Oxford Instruments (OXIG) shares ticked up 14.40% to 2,045p following strong trading
In trading update released today, the technology provider said it has made good progress in the second half of the financial year, maintaining its good order growth, particularly across Asia, which benefited from a continued strong performance from China.
The group said its end markets have remained resilient, with the strongest growth across semiconductor applications. As a result, the group said revenue is now expected to be marginally ahead of last year, including a small adverse impact from currency effects.
The group told investors that it expects adjusted operating profit for the 2020/21 financial year to fall between £55m to £57m, supported by realised operating efficiencies. Oxford Instruments' results for the year ended 31 March 2021 will be released on 8 June 2021.
Aura Energy (AURA) shares soared 1,233.33% to 6p following return to AIM
Shares in the minerals firm soared today after the group was restored to trading on the AIM market following a temporary suspension which had followed a suspension of its shares in Sydney. Today’s 1,233.33% rise reflects Aura’s 13-into-1 share consolidation.
Diurnal Group (DNL) shares jumped 16% to 87p following positive opinion for Efmody®
The specialty pharmaceutical firm said the European Medicine Agency has issued a positive opinion recommending Efmody® as treatment of adult and adolescent patients (12 years and older) with the rare condition congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).
Efmody® is a hydrocortisone specifically designed for patients with CAH, an orphan condition caused by deficiency of adrenal enzymes, most commonly 21-hydroxylase.
The approval of marketing authorisation from the European Commission is anticipated in June 2021, in accordance with the 67-day timeline following the adoption of the positive opinion by the CHMP, together with a decision on grant of Orphan Drug Status, it noted.
To facilitate timely commercial availability, Diurnal has already commenced market access activities in its European territories, with the first commercial launch anticipated in 3Q21.
Proteome Sciences (PRM) shares rose 14.51% to 4.52p as it expects higher profits
In a trading update, and about its upcoming full year results, Proteome said it now expects to report profit after tax materially higher than previously announced on 25 January.
The firm, which operates as a specialist provider of contract proteomics services to enable drug discovery, development and biomarker identification, said this is primarily due to higher-than-expected royalty receipts from Thermo Scientific for the last quarter of 2020.
The group’s annual results, which are still subject to finalisation of the audit and approval by the Board, are expected to be released on Thursday, 1 April 2021.
Chrysalis Investments (CHRY) shares fell 3.92% to 196.25p after raising size of placing
The group informed investors that it has raised gross proceeds of £300 million today after upscaling the size of its initial issue from the company’s initial target of c. £240 million.
Chrysalis said the additional capital will allow it “to continue to support fundraisings within its existing portfolio as well as participate in exciting new opportunities that have already been identified, maintaining the considerable momentum achieved to date."
Earlier this month, the group said its fundraising programme would consist of 116.8m shares in total, 80.2m shares for existing shareholders and 36.6 million placing shares.
The company said in its previous statement however that it had reserved the right to upsize the equity issue to 146.3 million shares, thereby boosting the fundraise to £300m.