Silicon Fen shorts: Xaar novel inkjet used to make LCD screen; Alizyme signs deal in Japan; Minster Pharma 1H07 strong cash position
Xaar plc, the inkjet printing technology group headquartered in Cambridge, said its customer Nakan Corporation has launched a production machine for use in LCD screen manufacturing incorporating Xaar printheads.
Nakan, a world leader in the manufacture of LCD-TFT process technology and equipment, has installed its first GEN5.5 polyimide (PI) alignment -layer inkjet printing platform for manufacturing LCD screens of up to 1,300 cm by 1,500 cm at one of the world's leading manufacturers of LCD screens. By using Xaar's multi-pulse inkjet technology the new platform achieves excellent drop placement and volume control, creating thin, highly uniform coats with sharply defined edges and a corresponding reduction in materials usage and scrap for the manufacturer.
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Alizyme plc said it has entered into a strategic partnership and co-development agreement with TSD Japan Inc, a bio-venture company, including the exclusive rights to co-develop COLAL-PRED for ulcerative colitis in Japan.
Alizyme said the partnership offers the opportunity to access one of the world's major pharmaceuticals markets via a Japan based organisation and exemplifies the corporate strategy to develop and commercialize Alizyme's products. In addition, the relationship with TSD provides opportunity to introduce further products from its portfolio into the Japanese market, and provides the opportunity to access additional products via TSD for development by Alizyme in the West.
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Minster Pharmaceuticals plc (MPM.L), the drug development company specialising in neurological and psychiatric disorders, reported a wider pre-tax loss of £2.3m (H106: £1.3m loss) for the six months ended 30 September 2007, reflecting increased momentum in its clinical trials.
Chief Executive Paul Sharpe said: "The Company has entered an exciting stage in its development with the start of the TEMPUS study in the US*. The market for the prevention of migraine is growing very rapidly giving us confidence that our strategy for the commercialisation of tonabersat has the potential to create significant value for shareholders”.
The company has a strong balance sheet with net cash of £14.5m at end September, after it raised £17m in secondary fundraising in March 2007, bringing in key US investors including Care Capital and Rho Capital.
The company’s share price was unchanged immediately after release of the results.
(*Start of Phase IIb TEMPUS study of tonabersat in the prevention of migraine to include 500 patients in the US and Canada was a highlight of 1H07).
3rd December 2007
