Cambridge Cognition (COG), the brain health software group specialising in digital products to advance clinical research and patient treatment, has submitted a Letter of Intent to the FDA under the Drug Development Tool pathway, outlining its plan to develop and validate an objective and reliable measure of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS).
The FDA has indicated that CIAS improvement could serve as a co-primary outcome in schizophrenia clinical trials, alongside functional improvement1. This development aligns with the growing recognition of cognitive symptoms as a crucial treatment target in schizophrenia care.
Comment: Shares of COG are already up over 20% so far this year, as the market presumably anticipated the FDA moves, which by definition should be transformational for the company. One would expect a further, ongoing re-rate.
EDX Medical Group, (AQSE:EDX), which develops innovative digital diagnostic products, announced that Dr Michael Hudson, CEO of the Company, purchased a total of 45,888 ordinary shares in the Company on February 17, 2025, at a price per share of 10.87 pence. The Company also announces that Martin Walton, board director and deputy chair of the Group, purchased a total of 85,000 ordinary shares in the Company on February 17, 2025, at an average price per share of 10.717 pence.
Comment: As stated with reference to Ondine (OBI), the spectacle of director buying of a rising share price, or one near the highs, inspires far more confidence than the typical falling knife buying. Yesterday’s prostate test news being reported in The Times was clearly a big company profile win.
Anglo American (AAL) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its nickel business to MMG Singapore Resources Pte. Ltd, for a cash consideration of up to $500 million. The nickel business comprises two ferronickel operations in Brazil – Barro Alto and Codemin – and two high quality greenfield growth projects – Jacaré and Morro Sem Boné. AAL said “The sale of our nickel business after a highly competitive process marks a further important milestone towards simplifying our portfolio to create a more highly valued copper, premium iron ore, and crop nutrients business.”
Comment: Although it perhaps does not feel like it, shares of AAL are up some 25% since the beginning of last year, something which underlines the way that with news such as today’s the company is slowly reconciling its business.
SEEEN (SEEN), the global media and technology platform, provided an operational and trading update for the year ended 31 December 2024 together with its 2025 outlook. The Company has turned an important corner and the Board expects to have a strong 2025 and beyond with scalable growth. During December 2024, the Group crossed over into operating cash flow breakeven on a monthly basis, and accelerated the Group’s revenue run rate to $5.0 million. This growth and the yield on such growth was driven by both technology sales and a return to scalable growth in the Group’s Creator Service Partner business.
Comment: While the big turnaround to a scalable international business may have taken longer than some in the market expecting, it could very well be the case that SEEN is set to be a stronger and more successful company than previously anticipated.
Antofagasta (ANTO) announced full year results for the year ending December 31 2024. ANTO said: “We have delivered another year of strong revenue growth and cash flow generation, and our EBITDA margin widened to 52%, maintaining our position at the top-end of our peer group of pure-play copper producers. We are encouraged by the outlook for copper as demand remains strong and global constraints, such as grade decline, ore hardness and capex inflation, are steadily limiting existing supply expansions.”
Comment: While we await the big copper bull run, it may be worth noting that the green metal is actually up 17% already this year, something which may suggest that ANTO is actually a decent prospect for the rest of 2025.
Corcel (CRCL), the pan Angola-Brazil focused energy company, announced a placing to raise £2.72m at a 6.7% premium to yesterday’s closing price to fund value-accretive ongoing operational activities across its assets, business development efforts to increase its interest in the Kwanza Basin, onshore Angola, and its growth strategy in Brazil. CRCL said “This capital injection strengthens Corcel’s financial position and balance sheet, enabling us to accelerate progress on our key projects with confidence.”
Comment: We have another throw of the dice from CRCL, in terms of what is actually quite a chunky fundraise for a £6m market cap company. At this stage of the game, it is now all about whether shareholders believe the management can finally deliver.
Power Metal Resources (POW), the London-listed exploration company with a global project portfolio, reported the acquisition by mineral claim staking of the Fortin River Uranium Project, and preliminary results from a recent geophysical survey flown over the project. Fortin River is located in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. POW said this is a very exciting development in one of our more recently staked projects and we very much look forward to investigating it further and reporting back. Momentum is building across the uranium project set and we are looking forward to a very exciting few months ahead.
Comment: With its tail up from the recent partial sale of its highly successful stake in Guardian Metal (GMET), it can be seen that POW is keen to press on with its expansive strategy, in this case a further push into the uranium space.
OptiBiotix Health (OPTI), a life sciences business developing compounds to tackle obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes and skincare, announces the launch of FeelFull, containing SlimBiome®, by Daily Nouri in the United States of America (USA). OPTI said “With recent product launches in India (Morepen, Amazon), China, large parts of Asia (Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malysia and Thailand) and now the USA, the Company is growing its brand presence in international markets around the world. This global approach, whilst taking longer than a single market approach but with greater upside, has the potential to create multiple revenue streams and build a substantial global business in the years ahead.”
Comment: Given that we are very much in the age of Ozempic, all other obesity initiatives do appear rather quaint and 20th century. Luckily for OPTI the market is still keeping the faith.
Roadside (ROAD) updated on its 47.8% investment holding in Cambridge Sleep Sciences (“CSS”). New clinical trial results released. CSS is pleased to announce the results of a second clinical trial of its SleepEngineTM technology, demonstrating its effectiveness in helping to improve the quality of adult sleep. The trial, led by Dr. Nigel Guest, showed that all participants using SleepEngineTM technology reported an improvement in their sleep quality.
Comment: Although it has been Roadside’s real estate initiatives which have caught the attention of the market, and re-rated the share price, the value and contribution of CSS should not be underestimated, as illustrated by today’s news.
Predator Oil & Gas (PRD) announced the acquisition of Challenger Energy’s business, assets and operations in Trinidad and Tobago. PRD said the three producing fields that are being acquired are Goudron, Inniss Trinity and Icacos and are currently averaging 272 bopd of production and are held under an Enhanced Production Sharing Contract with Heritage Petroleum and in the case of Icacos, under a Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries private mining licence.
Comment: One presumes that PRD has been able to pick up Challenger’s assts on favourable terms, given that it is very much a footnote as compared to its other activities, even though there is the prospect of expansion in Trinidad and Tobago.
Oracle Power (ORCP), an international project developer, announced that Riversgold has advised that it has now surpassed the minimum expenditure required to earn up to an 80% beneficial interest in the Northern Zone Project, located 25km east of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.. As a result, Riversgold has exercised its option to acquire the 80% interest in the Project. Oracle will retain a 20% interest and will receive a free carry until the joint venture agreements are formalised and signed JV, which is expected by 31 December 2025.
Comment: In terms of proving its mettle as a project developer, Northern Zone has delivered the goods, something which is underlined with today’s Riversgold option exercise. It may also underline that bite sized projects are the way forward.
Alkemy Capital Investments (ALK), the 100% owner of Tees Valley Lithium announced the appointment of Vikki Jeckell as Chief Executive Officer of TVL. Alongside this leadership transition, TVL has formally commenced its Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study, marking a critical milestone in the development of its lithium hydroxide refinery in Teesside, UK. The Company also continues to advance due diligence with investors as part of the capital raise led by ABG Sundal Collier.
Comment: The arrival of a new CEO may give the impression to some that ALK is getting nearer to its financing goals, especially when combined with the FEED news also announced today.
Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest:
The information, investment views, and recommendations in this Zaks Traders Cafe interview are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this interview should be construed as a promotion or solicitation to buy or sell any financial product relating to any companies under discussion or referred to or to engage in or refrain from doing so or engage in any other transaction. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the commentator but no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. The commentators may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion.
