Category Archives: Cf

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), under the auspices of the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis (DERA), published a white paper on Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) earlier this week. The report, written by Vladimir Ivanov and Anzhela Knyazeva, is basically a point in time update on the first few months of issuers using the new securities exemption created by the JOBS Act of 2012. Businesses began using Reg CF in May of 2016 and the report quantified utilization from that date until December 31, 2016.

Under Reg CF, companies may crowdfund up to $1 million from both accredited and non-accredited investors. Reg CF joins the other current crowdfunding exemptions: Reg A+ (up to $50 million) and Reg D 506c (accredited crowdfunding). Reg CF is also in competition, to some degree, with the growing number of intrastate exemptions. Reg CF is viewed as a first step in the capital ladder for early stage companies. The intent was to create a low barrier to capital formation thus empowering businesses to raise sufficient money to get their company off the ground. These same companies frequently are boxed out by banks and may not be sexy enough for traditional VCs.

So what did DERA uncover? The highlights are below:

It should be noted that a single platform, uFundingportal, was yanked from the approved list of intermediaries by FINRA as allegations of bogus offers came to light. Honestly, it was a bit surprising that uFundingportal was ever approved, but that is a discussion for another day. The net effect is that FINRA did the right thing and shut down the platform and not a single investor backed a fraudulent campaign. In fact, there has not been any fraud in the Reg CF space in juxtaposition to what some detractors predicted.

The DERA authors understand that early Reg CF utilization is not necessarily indicative of future results;

These initial results may not be representative of future crowdfunding activity for several reasons. In particular, the early adopters that sought to issue securities in the newly formed crowdfunding market as observed during our sample period may not be representative of the subsequent crowdfunding market entrants. As the market matures, issuers, investors, and portals are likely to gain experience that shapes and potentially changes behaviors in ways that the evidence from this short sample period may not capture. Moreover, potential future changes in the crowdfunding market, such as the entry of new intermediaries, adoption of alternative funding methods by issuers (e.g., intrastate and regional crowdfunding), industry shocks, or changes in aggregate market conditions may cause crowdfunding activity to vary significantly in future periods.

There is plenty more in the DERA white paper (embedded below) but what does this all mean?

The UK is the best market for comparison, and it would be interesting for someone to do a quantifiable comparison on growth trajectory. In many ways, the UK has a far better regulatory regime aligned with a generally supportive government, but this is balanced by a far smaller economy. The UK sector finance has emerged as a robust capital formation ecosystem. Crowdfunding has evolved into a true alternative to both early and later stage funding for companies thus challenging traditional VCs.

The DERA authors are spot on in stating the US industry is still very much evolving and todays activity is probably not wholly indicative of future outcomes. Both issuers and platforms are learning quickly what they can and cannot do. New programs are being tested. The ones that work are kept the ones that dont are quickly jettisoned. Crowdfunding success is never a given and securities crowdfunding is a lot of work.

Additionally, Congress is pushing forward with an update to Reg CF (something attempted last year by Congressman McHenry) that may provide the fuel the exemption needs to drive utilization to a truly meaningful level.

If Congress gets it right, Reg CF may evolve into powerful job creation and innovation catalyst for the economy. Raising the exemption cap to a more realistic level will certainly attract more quality issuers. Allowing special purpose vehicles (SPVs) will make it easier for issuers to manage shareholders and align interests with both big money and small. By now, hopefully, there are no more obstacles for Congress to take the action and do what is necessary to get the job done.

What we do know is that companies that have a strong, committed community perform better and this may be the key to success. Crowdfund Capital Advisors did do some quantifiable work on this highlighting the fact that a bigger social network = more money raised crowdfunding. So build your crowd first before you launch a Reg CF crowdfunding offer otherwise, you may regret it.

In the overall scheme of things, Reg CF is tiny. Reg D, the most popular path to raise private capital is huge at around $1 trillion a year. The incorporation of general solicitation, or allowing an issuer to crowdfund their offer, will keep Reg D at the forefront for most companies raising private capital. But Reg CF has potential as the first step in the capital ladder. One prominent Reg CF platform predicted that $100 million would be raised under this exemption during 2017. If policymakers act and fix Reg CF this number may end up being far larger.

