The latest Investing Matters Podcast with Jean Roche, Co-Manager of Schroder UK Mid Cap Investment Trust has just been released. Listen here.
"In addition, Sanofi will take a minority (
It's very likely that a material RNS is just round the corner; too much - IMO - of a coincidence for such a jump on low volumes. I am wondering whether it's NOVAVAX related? No update for over 1 year;
"Novavax will receive an upfront payment of $500 million...." - would be good if APTA got a contract for 2-3 mln!!
"In addition, Sanofi will take a minority (
Nice one SFUp,
"Making great headway. Will update ASAP. There is positive news on the way for 'material' and 'non-material deals'";
Even non-material deals add cash, in small but regular lots, to our bank account.
Well, FWIW, Aptamer may get some "crumbs" from NOVAVAX? This is what we do for them:
"This partnership will involve the development of OptimerĀ® binders to improve the selectivity and enable multiplex analysis of respiratory vaccine QC assays for Novavax."
From March 2023 Interim Results and "Portfolio" on Co Website.
I don't know if it's partly (far-fetched?) related to today's news of NOVAVAX (one of our Clients) getting into bed with SANOFI in a USD1.2 BLN deal; it might mean a lot more business for us too?
https://ir.novavax.com/press-releases/2024-05-10-Novavax-and-Sanofi-Announce-Co-exclusive-Licensing-Agreement-to-Co-commercialize-COVID-19-Vaccine-and-Develop-Novel-COVID-19-Influenza-Combination-Vaccines
All I know, Frdboy, is that each day passing by is a day closer to the next RNS and getting to cash break-even.
99, I agree with you; they are going to China (or gone already) to "make", not "break"; otherwise, it'd have been "hush hush" because if there was even a small chance of "break", why risk mentioning in the RNS?
IMO, the Co is just gradually preparing the ground for the signing (long overdue).
IMO, it's "make time"; Co has been making cautious baby steps towards the goal (new CEO, stock options, additional Exchange listing next week etc), announcing China trip (why do so, if the expected outcome might be a failure?); it has taken a lot longer than expected but, after 6 long years, we are just 1 month (or less) away IMO.
Remember the Chinese spent 10mln last year, in-situ, KP2 owes them 3mln (that can collect ONLY after the EPC is signed); there is a lot at stake here for all parties, the Minister has been quiet for many months (a good sign!), so the EPC WILL GET signed, just a matter of time.
GLA
10k almost, maybe something was heard from China?
Just 400k, at this SP the downside is limited (5-10%) compared to the upside - IMO.
2 more things:; as of July 2023 (almost a year ago), the Co was working on 30 projects (see Note, page 2):
https://www.turnerpope.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Aptamer_Group_plc_20_9_2023_FINAL_BG.02.pdf
More importantly, the Professional Investors who funded 3.6mln during the Placing, didn't do so "blindly", they got a glimpse of why the Co expects cash break-even by July 2025 (otherwise why invest their money?).
In 2-3 months -IMO- the SP will be over 1p and the Placing fears will have been put to rest.
@porky
My logic is 2-fold; firstly, I said "statistically" it's likely and this is based on the portfolio of partners actually increasing over the last few weeks --- https://aptamergroup.com/portfolio/
Secondly, the Co is earning fees-from-services to all these partners (eg Unilever, the Top 15 & 5 Pharma Cos etc), that are not RNSed, but cumulatively they do add up; therefore, the Co WILL NOT need a Placing (we have covered the reasons in previous posts); Cash is enough to Autumn (the earliest), assuming zero Sales henceforth; newsflow since February indicates also that serious Cash generation is not far off - all IMO.
It's on low volume and on no news, so it's just technical consolidation - IMO; we've been getting 2 decent RNSs per month since February, so statistically we are due 2 RNSs in the next 15 trading days or so (to May end); let's be patient.
Back to Feb's SP; I remember the despondency on this BB back then, then the excitement and bullishness after 3-4 good RNSs (Neuro-Bio, Unilever, top 15 Pharma etc); now back to pessimism again; the SP ebbs and flows, fundamentals are still the same (actually, better than in Feb).
Someone needed to sell a lot, quickly; good buying opportunity IMO, we're back at early Febr. SP.
As per previous RNSs, APTA has had a relationship with this Top 5 Pharma since 2020, during which they delivered on +10 contracts; so, although an agreement could be reached in May (or June?), the important thing is that it's a matter of When, not If; remember that the Co referred to potential (long-term) licensing income of 6-8 mln, back in February, so we are looking at potentially 3-5 mln from this deal (not immediate, but enough to put APTA on the Market's radar).
GLA, DYOR
Well, something's brewing for sure as per Feb 5th Turner Pope Research Note (not independent, BTW);
https://www.turnerpope.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Aptamer_Group_plc_5_2_2024_FINAL_BG.pdf
"Delivery of just one of the larger, big pharma contracts presently under negotiation could be transformative for Aptamer, both financially and in terms of industrywide reputation."
As per Febr. 5th update, "Developed binders for IHC are now undergoing external validation by a top 5 pharma company, with initial results reported as promising and leading to a commercial request for more material.", thus we are already well into the 4th month of validation; anyone knows what's a reasonable period for such validations?
We also have the EGM next week (13 May); given the China trip for EPC push ("in early May"), if something happens by then, it may be a good time to RNS it.
Additional listing means more costs for the Co; either the Co loves its SAfr investors, or it's confident enough for its future, to be spending previous cash to increase its Market footprint; I think it's positive as it signals to the Market optimism for the future; and it might actually increase liquidity too!