CARDIO INFRARED TECHNOLOGIES (OTC: CIRT)
"Up 1,150.00% on Wednesday"

Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/CIRT.php

Cardio Infrared Technologies, Inc is a technology and marketing company, which is focused on developing the revolutionary and evolutionary process of combining exercise equipment with medical benefits that go far beyond the normal benefits of standard exercise equipment. Cardio Infrared Technologies, Inc. is committed to continue to market this equipment to the exercise and medical markets and to aggressively expand the market to every country around the world. The equipment has already been featured on Good Morning America and The View. Cardio Infrared Technologies, Inc. also has an aggressive growth plan that includes acquisitions and development of innovative new equipment in the exercise and medical industries.

CIRT News:

April 8 - Cardio Infrared Technologies Ships Units Sold At Anti-Aging Show

Cardio Infrared Technologies, Inc. (OTC: CIRT), a leading Health and Wellness technology and marketing company, announced those shipments of the Cardio-Cor units that were sold during and after the Anti-Aging Show in Las Vegas, Nevada in December 2007 began shipping the week of March 3, 2008.

Wayne Bailey, President and CEO of Cardio Infrared Technologies, Inc., stated, "Sales of the Cardio-Cor are requiring an unusually long sales process; more than Cardio's normal sales within our target market. Purchasers existing facilities are already cramped for space from existing treatment and procedure equipment. If an existing facility wants to purchase a Cardio-Cor Exerbike they must often remove and relocate existing equipment or treatment areas and add to or expand their current facility. This process usually requires reallocation of resources to expand and or locate a new lease and often move to a new location. Cardio Infrared Technologies, Inc. is working with a number of clients that are in this process and will be ready for units to be delivered soon."

Cardio Infrared Technologies, Inc. has a significant back log of customers in various stages of moving, building, expanding or awaiting to complete start-up facilities so that they can complete their purchase and take delivery of the Cardio-Cor units.

EP MEDSYSTEMS INCORPORATED (NASD: EPMD)
"Up 102.84% on Wednesday"

Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/EPMD.php

EP MedSystems, Inc. engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of a line of products for the cardiac electrophysiology market to diagnose, monitor, visualize, and treat arrhythmias. The company's products include EP-WorkMate system, a computerized electrophysiology workstation that monitors, displays, and stores cardiac electrical activity and arrhythmia data; EP-4 Computerized Cardiac Stimulator, which is used to stimulate the heart with electrical impulses to locate electrical disturbances; and MapMate interface that enables EP-WorkMate system to share information, log data, and generate a common report with the CARTO Mapping navigation system. It also offers intracardiac ultrasound imaging, including ViewMate ultrasound imaging console and ViewFlex intracardiac imaging catheters for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardias. In addition, the company provides the ALERT System that uses an electrode catheter to deliver bi-phasic electrical impulses directly to the inside of the heart to convert atrial fibrillation to a normal heart rhythm; and diagnostic electrophysiology catheters for stimulation and sensing of electrical signals during electrophysiology studies. EP MedSystems sells its products directly to medical institutions and physicians in the United States and France, as well as to a network of distributors in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It has strategic alliances with Philips Medical Systems Nederland B.V. and Biosense Webster, Inc. The company was founded in 1993 and is based in West Berlin, New Jersey.

EPMD News:

April 9 - St. Jude Medical to Acquire EP MedSystems

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE: STJ) and EP MedSystems, Inc. (NASD: EPMD) announced that the Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which St. Jude Medical will acquire EP MedSystems for approximately $92.1 million.

Terms of the Agreement:

Under the terms of the merger agreement, EP MedSystems shareholders will receive $3.00 of consideration for each EP MedSystems share they own, with the option of receiving that amount in cash or St. Jude Medical common stock. The number of shares of St. Jude Medical common stock that EP MedSystems shareholders will receive will be determined based on the average closing price over 10 trading days, ending on the second business day before the transaction closes. The cash and stock elections are subject to pro-ration such that St. Jude Medical will issue 40 percent of the total merger consideration in St. Jude Medical common stock and 60 percent in cash.

In connection with this transaction, St. Jude Medical’s Board of Directors has approved an additional stock buyback authorization of $50 million, which increases St. Jude Medical’s share repurchase authorization from $250 million to $300 million. The additional buyback authorization will be used to offset the shares issued in this transaction.

The companies anticipate this acquisition will close during the third quarter of 2008. In connection with this transaction, St. Jude Medical will record a special charge for in-process R&D. This acquisition does not change St. Jude Medical’s existing guidance for 2008 earnings per share, exclusive of the special charge.

