A March 2012 report from RNCOS (an industry research firm) forecasts the global nanotechnology market to reach $26 billion by the end of 2014—representing a CAGR of roughly 19%—driven by expansion of nanomaterials, nanofilms, and nanodevices in all sectors of the economy, including throughout the built environment.
At present, the U.S. remains the largest market for nanotechnology, although many other nations (Brazil, India, and China included) are making sizable investments in R&D for this field. In less than a decade (since the 21st Century Nanotechnology R&D Act was signed into law on December 3, 2003), the U.S. has spent $24 billion on nanotech R&D.
In this fast-paced industry, there is a constant news flow of corporate developments, policy implications, investments, and (most intriguing) the exciting new products that are being commercialized by manufacturers who can harness the power of nanotechnoloy. Accordingly, there have been number of sector and corporate developments since the release of our base report, Nanotechnology and the Built Environment: The Transition to Green Infrastructure (published November 2011).
We recently published an updated report highlighting many of the innovations in this field over the past couple months. A link to this update, and a synopsis of its content, is provided below. We look forward to continuing to keep our readers informed of opportunities, risks, and trends in the nanotech markets.
CONTINUING COVERAGE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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Key sector developments on…
Concrete/Brick ▪ Data and Other Communications Infrastructure ▪ Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) ▪ Insulation ▪ Lighting, Organic Light-emitting Diodes (OLED), and Displays ▪ Smart Paints, Coatings, and Materials ▪ Solar/Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) ▪ Structural Steel ▪ Water Treatment ▪ Windows
Company developments from…
A. Schulman, Inc. (SHLM-NASDAQ) ▪ Abakan Inc. (ABKI.PK-OTC) ▪ BASF SE (BASFY-OTC) ▪ Cabot Corp. (CBT-NYSE) ▪ Calgon Carbon Corporation (CCC-NYSE) ▪ Honeywell International Inc. (HON-NYSE) ▪ Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI-NYSE) ▪ Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT-NYSE) ▪ MiaSolé ▪ Siemens AG (SI-NYSE) ▪ and more…
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Since we first initiated coverage on Unilife (UNIS-NASDAQ) in 2009, we have seen the company grow and accomplish a number of impressive milestones. Unilife has transitioned from a development-stage Australian medical device company to a sizable, commercial-stage, NASDAQ-listed U.S. company.
Over the past three years, we have kept investors updated as Unilife raised over $140 million in various financings and government support; constructed and relocated from Sydney to a 165,000-sq. ft., state-of-the art manufacturing facility and global headquarters in York, Pennsylvania; and began commercializing a portfolio of patented syringe products worldwide.
This week, the company continued its expansion, targeting mobile audiences with an investor relations app now available for free at the App Store™ on the iPhone®. The app offers Unilife's latest press releases and SEC filings as well as background information, videos, and presentations from the company.
Building an Advanced Drug Delivery Company
When we first got acquainted with Unilife's story back in 2009, the company had just secured a valuable industrialization agreement with Sanofi SA (SNY-NYSE), under which it began developing a new type of prefilled syringe that could meet the global medical community's need for safer drug delivery products. Today, the Unifill® Syringe is mass produced at the company's York, PA, facility and sold to pharma customers globally, including Sanofi. Drug manufacturers fill the safety syringe with medicine before shipping it to physicians, hospitals, and pharmacies.
In addition to commercialization of the Unifill® Syringe, Unilife has developed, received FDA clearances for, and commenced global sales of its Unitract® range of 1mL syringes (for medicines such as insulin), which are now also produced in the U.S. Importantly, the company's pipeline of advanced drug delivery products today includes an array of new initiatives to keep the momentum going, including Unifill® EZMix multiple-chamber prefilled syringes, Unifill® auto-injectors for self-administration by patients outside of healthcare facilities, and an AutoInfusor™ line of subcutaneous infusion systems.
Recent Press
We are not the only people who are excited about Unilife's prospects. The company's CEO, Alan Shortall, was recently interviewed for and appeared on the cover of the March edition of Drug Development and Delivery. The complete article is available here.
