GR Report Card

[msemporda]

Agreed - if it's any consolation I used to hit Lansdowne Street on weekends (and some weekdays!) when
the legal age was still 18 and had a blast in the shadow of the great Fenway :-)

Cheers

msemporda. I guess you and I will just have to agree to somehow get along, with me being a staunch Boston Red Sox fan and all. Okay with you. SS

[msemporda]

I don't really believe the scientific teams accomplishments of getting the RPE INDs filed and
setting up the clinical trials can be attributed too much with GR but he and his office no doubt
managed the admin side of things well. Dr. Lanza and his team also get an A from me for
obvious reasons.

I'll bump my GR grade up to match IF he nails us a deal or two - and I'll put the past to bed and
file the misc other stuff away...

Still believe no matter that we need a seasoned CEO from the sector to take over - and I think
GR knows that also and is lining one up with the nudge of the BOD and those deep pocket
institutional investors he's been meeting with. Take on the Chairman role and relax once we
are on the big boards and have done a deal or two... job well done and contract term over... sign
a new one for the Chair..

Cheers

Without re-iterating all the specific positives and negatives other posters have detailed, I give Gary a B+. He's made some errors in judgement, and his appreciation of the true amount of time things take to get done hasn't fully developed yet (but neither has mine... I'm a year behind on a manuscript I'm working on... grrrrr). However, he has taken a tiny little company with big ideas and goals from "looks interesting on paper" all the way to the clinic, in just over a year. And I have no doubts he'll take us that final step into the marketplace, attracting considerable interest and enthusiasm along the way. BTW, Dr. Bob gets an A- from me... for the remarkable science alone he would have had the A+ all sown up, but selling into the rally (and the need to correct some of those earlier ill-timed tweets) knocked him down a notch.

[Actc_fan]

Minnesota,

This should help explain why he thinks Gary should go

Should I add more shares now or after the r/s?

Hadn't seen all those posts before.. wow.

I respect many of the members here who have decided to sell. I agree there is a pretty good size list of mistakes for this company, and I think depending on how you rank them in importance and who's feet you lay the blame at, probably dictates most of your feelings on Rabin. (and BC and others)

I just am a little blown away by the pivotal event that did it for so many - the RS and uplist to Nasdaq. I would understand a lot more if we were takling about the latest settlement - which basically was caused by one monumentally stupid deal with JMJ. When people said they were leaving at that time, I disagreed for my own investment - partly because I lay most of the blame for that with BC, and not Rabin (though I give Rabin some of the blame) - but I understood more the reasoning for selling. It was a collosal blunder, no doubt.

I just do not understand the reasoning that this RS is the straw that broke so many backs. We have had the value discussion several times, but I still wonder if everyone gets it. There is no loss of value because of an RS. There can be based on other factors, like perception. The RS itself, absolutely no effect on value.

Not only that, but getting to Nasdaq, inclusion in the Russell 2000, these are big important steps and IMHO should ADD value. And oversight. If you are tired of Rabin's hype and want oversight, well getting on the Nasdaq should be your dream! He is going to have more oversight than he knows what to do with. No chance anyone gets away with a share giveaway or any other nonsense that occured here in the past.

This RS is nothing but positive to me.

Sorry to go a bit off-topic msem, but at least I didn't tell you how great my Nationals are going to do this year behind Strasburg! Go NATS!!

[Capt_Smith77]

Sorry to go a bit off-topic msem, but at least I didn't tell you how great my Nationals are going to do this year behind Strasburg! Go NATS!!

Not sure if I said it, but I loved that extension you guys gave to Zimm. IF he can stay healthy, that's quite a deal you go there.

[Actc_fan]

Not sure if I said it, but I loved that extension you guys gave to Zimm. IF he can stay healthy, that's quite a deal you go there.

Agreed Capt, very reasonable deal. Just need Werth and LaRoche to produce (and Morse not to be a fluke) and the offense should be ok. Maybe we can even cut our losses on the "Ian Desmond Project"..

[DonV]

R/S and uplisting on a NASDAQ was the tipping point for me.

