seen in that the use of the living cell encapsulation-ifosfamide combination helped patients to a better outcome than that previoiusly reported with standard single-drug (Gemzar) therapy. Results from these trials included:

• Median Survival Time and One-Year Survival Rate were almost doubled as compared to historical data for Gemzar.

• The severity of ifosfamide's side effects was reduced because only one-third of its usual dose was used.

• No damage to tissues surrounding capsules was seen.

• Cells within the capsules were protected from attack by the patients' immune systems.

• Cells inside the capsules were alive and functioning - even after more than two years.

Another notable difference in the two company's results is found in the side effects that patients have seen. While there were no serious side effects found in Nuvilex's study, the same can't be said of the Celgene results as there were 40% more patients experiencing neutropenia (38% vs. 27%) and far more patients demonstrating neuropathy (17% to 1%) amongst other adverse effects with the combination therapy when compared with Gemzar alone. In fairness, the neuropathy was reversible with 44 percent of patients returning to treatment.

It May be Time for Eli Lilly to Share the Space

In 2008, sales of Gemzar exceeded $1.7-billion, and the drug accounts for well over 55% of the sales of all drugs for advanced pancreatic cancer.

This is significant to both companies and certainly added motivation to Nuvilex as it currently prepares for its large scale Phase III pancreatic cancer trial.

In the future Phase III trial, Nuvilex's pancreatic cancer treatment will be compared "head to head" with Gemzar. Whereas only two cycles of ifosfamide were used in the Phase II trials, for the Phase III trial, more than two cycles will be given, as is often the case when ifosfamide is used in cancer treatment.

If the results obtained with Nuvilex's treatment are statistically better than those obtained with Gemzar, the company's treatment could replace Gemzar as the "gold standard" for the treatment of this devastating disease.

Last week Nuvilex's subsidiary Austrianova Singapore, reported the successful establishment of a research "cell bank" that will ultimately be used to obtain the numbers of cells necessary for conducting the company's late-phase clinical trials.

The American Cancer Society says that 80 percent of all people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer will die within 1 year. On a 5-year basis, 96 out of every 100 patients will be dead, leaving the disease, in the words of the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, as "incurable."

If Nuvilex's larger phase III trials confirm the data from mid-stage trials, the company will likely no longer be a small biotech, but one thing is for sure and that is patients have room for greater optimism now more than ever with Celgene and Nuvilex fighting on their behalf to battle an even great Goliath - pancreatic cancer.

Stock House Group is an investment relations firm focused on research, content development and awareness.

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

In late January and early February, companies like Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink: MJNA) and Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTCQB: CBIS) saw a nice spike in their price per share and strong volume pouring into the stock. This, of course, sent investors looking for other stocks in the sector and set off a much deeper look into the long term potential this industry offers.

The medical cannabis industry was valued at $1.3-billion in 2011, and recent projections have ballooned to almost $9-billion by 2016, with more and more states taking a long look at legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes or decriminalizing the use altogether. Dan Rush, head of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, recently told Reuters that he believes the medical cannabis business could rival the size of the U.S crop or alcohol industries.

The trick to investing is finding long term growth and success with companies that offer a real future. So, with the latest political climate easing on the legalization of marijuana, what better time to look past the dispensaries and road-side stands to find companies in the industry that can offer real longevity.

Two companies, one well known in the industry, and another, a little known, diamond in the rough, have an opportunity to capitalize on the interest pouring into the sector. These stocks should see long term success because they are engaged in the science behind the drug and its medical applications.

Everyone is familiar with Cannabis Science, Inc., a developmental stage company, engaged in the development, production, and commercialization of phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products. CBIS primarily focuses on developing medications to treat autism, blood pressure, cancer and cancer side effects, HIV and other illnesses.

But, not many are familiar with Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB: NVLX) a biotechnology company that has recently entered the sector through its new subsidiary, Medical Marijuana Sciences, Inc., to study the medical applications of marijuana and develop treatments for serious human diseases. Company officials think NVLX can become a leader in the industry because of their work and research in clinical trials.

Medical Marijuana Sciences, Inc. will be focusing initially on developing treatments for brain cancers, including glioblastoma multiforme, which are based on cannabinoids.

Nuvilex's CEO Dr. Robert Ryan said in a February 14, 2013, press release…

"Cancer is one of the most feared diseases affecting mankind. Over the years, a substantial amount of information has appeared in the scientific literature illustrating the cancer-killing activity of naturally-occurring cannabinoids, including THC and CBD.

Therefore, development of cancer treatments by our subsidiary, Medical Marijuana Sciences, Inc. based on such cannabinoids is a fruitful avenue to pursue in Nuvilex's effort to enhance the arsenal of treatments currently available for these devastating and deadly diseases."

Nuvilex, Inc. is an international biotech and clinical stage provider of natural products and cell and gene therapy solutions for the treatment of human diseases. It will bring its expertise in science to the sector through the subsidiary, which will develop treatments for human diseases by employing cannabinoids from marijuana (Cannabis sativa).