. Bookmark the

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Read more:

SEC Report on Reg CF Crowdfunding: What Does it Mean? - Crowdfund Insider

By: Will Burchfield @burchie_kid

Draw a line between Mikie Mahtooks two MLB seasons, and youll find two different players.

There was the rookie in 2015 who posted a .295 average, .970 OPS and popped nine home runs in41 games. And there was the sophomore in 2016 who, hampered by injuries, slumped to a .195 average and .523 OPS over 65 games.

After an offseason trade from the Rays to the Tigers, Mahtook is fully healthy and confident in the player he can be.

The 2015 version is definitely more me than the 2016 version, Mahtook told the Jamie and Stoney Show on 97.1 The Ticket. I had a really good camp in 2016, I started the season off playing well and then obviously all the injuries hit. But the 2015 version is way, way closer to me than 2016 so expect that one.

Acquired by the Tigers in January, Mahtook is part of a four-horse race for the starting job in center field. His competition consists of Tyler Collins, JaCoby Jones and Anthony Gose. Mahtook, given his terrific defense and offensive upside, feels like the early favorite.

We really like Mikie Mathook, said GM Al Avila heading into spring training. We feel like he still has a lot of potential in his game.

Still indicates promise, but it also suggests something has been lost. A first-team All-American out of LSU, Mahtookwas one of the highest-regarded outfielders in the 2011 draft. The Rays selected him in the first round, 31st overall.

He steadily ascended the minor league ranks and made his big-league debut in 2015. After a couple demotions to Triple-A, he was called up for good in September and hit .353 over the Rays final 27 games. Mahtook, who LSU coach PaulMainieri considersmaybe the most electric player hes ever had in Baton Rouge, was living up to the hype.

Then 2016 struck.

Mahtook began the season in Triple-A, hitting well, before an oblique injury in mid-April sidelined him for about a month.

And I probably should have been out a little longer, he admitted. But obviously as an athlete, you want to recover and play as soon as you can.

So he rushed back into action, figuring he could fight through the pain and find his groove. He never did.

What it led to was me overcompensating and getting into some bad habits and basically having to rework my swing to get out of those habits, Mahtook explained, because I was trying to baby my oblique.

Then, a month later, he broke his hand when he was hit by a pitch versus the Indians. He was shelved until August. When Mahtook returned, both he and the last-place Rays were playing out the string.

So it was a very weird year for me, he said. Ive never been hurt playing baseball, but its something that Ill learn from and something that Ill grow from. Obviously baseballs a mental battle throughout the course of the year, and I had never faced as much mental adversity as I did last year.

But the storm has passed. With a fresh start ona new ballclub, Mahtook has a sunny outlook.

Everythings great, I love the guys on the team, love the vibe that everybody is giving out, he said. Its obviously a veteran-laden team but theres also a bunch of young guys that are filling in the gaps. Its a great group of guys and everybody has the same mindset and the same goals and its just an exciting clubhouse to be in right now.

He has enjoyed getting toknow the Tigers many star players, Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander in particular. Coming from a team comprised mainly of no-names and cast-offs quick, list three Tampa Bay Rays Mahtook admits Detroits star-studded clubhouse has made fora fun changeof scenery.

Sometimes you kind of take a step back and think, Wow, its pretty cool to play with guys that I grew up watching. I think the coolest part about being around those guys, especially if you dont know them, is just to see their personalities and see what theyre like off the field, Mahtook said. You know how good of athletes and how good of baseball players they are, but you dont really know how they are as people because youre never around them.

So for me, to see how down-to-earth and approachable they all are has been awesome.

But Mahtook isnt one to be awed hes used to awing others. Likewise, he isnt one to back down from a challenge hed just as soon conquer it. So the idea of manning the vast outfield at Comerica Park certainly isnt something he finds daunting.