In the past 4 years of being an ACTC shareholder I handled a lot of BS from Caldwell and Rabin, I gave Rabin so many chances to prove me wrong and got back in ACTC All in a few times. Everytime he failed me, I went back in and gave another chance.....repeat the vicious cycle and guess what I'm not making any money. Isn't this what the ICELL was built on? Be in the know before the public and react accordingly with your investment. Reviewing the past four years, I could've made a killing on trading alone but I was hell bent on that rocket ship to the moon. Well, us uplisting to NASDAQ and doing a R/S on a position of weakness will not cut it to me. If he sort out all of the "advanced negogiations" lawsuits and had full cohorts from both AMD/SMD completely done then proposed a R/S for NASDAQ. Man I'll withdraw my 401k and put it all in ACTC as i'll be absolutely confident in ACTC. At this point, too many "what ifs" statements and no short term news is making me use my 5 foot pole...not my 10 foot pole to get out of ACTC.

[msemporda]

Just read the thread for the first time - great content and opinion. Understandable that
some are tired and want to see a ROI and will be paring down or seeking a return elsewhere...

I prefer to ride it out a bit more until the deal / no deal is clear - if they hit us up for a heavy
funding round without delivering I'll reconsider my position.

Minnesota,

This should help explain why he thinks Gary should go

Should I add more shares now or after the r/s?

No worries Actc_fan - the thread is another of the same it seems, with a spin perhaps... Barca is the chant
I hear all around me here... longing for the day I can sit in a US Stadium again and drink a beer and have
a hot dog... what ever game is playing is fine with me - as long as it's not soccer ("football") and the players
have a US flag on their uniforms :-)

Cheers

Sorry to go a bit off-topic msem, but at least I didn't tell you how great my Nationals are going to do this year behind Strasburg! Go NATS!!

[Rex]

"I just am a little blown away by the pivotal event that did it for so many - the RS and uplist to Nasdaq. I would understand a lot more if we were takling about the latest settlement - which basically was caused by one monumentally stupid deal with JMJ. When people said they were leaving at that time, I disagreed for my own investment - partly because I lay most of the blame for that with BC, and not Rabin (though I give Rabin some of the blame) - but I understood more the reasoning for selling. It was a collosal blunder, no doubt."


Actc_fan,

What I think happened with many members was when they heard the CC with the AS in it's original wording and stock RS , they immediately sold thinking their shares were going to be diluted by a tremendous amount. Many , I am sure, were already under water in value but thought it was better to sell now than be further behind later. I'm surprised there hasn't been any legal action. I would think they would have a case.

[Actc_fan]

Actc_fan,

What I think happened with many members was when they heard the CC with the AS in it's original wording and stock RS , they immediately sold thinking their shares were going to be diluted by a tremendous amount. Many , I am sure, were already under water in value but thought it was better to sell now than be further behind later. I'm surprised there hasn't been any legal action. I would think they would have a case.

Rex, because the filing was after the close Thursday and the correction was before the open Friday, while there was much outrage, I don't think there were many, if any, stock sales due to that issue. JMHO.

[elllk]

Without re-iterating all the specific positives and negatives other posters have detailed, I give Gary a B+. He's made some errors in judgement, and his appreciation of the true amount of time things take to get done hasn't fully developed yet (but neither has mine... I'm a year behind on a manuscript I'm working on... grrrrr). However, he has taken a tiny little company with big ideas and goals from "looks interesting on paper" all the way to the clinic, in just over a year. And I have no doubts he'll take us that final step into the marketplace, attracting considerable interest and enthusiasm along the way. BTW, Dr. Bob gets an A- from me... for the remarkable science alone he would have had the A+ all sown up, but selling into the rally (and the need to correct some of those earlier ill-timed tweets) knocked him down a notch.

Basically agree here, AZ. Here's my post on this issue from Yahoo awhile ago:

The Real Rabin and ACTC Report Card 30-Jan-12 11:49 am (Yahoo MB)

Lanza has put together a fantastic team and they all, understanding the potential of what they had, went through a period of significant self-sacrifice and came through a very difficult period threatening the existence of the company. In recent years they have done everything right. Caldwell had to make some deals but kept them going--and now, per below, we are privy to the extent of the personal support, dedication and enthusiasm he had for the incredible research effort. Still, with Caldwell's untimely death, it seems clear that in that potentially crushing moment Rabin was able to step in with enthusiasm and dedication similar to that of Caldwell, Lanza, and the ACTC team and keep the effort moving fully ahead. Further, Rabin either was already fully up to speed on the incredible science of the effort or he quickly made himself so. And, it was lucky for all that he was also fully able to grasp the financial reins Caldwell had been controlling. Every indication is that Rabin fully shares the same personal commitment and enthusiasm as Caldwell had towards Lanza, the team, and the science they are bringing about, and we all should be very pleased that transition came about (and did so very quickly). Rabin has made a significant contribution to keeping the whole effort moving ahead. Now, almost weekly, we are seeing incredible updates and news of further progress in ongoing trials, new trials, etc.