Nuvilex's Dr. Ryan said of the move into the industry, "The new subsidiary is a means to further employ our core technologies to capitalize on the rapidly growing medical cannabis industry and provide new products for unmet medical needs."

The Company has expanded to increase its natural product based footprint through medical marijuana studies and is becoming an international biotechnology provider of live, therapeutically valuable, encapsulated cells and services for treatments, research and medicine. Nuvilex's offerings will ultimately include cancer, diabetes and other clinical treatments.

The Company's COO, Dr. Gerald W. Crabtree added, "We believe that by leveraging our in-house expertise and experience obtained from our completed Phase II clinical trial on our living cell encapsulation technology coupled with published research demonstrating the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids on a variety of cancers, will immediately position Nuvilex as a leader in the medical cannabis industry."

Dr. Gerald Crabtree served as the project manager for the development of the anti-cancer agent Taxol with Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: [[BMY]]).

There are some fundamental differences between Nuvilex's move into the space versus some of its industry peers. While most other medical marijuana companies are technology companies, Nuvilex is a true biotechnology company. Although not the exact same, the encapsulation experts at Nuvilex plan to investigate the use of similar technologies in their medical marijuana research.

Current studies indicate cannabinoids appear to kill cancer cells by binding to specific receptors on the surface of cells. Following this binding, cancer cells undergo a series of biochemical processes that ultimately lead to "programmed cell death," also known as apoptosis.

This appears to be a natural fit for Nuvilex. With its research and the results driven by two successful cancer trials, this move into the medical marijuana sector could produce long awaited answers in the world's fight against all types of cancer.

It is the fact that Nuvilex, Inc. is in clinical trials with its cell encapsulation technology that makes NVLX worth a good long look as a mainstay in the industry. The research and expertise behind this science will now be employed at Medical Marijuana Sciences, Inc. and could potentially make this your first true diamond in the rough for 2013.

Read Our Full Research Report on Nuvilex, Inc. Here

Stock House Group is an investment relations firm focused on research, content development and awareness.

According to the National Coffee Association, more than half of the adults in the US drink an average of 3 cups of coffee a day — that's more than 300-million cups every single day. With numbers like these, it's clear to see why coffee outlets are becoming as popular as ATM's. Baristas Coffee Company is carving out its niche in this competitive space by creating a national brand of themed drive-thru espresso stands.  And not just any theme they've chosen to give you a sexy latte, steamy espresso, and perky cup o' joe and they're sweetening the deal with desserts... sweet and sexy, and why not it's clear statistically they both sell.

As you drive thru the company's espresso stands, grab your java, and go about your busy day, you're likely to see one of several fun and unique themed costumes; including, baristas dressed as bumble bees, sailors, cheerleaders, and even nurses.  Barista's CEO Barry Henthorn has a simple plan... hire attractive females to work as baristas, dress them in one of several sexy costumes and enhance sales by training those employees to interact with the customers.  

Baristas makes it easy to buy your steaming, morning jolt of energy.  The company is building brand new drive-thru locations, and it is also acquiring existing businesses that will fit into its model and then developing those sites.  So far, BCCI has opened locations in Seattle and San Antonio, and the company will open more stores in early 2012 in Florida, Arizona, and New Jersey.  

The company is enjoying sales and return customers with its sexy approach and with its great tasting beverages, but Baristas is determined to create even more revenue and not just with the themed costumes its employees don each day.  The CEO is looking at an additional revenue stream through franchising, and Henthorn is so serious about selling franchises of Baristas, that he's brought in franchising guru Robert Palmer Jr. as his Director of Franchise Development.  For those of you saying who is Robert Palmer Jr., let's just say he knows a thing or two about making franchises work as he's been directly involved in developing and selling more than 1000 franchise locations around the world.

Palmer has developed and successfully launched franchise locations for more than 350 concept restaurants, he's been at the forefront of franchising many oil change and auto service centers and he was a key player in developing the Re-Bath Bathtub Liners — the largest bathtub remodeler in the the country.  

When speaking of his vision for franchising Baristas, Palmer said, "after truly understanding the economics, ease of duplicity, and the support structure of the Baristas franchise system, I feel that it can provide the best opportunity for success and rapid expansion that I have ever encountered.  I have complete confidence in the management and longevity of the business model and will be working full time to ensure that it reaches its true potential." 

I think that says it all and Palmer's words have to be encouraging for those following the growth of Baristas as it competes with Starbucks and McDonalds (MCD) among others.  With his successful track record, the company has to be giddy hearing him say Baristas can provide the best opportunity for success and rapid expansion that he's ever encountered.  Couple Palmer's success rate with the fact that Americans aren't going to stop drinking coffee anytime soon, and actually statistics show the number of coffee drinkers is only rising year after year, add sexy to the equation and it's no wonder Baristas has picked up the pace in opening locations and maybe even the floodgates on revenues.