Avacta reports positive salivary gland cancer data for AVA6000
Avacta Group (AIM:AVCT) released encouraging preclinical research results for its lead asset faridoxorubicin, known as AVA6000, in salivary gland cancer, a tumour type with existing treatment options. The data adds to the body of evidence supporting the company's proprietary pre|CISION® tumour-targeting technology, which is designed to concentrate cytotoxic drug activity at the tumour site while reducing systemic toxicity. Chief Executive Christina Coughlin said the results further underscored confidence in both the Gen One product and the broader platform to improve outcomes for cancer patients. The shares eased 3.23% to 76.45p on the day.
hVIVO signs consultancy agreement with Decoy Therapeutics
hVIVO (AIM:HVO) entered a consultancy agreement with US-based Decoy Therapeutics to support the development of broad-spectrum antiviral candidates designed to work across multiple respiratory viruses simultaneously. Decoy's chief executive Rick Pierce described the company's ambition as a "one drug, many viruses, many people" approach, a strategy that aligns with hVIVO's human challenge trial and respiratory disease expertise. The deal extends hVIVO's reach into the antiviral pipeline advisory space, and the shares rose 2.71% to 7.5489p.
ValiRx exercises RNA option as evaluation completes early
ValiRx (AIM:VAL) exercised an option over an RNA-based asset after the evaluation process concluded approximately four months ahead of its scheduled timeline, a result the company attributed to its in-house capabilities through subsidiary Inaphaea. Chief Executive Mark Eccleston said the early completion validated the group's revised approach to asset evaluation and licensing, with Inaphaea's internal infrastructure enabling faster and more cost-efficient due diligence. The shares slipped 2.56% to 0.19p.
CRISM Therapeutics wins Invest Northern Ireland grant for ChemoSeed
Crism Therapeutics Corporation (AIM:CRTX) was awarded a non-dilutive R&D grant of up to £99,902 from Invest Northern Ireland to advance its docetaxel-ChemoSeed prostate cancer programme. The grant covers 61% of eligible costs and will fund development activity through to March 2027, providing the company with runway to progress the programme without shareholder dilution. Professor Chris McConville and the broader CRISM team will oversee the funded work. The shares added 2.33% to 11.0p.
ProBiotix supplies LPLDL strain for iProbio's CARDIObiom+ launch
ProBiotix Health agreed a commercial supply cooperation with Slovakia-based iProbio to provide its patented LPLDL® probiotic strain as the active ingredient in a new cardiometabolic supplement, CARDIObiom+®. The arrangement marks a further commercial deployment of the LPLDL strain, which ProBiotix has positioned as a clinically validated ingredient for cardiovascular health applications. Chief Executive Steen Andersen has been building out the company's licensing and supply model as its primary route to revenue.