And let's say once again that in recent years this incredible team has done just about everything right.

[Read below the odyssey this team traversed (the excerpt is only the part of it leading to Rabin stepping up in a major way)].

Stem-cell research: Never say die

http://www.nature.com/news/stem-cell...say-die-1.9759...

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In 2008, ACT closed its Alameda facility — the CIRM funding never materialized — but Caldwell stayed in Los Angeles. By the time the markets crashed later that year, ACT's stock price had dwindled to pennies. Caldwell lost all of his executives, and the entire RPE development team left.

Still, Lanza was convinced that RPE therapy held the key to the company's survival. He was, moreover, impressed with Caldwell's dedication to the project. “He got all excited [about the science], and that was important,” Lanza says. “He was really my partner.” The two worked tirelessly throughout 2009 to rebuild the company. Caldwell eked out funding so that Lanza and his team could do the studies needed for FDA approval of the clinical trials. “We knew we had one chance,” says Lanza.

In November 2010, when a fax arrived saying that the trial had been approved, a cheer went through the office. “We came out of the ashes,” says Lanza. “It was a long time coming.”

There was little time for celebration, however. The team still needed approval from the clinical centres conducting the trials before they could start treating patients.

Lanza usually began each morning by answering a slew of e-mails from Caldwell, who often worked later hours in Los Angeles. So he was concerned when, on the morning of 14 December, his inbox was empty. The call came later that afternoon from Caldwell's wife. The man who had kept ACT afloat for the past six years had died unexpectedly, aged 63. Describing the loss now, Lanza becomes quite emotional and almost can't continue. “It was like I lost a father,” he says.

The company faced yet another bleak period. But Gary Rabin, an investment banker who had been on ACT's board since 2007, stepped in as interim leader. Within two weeks, he had secured $25 million in financing from two firms that Caldwell had been courting. Rabin, who is now ACT's chairman and chief executive, says that the funding is enough to pay for the company's two ongoing trials and should last through 2012.

[stockfodder]

if you sold off at 10.1 cents at the beginning of the day out of anger, frustration, fear, disgust, etc and read our dialogues here and came back in at 9.2 cents during the day when the Gary mistake was clarified, you would be ahead by the end of Friday by %8 by the end of Friday when it settled back up to 10.1. No real gain as the reverse split was probably what dropped the price a penny or so before open Friday morning. But no law suit either.

The fatigue factor is what has driven investors out of this stock coupled by our very high expectations and how we perceive our value which is obviously not shared by the market in general.

We have some great imaginations here on the discussion board including mine that can easily find scenarios for success given any set of conditions as long as the science is good. I try to remember that I have no idea what correspondence or developments are crossing Gary's, Bob's or the BOD desk until they feel like telling me. Problem is, I keep thinking that I can imagine what they are anyway...

One suggestion is that if you decide to leave the stock, go ahead and let it all hang out. Everyone that has taken the time to post and share research and many hours of their time and energy trying to help your fellow investors dial in this investment, deserves to be heard when they decide to leave this investment at ACTC behind. But then be sure to leave... or you just sound bitter after a while and no one is going to listen to you anyway. Be also sure to send a note to Gary and Bob as well. Whatever your reservations now, it is those guys that you want to talk to. Express your disgust at _________ and _________. And be sure to check back in if you return or are thinking about returning. Would love to hear from you at that point.

Stay, leave, or just joining us, good luck to all, stockfodder

[Actc_fan]

R/S and uplisting on a NASDAQ was the tipping point for me.

In the past 4 years of being an ACTC shareholder I handled a lot of BS from Caldwell and Rabin, I gave Rabin so many chances to prove me wrong and got back in ACTC All in a few times. Everytime he failed me, I went back in and gave another chance.....repeat the vicious cycle and guess what I'm not making any money. Isn't this what the ICELL was built on? Be in the know before the public and react accordingly with your investment. Reviewing the past four years, I could've made a killing on trading alone but I was hell bent on that rocket ship to the moon. Well, us uplisting to NASDAQ and doing a R/S on a position of weakness will not cut it to me. If he sort out all of the "advanced negogiations" lawsuits and had full cohorts from both AMD/SMD completely done then proposed a R/S for NASDAQ. Man I'll withdraw my 401k and put it all in ACTC as i'll be absolutely confident in ACTC. At this point, too many "what ifs" statements and no short term news is making me use my 5 foot pole...not my 10 foot pole to get out of ACTC.

