RNS Hotlist: Aeorema, Angle, AQRU, Chamberlin, Contango, CyanConnode, Europa, GCM, Gemfields, Goldstone, Open Orphan, Parkmead, Petropavlovsk, Sabien, UKOG

Open Orphan (ORPH), a rapidly growing specialist contract research organisation announces is growing yet further. hVIVO, a subsidiary of Open Orphan, has signed a £5m respiratory syncytial virus human challenge study contract with a European biotechnology company to test its intravenous antiviral candidate, using the hVIVO RSV Human Challenge Study Model.

ANGLE (AGL), a liquid biopsy company, said that a leading cancer research institute, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy, has published results of a study undertaken in early stage triple negative breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Using ANGLE's marker-independent Parsortix system to harvest CTCs, followed by automated single-CTC retrieval, the authors identified and analysed both epithelial and non-epithelial CTCs, allowing characterisation of CTCs that would not have been detected by epithelial antibody-based approaches.

Gemfields (GEM) announced its audited financial results for the year ending 31 December 2021. The company said 2021 was an 'annus mirabilis' which saw the Gemfields Group robustly consign the horrors of 2020 to the history books. Apparently,  a Latin O Level has some use in later life.

AQRU (AQRU), an incubator specialising in decentralised finance, has entered into a partnership with Maple Finance, an institutional lending platform in the DeFi sector, to offer AQRU customers access to enhanced yields in decentralised finance.

Chamberlin (CMH), the specialist castings and engineering group, announces that on 24 March 2022, Trevor Brown, Executive Director, purchased 700,000 shares at 4.88p. Following this purchase, Mr Brown, one of the most successful and perhaps charismatic investors on AIM, now beneficially holds 27.62% of the company.

Sabien Technology Group (SNT), a company focussed on building a portfolio of solutions, in the heating, cooling and transportation sectors, said that its operating subsidiary, Sabien Technology Ltd, has been awarded a further contract by a UK government department for a value of approximately £264,000. This is for the extended deployment of Sabien's M2G Boiler Optimisation Technology across multiple sites throughout the UK in support of a major project.

Petropavlovsk (POG) noted the inclusion of Gazprombank on the UK Sanctions List. The company said it is urgently considering with its advisers the implications for the Group's activities and financing arrangements resulting from GPB being designated for the purposes of an asset freeze.

Aeorema Communications (AEO), the AIM-traded live events agency, announced its unaudited results for the six months ended 31 December 2021. Record revenue of £4,909,742 (H1 2020: £1,677,311). First profitable interim period for a number of years with profit before taxation of £255,677 (H1 2020: loss £287,676). So business is certainly booming.

GoldStone Resources (GRL) is pleased to provide an operational update in relation to mining and production activities at the Homase Mine and exploration activities at the former Akrokeri Underground Mine. The company said the team on site has worked tirelessly to achieve Homase's and its efforts over the past few months have brought it to an important turning point in the evolution of its production process.

Parkmead (PMG), the independent energy group focused on growth through gas, oil and renewable energy projects, reported its interim results for the six-month period ended 31 December 2021. Revenue tripled to £4.6 million for the period (2020: £1.5 million) as the company benefited from the continued increase in gas prices. Gross profit increased by 389% to £3.8 million (2020: £0.8 million), demonstrating the “high-quality nature of Parkmead's onshore Netherlands assets and strong operating leverage.”

CyanConnode (CYAN.L), a narrowband radio frequency smart mesh networks group, is proposing to raise approximately £2 million at 14p. The net proceeds of the Fundraising will be used to further strengthen the Company's balance sheet, to increase working capital, to fund long lead time critical components and to execute CyanConnode's growing order book and pipeline.

Contango Holdings (CGO), the London listed natural resource development company, announces that it has issued 242,424 shares in lieu of services of £20,000 provided by a service provider that has elected to be paid in equity. The shares were issued at 8.25p each. Guess who the service provider is?

UK Oil & Gas (UKOG), a UK and internationally focused energy company, announced its full year results for the full year ended 30 September 2021. The company said it is “excited” by UKOG's pursuit of opportunities in renewable energy, notably in respect of geothermal energy and gas storage solutions for hydrogen development.

GCM Resources (GCM), an AIM quoted mining and energy company, reported its interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2021. GCM said its main development partner is working to demonstrate the development of the 'Energy Park' for the Government and people of Bangladesh.

Europa Oil & Gas (EOG), the AIM quoted UK, Ireland and Morocco focused oil and gas exploration and production company, issued a GM statement. The company said the Serenity acquisition is for a 25% stake in a discovered oil field, which is majority owned by i3 Energy (I3E) and requires further appraisal to delineate the field and progress the Serenity field to the development phase. An appraisal well is scheduled to be drilled in the late summer this year, and should it be successful, it will add material value to existing shareholders.