Matt Birney

Phylogica has successfully delivered the Cre enzyme used in biological research into lung, liver and kidney cells during in vivo experiments, proving the ability of its original cell penetrating peptide to deliver intracellular drug cargos. The company is now preparing to test its current lead CPP that is about twice as effective as the original CPP in the same animal model.

Middle Island Resources has confirmed grade increases of between 155% and 213% from ore sorting test work at its Two Mile Hill underground gold deposit near Sandstone. The ore sorting results are a precursor to an updated mineral resource estimate which is expected this year. The sorting process uses a combination of colour and X-ray sensors to increase the ore grade by rejecting more than 50% of the waste.

In vivo experiments have shown that Phylogica’s cell penetrating peptide vaccine can trigger the immune system in mice to create defensive CD8+ T-cells at much higher levels than the current best in class product, CPP TAT. The CD8+ T-cells were also able to recognise and kill the target cells which expressed the triggering antigen with a high degree of efficiency.

Peppermint Innovation has signed a partnership agreement with leading Philippines non-bank remittance payout provider, Direct Agent 5 that provides a windo of opportunity into the Filipino remittance market that is worth more than USD$1bn. Peppermint will tap Direct Agent 5’s extensive network in the Philippines, which covers more than 1000 locations, to payout remittances for its customers.

CVCheck has posted record revenues of $3.4m for the fourth quarter of the 2018 financial year, up 25% from the previous corresponding quarter, whilst full year revenues were up 20% to $12.5m. This was due to 36% growth in the corporate and SME segments and a surge in New Zealand Children’s Worker Safety Checks.

Spectrum Rare Earths has reported success from its first underground diamond drill hole at the Washington gold project in northern California. Visible gold with base metal sulphides were identified from drill core intersecting the prized Dean vein, with assays pending. The short drilling campaign is part of a wider due diligence process at the decommissioned mine, where the company has secured a 3-month exclusive option.

Having locked away its iron ore resource in the Pilbara, Coziron Resources has now shifted gear to focus on the systematic exploration of its impressive W.A. gold and vanadium projects. The company intends to concentrate on its large Buddadoo vanadium project in the Midwest and it will also look to prove up the highly prospective Croyden Top-Camp gold project, an advanced exploration play in the western Pilbara.

King River Copper has announced outstanding results from hydrometallurgical test work completed on its flagship Speewah vanadium/titanium deposit, south of Kununurra in W.A. The company reported that it had managed to produce the coveted grade of 99.51% pure vanadium pentoxide. The test work is examining a new direct leaching-precipitation method to make premium vanadium, titanium and iron products from the Speewah deposit ores.

Coolgardie Minerals has reported strong investor support for its IPO that closed last week after the company easily raised in excess of the $4m it needed to get its flagship Geko gold project underway near Bullabulling in the Goldfields. The company will now further explore the project and look to create an early cashflow from it by investigating what toll treating options might be available.