MP Evans Group PLC (MPE), the Tunbridge Wells-based palm oil producer, has restarted its share buyback programme, committing up to £2 million to repurchase its own shares ahead of its annual general meeting.
The new buyback programme runs until the company’s AGM on June 12, with MP Evans noting it will consider extending the programme beyond that date, subject to shareholder approval.
The company stated it is well positioned, “supported by strong operational cash generation and a robust balance sheet”, and that current market conditions present an opportunity to acquire its shares at advantageous levels.
Any shares purchased under the programme will be cancelled rather than held in treasury, the company confirmed in its Tuesday announcement to the London market.
Elsewhere in Tuesday’s trading updates, London-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical firm Poolbeg Pharma PLC reported a positive outcome from a pre-Investigational New Drug meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration for its lead asset, POLB 001.
POLB 001 is a potential preventative therapy for cancer immunotherapy-induced Cytokine Release Syndrome, a serious condition that can arise during cancer treatment.
The FDA’s feedback aligned broadly with key aspects of Poolbeg’s envisioned development pathway, with the company describing an “attractive route to market” for the asset and noting the feedback reaffirms its appeal to potential partners.
Bruno Speder, vice president of regulatory affairs at Poolbeg, said: “We received constructive feedback from the FDA and achieved broad alignment on several important aspects of the development pathway for POLB 001.”
Mining investment firm Kazera Global PLC announced its wholly-owned subsidiary Whale Head Minerals (Pty) Ltd has entered into a binding production sharing agreement with South African mineral processing company Rare Earth Minerals International (Pty) Ltd regarding the Walviskop Heavy Mineral Sands project in the Northern Cape.
The agreement takes effect from June 1 and carries an initial term of 12 months, with Kazera expecting it to materially enhance operational capability and accelerate production growth at Walviskop.
Interim Chief Executive Richard Jennings said: “This agreement represents a potentially pivotal moment for Kazera and, in my view, materially changes the trajectory of our Walviskop project.”
Jennings added: “Beyond materially reducing the working capital burden associated with scaling production, this partnership provides a clear pathway toward increasing both production volumes and concentrate quality over the coming weeks and months.”
West Sussex-based energy infrastructure company EnergyPathways PLC appointed Martyn Hargrave as chief scientific adviser to the chief executive and board, strengthening its technical capability as it advances the Mesh energy storage project.
Hargrave brings over 40 years of experience across subsurface technology, energy systems and industrial innovation, and is the founder and former CEO of Ikon Science, which Constellation Software acquired in 2025.
Chief Executive Ben Clube said: “Martyn brings an exceptional combination of scientific depth, entrepreneurial experience, and strategic insight. His background will be highly valuable as we advance MESH and broaden the strategic relevance of the project.”
Mineral exploration firm Kendrick Resources PLC raised £1.8 million through the issue of 25.2 million shares at 7 pence per share, with directors, a US managed fund, a US family office and existing shareholders all participating in the fundraise.
Proceeds will go toward advancing the Bonya Rare Earth project in Namibia, where a drilling programme targets a maiden JORC resource by the end of the third quarter of 2026, as well as covering working capital requirements.
CRISM Therapeutics Corp raised £2.5 million through an oversubscribed placing of 25 million shares at 10 pence each, and also announced a separate retail offer to raise up to £100,000 at the same price to support its glioblastoma and prostate cancer drug development programmes.