(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, issued on Tuesday and not separately reported by Alliance News:
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Avacta Group PLC - Wetherby-based Affimer biotherapeutics developer - Bead-assisted mass spectrometry diagnostics test for Covid-19 infection being developed with partner Adeptrix has reached prototype stage, and can detect the coronavirus spike protein in model sample in the range appropriate for a clinical diagnostic test. Next development step is evaluate and optimise assay before moving to manufacturing and clinical validation.
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Omega Diagnostics PLC - Alva-based medical diagnostics - Expects Ebitda for year ended March between GBP850,000 to GBP900,000, ahead of market expectations and up from GBP199,668. Signs long-term supply agreement with Mologic Ltd, for the supply of raw materials for Omega to manufacture its CE-Marked ELISA antibody test. Also signs material transfer agreement with Mologic. Announces first order for test to Senegal worth GBP100,000.
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Braveheart Investment Group PLC - Barnsley-based investment holding firm - Paraytec announces that the required affinity macromolecule an aptamer that bonds to the SPIKE glycoprotein on the surface of the Covid-19 virus has been synthesised and supplied to Paraytec from the University of Sheffield. Paraytec expects to complete the production of SPIKE protein in cell factories, and modification of test surface with aptamer in one month.
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Ilika PLC - Romsey-based solid-state battery firm - Trading for year ended April 30 in line with expectations. Revenue expected to be GBP2.8 million, up from GBP2.6 million, and narrowed Lbitda of GBP2.1 million from GBP2.2 million. Romsey headquarters remains open throughout lockdown period, while data analytics and business discussions have continued remotely. Expects Stereax pilot line at University of Southampton to reopen shortly.
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Sosandar PLC - Cheshire-based women's clothing retail - Reports strong growth in first two months of financial year ending March 31, 2021 despite challenges. Order growth for two months to May 31 up 44% year-on-year, revenue grows by 62%. Increased traffic up 98%, but lower levels of conversion. Marketing expenses reduced, 60% of workforce furloughed, board remuneration reduced. For recently ended year, expects revenue to be at least GBP9 million, up from GBP4.4 million.
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SigmaRoc PLC - London-based construction materials - For five months ended May, reports revenue of GBP42 million. In April and May, restriction in Channel Islands lifted allowing Ronez operations to resume more normal trading. In UK, PPG and South Wales platforms scaled up towards full production at end of April and into May. Belgium operations remained active, despite lower activity level.
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S&U PLC - Birmingham-based motor finance & property bridging lender - In Advantage Finance, sales for financial year-to-date down to 15% of normal levels due to plummeting car usage, closure of car dealers and ceasing of deliveries, But transactions have now recovered to around 40% of normal. In Aspen Bridging, transaction numbers under a quarter of those budgeted in the year. Improvement seen in both segments.
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By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com
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