More than one small-cap pharma share saw a breakthrough in the past week, with some key approvals and news of commercial tie-ups lifting valuations.
ImmuPharma was a standout, rising close to 80 per cent this week to 4.93p, after it filed a new patent for an autoimmune drug candidate. It will cover both diagnostics and precision therapy.
Another was Arecor Therapeutics was boosted on Thursday, and the share is up 13 per cent to 71.3p, as it received FDA support for a Phase 2 trial of a concentrated insulin product, with the trial expected in 2026.
On the same day, Shield Therapeutics secured FDA priority review for expanding Accrufer to adolescent iron deficiency patients. It sees the product advancing towards the market. At 8.57p, Shield was up 20 per cent for the week.
Aptamer Group, on Tuesday, announced a therapeutic development agreement with Invizius to deploy Optimers targeting the complement system in support of Invizius’ H-Guard therapy, currently entering Phase 2 trials.
hVIVO appointed Shaun Chilton, former Clinigen Group chief executive, as non-executive chair to support growth in its human challenge trial business.
FluCamp firm hVIVO appointed Shaun Chilton, former Clinigen Group chief executive, as non-executive chair
VALIRX also advanced patent protection as its subsidiary Cytolytix for its nanoparticle and peptide-based cancer therapies, with early testing showing potential in difficult cancer types.
Away from health, Defence Holdings shares soared around 90 per cent after it announced the launch of its an AI product developed with Whitespace Global and a ‘Magnificent 7’ big-tech partner for the UK MOD.
Cyber security firm Narf Industries on Wednesday told investors it achieved ‘Awardable’ status for its Ranger.ai platform on the US Department of Defense’s Platform One marketplace, enabling easier procurement.
Elsewhere in the small-cap tech sector, this week Cordiant Digital Infrastructure completed the acquisition of BT Communications Ireland, adding 3,400 kilometres of fibre and 400 customers to its Speed Fibre Group in Ireland.
Chill Brands on Monday secured a distribution agreement as UK primary distributor for RELX International’s MaxGo vape system, with initial shipments expected this month and a forecast revenue uplift.
Gem Resources shares rocketed, at one point doubling in value, after it raised £2.12 million through subscriptions and loan notes, and appointed new major shareholder Louis Ching as executive chairman. Funds to support projects in South Africa and Australia and possible crypto treasury use.
There was funding news also from Atlantic Lithium which gained 15 per cent this week after it secured financing of up to £28 million to fund development of the Ewoyaa lithium project, in Ghana, while awaiting parliamentary approval.
Tertiary Minerals, up 30 per cent this week, revealed that drilling at its Mushima North project, in Zambia, extended mineralisation by 225 metres.
Cloudbreak Discovery, which is up more than 200 per cent in recent weeks, on Wednesday announced it had landed an option to acquire the Paterson gold-copper project in Western Australia.
Jangada Mines was also in the spotlight on Wednesday when it started exploration at its Paranaíta gold project in Brazil, where it is targeting a new resource estimate and a preliminary economic assessment within six months. The shares was up close to 40 per cent for the week.
KEFI Gold and Copper remains on the cusp of delivering its Tulu Kapi mine, in Ethiopia, where final steps are underway to secure financing.
Elsewhere, Ecora Resources sold its Dugbe royalty in Liberia, in a deal worth up to $20 million.
Iofina reported record iodine production of 74.30 tonnes in August.
Rainbow Rare Earths achieved high-purity separation at its Phalaborwa project in South Africa, producing mixed rare earth carbonate exceeding 55.00 per cent TREO and began modelling and costing the final process.
Gemfields Group completed the $50 million sale of Fabergé to SMG Capital, receiving $45 million upfront with future royalties, with proceeds allocated to ruby operations in Mozambique and emerald expansion in Zambia.
Active Energy Group said its new solar and storage project portfolio is expected to generate over £10 million in contracted revenues over 20 years – it comes as new management continues its reboot.
Challenger Energy Group completed the $1.75 million non-core divestment, selling its Trinidad assets to Steeldrum Ventures, and can now focus on its Uruguay operations.
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