4.00pm: Tiziana lifted by publication of article in a medical journal
Tiziana Life Sciences PLC (LON:TILS) was sitting on a 14% rise at 79.5p after its profile was raised by the publication of an article in a peer-reviewed journal.
Third party researchers published an article in the Crohn's & Colitis 360 journal, entitled, "Immunologic alterations associated with oral delivery of anti-CD3 (OKT3) monoclonal antibodies in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis".
The independent findings in the article suggest potential clinical activity and support the safety of monoclonal antibodies (mAb's) when administered orally.
Tiziana's Foralumab is the only fully human anti-CD3 mAb, and it exhibits potency and functionality similar to OKT3, the company noted.
3.05pm: Aukett Swanke finally gets the green light in Dubai for the Samanea Market project
Shares in Aukett Swanke Group PLC (LON:AUK) moved up 10% to 1.65p after the group said it had received the green light for a project in Dubai.
The international group of architects and interior designers has now received formal instructions for the commencement of the Samanea Market project in Dubai.
Chief executive officer Nicholas Thompson said the expenses incurred by the group in getting the project off the ground “have been very evident” but said the board is confident the project will be a money-spinner for the company.
#AUK good news for the little Auk...if it keeps getting good news it will grow once more into a mighty Great Auk
@vodkaquickstep that birdseed you’ve been sprinkling is beginning to have an effect????
Aukett Swanke Group: Samanea Market Dubai https://t.co/85YNsmXKed
— Rhomboid1 (@rhomboid1MF) June 24, 2019
2.15pm: Abal saves a few bob on non-executive salary
Cash shell Abal Group PLC (LON:ABAL) jumped 14% to 0.825p as it abandoned plans to add a non-executive director to its board.
The company had indicated on 1 April that it was in talks with a potential new board member but it has decided it would rather the individual advise the board on a consultancy basis rather than as a non-executive director.
No adverse matters arose following the due diligence in respect of the individual concerned, Abal assured investors.
1.15pm: StatPro surges as it partners with JP Morgan to develop analytics solution
Shares in portfolio analytics provider StatPro Group PLC (LON:SOG) climbed 6.3% to 135p after the company got into bed with JP Morgan.
The AIM-listed firm signed a partnership agreement with JP Morgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM) to develop an analytics solution for the investment bank’s portfolio managers.
Under the five-year agreement, StatPro said it would work with JPM’s data and analytics arm to develop risk and performance attribution capabilities for the bank’s flagship platform, providing a “significant new channel” for its services.
12.25pm: Venn Life wanted ahead of Thursday's reverse takeover vote
Shares in Venn Life Sciences Holdings PLC (LON:VENN) shot up 15% to 7.05p ahead of this week's vote on the proposed merger with Open Orphan.
Corporate financier Cathal Friel plans to reverse his Open Orphan investment vehicle into Venn Life.
More than £2.7mln has been invested into the Open Orphan business, most of which has gone on building a database of all the firms with so-called orphan drugs that treat rare diseases that have either been approved or are currently going through the clinic.
11.45am: Porvair takes slight after interims
Filtration specialist Porvair PLC (LON:PRV) saw its shares rise 4.4% to 588.72p after a strong set of interims.
For the six months ended 31 May the firm reported a pre-tax profit of £7.4mln, 41% higher than the prior year, while revenues climbed 21% to £72mln.
Porvair attributed the strong increase in profits to higher volumes through its plants and better operating efficiencies, while strength in its aerospace division had offset a slower start to the year in markets affected by the US-China trade war.
11.00am: Angus mooooves lower after disappointing interims
The half-year report from Angus Energy PLC (LON:ANGS) received a negative reaction, with the shares sliding 7.3% to 3.80p.
Revenue in the six months to the end of March was nominal at £137,000, albeit up from £17,000 the year before.
The loss before tax, at £1.65mln, was far from nominal and was wider than the £1.09mln loss reported the year before.
10.15am: KEFI's attempt to play down Ethiopian unrest fails
KEFI Minerals PLC (LON:KEFI), the gold exploration and development company, was 6.2% lower at 1.45p on concerns over a failed coup attempt.
The company drew attention to recent media commentary relating to a localised foiled coup attempt in one of Ethiopia's nine regions. The incident was in Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara Region, some 500 kilometres from the company's flagship Tulu Kapi Gold Project.
KEFI said that as a precautionary measure the company has imposed a heightened duty of care on its activities and has elevated security procedures but otherwise this incident has no impact on KEFI's current or planned activities.
9.30am: 600 Group buys industrial laser specialist
600 Group PLC (LON:SIX), the engineering company, was up 4.4% early doors at 18.8p after announcing the acquisition of US-based Control Micro Systems.
Control Micro Systems specialises in industrial laser systems for precision manufacturing.
The UK company will pay an initial consideration of US$10mln for the US company, of which US$9mln will be in cash with the rest in shares.
Results from Polar Capital Holdings plc (LON:POLR) prompted a 4.5% mark-up in the share price to 608p for the asset manager.
Assets under management at the end of March had risen to £13.8bn from £12.0bn the year before.
Pre-tax profit in the year to 31 March rose to £54.1mln from £41.3mln.