(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Monday and not separately reported by Alliance News:
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Novacyt SA - Anglo-French biotechnology group focused on clinical diagnostics - Says its existing diagnostic tests able to detect new variant of Covid-19 found in UK. "The results of the in silico (computer simulation) analysis of the sequenced mutations show that the company's polymerase chain reaction product portfolio, based around a single and a two gene target for Covid-19, remain able to detect all published Covid-19 strains with the same high level of accuracy, including VUI-202012/01," Novacyt says.
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Genedrive PLC - Manchester-based molecular diagnostics firm - Confirms that company's Genedrive 96 SARS CoV-2 testing kits continue to detect all known Covid-19 strains, including newest variant found in UK.
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NetScientific PLC - life sciences and technology investment and commercialisation company - Portfolio company PDS Biotechnology Corp reports data showing its Versamune antibodies demonstrate positive immune responses in a Covid-19 vaccine.
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Avacta Group PLC - Wetherby, England-based pre-clinical stage biotechnology company - Enters into license agreement with Astrea Bioseparations for use of Avacta's Affirmer platform. "The agreement includes a GBP500,000 upfront payment to Avacta which gives Astrea the rights to generate and develop Affimer reagents in-house for affinity separation. It also provides Astrea with an option to convert the agreement into an exclusive license if certain commercial performance criteria are met over the next three years and subject to the payment of an additional undisclosed option exercise fee," Avacta says.
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Deltex Medical Group PLC - medical devices manufacturer based in Chichester - Subscription of 22.5 million shares at 1.3 pence each raises GBP293,000. Also adds that process to simply its business activities " is ongoing". Says Duncan Nichol to retire from board at end of December. "As part of our new strategy which we put in place in 2018, we have been seeking to simplify and rationalise the group and its operations. We have made good progress on focussing our commercial activities, despite the 'headwinds' relating to Covid-19. As part of this ongoing emphasis on rationalisation and focus, I welcome this opportunity to remove a number of these longstanding liabilities from the group's balance sheet," Chair Nigel Keen says.
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Surgical Innovations Group PLC - Leeds-based manufacturer of medical products for minimally invasive surgery - Says revenue in second of 2020 in line with expectations and improved from first half. Full-year revenue tipped to exceed GBP6 million.
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Redx Pharma PLC - drug discovery firm - Raises GBP128,837 through open offer, after securing GBP25.5 million through placing.
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Spire Healthcare Group PLC - independent hospital group headquartered in London - Spire, and other independent health providers, sign contract with NHS England aimed at reducing NHS waiting times when existing contract ends on December 31. "This new contract aims to provide a smooth transition for NHS services in England from the current cost-based contract to the new NHS framework for purchasing additional activity from the independent sector," Spire adds. Notes that it still expects a pretax loss for full-year but anticipates adjusted operating profit "significantly above" GBP30 million guidance, but down from GBP97.6 million from year prior.
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Horizon Discovery Group PLC - gene editing company - Says court sanctions deal for company to be acquired by PerkinElmer. Last day of dealing for Horizon Discovery shares expected to be Tuesday, before suspension on Wednesday and cancellation on Thursday.
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Brandshield Systems PLC - cybersecurity firm, formerly trading as Two Shields Investments PLC - Pens deal to provide services to US firm pharmaceutical firm Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. "Under the terms of the contract, BrandShield will provide a comprehensive online brand protection and anti-counterfeiting solution," Brandshield says.
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Remote Monitored Systems PLC - data collection and surveying firm based in London - Largest shareholder Gareth Cave to vote against issue of warrants to participants of Remote Monitored's recently announce placing. Cave, holder of 18% stake in Remote, plans to lodge requisition for general meeting to "consider board changes to improve corporate governance".
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Rosslyn Data Technologies PLC - procurement and master data management solutions provider - Reports on launch of CustomsCloud software, which aims to ease pressure on importers amid additional customs procedures due to UK withdrawal from EU. "Following the end of the Brexit transition period, it is estimated that over 200,000 UK businesses that import from the EU will need to start completing customs declarations for the first time. Many businesses are applying for government grants, which provide funding for investment into IT projects for customs declarations, such as CustomsCloud," Rosslyn says.
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Wentworth Resources PLC - Tanzania-focused natural gas production company - Enters into agreement with a second dissenting shareholder to repurchase further 263,452 shares at USD0.34. Move follows discussions over share buybacks with shareholders following Wentworth's delisting from Oslo Stock Exchange.
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Beowulf Mining PLC - exploration and development company with projects in Finland, Sweden, and Kosovo - Secures roughly GBP7.4 million from capital raising and placing.
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Shanta Gold Ltd - Tanzania-focused gold miner - Settles all outstanding gold forward sale commitments. Measures mean company is now unhedged. "As of early 2020, the company had sold forward 40,000 ounces to January 2021 at an average price of USD1,244 per ounce. The forward sales were a condition of its senior lending facility," company adds.
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BlueRock Diamonds PLC - South African-focused miner - Recovers "two large gem quality stones" from Kareevlei diamond mine, South Africa. Stones are 14.8 carats and 8.7 carats, respectively.
