Hybridan Small Cap Feast

A round up of the day’s news brought to you by the team at small-cap broker and advisor Hybridan.

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Banquet Buffet

4D Pharma 104p  £185.7m (DDDD.L)

The pharmaceutical company leading the development of Live Biotherapeutic products (LBPs), a novel class of drug derived from the microbiome, today announces the publication of pre-clinical research relating to its second-generation immuno-oncology LBP MRx1299 improving the activity of CAR-T. The research, conducted in collaboration with the Philipps-University Marburg, Germany, and Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Germany, and published in Nature Communications, demonstrates the ability of the bacterium Megasphaera massiliensis or its short chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolite pentanoate to enhance the anti-tumor activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and CAR-T therapies in animal models of cancer, resulting in better tumor clearance. 4D pharma identified M. massiliensis MRx1299 using its MicroRx® platform and previously showed MRx1299 to have specific histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory activity and be a rare prolific producer of pentanoate.  This led to discussions with the lab of Dr. Alexander Visekruna, corresponding author on the recent publication, due to their work investigating the effects of SCFAs on immune cell subsets.

Blackbird 31.5p  £106.5m (BIRD.L)

The developer and seller of the market-leading cloud native video editing platform, Blackbird, announced today that Univision has entered into a multi-year deal to deploy Blackbird to drive large-scale video production efficiencies across its streaming and digital media operations. Univision is the leading Spanish-language media and content company in the United States, which entertains, informs and empowers U.S. Hispanics with news, sports and entertainment content across broadcast and cable television, audio, digital and streaming platforms.

Caledonia Mining  965p  £112m (CMCLL)

Quarterly gold production from the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe for the quarter ended June 30 2021. Record production of approximately 16,710 ounces of gold during the Quarter, an increase of approximately 23.8% on the  13,499  ounces produced in the corresponding quarter of 2020. Gold produced for the first half of 2021 was 29,907 ounces, approximately 7.8% above the 27,732 ounces produced in the first half of 2020. Caledonia maintains its 2021 full year production guidance of 61,000 to 67,000 ounces and remains on track to hit target of 80,000 ounces from 2022.

Churchill China 1,762p  £194m (CHH.L)

The manufacturer of innovative performance ceramic products serving hospitality markets worldwide provided an update in relation to trading for the six months ended 30 June 2021. “The improved trading performance referred to in our Annual General Meeting announcement on 1 June 2021 has been maintained throughout the month of June. Revenue in both May and June recovered to 2019 levels and we continue to enjoy a good forward order book. This improved performance reflects progress across the UK, Europe and our other export markets. We do however remain mindful that COVID continues to introduce a degree of uncertainty into our assessment of future market and operational conditions. In our Preliminary Results announcement on 19 April 2021 we indicated that the Board would review its dividend policy at the earliest opportunity once a clearer pattern of trading had been established. Given the performance achieved in the period ended 30 June 2021 along with our strong financial position the Board is pleased to declare an interim dividend of 6.7p per share (2020: nil). This dividend will be paid on 3 September 2021 to shareholders on the register at 6 August 2021, with an ex-dividend date of 5 August 2021. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grants claimed in relation to 2021 have been repaid.”

Destiny Pharma 138p  £82.6m (DEST.L)

The clinical stage innovative biotechnology company focused on the development of novel medicines that can prevent life threatening infections announced a Cooperative R&D agreement with the US Department of Veterans Affairs to support studies focusing on identifying new attributes for NTCD-M3, a novel microbiome therapeutic being developed to reduce the recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) in the gut. Destiny Pharma will collaborate on this research project with the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois, utilising their CDI research expertise to complete new preclinical studies that could support the administration of NTCD-M3 to a broader CDI patient population and therefore strengthen the market opportunity. The research project is planned to complete in Q4 2021. Financial terms are not disclosed.

Mulberry 305p  £183m (MUL.L)

Its wholly owned subsidiary, Mulberry Company (France) SARL, has agreed to terminate the lease of its store at 275 Rue Saint Honoré, Paris, France and exit the Property early. As at 27 March 2021, the book value of the Property in the Company’s accounts was £7.9m. The consideration, which is receivable once Mulberry has exited the Property, expected to be during September 2021, is £13.2m. The net proceeds after tax, expected to be around £10.8m, will strengthen further the Company’s cash position and support investment opportunities in line with its strategic plans. The Company plans to open a new store in Paris once international tourism returns. The objective will be a location which supports the Company’s omni-channel approach and optimises its customer centric retail experience.

