Scancell Holdings Plc (LON:SCLP) described as “compelling” the results of a phase I/II trial of its immunotherapy for late-stage melanoma. The study showed the response to SCIB1 was “significantly stronger” at the higher dose of 8 milligrams (mg), while the drug worked better for those patients who already had the tumour removed before treatment.
Mobile security specialist Defenx plc (LON:DFX) has brought on board a division of one of Italy’s largest venture capital firms as a strategic adviser. MBooster – an investment fund of digital markets investor, Innogest – will work alongside the Defenx team to help drive growth at the AIM-listed firm.
British fertiliser mine developer Sirius Minerals PLC (LON:SXX) is among a number of small cap stocks featuring in the ‘top tips’ of the market commentators on Fleet Street. Having secured funding in 2016 for its massive world-class mining project, beneath the North Yorkshire National Park, Sirius is favoured by the Tempus tipsters at The Times as the company moves towards the start of phase one construction work.
Aircraft charter specialist Gama Aviation PLC (LON:GMAA) and aviation services provider BBA Aviation PLC (LON:BBA) are to merge their US aircraft management and charter businesses. Shares in both companies rose on news of the agreement, which will see the creation of the US’s largest aircraft management business.
Junior miner Premier African Minerals Ltd (LON:PREM) has told investors that recent drill testing at its Zulu project in Zimbabwe has identified more lithium and tantalum than previously anticipated. Premier has now completed 15 diamond drill holes for a total distance of 1,958 metres.
Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC (LON:CMCL) burnished its reputation for being one of the few junior gold stocks on London’s junior market paying a dividend – and a decent one at that. The company, which runs the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe, is ready to distribute its latest quarterly tranche – 1.375 cents a share, giving an annual payout of 5.5p.
Kibo Mining PLC (LON:KIBO) is refusing to get in a sweat over the latest press reports regarding restructuring at the Tanzanian Electric Supply Company (TANESCO). Kibo, which is developing the Mbeya coal-to-power project (MCPP) in Tanzania, noted that TANESCO has been undergoing policy changes and restructuring under the new Tanzanian government for a while now.
Life sciences group OptiBiotix Health plc (LON:OPTI) has kicked off the New Year by increasing its investment in subsidiary The Health Weight Loss Company Limited (THWLC), which sells products to manage weight.
Personal fitness tech group CloudTag Inc (LON:CTAG) updated further on the conversion of loan notes into shares by major backer L1 Capital Global, saying it had received net proceeds of £0.85mln from the latter.
Corero Network Security PLC (LON:CNS) has announced that non-executive director Andrew Lloyd will now take up the roles of company president and executive vice president sales and marketing.
EG Solutions plc (LON:EGS) has told investors that non-executive director Bob Krakauer will remain part of the board, despite him stepping down as chief financial officer of Aspect Software Inc.
UK Oil & Gas Investments PLC (LON:UKOG), which led the consortium that gave us the Horse Hill well, has outlined drilling plans that could help turn the southern Home Counties into a new hotspot for hydrocarbons. Known as the Gatwick gusher because of its proximity to Britain’s second-largest airport, Horse Hill confounded the sceptics by producing crude in far greater quantities than had been expected.
For many 2016 was a year of volatility, uncertainty and trauma – but not everyone will grimace as they look back upon the year. Two of the biggest ever North Sea oil discoveries mark out 2016 as a real landmark year for Hurricane Energy Plc (LON:HUR), and although seemingly the new year promises so much more.
Nyota Minerals Limited (LON:NYO, ASX:NYO) is to sell its 70% interest in KEC Exploration to Christopher Reindler, its minority shareholder, who is a director of KEC. KEC controls the various tenements in Italy that comprise the Ivrea nickel project.
XLMedia (LON:XLM), a leading provider of digital performance marketing, has acquired of Greedyrates.ca, one of Canada's leading credit card comparison web sites. Shares in XLMedia surged 5.3% to 97.94p in early deals on news of the acquisition, which will cost the British firm US$9.3mln in cash.
London Stock Exchange Group PLC (LON:LSE) has received a cash offer of €510mln for its French clearing house business from European exchange operator Euronext NV. The week before Christmas, the LSE and Deutsche Boerse AG revealed they were in exclusive talks to sell LCH SA to Euronext , a deal that may help pave the way for the merger of the Frankfurt and London exchanges.