Rafarma Pharmaceuticals is one of Russia’s newest and most promising pharmaceutical companies. A company whose development and growth is being actively encouraged by the government, in a move to lessen Russian dependence upon western pharmaceutical companies for widely used pharmaceuticals, Rafarma is currently specializing in the production of generic antibiotics, but has a growing pipeline of other drugs, including proprietary products already approved.

As the $6 billion U.S. market for gluten-free products continues to expand, the Aristocrat Group Corp. announced today that it is working closely with Distilled Resources, Inc. (DRInc) to ensure that its debut vodka brand meets all the necessary requirements to be certified “gluten-free” by the federal government.

International Stem Cell, a biotech company developing novel stem cell-based therapies, today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013.

Quarterly revenues increased 19 percent to $1.29 million from $1.08 million reported in the first quarter of the year prior. Revenues for Lifeline Skin Care (LSC) increased by 19 percent while revenue for Lifeline Cell Technology (LCT) increased by 20 percent, accounting for 51 percent and 49 percent of total quarterly revenue, respectively.

The Aristocrat Group is establishing a presence in the luxury goods and adult beverage markets with soon-to-launch new vodka brands. Luxuria Brands, the company’s brand management division, today said it has partnered with Ignite Advertising for the creation of innovative packaging designs and concepts for Luxuria’s first two vodka brands, which are expected to roll-out later this year.

ASCC notes that Ignite has established a proven record of success designing vodka brands and packaging that attracts attention and generates sales.