As well, on Monday, March 12, Mr. Shortall appeared on Bloomberg's TV show InBusiness with Margaret Brennan, where he discussed Unilife's plans for growth, which includes continued hiring of 120 people over the next 12-18 months.
If video does not play, click here for a direct link to the video on Bloomberg.
Crystal Research Associates has just issued a report on PhotoMedex Inc., a global skin health company addressing a worldwide aesthetic industry valued at roughly $34 billion annually. Closely held Radiancy® Inc. and publicly traded PhotoMedex Inc. merged in December 2011, whereby Radiancy became a majority-owned subsidiary of PhotoMedex. Each company emphasizes the development of physician-endorsed skin care products based on science. Upon receiving clearance for use, these products are commercialized through a systematic, proprietary marketing programs that are fundamental to business success and growth.
89% Year over Year Revenue Growth Reported Yesterday
Reflecting successful marketing strategies, on March 8, 2012, PhotoMedex reported revenues of over $132 million for the year ended December 31, 2011—an 89% increase over 2010. This included $1.5 million from operations of pre-merged PhotoMedex, representing its activities from December 13, 2011 (the date of merger with Radiancy) to December 31, 2011. On a proforma basis, combined 2011 company revenues were $162.3 million. Radiancy’s 2010 sales were $70 million. As of December 31, 2011, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $16.5 million.
The Company provides dermatologists, professional aestheticians, and consumers with the equipment and skin care products they need to treat specific skin conditions, such as psoriasis, vitiligo, acne, and UV damage, among others. The recent marriage with Radiancy® Inc. brings to PhotoMedex the no!no!® line of home-use consumer products for hair removal, as well as acne treatment and skin rejuvenation. Radiancy further markets capital equipment to physicians, salons, and med spas for hair removal, acne treatment, skin tightening and rejuvenation, and psoriasis care.
You've likely seen ads for one of their more well-known products: the no!no!® Hair Removal 8800™ (no!no! brands also target at-home acne treatment and skin rejuvination).
The no!no! Hair Removal 8800™ was demonstrated on The Dr. Oz Show.
Radiancy possesses a proprietary consumer marketing engine built upon direct-to-consumer sales and creative marketing programs that drive brand awareness. During 2012, PhotoMedex expects to benefit from the impact of these marketing methodologies and expertise on its XTRAC® Excimer Laser and NEOVA® topical skin care lines while continuing to realize organic and geographic growth of additional brands. XTRAC received an FDA clearance in 2000 and has since become a widely recognized treatment among dermatologists for psoriasis and other skin conditions for which there are no cures. The NEOVA line of topical formulations is designed to prevent premature skin aging due to UV-induced DNA damage.
Their NEOVA® skin care line was demonstrated on The Doctors.
The Company has a rapidly expanding global presence that includes a 48-person direct sales force in the U.S., specialty distributors and retail venues in over 55 countries, online sales, product carried on home shopping TV channels, Company-owned stores/kiosks in certain countries, and targeted infomercials and print media disseminated worldwide.
Some of the magazines where the Company's products have appeared...
PhotoMedex's leadership is skilled in consumer, physician, and professional product development and sales, in particular, marketing professional aesthetics devices made for consumers. Management is supported by an experienced Board of Directors and a comprehensive Scientific Advisory Board, whose members bring broad dermatological and aesthetic medical expertise to PhotoMedex.
PhotoMedex (PHMD-NASDAQ) ended the day (March 9th) 
$1.24 (10.48%) at $13.07.
Neonode Inc. (NEON.OB) is set to report fourth quarter and year-end 2011 financials on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. In anticipation of those results, now is a good time to take a closer look at the Company and its prospects. Crystal Research has initiated coverage on Neonode with the publication of a 52-page Executive Informational Overview® providing a comprehensive discussion of the Company, its technology, markets, and competitors. The report is complimentary to our readers.
What does Neonode do?
Neonode provides infrared touchscreen solutions that make electronic devices touch sensitive. Its applications include handhelds, midsized consumer, and industrial products. The company operates under a resource-efficient technology licensing model, and receives revenues from non-exclusive, royalty-based licenses to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), original design manufacturers (ODMs), and component suppliers. The Company’s technology, branded zForce®, holds multiple patents and could rival low-cost resistive touch technologies while outperforming today’s advanced capacitive touch solutions.
