TRADING UPDATES: Sancus Lending names Andrew Charnley as new CEO
The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Friday and not separately reported by Alliance News:
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Genedrive PLC - Manchester, England-based point-of-care pharmacogenetic testing company - Notes comments by Minister for Health Innovation & Safety Preet Kaur Gill, who "highlighted rapid pharmacogenetic testing for identifying newborn babies at risk of antibiotic-induced hearing loss as a practical example of personalised medicine". Gill was giving evidence to the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee's inquiry into innovation in the UK National Health Service. "We know that some babies carry a genetic variant which puts them at a much higher risk of permanent hearing loss if they receive certain antibiotics, for example," Gill said. "The work that the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre did is that we now have a rapid test that can identify that risk before treatment is actually given. That's really, I think, a powerful example of what personalised medicine means in practice." The "rapid test," Genedrive says, is its MT-RNR1 ID Kit, which "is currently being deployed across NHS neonatal intensive care units," and has moved to routine clinical use at two NHS trusts, "with discussions ongoing to support the transition at further participating hospitals."
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Kazera Global PLC - mining investment firm focused on early-stage assets - African Tantalum (Pty) Ltd, or Aftan, of which Kazera is the 100% shareholder, has received the initial USD500,000 payment under its settlement agreement with Hebei Xinjian Construction CC. Aftan "is now processing the remittance of the funds to Kazera in accordance with the applicable exchange control requirements." Kazera's Interim Chief Executive Officer Richard Jennings comments: "Receipt of the initial USD500,000 payment into Aftan's bank account is an important milestone and confirms that Hebei has commenced performance under the settlement agreement. We are very pleased to see the settlement now moving firmly into implementation and look forward to the significant value it is expected to deliver for Kazera and its shareholders."
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Panther Metals PLC - Canada-focused mineral deposits exploration company - Updates on its phase 1 diamond drill programme at the Wishbone volcanogenic hosted massive sulphide prospect on its Obonga Project in Ontario. Says its drilling contractor is commissioning a second diamond core drill rig in advance of it mobilising to the Obonga site. "Once onsite the additional drilling capacity will accelerate exploration past the originally planned 2,000-metre drilling budget," Panther says. Says the first drill hole, BR26-WB-P1-1, intersected nine distinct zones of massive, semi-massive and iron-silicate-dominated sulphide mineralisation, including 3.45 metres of pyrrhotite-dominated massive sulphide and 9.9 metres of semi-massive sulphide. The second hole, BR26-WB-P1-2, has intersected the target VMS horizons along strike to the south. Panther says it has intersected alternating massive and semi-massive sulphide. CEO Darren Hazelwood says this "is particularly encouraging when viewed alongside the assay results from previous drilling at Wishbone, where we intersected 3.6 metres grading 3.9% zinc...Whilst the drill core has yet to be cut, sampled and laboratory assayed, the visual core logging of significant widths of sulphide mineralisation, which coincides with our three-dimensional geophysical inversion model, show we are building out a large-scale VMS system at Wishbone."
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Sancus Lending Group Ltd - alternative financial services provider - Promotes Sancus Lending (UK) Ltd Managing Director Andrew Charnley to chief effective officer, effective immediately. Says he "has led a significant transformation of the UK business, strengthening its customer proposition, enhancing operational processes, embedding robust risk management disciplines and building a strong leadership team" since he joined in 2024. "These improvements have led to strong growth," Sancus says, noting that its UK business's assets under management grew 49% to £125.4 million at the end of 2025, from £84.0 million one year prior. Outgoing CEO Rory Mepham "will facilitate an orderly transition of responsibilities" before taking up "a new opportunity" at majority shareholder Somerston Group Ltd. As for trading, Sancus reiterates that it is "encouraged" by its progress, but "the geo-political and macro-economic backdrop has impacted activity levels," and therefore its first-half profitability. Says these patterns continued through June, so it "is implementing measures, including efficiency initiatives, that are expected to return it to operating profitability during the second half". Sancus also says it has issued bonds worth £500,000, with an 8% coupon, to Somerston subsidiary Somerston Fintech Ltd. Says the proceeds will provide "additional working capital flexibility."
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Quantum Helium Ltd - Sydney-based miner targeting helium, hydrogen and hydrocarbons in the US and Australia - Updates on oil production and revenues from its Sagebrush Project for the second quarter and first half of 2026. Second-quarter gross oil revenue rises approximately 92% quarter-on-quarter to USD207,975. First-half gross oil revenue totals USD316,263 with production of 5,141 barrels. Notes that the average realised oil price increased from USD57.44 per barrel in the first quarter to USD78.29 in the second. Says existing oil production continues to generate cash flow while Quantum advances its helium development strategy. Adds that Sagebrush-1 testing has confirmed commercial oil production together with helium-bearing gas. Says additional oil sales were associated with the successful extended production test at the Sagebrush-1 well.
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