I think its exciting, to be honest with you. Growing up, every time weve played on a bigger field bigger dimensions, bigger gaps Ive been more excited just because you have more room to run around and you dont have to worry about running into the wall or running into the left fielder or the right fielder, Mahtook said.

Im not intimidated by the big center field in Comerica. Im excited for it.

Read more:

Tigers CF Mikie Mahtook: Expect The 2015 Version Of Me - CBS Detroit

CF Sports Information

The College of Central Florida mens and womens basketball teams have officially locked their spots in the upcoming 2017 FCSAA State Basketball Championships taking place March 8-11 in Ocala. CF is set to host the tournament for the fourth consecutive year at Patriot Gym.

The women will begin quarterfinal action on Wednesday at 6 p.m. against defending state and national champions Gulf Coast State College from Panama City. If the Patriots women win, they would advance to the semifinals on Friday at 3.p.m.

The men will tip off on Thursday against Eastern Florida State College at 8 p.m. If the Patriots advance to the semis, they would face the winner of Northwest Florida/Florida Southwestern on Friday at 8 p.m.

Tournament tickets will be available for pre-sale starting Monday in the athletic office on the CF campus in Building 6.

All-tournament passes, which includes all mens and womens games for the duration of the tournament, will be $25 for adults and $15 for students.

Individual day tickets will be sold in sessions, two games per session, with Session I including games at 1 and 3 p.m. and Session II including games at 6 and 8 p.m.

Session passes will be $10 per session for adults and $6 per session for students. Kids 3 and younger will be admitted free.

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JUCO BASKETBALL

FCSAA State Basketball Championships

At The College of Central Florida

Mens tournament

Thursdays games

Broward vs. Daytona St., 1 p.m.

St. Petersburg vs. Tallahassee, 3 p.m.

Northwest Florida vs. Florida Southwestern, 6 p.m.

Eastern Florida vs. Central Florida, 8 p.m.

Fridays games

Semifinals: Broward/Daytona St. winner vs. St. Pete/Tallahassee winner, 6 p.m.

Northwest Florida/Florida Southwestern vs. Eastern Florida/Central Florida, 8 p.m.

Saturdays game

Championship game, 7:30 p.m.

Womens tournament

Mondays game

FSC-Jacksonville vs. Broward, 6 p.m.

Wednesdays games

Santa Fe vs. TBD, 1 p.m.

Chipola vs. Florida Southwestern, 3 p.m.

Gulf Coast St. vs. Central Florida, 6 p.m.

Palm Beach St. vs. TBD, 8 p.m.

Fridays games

Semifinals, 1 p.m.

Semifinals, 3 p.m.

Saturdays game

Championship game, 5 p.m.

Originally posted here:

CF to host men's and women's state hoops tournaments - Ocala

A Phase 3 clinical trial, ACT CF, assessing PTC Therapeutics' (NASDAQ:PTCT) ataluren (Translarna) in nonsense mutation cystic fibrosis (nmCF) failed to achieve its primary or secondary endpoints. As a result, the company will terminate its development of ataluren in CF, close its ongoing extension studies and withdraw its marketing application in Europe.

CEO Stuart Peltz, Ph.D., says, "We are disappointed with the outcome of this trial as there are no treatments that target the underlying cause of nonsense mutation cystic fibrosis, one of the most difficult forms to treat.We are particularly grateful to patients and investigators who participated in our trials. We remain committed to patients receiving ataluren in other indications."

Translarnais a protein restoration therapy designed to enable the formation of a functioning protein in patients with nonsense mutation-caused genetic disorders. It is conditionally approved in Europe to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Nasdaq does not list any premarket trades yet, but investors should expect a significant down move.

Update: Shares are down24%premarket on robust volume.

