Public Company News

ASX-listed biotech PharmAust has successfully identified a revamped formulation of its promising anti-cancer drug “Monepantel”. Perth-based PharmAust says that the reformulated Monepantel will improve the drug’s taste and enable the delivery of over 10 times the amount of substance per dose than previously, paving the way for clinical trials ahead of full scale commercialisation.

One of the oil industry’s top analysts has given a very positive report on Strike Energy as it embarks on a drill program with the potential to save the east coast gas market from its supply shortage. Peter Strachan’s new report concludes Strike is worth 66% more than its current share price and that’s before the high-impact Jaws drilling program gets underway in the Cooper Basin.

Sky and Space Global is collaborating with pan-African telco player Paratus Group on a field trial that will see a point-of-sale device connected to a bank via the ASX-listed company’s nano-satellite-based IP network. Sky and Space sees the trial as a way to open the door to the multi-billion-dollar global point-of-sale market, especially in the rapidly expanding African market.

Aquabotix has reported a 22% increase in cash receipts for the December quarter, putting the underwater drone player in a sound financial slipstream as it accelerates towards new growth targets. The Sydney and Massachusetts-based company added 10 new distributors to its global network in the last quarter of the year and has revised sales targets for its automated drones in a number of industries.

BlackEarth Minerals is throwing plenty of expertise at its advanced graphite exploration project in Madagascar, making two key appointments ahead of next month’s commencement of a major drilling operations. The newly listed company has secured an exploration services company with deep experience in Madagascan graphite and a geology manager with a solid graphite CV.

Nzuri Copper’s Kalongwe copper-cobalt project could be set for a mine life extension after exploration drilling just 2.5kms away produced a series of very positive results that may lead to a satellite orebody. Drilling at Monwezi 2 has extended an historic copper-cobalt intercept in three directions and confirmed a new geological interpretation of the target.

ASX-listed MGC Pharmaceuticals has been given the green light by Slovenian authorities, who have given the medical marijuana company’s European medicinal cannabis production facility a tick of approval. The company has now cleared an important regulatory hurdle for the production of its products in Europe, whilst it also steps up the approvals process for the import of medicinal and beauty brands into Australia.

Lithium Australia’s lithium mica Sadisdorf project in Germany has received a boost with news that joint venture partner Tin International has been awarded a highly prospective exploration permit nearby in Saxony’s Ore Mountains region. The Perth-based lithium processing and exploration specialist said the new permit would become part of the joint venture and was thought to have a high likelihood of hosting substantial tin-lithium mineralisation.

Hammer Metals aims to continue its spectacular run of success with the drill bit with the start of a 13-hole RC program at the Jubilee copper gold prospect southeast of Mt Isa. Drilling began last week to follow up last month’s maiden drill program, which produced a stunning 5 metres at 7.35% copper and 3.75 g/t gold from just 35m down-hole. Investors are now eagerly awaiting results from the second RD program.

Connected IO has tapped into a pipeline of potential growth by signing a deal with KORE to promote and sell its products in over 160 countries. The United States-headquartered KORE boasts a number of top tier corporate clients on its books, particularly in North America, and has the capacity to catapult Connected IO into the tech big league around the world.

With first production from the Browns Range heavy rare earths project now within sight, Northern Minerals is turning its attention to the discovery of additional deposits in the region. New high-grade rock chip sample assay results from a variety of regional prospects have delivered exciting results and encouraged the company to get exploration rigs back on the ground in the June quarter.

With a sharpened drill bit at the San Jose project, Plymouth Minerals plans to pencil up improved economics for its giant lithium project that already boasts a lovely set of numbers. A small drilling campaign about to kick off is expected to firm up fundamentals for the project’s feasibility study and aims to deliver improved pit designs and lower stripping ratios for an emerging lithium supply line direct into the heart of Europe’s ever-expanding battery industry.