Understood. So for you the real issue is not the act of the RS or going to Nasdaq, it is the "Position of strength". And really, if I understand correctly, you mean two things: the lawsuits and more trial results. I guess I would have these comments on each:

Lawsuits: I agree it is optimal to have them ALL cleared out before April 26th. I still hold out some hope that at least all lawsuits outside Gorton/Aronson will be settled. In fairness though, there were 48 holders + Gorton/Aronson. So out of 50, about 45 are completely done. A few just need the finishing touches and sound like will be done by April 26th, and Camofi, Gorton and Aronson remain. So is 47/50 so bad?

Trial results: I agree, delaying for the Lancet results was a mistake. I don't think they anticipated it would take so long and I think they realize is was a mistake. It is unfortunate, but they happen all the time in business. We should have SMD cohort data before April 26th. AMD not sure, hopefully soon after.

[keybridge]

Last week's proxy debacle was the smoking gun that offered evidence of problems at the top of the org chart. But I would discourage any long-term investor from leaving this stock just out of disgust, simply because it's not a rational investment decision in light of where the company is at present. If you were willing to take the risk to own this stock last year, well, the risk is probaby 75% less than what it was just a short time ago based on the results of the clinical triasl alone - not to mention the light at the end of the tunnel as an OTC stock..stick with it longs (and Stockfodder).

[stockfodder]

Last week's proxy debacle was the smoking gun that offered evidence of problems at the top of the org chart. But I would discourage any long-term investor to leave this stock just out of disgust, simply because it's not a rational investment decision in light of where the company is at present. If you were willing to take the risk to own this stock last year, well the risk is probaby 75% less than what it was just a short time ago based on the results of the clinical trial alone, not to mention the light at the end of the tunnel with being an OTC stock..stick with it longs (and Stockfodder).

I have no plans of moving from this investment, there is a lot happening here and I have spent some time figuring out where I think we can go since last Friday's R/S and how I think we can accomplish that and then posting it.

I have always been looking for $1 a share in 2012 and posting to that effect and will adjust it accordingly when I see what our ratio and uplisting looks like. However, today after some thinking about the difficulties that GR listed and the last two months, I decided to down grade my high expectation of pps to 80 cents a share, an approx 800% gain for the stock by the end of the year and about a 1.4 billion dollar market cap. As I have said this is based on confirming SMD results from the 100K injections and the possibility in 2013 of moving to revenue... most importantly this revenue modeling beginning in October in time for the marketplace to react before year's end... in other words, everything going along extremely well...

I will be very pleased if that comes to pass...

[Toddio]

As most of you know know I left this stock some time ago and the main reason is simple: Years of lost opportunity costs. It's pretty ironic that when I first bought this stock was sitting at .11 cents. Now it also hovers around .11 cents.

If nothing else it became very clear to me (using my admittedly harsh standards) that GR had been playing us. His use of wishy washy terminology to cover every aspect etc, etc... most of you know my beef, I'll spare you again. The fact that the results of the first two patients in the phase I trials did almost nothing to the stock price really set it in stone for me. This stock is not moving anywhere very quickly. I don't see a JV anytime soon and I don't see a buyout either. There is no reason for anyone to jump all over this stock quickly. If it goes up, it's almost certain to come back down, this train never leaves the station for good, it's the same loop over and over.

I hope that route changes. One thing is clear, trials take a looong time and this will be no different. I hope for all those who suffer that all the programs ACTC has in the works are a smash hit and come to market for those people. But for investors, I say put your money elsewhere and continue to watch ACTC.
I don't think Gary could have been any more clear about what he really thinks about joe-blow investor. We were a stepping stone. I pray it wasn't all in vain and that they do eventually succeed. I think they will, but this train will make plenty of stops along the way. I choose to look at other scenery until then.

I would end by wishing investors luck, but it's no longer about luck. All the info is wayyy out there, you all interpret it how you will and react. I do however wish the best for so many who are waiting for these therapies to come to fruition. They need it more than any of us would like for this company to succeed.

[DonV]

Understood. So for you the real issue is not the act of the RS or going to Nasdaq, it is the "Position of strength". And really, if I understand correctly, you mean two things: the lawsuits and more trial results. I guess I would have these comments on each:

Your statement is right on the mark, I fully support a R/S and going on the NASDAQ on a position of strength. However, with the oustanding action items needing to be resolved and where I personally feel ACTC is weak at the moment it is the wrong time to do so.