View post:

PTC Therapeutics' ataluren flunks late-stage CF study; shares slump 24% premarket - Seeking Alpha

2-in-1 tablets running Windows 10 are on the rise, especially at MWC 2017. Most, if not all, of these tablets have premium looks that also belie a certain fragility. Not so the new Panasonic Toughbook CF-33. At the name so plainly implies, this one is designed to stand the elements and some rough handling to boot. It is, however, no slouch either when it comes to performance. Which is pretty much as it should be, considering youre paying premium for it.

Like other Panasonic Toughbooks, the CF-33 is built to survive. While not the highest, the IP65 rating still ensures a measure of water resistance. Its real toughness comes via is magnesium chassis that protects it from drops and falls. All while retaining a relatively portable weight of 1.527 kg by itself or 2.761 kg with the keyboard attached.

Beneath the rough exterior lies the heart of a beast. A computing beast, that is. It supports a 7th gen Intel Core i5 processor and its 12-inch screen boasts a resolution of 21601440 pixels. Thats a 3:2 ratio more common for viewing documents than watching wide screen videos. While already almost a staple on smartphones, the ability to use the touch screen even while wearing gloves is still a rarity among Windows tablets.

The worlds first rugged 2-in-1, or so Panasonic claims, can also run toe to toe with other high-end Windows tablets. For example, it has a digitizer pen, a.k.a. stylus, that itself is iP55 rated. It has a variety of ports as well, including USB 3.0, HDMI out, Ethernet LAN, and microSD card. It also has features youll never find in other tablets, like hot swappable batteries.

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 comes in two flavors, one that has a detachable keyboard and one that doesnt. Naturally, there are different prices for these two, and you might want to sit down first. The Toughbook CF-33 launches in summer in the US with a price tag of $3,499 for the model without a keyboard. Throw in the keyboard and you can get it for $4,099.

SOURCE: Panasonic

Read more here:

Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 gets the 2-in-1 Windows 10 treatment - SlashGear

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. Magneuris Sierra, the only teenager ever to win the Cardinals organizations player of the year award, has always had speed as his tailwind in the minors. Now hes adding strength and seasoning.

The 20-year-old center fielder turned a rocket liner off the right-field wall Monday into a start leading off Tuesday, and then added three singles in the game against the Atlanta Braves. In the ninth inning, he dropped a bunt and outran the throw to invite, momentarily, a rally in what ended as a 2-0 loss.

Sierra also tracked down a fly ball in deep center field for what manager Mike Matheny referred to as one of the finer defensive plays of spring.

A whippy hitter who used his speed to win a batting title, Sierra has added strength through maturity and some charge to his bat with a more direct swing. The double Monday and first two singles Tuesday show the enhanced dimension of his game that will translate as he targets Class AA at some point this year.

Hes an electric player, Matheny said. Hes going to be a plus-plus defender when you put him in the outfield on a consistent basis. Hes fun to watch. He brings a little bit of everything.

The Cardinals got two singles and a walk from the first three batters of the game Tuesday, and yet the inning ended with the cleanup hitter at the plate. He was as mystified as anyone by what had just happened. The Braves picked off all three Cardinals, including two on one play.

Sierra was caught leaning after a single, and Kolten Wong and Stephen Piscotty were caught off two batters later. Piscotty was tagged out as he tried to get back to first.

Baserunning has been a focus on the spring as the Cardinals were the worst in baseball last season, and theyre trying to cut Mathenys gas-pedal approach to spring with the smarter, wiser instruction of drills. Of the three pickoffs in the first inning, the error that will get addressed is the rundown Wong got in and how Piscotty was unable to reach second during it.

We do that every spring: Tell them to push the limits, Matheny said. Dont think Ive ever seen that (three pickoffs) before. But thats the message when they get back in the dugout is stay aggressive. We have to be smart. In general, the philosophy in their mind is to keep the hammer down. Look for the opportunity.

See more here:

Matheny on CF prospect Sierra: 'He's an electric player' - STLtoday.com

about 15 hours ago Updated: about 13 hours ago

Graffiti on Charlemont Place at the side of the Grand Canal in Dublin. Price talks on the groundbreaking but highly expensive cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi are entering a critical phase, Minister for Health Simon Harris has said. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw.