The zForce® (an abbreviation for “zero force necessary”) touch technology was designed to overcome many of the limitations of today’s touchscreens. The premise of the Company’s approach entails the projection of an infrared grid across an electronic display. As users tap, swipe, or write on the screen, zForce® detects the location of the touch based on the interruption in infrared light projecting across the screen, which translates to coordinates on the grid. The zForce® architecture and input method is believed to be unique to Neonode.
Where can I find a zForce® Display?
Since 2009, Neonode reports that it has entered into license agreements for the zForce® touch technology with 14 customers. The zForce® is employed in the Kindle Touch eReader from Amazon.com, Inc. and the Nook eReader from Barnes & Noble, Inc., as well as in eReaders from Sony Corp., Kobo Inc., and Koobe Inc. The Company has also licensed its display technology to ASUSTeK Computer Inc. and L&I Electronic Technology Co., Ltd (a joint venture between LG Display Co., Ltd and IRIVER Ltd), among other companies in the tablet PC, mobile phone, and automotive sectors.
In support of the widespread potential of the zForce® touchscreen to revolutionize the display industry, Neonode received mention on CNBC yesterday as a prospective supplier to Apple Inc. (AAPL-NASDAQ), noting that Neonode is not currently a supplier to Apple. The capacitive display on Apple’s iPhone is activated by conductive material rather than applied pressure. Electrodes in the display recognize contact with an electrical conductor, such as a finger. Such capacitive devices perform multi-touch but cannot be activated by standard pointers or gloves as these are non-conductive. As a result, many users find that their touchscreen can recognize taps from their fingers but not fingernails. In contrast, the zForce® screens offer full finger touch capabilities (e.g., gestures like “pinching” the screen to zoom in or out) as well as high-resolution pen/stylus support in the same solution.
Is there room for Neonode to grow in this market?
The global touchscreen market was estimated at $13.4 billion in 2011, forecast to reach nearly $24 billion by 2017. Neonode believes that it holds approximately 80% of the market for touchscreen interfaces in black-and-white eReaders—a sector expected to ship between 34 million and 38 million units during 2012 (Sources: Forbes and The New York Times). Product launches during 2012 are expected to demonstrate the zForce® technology for a number of new applications, including on a seven-inch color Android tablet from Oregon Scientific, Inc.
Yesterday, we released a Quarterly Update on Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (APDN-OTC), which includes an overview of the Company's first quarter FY 2012 financial results as well as a business update.
For the first quarter of fiscal 2012 (ended December 31, 2011), APDN reported revenues of $516,904, a 63% increase over the first quarter FY 2011. This continues the Company’s momentum, having previously reported the highest annual revenues in its history to date: $968,848 for FY 2011 (ended September 30, 2011) as APDN increased its customer base by roughly 40% during the year.
The Company’s SigNature DNA technology is used to protect banks/ATMs and jewelry stores, cash-in-transit strong boxes, textiles and apparel, documents and packaging, pharmaceuticals, wine, and luxury items, such as guitars produced by the C.F. Martin Company. The Company's anti-crime technology has been awarded several honors to date and recently helped law enforcement in the UK dismantle a major drug ring.
APDN's SigNature DNA has also been implemented in Europe and the U.S. to create high-security anti-counterfeiting systems. As well, SigNature DNA is currently being used a pilot managed by LMI (a private, not-for-profit consulting agency) and sponsored by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to authenticate microchips in the military supply chain. This is part of a nearly $1 million follow-on contract to fully engage one of the government’s microchip supply chains and demonstrate the technology at a commercial scale.
APDN is focused on expanding its technologies into new markets. In February 2012, the Company's smartDNA anti-intruder mist system (demonstrated in the video below) was installed at its first Long Island pharmacy. As well, APDN has created digitalDNA technology, which entails the application of botanical DNA onto ID cards to help prevent cheating on standardized tests.
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