Corporate restructuring dominated the health and biotech sector, with Scancell Holdings lining up a transformative merger and Nasdaq listing even as its shares fell sharply. Elsewhere, revenue visibility improved across the sector, with hVIVO's orderbook doubling, ProBiotix striking a new European supply deal, Creo Medical hitting a clinical milestone, and AstraZeneca securing a fresh European approval in breast cancer.
Scancell to merge with Neuphoria in Nasdaq push
Scancell Holdings (LSE:SCLP) has agreed to merge with Neuphoria in a deal structured to deliver a Nasdaq listing alongside an $89m financing package. Chief executive Phil L'Huillier said the transaction "creates meaningful near- and long-term value for shareholders of both companies," framing the combination as a route to deeper capital markets access and an enlarged balance sheet to fund the group's pipeline. The market reaction was severe in the near term, with shares dropping 15.686% to 10.75p as investors weighed the dilutive financing and structural complexity of the deal against its longer-term strategic rationale.
ProBiotix strikes Belgian supply deal with Nutrisan
ProBiotix Health (LSE:PBX) has signed a supply agreement with Belgian partner Nutrisan, extending its European footprint into a new market. Chief executive Steen Andersen said "Belgium is a growing market for ProBiotix, and we see plenty of opportunity to drive further revenue in the country," pointing to the deal as a platform for incremental sales growth. Shares in ProBiotix edged up 0.82% to 7.0775p on the news.
hVIVO orderbook more than doubles to £65m
hVIVO (LSE:HVO) has grown its orderbook to £65m, more than doubling since the start of the year and materially improving forward revenue visibility. Chief executive Yamin "Mo" Khan said the expansion provides "improved revenue visibility for the remainder of 2026, 2027 and into 2028," underscoring sustained demand for the group's human challenge trial services. Despite the bookings milestone, hVIVO shares slipped 0.741% to 6.7p.
Creo Medical's MicroBlate Flex passes 100 clinical cases
Creo Medical Group (LSE:CREO) has confirmed its MicroBlate Flex device has now been used in more than 100 clinical cases, a milestone chief executive Craig Gulliford said reflects "growing clinician engagement and real-world momentum" as physicians gain hands-on experience with the technology. The clinical traction comes as Creo shares dipped 0.9% to 13.75p.
AstraZeneca wins EU nod for camizestrant combination
AstraZeneca (LSE:AZN) has secured European Union approval for its camizestrant combination, branded Etcamah, paired with a CDK4/6 inhibitor as a first-line treatment for advanced ER-positive breast cancer. The approval marks the first EU-sanctioned therapy specifically targeting emerging drug resistance in this patient population, reinforcing AstraZeneca's oncology franchise. Shares were little changed on the announcement, down 0.331% to 12,660p.