Hardide Coatings 36p  £20.11m (HDD.L)

The developer and provider of advanced surface coating technology, is pleased to announce that it has received full approval from Airbus to coat and process its components at the new and larger Longlands Road facility in Bicester, UK. This approval follows the relocation of the Company and its equipment from Wedgwood Road, Bicester to newly built premises at Longlands Road, Bicester last year. The final coating reactor that remained in the Wedgwood Road site specifically to coat Airbus parts has now been relocated to the Longlands Road facility. The old Wedgwood Road site is now in the process of being decommissioned before the lease terminates in October 2021.

Orosur Mining 20.3p  £38.3m (OMI.L)

Update on the progress of Minera Anzá’s drilling campaign currently underway at the Company’s Anzá project in Colombia. Assays from 9 additional holes. Multiple high-grade gold intersections with associated silver and zinc- including 59.55m @ 9.61g/t Au and 61.75m @ 2.05g/t Au. Current drilling program nearing completion as planned. Further assays expected in due course. Regional field work progressing well. Major geophysical surveys planned.

Quantum Blockchain Technologies 1.08p  £9.6m (QBT.L)

The UK Quantum Computing Cryptography and Artificial Intelligence research and development and investment company, listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market, announces it will use the Leap™ quantum cloud service from D-Wave Systems Inc., the leader in quantum computing systems, software and services, to develop cryptography algorithms for crypto currency mining. QBT will now be able to access D-Wave’s quantum-classical hybrid solvers, which leverage both quantum solutions and best-in-class classical algorithms to run large-scale business-critical problems. With real-time access to quantum computers via the cloud, QBT aims to transform classic computing cryptography algorithms, such as the one used for Bitcoin mining, in quantum computations, or quantum-classic hybrid computations. QBT’s quantum computing team is working on the Leap platform with the goal to exploit the speed of quantum computations, which can be, under the appropriate conditions, several order of magnitudes faster than a classic computer.

Ridgecrest SUSPENDED (RDGC.L)

Ridgecrest, an AIM Rule 15 cash shell has entered into a non-binding heads of agreement with Mr Cristian Rada, as a result of which, subject to, inter alia, the execution of a legally binding share purchase agreement, Ridgecrest would acquire Airline Invest SA and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Blue Air Aviation SA and Blue Air Technic SRL. Cristian Rada and his brother are the sole shareholders of Airline Invest.  Blue Air is a Romanian low-cost airline headquartered in Bucharest, with its base at Henri Coandă International Airport, and with operations at Turin airport, Italy. It is reportedly the largest Romanian airline by scheduled passengers flown, having carried more than 32m passengers in its 16 years of operation. The Proposed Transaction is classified as a reverse takeover pursuant to the AIM Rules for Companies and accordingly the Company’s shares will be suspended from trading on AIM as of 07:30 a.m. today.

What’s cooking in the IPO kitchen?

Bridgepoint Group to float on the Premium Segment of the Main Market. Bridgepoint is the leader in middle market investing, with a global reach that leverages its strong pan-European footprint and Bridgepoint’s ability to deploy meaningful amounts of client capital across several well established strategies. Raising £300m. Timing TBA.

HydrogenOne Capital Growth to IPO on the Premium Segment of the Main Market. HGEN is targeting a raise of £250m. First London listed investment fund dedicated to clean hydrogen. Due by the end of July.

Forward Partners Group to join AIM. The Group has made 65 equity investments in early stage, high growth British companies, to build a portfolio that has a net asset value of £103.0m as of 31 March 2021. Offer TBA. Due mid July.

Bradda Head Holdings to join AIM. Bradda Head, previously called Life Science Developments Limited and before that Copper Development Corporation, is a delisted company previously quoted on AIM. In January 2018 Bradda Head acquired Bradda Head Limited, a lithium focused exploration company established to develop a portfolio of USA based lithium projects. Raising £6.2m. Mkt Cap £16.1m. Due 19 July.

CMO Group PLC, the UK’s largest online-only retailer of building materials, announced its intention to seek admission to AIM. The Group currently operates seven specialist websites, Roofingsuperstore.co.uk, Drainagesuperstore.co.uk, Insulationsuperstore.co.uk, Doorsuperstore.co.uk, Tileandfloorsuperstore.co.uk, cmotrade.co.uk and Totaltiles.co.uk. Due 8 July raising £27.3m primary and |£17.7m for selling shareholders. Mkt cap £95m.

Seraphine Group,  intends to IPO on the Premium Segment on the Main Market. Seraphine, and together with its subsidiaries, is an international digitally-led maternity and nursing wear brand. The final offer price will be determined following a book-building process. Admission expected July.

Literacy Capital PLC, announces its intention to seek admission of its ordinary shares of £0.001 to trading on the Specialist Fund Segment of the Main Market. The Company was created in September 2017 as a permanent capital vehicle to allow longer term decision making and with the intention to generate substantial investment returns. As at 31 March 2021, the Company’s unaudited Net Asset Value is approximately £96.4m. Literacy Capital Asset Management LLP is the Company’s investment manager.