Price talks on the groundbreaking but highly expensive cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi could be completed in weeks, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

With cystic fibrosis patients due to protest outside the Dil on Wednesday over access to the drug, Minister for Health Simon Harris earlier said the discussion between the HSE and manufacturer Vertex Pharmaceuticals were entering a critical phase.

Mr Kenny told the Dil on Wednesday that he expected Mr Harris would finalise a deal for Orkambi in a matter of weeks.

Mr Kenny said Orkambi was a drug which impacted on the quality of life of people with CF, but it was not the Ministers responsibility to determine the value or otherwise of how it was determined.

He was replying to Fianna Fil leader Michel Martin, who said Orkambi could have a transformative affect on CF sufferers.

Talks stalled earlier this month without agreement but the Minister has sent the HSE back to the negotiating table. It is expected that if agreement is reached, he will seek the approval of Cabinet for additional funding for the deal.

Sources close to the talks say both sides are examining a 10-year deal that would fund the cost of Orkambi and another CF drug, Kalydeco.

Mr Harris said he was extremely conscious the last number of months have been an extraordinarily stressful and worrying time for many CF patients and their families.

Given the level of investment and the scale of the potential benefits for CF patients, there are important commercial and contractual aspects which have to be agreed in the interests of patients and the health service overall.

Several thousand people with CF and their families are expected to attend the second Dail protest organised by Jillian McNulty, who has the disease and is on a trial for Orkambi.

Frustrated with the months of negotiations, they say they do not have the luxury of waiting indefinitely for agreement on the drug, which could treat up to 550 Irish CF patients.

Vertex initially sought 159,000 per patient and the HSE estimated the cost to the exchequer of approval would be almost 400 million over five years. The company has reduced its asking price since then, but the amount sought at the end of earlier talks was still well above established cost-effectiveness thresholds for new drugs. Before the talks began, the HSE said it was willing to pay up to 75 million.

Mr Martin said there had been an attempt to denigrate the drug in leaks from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and others. The drug had since had since received awards, he added.

The bottom line is this drug has a very significant impact on quality of life and longevity of people living with CF, hospital admissions and lung functions and so forth, he added.

There is no doubt about the effectiveness of the drug itself.

Here is the original post:

Taoiseach expects deal on CF drug Orkambi in coming weeks - Irish Times

CRYSTAL FALLSThe Crystal Falls Contemporary Center is offering new classes to the community including guitar lessons, knitting classes and another wax painting class. We are excited to continue to offer new classes to the community, said a spokesperson. The wax-painting class, which is for ages 12 and up, is scheduled for Saturday, March 18, from 1-4 p.m. The cost is $35 per person and supplies are included. The knitting class is broken into two, one for kids and the other for adults. The youth class, for students in sixth grade and up is scheduled for Mondays beginning Feb. 27 from 4-5 p.m. The cost is $20 for the four-week class. The adult class, which also begins Feb. 27, will be held on Mondays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for the four week class. Guitar lessons with instructor Pete Dishaw, which began the week of Jan 9, will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. There are four slots available each day for ages 7 and up. The first lesson is free to discuss gear, style, goals and objectives. For more information, call Pete Dishaw at 715-616-1209 or email guitarlessons906@gmail.com. The center is also continuing the Pinot at the Paint, which is held at the Paint River Landing at 6 p.m. on March 9, April 13, April 20, May 11 and May 25. Sign up online to register for classes today. Visit http://www.cfcontemporarycenter.com and hit the Sign up Here tab. Anyone with questions are asked to email cfcontemporarycenter@gmail.com or message them on Facebook. For more information on the guitar lessons, call Pete Dishaw to schedule a lesson.

See more here:

New classes at the CF Contemporary Center - Iron County Reporter

Most of you know the medical definition; a progressive multi-organ illness which affects mainly the lungs. In Ireland average life expectancy is around 28 but many have lost their lives in their teens or early 20s.

But how many of you actually really KNOW what CF is?

