Iconic Labs PLC (LON:ICON), a multidivisional new media and technology business, announced that it has appointed Sarah Dees as its chief executive officer and an executive director with immediate effect. The group noted that Dees has a wealth of management and fundraising experience across a variety of sectors including financial technology, banking, live events and natural resources. She commented: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead Iconic Labs through the next phase of its development following the recent Board changes. I will be prioritising early dialogue with OTT Holdings, alongside existing shareholders and lenders.”
Silence Therapeutics PLC (LON:SLN) (NASDAQ:SLN) has said it is set to receive US$45mln from an oversubscribed private placement of stock with US investors that will fund the development of its drug pipeline. In total, 2.02mln American depositary shares were sold for US$22.50 each. “This financing marks an important step in our journey to increase awareness of Silence and position our company as a global RNAi leader,” said Silence chief executive Mark Rothera in a statement.
Chaarat Gold Holdings Ltd (LON:CGH) has launched a US$25mln funding and at the same time a US$22mln loan is set to be converted to shares. To raise US$25mln the company will issue 65.9mln new shares, priced at 26p each, to new institutional investors and family offices as well as existing shareholders. Labro Investments Ltd, Chaarat’s largest shareholder, has indicated its willingness to convert the entirety of a US$22mln loan plus accrued interest into shares, at the same price as the equity raise. It would see Labro receive a further 62.4mln shares, meanwhile, Chaarat’s debt position will reduce by 33% to US$46.5mln.
Tiziana Life Sciences PLC (LON:TILS) (NASDAQ:TLSA) announced that it has appointed Thomas Adams as head of drug development and as an executive director with immediate effect. The biotechnology firm said Adams’ role will be to manage and oversee all matters relating to its pre-clinical and clinical drug development programs and associated intellectual property. Adams holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of California, Riverside, and previously served as chief executive and executive chairman of cancer therapy firm Cardiff Oncology (NASDAQ:CRDF).
Bacanora Lithium PLC (LON:BCN), a lithium development company, announced that the board of directors of its cornerstone investor and offtake partner, Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd. has approved a resolution to exercise its pre-emptive right and to increase its holding in the company. Ganfeng will subscribe for a total of 53,333,333 Bacanora new ordinary shares at the placing price of 45p per share, representing gross proceeds of approximately US$31mln. Completion of this investment from Ganfeng is conditional upon obtaining certain approvals and consents from authorities in the People’s Republic of China. On completion of their investment, the company will have 384,144,901 shares in issue and Ganfeng will have an ownership level of 28.88%. Peter Secker, CEO of Bacanora commented: “We are delighted that our cornerstone partner, Ganfeng, has shown yet more commitment to Bacanora and the Sonora Lithium Project, located in Mexico, retaining its position as the Company’s largest shareholder. This additional funding further solidifies our financial position as we head towards the start of construction. We look forward to providing more updates in the coming period on the final parts of the engineering design and the start of site work preparation.”
BlueRock Diamonds PLC (LON:BRD) has released an updated resource statement for its Kareevlei diamond mine in the Kimberley region of South Africa. Provisional figures were previously released in December 2020. The new official number shows that an increase in net tonnes of ore to 10,368,300 supported a 53% increase in net carats to 516,200. What’s more, 19% of the resource has been upgraded to the indicated category.
Sensyne Health PLC (LON:SENS) said it has made two key senior hires. Hina Zaman has been appointed managing director of the healthcare division, while Martin Gouldstone will fill the role of chief business officer of the life sciences division. Zaman joins from Babylon Health and will focus on the commercialisation of Sensyne’s clinical AI software for remote patient monitoring and decision-making support. Gouldstone is moving from Syneos and will be responsible for expanding the company’s pharmaceutical industry partnerships as well as looking at potential growth areas, including M&A opportunities.
Digitalbox PLC (LON:DBOX), the mobile-first digital media business, which owns Entertainment Daily, The Daily Mash and The Tab, has announced that Nigel Burton has resigned as a non-executive director of the company, with immediate effect in order to pursue other opportunities. The company said it would like to thank him for his contribution and to wish him the best for the future.
Mosman Oil and Gas Limited (LON:MSMN) the oil exploration, development, and production company, announced that it has received notification to exercise warrants over a total of 37,500,000 new ordinary shares of no par value at a price of 0.15p per share. The funds from the exercise of the warrants of circa A$101,000 will be added to Mosman’s existing cash reserves.
OPG Power Ventures PLC (LON:OPG), the developer and operator of power generation plants in India, announced that Gleneagle Trading FZE, a subsidiary of Gita Investments Limited, a company controlled by Arvind Gupta, the company’s chairman, and his family have purchased 150,000 OPG shares at 18.0p per share. This increases the Gupta family’s shareholding in OPG to 206,642,166 ordinary shares, or 51.57% of the total issued share capital.
IronRidge Resources Limited (LON:IRR) has announced the allotment and issue of 2,782,919 depositary interests of no par value each in the company to GeoDrill Limited, as partial satisfaction of invoiced costs to date associated with drilling at the company’s projects in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. Additionally, the company has advised of the allotment and issue of 300,000 ordinary shares at a price of 12p per share as a result of the exercise of unlisted employment options.
Proactive Research has issued a report on Custodian REIT PLC (LON:CREI) following its recent quarterly valuation update and dividend announcement for the period ended December 31. Analyst Ed Stacey noted: “The latest two quarters have exhibited strong rent collection and increases in the dividend. We argue that the current level of dividend is secure and offers potential for further increases going forward.”