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Metal Tiger PLC - London-based investor in natural resources sector - Invests roughly AUD300,000, about GBP170,000, in Catalyst Metals Ltd. Metal Tiger subscribes for 142,857 new shares at AUD2.10 each.
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Red Rock Resources PLC - gold explorer in Kenya and Australia, copper-cobalt in DRC - Says investee Jupiter Mines Ltd generated AUD42.1 million in cash from operations at Tshipi Borwa mine during third quarter of 2020 and despite poor weather, reported record mining output in October. Jupiter continuing to aim for end of February or early March float for iron ore spin-off. Red Rock also inks agreement with administrators of Vector Resources Ltd to secure rights to acquire loans in the Australian firm.
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Alba Mineral Resources PLC - mineral exploration and development - Says three drill holes completed for just under 400 metres at Clogau-St David's gold mine, with a fourth hole drilled to 54.6 metres. "Our drilling programme continues to generate very positive results," Executive Chair George Frangeskides says.
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Bahamas Petroleum Co PLC - Caribbean and Atlantic margin focused oil and gas company - Begins drilling of Perseverance 1 well. Targeting P50 prospective oil resources of 770 million barrels, "with an upside of 1.44 billion barrels".
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Scotgold Resources Ltd - developer of a gold project in Scotland - Making further progress at Cononish gold mine in Scotland. "The company is pleased to report that the complete plant has now operated at the design throughput rate of 7.5 tonnes per hour, including the commencement of tailings deposition on "Dry Stack 1" of the Tailings Management Facility," Scotgold says.
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Kazera Global PLC - investment company focused on opportunities principally, but not exclusively in the resources and energy sectors - Sells first batch of diamond and adds "proof of concept" batch contained 52 carats. Anticipates a GBP912,000 pretax loss for year ended June 30, 2020 and cash position of GBP425,000. "The company currently has sufficient cash resources to enable it to continue trading until the end of June 2021," Kazera says. Granted extension for up to three months for reporting and filing of annal results. To now be published by no later than March 31, 2021.
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Schroder UK Public Private Trust PLC - investment trust - Says UK venture and investment management platform Hambro Perks to acquire Ombu Group Ltd. Schroder has a minority stake in Ombu. Schroder's holding in Ombu to be revalued at GBP4.0 million, a 71% discount to September 30 carrying value which stood at GBP14.0 million.
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Allied Minds PLC - US-based intellectual property commercialisation company - Partners with TESSCO Technologies Inc to accelerate deployment of citizen broadband radio service in industries including manufacturing, energy and transportation.
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TMT Investments PLC - Jersey-headquartered technology companies investor - Receives initial consideration of USD40.9 million for disposal of Pipedrive Inc holding.
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EJF Investments Ltd - closed-ended investment firm focused on assets benefitting from regulatory and structural change in the financial services sector - Says investment manager EJF Investments Manager LLC to absorb 75% of recurring operating expenses until EJF Investment Ltd's net asset value reaches GBP300 million. As part of arrangement due to expire on January 1, manager currently absorbs 80% of recurring costs.
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Grit Real Estate Income Group Ltd - pan-African property investor and manager - Proposing transferring to premium listing from standard listing. Says premium listing could allow for including in FTSE indices and is a "more appropriate platform for the continued growth of the company".
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Record PLC - Berkshire, England-based specialist currency manager - Disposes of 40% shareholding in Trade Record Ltd for GBP120,000.
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Symphony Environmental Technologies PLC - Borehamwood-based developer of additives to make plastic biodegradable - Kicks off legal action against commission, parliament, and council of European Union over decision to adopt a single use plastics directive. "Symphony has been advised by three barristers, all experts in EU law, that this part of the directive is confusing and illegal, and substantial damages are being claimed," company says.
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Windar Photonics PLC- Denmark-based technologies that optimise the energy output of wind turbines - Raises GBP495,000 through issue of 4.4 million shares at 11.25p each. Chief Executive Officer Jorgen Korsgaard adds that company is expected to report 21% annual revenue rise in 2020. "This increase has been driven by particularly strong growth in the second half of the year, with sales during that period expected to represent more than four times the value achieved in the first six months of the year and more than double the comparable period in 2019," CEO adds.
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Escape Hunt PLC - adventure game escape room operator - Says performance of its digital and remote play products have topped internal expectations in December, "significantly offsetting the reduction in site revenues resulting from the temporary closure of a number of the company's sites".
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Sutton Harbour Group PLC - owner of the Sutton Harbour in Plymouth - Acquires of a 1.5 acre site east of Sutton Harbour. "The company has submitted formal planning applications for two new residential-led developments, which will the kickstart the long-held aspiration of the Local Authority for the regeneration of the area immediately to the east of Sutton Harbour," company adds.
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Guild Esports PLC - UK-based owner and developer of esports team - Adds top-ranked player of Fortnite video game to its roster. Says Henrik Mclean joins Nikolaj Andreas Froslev to Guild's Fortnite team and duo have over 335,000 social media subscribers combined.
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MediaZest PLC - London-based audio visual services firm - Says audit for results for 18 months ended September 30 expected to be completed in January. Says figures expected to show revenue in excess of GBP3 million.
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By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com
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