LungLife, a developer of clinical diagnostic solutions for lung cancer enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI), announces intention to seek admission to AIM. The Company’s technology is a combination of the recovery of rare cells and blood-based biomarkers shown to be altered in lung cancer. The Company employs machine learning to improve upon existing computer software to identify informative cells from blood, and intends to build a deep, novel pool of lung cancer-related data for AI-enabled applications designed to improve test performance over time. Admission due early July.

Helium Ventures PLC, announces admission to the AQSE Growth Market. The Company has been formed to identify either investment opportunities or acquisitions in the upstream natural gas sector and in particular in helium. Admission date TBC.

Seraphim Space Investment Trust PLC, a newly established closed-ended investment company which will invest in a diversified international portfolio of early and growth stage Space Tech businesses, announces the publication of its Prospectus in connection with the IPO to the Premium Segment of the Main Market. The Company is targeting gross proceeds of up to £180m through the issue of up to 180m Ordinary Shares by way of the Initial Placing, the Offer for Subscription, Direct Subscriptions and the Intermediaries Offer at 100 pence per Ordinary Share. The Company will subsequently also acquire stakes in four Space Tech businesses upon the completion or termination of currently pending corporate activity in relation to those assets. Assuming the successful completion of these transactions currently underway, the Company’s investment manager, Seraphim Space estimates approximately £70m of value relating to the Retained Assets could be acquired by the Company.

Future Biogas Group plc, is a newly formed holding company which will acquire 100% of Future Biogas Limited (“FBL”). Future Biogas is a clean energy company that operates biogas plants in the UK. It is one of the largest biogas producers in the UK, delivering approximately 5,000 cubic metres per hour of green gas to the Gas Grid. FBL was formed in 2010 in order to develop and operate biogas plants.  The Group has deployed over £125m and built 12 biogas plants in the UK since then, largely through tax efficient funding such as VCT and EIS. In 2020, the ten biogas plants operated by the Group generated over 426 GWh of renewable energy. TBC ordinary shares of £0.01 each in the capital of the Company. In addition to the biogas plants it operates on behalf of third parties, the Company intends to build on its experience by constructing its own portfolio of new bioenergy plants with carbon capture storage (“BECCS”). Target fundraise up to £35m. Anticipated market cap TBC. Admission date early July

Saietta Group, announces intention to list on AIM. Saietta, is a UK company that has developed an innovative AFT electric motor (a design of axial flux motor), designed to deliver class-leading performance for its target markets whilst being low cost and built for mass market production. Saietta’s initial target market is the high volume, fast growing lightweight mobility market including motorcycles in Asia. Admission date and market cap TBC.

Poolbeg, Proposed AIM listing and demerger from Open Orphan (ORPH.L). Funds raised as part of Admission will be used primarily to fund the clinical trial costs associated with the development of the Company’s POLB 001 asset as a treatment for severe influenza and to acquire and develop new portfolio assets.  Offer details and timing TBC

Wise, the Fintech and payments start-up is planning to pull the trigger on a direct listing on the London Stock Exchange, becoming the latest tech firm and this time a Unicorn to cash in on the ongoing boom in flotations on the UK’s public markets. Wise plans to establish a customer shareholder programme, OwnWise, which will reward customers joining as shareholders after admission to support its long-term mission. OwnWise, open for pre-applications from UK eligible customers today, provides participants with the chance to receive bonus shares in Wise, representing 5% of the value of the shares they buy and hold for at least 12 months (based on market value at the time of purchase) up to a cap of £100, amongst other perks. All existing investors, including the company’s team of current and previous Wisers (employees) who hold options and shares, will be offered time-limited enhanced voting shares to support Wise’s focus on its mission as it transitions to being a listed company. Due  7 July

Orcadian Energy, the North Sea focused, oil and gas development company, announces its intention to seek admission to AIM. The Company’s key asset is the 100% interest in the Pilot oilfield, with audited proven and probable reserves of 78.8m barrels (audited by Sproule BV). Orcadian plans to raise gross proceeds of c. £5m to progress its assets. Expected early July.

The UK Residential REIT, a proposed closed-ended real estate investment trust established to invest in a diversified portfolio of affordable, privately rented residential real estate assets in attractive locations outside of London, announces its intention to IPO onto the Premium Segment of the LSE. URES is targeting Gross Issue Proceeds of  150m before expenses by means of a placing, offer for subscription and intermediaries offer of 150m Ordinary Shares plus an Issue of up to 50m Consideration Shares in connection with the acquisition of Seed Assets at an issue price of £1.00 per Ordinary Share. Expected market capitalisation following the completion of the acquisition of Seed Assets of £200m. Due 16 July

LionTrust ESG Trust PLC  – Withdrawn

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