RNS Hotlist: ADVFN, Audioboom, Bango, Bezant, Block, Eco, i3 Energy, Mast, Mila, Open Orphan, Poolbeg, Tertiary, Tirupati

There is a fresh face at Open Orphan (ORPH), the specialist contract research organisation as it announces the appointment of Yamin 'Mo' Khan as Chief Executive Officer of Open Orphan with immediate effect. Mo joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director in October 2021. Executive Chairman, Cathal Friel will continue in his role under the new management structure. The appointment appears well timed as the fundamental backdrop shifts from the pandemic era. It is also appropriate that a CEO with specialist industry experience is on board to drive the company to a new level.

i3 Energy (I3E), an independent oil and gas company with assets and operations in the UK and Canada, unveiled its Q4 operational and financial update. The company said it has entered 2022 with a significant working capital surplus and a disciplined hedging program, covering approximately 36% of forecasted 2022 production, ensuring the fully funded 2022 programme and a monthly dividend commitment.

Tirupati Graphite (TGR), the specialist graphite and graphene company continues to accelerate its newsflow. It has announced that Tirupati Speciality Graphite Private Limited has signed an exclusive UK marketing and distribution agreement with Minralis Limited for TSG's range of expandable graphite-based CarboflameX® and GrafEN 45545® products.

Poolbeg Pharma (POLB), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company, has signed an agreement with OneThree Biotech, Inc. a biology-driven AI company, to identify new drug targets and treatments for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Under the terms of the transaction and as aligned with Poolbeg's strategy, OneThree Biotech's state-of-the-art AI analysis tools will identify drug assets which target immune-response pathways, have a higher probability of clinical success and have the potential to prevent and / or treat infectious diseases.

Audioboom (BOOM), the global podcast company, announced the continued expansion of its podcast network with the launch of three new podcasts from Audioboom Studios, the company's new production arm. Audioboom said its continued investment into content development will further grow the company's intellectual property, deliver increased gross margins to the business, expand audience reach, and develop premium advertising inventory.

Caerus Mineral Resources (CMRS) and Bezant Resources (BZT), the exploration and resource development companies with a Joint Venture focused on the Troulli Mine Development Project and other copper-gold JV targets in Cyprus, said that independent laboratory assays have been received for both dump sampling and drilling for the Troulli, Kokkinapetra and Anglisides JV Projects. 

Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. (ECO), the oil and gas exploration company, announced the successful sale of the Kozani project in Greece by Solear Ltd. for c.€1.8m to Nepcoe Capital Partners Ltd, in partnership with PowerChina New Energy Power Co., Ltd. This transaction enables the re-payment of this consideration to Eco Atlantic pursuant to the shareholder loan advanced by Eco to Solear in 2021.

Tertiary Minerals (TYM), the AIM traded mineral exploration and development company, announced that contractors have been appointed for the company's upcoming drill programme at the Pyramid Silver-Gold Project in Nevada. The company said the progression of geological mapping, geochemical and trenching programmes completed to date at Pyramid have established an exciting silver and gold target at North Ruth. Demonstrating continuity and mineralisation at depth is the next step and will give guidance on the scale of the opportunity.

Live Company Group (LVCG) said that a contract for the return of the first live show since the start of the global pandemic has been signed. 'BRICKLIVE in the Park' is a new , potentially multi-year, live show that will take place at Battersea Park in August 2022.  The company said the contract represents a significant milestone, as despite the return of the tours at zoos and other leisure venues there has not been a live show since 2019.

Mila Resources (MILA), the post-discovery gold exploration accelerator, delivered a drilling update from the Kathleen Valley Gold Project in Western Australia.  The company said the objective of the drill programme is to build on the existing JORC Inferred Resource and unlock the full potential of the project, which is located in a region which hosts some of the largest gold projects in Australia and which is adjacent to Bellevue Gold's discoveries. Initial results are supporting the belief that the initial resource declared at Kathleen Valley was simply the tip of the iceberg.

Mast Energy Developments (MAST), the UK-based multi-asset operator in the Reserve Power market, said that the 100% owned 5 MW Bordesley Project was successful in securing a Capacity Market (CM) contract of £30.59/kW/pa for a period of 15 years. The increase in capacity market prices as well as electricity prices present a uniquely lucrative opportunity to record additional revenue for Bordesley once the project reaches steady state operation. The significantly higher electricity prices of the past year will also impact positively on the rest of the Company's project portfolio.

Block Energy (BLOE), the exploration and production company focused on Georgia, said production from well JKT-01Z continues at a current rate of 310 boepd, comprising 182 bopd and 21,800 m3 (128 boe) of gas per day. The company said it is encouraging to note, after over a month of production data, well productivity is consistent with pre-drill forecasts. As planned, gas production from the well was rapidly tied into the previously installed gas infrastructure to enable early monetisation. 

Bango (BGO), the global platform for data-driven commerce, said that multi-play communications company Entel has launched a new Apple Music bundled offer through the Bango Platform, initially in Chile. This launch of Apple Music is the fourth major content service launched by Entel using the Bango Platform, following Amazon Prime, Google and Netflix.

After a 20 years reign at ADVFN (AFN), Clem Chambers has stepped down as Chief Executive of ADVFN and is to resign all his group directorships with effect from 28 February 2022. The Board of AFN said it believes that this will make any management transition less disruptive for the company and Jon Mullins, an existing director has been appointed as Chief Executive with effect from 28 February 2022.