Acceleration of St. Jude Medical’s AF Program:

Upon completion, this transaction will immediately add two new growth drivers to St. Jude Medical’s program for products used in atrial fibrillation (AF) and other electrophysiology (EP) catheterization procedures. This includes the EP-WorkMate® computerized electrophysiology workstation with a fully integrated EP-4™ Computerized Cardiac Stimulator and expansion options to incorporate the NurseMate™ Remote Review Charting Station. The EP-WorkMate® platform already enjoys a strong number two share of the global market for EP recording systems in spite of limited sales and marketing resources.

This transaction will also expedite St. Jude Medical’s entry into the high-growth intracardiac ultrasound echocardiography (ICE) market with the EP MedSystems ViewMate® II intracardiac ultrasound system and the next generation ViewFlex™ PLUS ICE catheter scheduled for market release this quarter. This market is growing at an estimated 25 percent to 30 percent per year and includes both electrophysiology and interventional cardiology applications.

“This transaction will accelerate the growth of St. Jude Medical’s program to help physicians cure atrial fibrillation,” said Daniel J. Starks, chairman, president and chief executive officer of St. Jude Medical. “EP MedSystems’ new ClearWave™ signal recording technology and its next generation ViewFlex™ PLUS ICE catheter will be especially important additions to our AF technology platform.”

David Bruce, president and chief executive officer of EP MedSystems, said, “With growth accelerating over the past year, EP MedSystems’ products and market position are stronger than they’ve ever been thanks to the focus and efforts of our employees. This transaction delivers significant shareholder value and enables our key product platforms to benefit from the extensive worldwide distribution, customer support and product development infrastructure of St. Jude Medical. We look forward to working with the St. Jude Medical team toward a seamless combination.”

The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions and regulatory approvals, and approval by EP MedSystems shareholders. Following the close of the transaction, Bruce is expected to join St. Jude Medical, and EP MedSystems will become part of the Atrial Fibrillation division of St. Jude Medical.

In connection with the transaction, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP is serving as legal counsel for St. Jude Medical. Piper Jaffray & Co. is acting as financial advisor to EP MedSystems, and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is serving as legal counsel for EP MedSystems.

Earnings Webcast Information:

As previously announced, St. Jude Medical will hold a webcast to discuss its first quarter 2008 financial results on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. CDT. St. Jude Medical will also discuss this transaction at that time. The webcast can be accessed at www.sjm.com.

ABOUT ST. JUDE MEDICAL

St. Jude Medical is dedicated to making life better for cardiac, neurological and chronic pain patients worldwide through excellence in medical device technology and services. St. Jude Medical has five major focus areas that include: cardiac rhythm management, atrial fibrillation, cardiac surgery, cardiology and neuromodulation. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., St. Jude Medical employs approximately 12,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.sjm.com.

ORIGEN FINANCIAL (NASD: ORGN)
"Up 68.89% on Wednesday"

Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/ORGN.php

Origen Financial, Inc. operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States. The company engages in the origination, purchase, and servicing of manufactured housing loans. It also provides loan origination services to third parties. In addition, the company underwrites mortgage loans through manufactured houses and the underlying real estate companies. As of December 31, 2007, it originated loans in 45 states and serviced loans in 47 states. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. It would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. Origen Financial, Inc. was founded in 1996 and is based in Southfield, Michigan.

ORGN News:

April 9 - Origen Financial Announces $46 Million Financing

Origen Financial, Inc. (NASD: ORGN), a real estate investment trust that originates and services manufactured housing loans, announced that it has completed a $46 million secured financing arrangement provided by an affiliate of one of Origen's principal stockholders.

Ron Klein, CEO of Origen, stated "We are extremely pleased with this financing. Given the pending expiration of the extended term of our credit facilities, and amid difficult credit markets, we are fortunate to have arranged this financing on competitive terms. We have applied the proceeds of this financing to pay off our remaining obligations to our primary bank lender under our supplemental advance facility. Our loan portfolio continues to experience excellent credit performance. We are gratified that by making this investment one of our largest shareholders has confirmed his confidence in Origen. Acknowledging that the credit markets may remain unsettled for some time, we will continue to monitor our liquidity and act on opportunity to ensure that we have the financial flexibility to navigate through this difficult market environment and continue to preserve the value of our assets for our shareholders."

The financing consists of a secured note bearing interest at 14.5% per year secured by all of Origen's assets. The note matures in three years, subject to a one-year extension option by Origen. As part of the financing, Origen issued 5-year warrants to the lender to purchase 2,600,000 shares of Origen common stock at an exercise price of $1.22 per share, which equals the closing price for Origen common stock on April 7, 2008. In connection with completing the financing, the lender agreed to cancel outstanding warrants to acquire 500,000 shares of Origen common stock at an exercise price of $6.16 per share and terminated the right to convert up to $5 million of existing debt to Origen common stock at a conversion price of $6.237 per share.

