30th May 2025 10:40
(Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers on AIM on Friday.
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AIM - WINNERS
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Aptamer Group, up 9.0% at 0.37 pence, 12-month range 0.20p-0.90p. The The York, England-based biotechnology firm that provides Optimer binders for use in therapeutics, diagnostics, bioprocessing and research has signed a second Optimer discovery contract with London-based consumer goods firm Unilever. Under the deal, Aptamer will develop a novel panel of Optimer binders targeting an additional biological pathway association with body odour formation. This will potentially provide Unilever with a second strategy to prevent the formation of body malodour. The agreement is structured on a fee-for-service basis, with Aptamer receiving an "undisclosed six-figure sum" for the development work. The binders developed by Aptamer in its first contract with Unilever have passed the lab-testing phase, with performance trials expected later in 2025.
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AIM - LOSERS
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hVIVO PLC, down 44% at 9.05p, 12-month range 6.50p-31.00p. The London-based contract research organisation testing vaccines for infectious and respiratory diseases notes the cancellation of a "significant" human challenge trial contract, alongside a postponement and a small study cancellation. hVIVO believes the client decisions relate to "current uncertainties in the pharmaceutical industry and the continued depressed biotech financing market". The firm has GBP47 million in revenue contracted for financial 2025, inclusive of cancellation and postponement fees, and anticipates further contract wins during the year. hVIVO notes, however, that the current contracted revenue would result in a mid-single-digit operating loss for the year.
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Petro Matad Ltd, down 32% at 1.58p, 12-month range 1.17p-5.40p. The petroleum exploration, development, and production company says pumping at the Heron 1 well is now in operation to lift oil to the surface, with the well delivering around 160 barrels of oik per day. Gazelle 1 well test planning is ongoing, the company adds, with potential for the well to be put on production "immediately" if the test is successful. Petro Matad says talks with potential partners on Block XX are ongoing. "We are pleased to have agreed the amounts payable for Heron-1 production. We are working hard with PetroChina and the Mongolian authorities to get the first payment made and we look forward to a smooth monthly payment process thereafter," says Chief Executive Officer Mike Buck. "We continue preparations for some low-cost well work for 2025 to support and potentially enhance production and Block VII appears to have some exciting potential. Our efforts to bring in partners are continuing in parallel."
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By Emily Parsons, Alliance News reporter
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