CF is constant hospital visits or stays. CF is a needle stuck in your chest for weeks on end to deliver IV antibiotics to make your lungs temporarily better. CF means taking three different types of anti-sickness meds, but these don't always work so you're still so violently ill that you can't eat or drink for days. This then means you are hooked up to IV fluids through the needle in your chest 24-hours a day, which then causes fluid retention.

Can you imagine what it's like to gain 10kg in fluid in 24 to 48 hours? The pain is horrendous, a huge swollen tummy that could be mistaken for a baby. You develop a 'tummy' on your back with the amount of fluid your body can't rid of, huge swollen legs, hands, face, your joints and bones in agony.

CF is knowing that you are living with a ticking time bomb that can go off at any time. CF is haemoptysis: coughing up blood from your lungs like water coming out of a tap, the fear, the panic that if it doesn't stop you are going to die, you are going to bleed to death. CF is being isolated from others with the same illness.

We know exactly what we go through yet we can't even be in the same room as each other. CF is having to watch your CF friends having the life drained out of them, having to watch most of them slowly die, because they picked up a bug or flu that was to end their short lives.

CF is constant stares from strangers when you have a coughing fit, constant looks of terror in case I may be spreading the bubonic plague. CF is always being on edge, constantly listening for a sniffle, sneeze or cough from anyone near you, because that can land you in hospital for weeks.

CF is loneliness. Knowing you could spend your life alone because you get rejected from possible life partners because they cannot deal with the endless hospital visits, endless tears when you can't even speak because you're so breathless, the constant fear 'am I next?'. CF is finding out who your real friends are, who cares enough to visit, send a card, a text to see how you're doing. CF is rejection from "friends" because you can't keep up with normal healthy lifestyles.

CF is fighting every day to be here, to defeat the monster that lives inside you. CF is showing your brave face to the world when you are lying in your hospital bed fearing for your life because it hurts to breathe, to move, to shower, the excruciating pain of gasping for breath when you try to walk a few steps. CF is sometimes being in hospital and not knowing whether you will walk out through the front doors or leave in a coffin through the morgue.

CF is a lonely, traumatising, unforgiving, frightening illness yet there's one thing that has made a difference to my life... Orkambi.

All of this was my reality for approximately eight months of the year. Before Orkambi, CF controlled practically every aspect of my life. CF took away my brother and some of my closest friends. Before Orkambi I was approximately eight months of the year in hospital, in the last three years I've spent just 12 weeks in hospital. Incredible.

While Orkambi isn't a cure, it has stopped progression completely, it has increased my lung function capacity by 10pc and I have boundless energy. I no longer live my life from a hospital bed. Orkambi has given the CF community hope and sometimes hope is all we have.

Jillian has organised a protest with other people with Cystic Fibrosis outside Dil ireann today from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

Visit link:

Comment: You know the medical definition... but how many of you ... - Irish Independent

CRYSTAL FALLSA new mayor will represent the city of Crystal Falls after former Mayor Patrick Sommers resigned at the end of January. Sommers recently moved out of the city so he had to resign, per city charter. He was present at the recent February regular meeting and said that the board had known his resignation was coming. During the regular meeting, former Mayor Pro Tem David Sherby was sworn in as mayor for the remaining of Sommers unexpired term. With Sommers resignation and Sherby taking over as mayor, an open seat is available and needs to be filled within 30 days, according to City Manager Patrick Reagan. If the vacancy is not filled within that time, a special election must be held as per the charter. The board voted to schedule a special meeting on Monday, Feb. 27, at 5:30 p.m. to view applications and possibly appoint someone to fill the seat. According to Reagans report, a special election has not been budgeted; therefore he recommended that the board advertise immediately for a qualified voter who resides in the city. I believe that it would be in the best interest of the city to advertise for this appointment immediately, he said, and to review and discuss all received applications at this special meeting. This will help us to avoid a costly special election.

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Excerpt from:

Sherby named CF mayor Falls mayor - Iron County Reporter