MEDICAL INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES HOLDINGS (OTC: MIHS)
"Up 45.45% on Wednesday"

Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/MIHS.php

MIHS is a wholesale distributor of medical supplies to physician's offices, clinical laboratories, urgent care centers and hospitals. MIHS utilizes numerous methods of marketing its products including traditional office visits as well as a physician network system. All services and products are provided via the web. MIHS has one of the most extensive online ordering systems in the nation. MIHS also has a 24-hour delivery system which makes it the most proficient ordering system in healthcare today. MIHS also has a Minority Business Certification wherein the company can bid on major contracts with hospitals nationwide.

MIHS News:

April 9 - Medical Institutional Services Holdings Signs Contract With Doctors Family Medical Centers

Medical Institutional Services Holdings, Inc. (OTC: MIHS) (MIHS) announced that it has signed a contract with primary care facility Doctors Family Medical Centers. Located in Tampa, Florida, the centers are expanding state wide under the direction of medical director Morayma Martinez, MD. The contract will generate approximately $100,000 in revenues for MIHS. "As Doctors Family grows, so will the orders that they will be placing within our online ordering system. We are very excited with this contract, considering the anticipated growth of Doctors Family," said Ron Berman MIHS President. MIHS continues to expand and with the signing of each contract its reputation will be further branded throughout the health care industry. The highly recognized features of the MIHS business model are leading this company to new levels of expertise in the distribution of medical supplies.

SKINNY NUTRITIONAL (OTCBB: SKNY)
"Up 36.36% on Wednesday"

Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/SKNY.php

Skinny Nutritional Corp. develops, markets, and distributes consumer beverage products. It offers a line of bottled waters and dietary supplements under the "Skinny" brand. The company manufactures, markets, and distributes Skinny Water, a dietary supplement beverage designed to assist consumers in their weight loss efforts under a worldwide license agreement with Peace Mountain Natural Beverages Corporation. Its other Skinny beverages include Skinny Water, Skinny Java, Skinny Tea, Skinny Juice, and Skinny Shakes. Skinny Nutritional Corp. has an agreement with InterHealth Nutraceuticals Incorporated to sell, market, distribute, and package Super CitriMax, the active ingredient in Skinny Water. The company was founded in 1984. It was formerly known as Parvin Energy, Inc. and changed its name to Sahara Gold Corporation. Further, it changed its name to Inland Pacific resources, Inc. in 1994; to Creative Enterprises International, Inc. in 2001; and to Skinny Nutritional Corp. in 2006. The company is based in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

SKNY News:

April 8 - Former President and COO of Coca-Cola Philadelphia Teams Up with Skinny Nutritional Corp.

Skinny Nutritional Corp. (OTCBB: SKNY), the exclusive worldwide marketer and distributor of Skinny Water®, announced that Ron Wilson, former President and Chief Operating Officer of Coca-Cola Bottling Philadelphia, will serve on Skinny’s Board of Advisors. Mr. Wilson will lend his expertise in developing and executing the company’s strategic sales and distribution plans for Skinny Water.

Wilson worked in the soft drink industry for over 37 years. He began his career in 1969 at a PepsiCo Inc. (NYSE: PEP) owned plant in North Brunswick, New Jersey in various capacities of production, warehousing, vending delivery and route sales. By 1975, Wilson was promoted to Branch Manager of the Pepsi plant in Boston. He continued his career at Coca-Cola Bottling Company (Nasdaq: COKE), a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), in 1977 as a Financial Analyst for Coke New York. During the next seven years, Wilson took on positions within the Coca-Cola enterprise as a Division Manager in Connecticut, Vice President/General Manager for Coke New York’s New England operation, Vice President/General Manager for the New Jersey Upstate New York division, and subsequently in 1985, Wilson became President and Chief Operating Officer for the Philadelphia, South Jersey and Delaware Valley region. He ran and operated the region until retirement in November 2006.

“I led one of the largest coke bottlers in the United States and the fourth largest minority owned business,” says Wilson. “As a member of Skinny’s Board of Advisors, I feel I can bring my expertise in the beverage industry to help them in areas such as marketing, organizational development and distribution. Skinny Water is a brand that I feel is very unique to the consumer and to beverage distributors, who are looking for the next big idea similar to Vitamin Water to add value to their business.”

Don McDonald, President and CEO of Skinny Nutritional Corp. comments, “We are excited to have Ron on our team. His experience and expertise in brand-building and beverage distribution will be beneficial in the coming months as we expect to roll-out the new Skinny Water product line next month.”

