The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index (XSO) closed at 3,247.60, down 8.40 points or 0.26% on Friday. Over the past five days, it has declined by 16.50 points or 0.51%.
Looking at the news this morning, you can read about the following and more throughout the day.
- Imugene Ltd (ASX:IMU, OTC:IUGNF) has reported new data from its Phase 1b clinical trial of azer-cel (azercabtagene zapreleucel) in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The clinical-stage immuno-oncology company says the findings are encouraging as it continues to assess the therapy’s potential in this challenging patient population.
- Lithium Energy Ltd (ASX:LEL) has completed Tranche 1 of its acquisition of the Capricorn Gold-Copper Belt Project in central Queensland, securing a 51% stake. The company retains the option to acquire the remaining 49% within 21 months, with a final deadline of April 2027.
- Ionic Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:IXR, OTC:IXRRF), through its wholly owned subsidiary Ionic Technologies, has secured UK Government funding for three years under the Advanced Propulsion Centre’s (APC) Collaborate program. The funding will support the development of a sovereign and sustainable rare earth permanent magnet (REPM) supply chain in the United Kingdom. Ionic Technologies led a successful consortium bid, announced by the APC on 13 July 2025.
- St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ) has provided an operational update on its 100%-owned Araxá niobium-rare earths project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The project hosts a JORC-compliant resource of 40.64 million tonnes at 4.13% total rare earth oxides (TREO), positioning it as a globally significant hard rock rare earths deposit. Executive Chairman John Prineas highlighted the project’s potential to contribute to a non-China supply chain, referencing the recent multi-billion-dollar US Department of Defense investment in MP Materials as a sign of strong geopolitical tailwinds.