RNS Hotlist: AFC, Alpha, AQRU, CYBA, MetalNRG, Open Orphan, Pires, Sabien, Tekcapital, Victoria

Open Orphan (ORPH), a specialist contract research organisation said the results from the world's first COVID-19 characterisation study, show that a SARS-CoV-2 human challenge is safe in healthy young adults and provide detailed insights into the course of COVID-19 infection with potential positive public health implications. The company said that the world's first COVID-19 characterisation study has completed with no serious adverse events or serious symptoms. The results have provided invaluable insights into COVID-19 disease progression. ORPH has established a COVID-19 Human Challenge Model which could be instrumental in accelerating the development of future COVID-19 therapeutics.

Victoria Oil & Gas (VOG), whose wholly owned subsidiary, Gaz du Cameroun S.A., is the onshore gas producer and distributor with operations located in the port city of Douala, Cameroon, provided shareholders with a brief operations update for the fourth quarter of 2021. VOG said it was pleased with the robust quarter that GDC achieved, despite a greater than expected number of maintenance shutdowns for its customers. Following the end of the quarter, 2022 has started very well with strong demand shown in the market. VOG added that it has settled non-monetary claims with a prospective impact in the ICC arbitration.

Sabien Technology Group (SNT), a company focused on a Green Aggregation Strategy, said it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Irish Renewable Fuels Ltd., in relation to a proposed reprocessing facility utilising the City Oil Field plastic to oil technology to be established in the Republic of Ireland. The company said it is delivering on its strategy of building a portfolio of operations and that this MOU extends the geographic reach of its activity on behalf of COF to include the Republic of Ireland.

Following the trading update released to market by EQTEC (EQT) on 1 February 2022, MetalNRG (MNRG) updated on progress made at its investment project in Italy. The company said good progress is being made toward recommissioning the Italia MDC plant in 2022 and it looks forward to its ongoing working relationship with EQTEC.

There was a boost for next generation technology investor Pires (PIRI), as it was revealed that serial investor Chris Akers has topped up his stake in the company from 16.19% to 17.2%. Recent news regarding Low6 and Pluto has steadied the share price in PIRI in recent days.

CYBA (CYBA), the special purpose acquisition company seeking suitable acquisition targets in the Cyber Security sector said that it has completed its fundraise for both the working capital of the Enlarged Group, together with the cash portion in respect of the acquisition of Narf, for a combined total of £6 million, at two pence per share.

AQRU (AQRU), an incubator specialising in DeFi, said that it has acquired Bison Exchange UAB, a blockchain technology company registered in Lithuania, for a cash consideration of €30,000. Following the acquisition, Bison Exchange UAB changed its name to Accru Finance UAB as part of a broader streamlining process that included the Company changing its name from Dispersion Holdings plc to AQRU plc earlier this year and launching the new website. Kameliya Krasimirova Gankova has been appointed a Director of Accru Finance UAB and will oversee the Company's activities in Lithuania.

Tekcapital (TEK), the UK intellectual property investment group announced that portfolio company Lucyd's, Innovative Eyewear Inc. subsidiary, has been approved by DICK's Sporting Goods® to provide its Lucyd Lyte® smart eyewear on dickssportinggoods.com and by BestBuy.ca to place its products on Best Buy's Canadian ecommerce site.  Products will be available on both ecommerce platforms within the next 30 days.

AFC Energy (AFC), a provider of hydrogen power generation technologies, said that Extreme E, the all-electric SUV racing series, will continue to use the company's zero-emission fuel cell for its 2022 season. AFC Energy's zero-emission, "L" Series hydrogen power generator was successfully used at all five races in the inaugural 2021 season to power the ODYSSEY 21 race vehicles in a variety of harsh operating conditions including in Saudi Arabia, Senegal and Greenland.

Alpha Growth (ALGW), a financial services specialist in the growing longevity asset class, announced the results for the year-ended 31 December 2021 for its BlackOak Alpha Growth Fund investing in Senior Life Settlements. The Fund in 2021, has seen significant positive inflows of investment, doubling its assets under management to ~$45 million and achieving a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 112% since January 2020.