Wilson also has been involved in a number of associations during his tenure in the soft drink industry. He was formerly President of the Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Association and a board member of The Dr. Pepper Bottlers’ Association for many years. In addition, he has held a seat on the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Mr. Wilson currently serves on numerous charitable and industry boards. He is the Vice Chairman for the Board of Overseers at Rutgers University, and is as an advisor to Rutgers School of Business in Camden.

Enhanced water beverages are the fastest growing segment in the beverage industry, led by industry leaders such as Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), PepsiCo Inc. (NYSE: PEP), and Cadbury Schweppes plc (NYSE: CSG).

INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION (OTCBB: ISCO)
"Up 33.82% on Wednesday"

Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/ISCO.php

International Stem Cell Corporation, a development stage biotechnology company, through its subsidiary, Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC, focuses on the development of therapeutic and research products. The company is developing stem cells that are comparable in function to, but distinct in derivation from, embryonic stem cells from which cells for human transplant can be derived; techniques to cause those cells to be differentiated into the specific cell types required for transplant; and manufacturing protocols to produce these cells without contamination with animal by-products in compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements. It aims to use human embryonic stem cells for the treatment of various diseases, including diabetes, liver disease, and retinal disease, through cell transplant therapy. The company also develops research products, including specialized cell systems, and media and reagents for use in stem cell and other medical research. It sells its research products to academic institutions, governmental entities, and commercial research companies. The company was founded in 2001 and is based in Oceanside, California.

ISCO News:

April 9 - International Stem Cell Corporation Announces Collaboration with the University of Cambridge to Study Parthenogenetic Stem Cells

International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO), announced a new collaboration with the University of Cambridge (UK) as part of ISCO’s ongoing strategy to work with scientific leaders across the world to expand the scientific data relating to parthenogenetic stem cells.

According to Roger A. Pedersen, PhD, Professor of Regenerative Medicine at Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, “We look forward to conducting molecular and genetic assessment of imprinted gene expression and DNA methylation on these unique cells.”

ISCO is the first company in the world to perfect a process for creating human stem cells from unfertilized eggs. These cells are called “parthenogenetic” stem cells and they alleviate two critical problems inherent to the use of embryonic stem cells for cell transplantation, immune rejection and ethical issues associated with the use of fertilized human embryos. Such cells can be “matched” to the immune systems of millions of persons. ISCO’s goal is to create a “cell bank” of clinical grade parthenogenetic cells available for immediate use without having to isolate cells from the patient’s own body or depend on cells isolated from other living individuals.

“Collaborations with leading researchers such as Dr. Pedersen at the University of Cambridge brings us closer to ISCO’s goal of creating a true stem cell bank that could offer on-demand delivery of stem cells matched to a patient’s own immune system,” said Jeffrey Janus, president of International Stem Cell Corporation. “Our intent is to provide these HLA-homozygous cell lines to researchers across the world to advance the field of regenerative medicine, as well as to commercialize our cells for cell transplant therapies.”

ISCO’s discovery of a way to make parthenogenetic cells that match the immune system of millions of persons was first announced in December, 2007 in a peer reviewed paper authored by ISCO’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Elena Revazova, MD, PhD, entitled “HLA Homozygous Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Parthenogenetic Blastocysts,” published in the online edition of Cloning and Stem Cells Journal (www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/clo.2007.0063). One such line, identified as hpSC-Hhom-4, was found to match the most common immune type found across the United States, opening the door to potential therapeutic application for tens of millions of people of different races, sexes and ages.

ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

As the University of Cambridge approaches its eight-hundredth anniversary in 2009, it is looking to the future. Its mission is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. It admits the very best and brightest students, regardless of background, and offers one of the UK’s most generous bursary schemes.

The University of Cambridge’s reputation for excellence is known internationally and reflects the scholastic achievements of its academics and students, as well as the world-class original research carried out by its staff. Some of the most significant scientific breakthroughs occurred at the University, including the splitting of the atom, invention of the jet engine and the discoveries of stem cells, plate tectonics, pulsars and the structure of DNA. From Isaac Newton to Stephen Hawking, the University has nurtured some of history’s greatest minds and has produced more Nobel Prize winners than any other UK institution with over 80 laureates.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION

International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) is a California biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutic and research products. ISCO’s technology, Parthenogenesis, results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cell lines from unfertilized human eggs. ISCO scientists also have created the first Parthenogenetic homozygous stem cell line (phSC-Hhom-4) that can be a source of therapeutic cells that will not be immune rejected after transplantation into millions of individuals of differing sexes, ages and racial groups. These advancements offer the potential to create the first true “Stem Cell Bank” and address ethical issues by eliminating the need to use or destroy fertilized embryos. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media worldwide for therapeutic research through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology. For more information, visit the ISCO website at www.internationalstemcell.com.

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