Vernalis PLC Share News (VER)

Instrumentation and controls company Spectris is higher after a positive trading update and broker KBC Peel Hunt switching from a hold to buy recommendation. Spectris expects full year results to be ahead of expectations after an 'encouraging' first half. KBC Peel Hunt has upgraded its profit forecast from £95m to £102m. The group said it is continuing to see an improvement in demand over the prior year, with signs of recovery throughout most regions and end markets.Vernalis and its partner Biogen Idec have discontinued the development of vipadenant (V2006/BIIB014) as a Parkinson's disease treatment. This was as a result of preclinical toxicology studies. The two companies have not given up and they are setting their sights on developing an alternative compound. This compound could move into Phase I clinical studies in early 2011.FTSE TechMARK - RisersSpectris (SXS) 893.50p +6.94%CML Microsystems (CML) 85.50p +8.23%Sinclair Pharma (SPH) 29.00p +7.41%AEA Technology (AAT) 17.00p +6.25%Telecity Group (TCY) 422.80p +4.84%Intec Telecom Systems (ITL) 51.50p +3.00%Sepura (SEPU) 45.50p +2.82%Antisoma (ASM) 5.15p +2.79%Renishaw (RSW) 794.00p +2.78%Asterand (ATD) 11.75p +2.17%FTSE TechMARK - FallersEmblaze (BLZ) 33.00p -7.04%Ark Therapeutics (AKT) 4.60p -6.69%Phytopharm (PYM) 7.75p -6.45%Vernalis (VER) 33.00p -6.38%Electronic Data Processing (EDP) 45.50p -4.40%Aveva Group (AVV) 1,298.00p -3.13%Parity Group (PTY) 9.50p -2.63%Axis-Shield (ASD) 247.25p -2.27%Vectura Group (VEC) 43.75p -2.23%Innovation Group (TIG) 11.50p -2.13%