Lawsuits: I agree it is optimal to have them ALL cleared out before April 26th. I still hold out some hope that at least all lawsuits outside Gorton/Aronson will be settled. In fairness though, there were 48 holders + Gorton/Aronson. So out of 50, about 45 are completely done. A few just need the finishing touches and sound like will be done by April 26th, and Camofi, Gorton and Aronson remain. So is 47/50 so bad?

Unfortunately the 3 or so left lawsuits are a good amount of shares which could reduce the PPS even further

Trial results: I agree, delaying for the Lancet results was a mistake. I don't think they anticipated it would take so long and I think they realize is was a mistake. It is unfortunate, but they happen all the time in business. We should have SMD cohort data before April 26th. AMD not sure, hopefully soon after.

It is a new type of technology and clinical trials, completely understanable. But, looking from an investor point of view do you see your return in investment anytime soon? 1-3 years of course, perhaps couple hundred percent of return however my decisions are based on the ever so changing situation of ACTC. I have reacted rightfully so IMO by selling.

[jckrdu]

"This stock is not moving anywhere very quickly. I don't see a JV anytime soon and I don't see a buyout either. There is no reason for anyone to jump all over this stock quickly. If it goes up, it's almost certain to come back down, this train never leaves the station for good, it's the same loop over and over."
__________________________________________________ _____________________

It's the same loop over and over, until it isn't.

No one knows when the stock is going to move up and stay up. With incredible intial results and a very simple procedure aimed at the world's largest unmet medical need, one day the stock will move up .... and stay up. I'm not smart enough to know when that day is, so I'll continue to sleep very well at night knowing that a JV, buyout, news of major institutional investment, etc.... could happen any day.

[SKIPBALL]

.... That said, don't let facts ruin your inflated enthusiasm. We're currently ramping up production for those rose-colored glasses and should have them available soon. Price is 19.95, plus shipping and handling. I'll let you know when the Panda begins taking orders. ...

"inflated enthusiasm"? The reality is that my current rating of GR is a "C". As to your accusation of him lying or misleading shareholders, (imo) the jury is still out on this. As for your labeling him "a stuttering buffoon", I think this is a cruel, not-so-funny remark.
By the way, you might want to update your iCELL profile. It lists your favorite stock as ACT. Thought I read recently that you had sold all your shares.

[keybridge]

"inflated enthusiasm"? The reality is that my current rating of GR is a "C". As to your accusation of him lying or misleading shareholders, (imo) the jury is still out on this. As for your labeling him "a stuttering buffoon", I think this is a cruel, not-so-funny remark.
By the way, you might want to update your iCELL profile. It lists your favorite stock as ACT. Thought I read recently that you had sold all your shares.

Unfortunately the Yahoo crowd also slinks around this board, too. Although some attempt a more sophisticated approach, as best they can, some cannot disguise their lack of education or sociopathic behavior.

[tobflipped]

I would give him a solid B.

I probably have more issues with him before he became CEO, when he was just a board member.

Negatives

1. As part of the board, was part of the toxic financing that got us into the legal mess in the first place
2. Avoids accepting partial responsibility for that mess. Always blaming "previous management"
3. Excessive gifted shares
4. Very vague and likes to plant ideas in investors heads with out giving hard facts
5. Could be more careful about publishing/announcing deadlines that are not met
6. Would also be nice if we weren't teased with potential events/INDs that are never spoken of again (.i.e. MMD)

Positives

1. SMD/AMD trials commenced under his watch. Say what you want about how much of it was really because of him. I don't care, after Caldwell died, he kept a fairly seamless transition into the clinic.
2. Took/taking care of the legal situation. Yes he was partly responsible, but at least he eventually cleaned up after himself
3. Put together a strong BoD
4. Obtained license for Hemangioblast in N. America
5. Finalized the Roslin deal

I know the last two may not be attributed completely to work Gary did. But again, they were executed under his watch and could have easily not have happened. Just the first 3 positives I listed outweigh the negatives, IMO. If he can successfully get the company up listed onto the Nasdaq, then I would recommend him running for US Presidency

I'm going to go with Jham on this except I'm giving him a teeetering B. He presently isnt scoring any points with many shareholders. As usual, Lanza and the science is the only thing holding shareholder confidence.