Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Amaero International to review strategic alternatives

Additive manufacturing technology company Amaero International has commissioned investment and advisory firm Guggenheim Securities to evaluate strategic alternatives for the company. The study was aimed at ensuring it was ‘taking every step possible to maximise value for shareholders’, according to an announcement. Amaero said no decisions had been made about its future, however it would ‘continue operations and research activities in Australia’. Amaero said its titanium alloy powder project in Victoria was on track with further expansion planned in 2023. Amaero has announced a number of projects with Rio Tinto, Swinburne University, Raytheon, Gilmour Space Technologies and Fletcher Insulation but made no specific comment on their prospects.

Cann Group Mildura facility ‘completed’

Medicinal cannabis developer Cann Group’s new production facility near Mildura, Victoria (pictured) has reached the stage of practical completion with the Office of Drug Control granting a permit to allow commercial cultivation to begin. Final fitout and commissioning is continuing in some areas, however the facility has been handed over by builder Qanstruct. The permit allowing the manufacture of medicinal cannabis in Mildura is expected to be issues in the near future, the company said. Cann is preparing to transfer medicinal cannabis plants to Mildura from its southern facility to establish starting genetics. First production is expected to be harvested by June, 2022. Cann has won export contracts which will see its medicinal cannabis range sold in the United Kingdom, Germany and other EU markets.

ADN raises $4.5 million for Asia expansion

Dairy producer Australian Dairy Nutritionals is to raise $4.5 million through IJ Funds Management through a share placement. Funds will be used to expand distribution opportunities in Asia following the launch of its ‘future infant formula’ range in cross-border e-commerce channels. ADM Group CEO Peter Skene said distribution in Asia was alongside product ranging in Chemist Warehouse stores in Australia.

Imugene and MSD collaborate on gastric cancer

Imugene has announced a new clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with drug manufacturer MSD to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Imugene’s HER-Vaxx, a B-cell activating immunotherapy. HER-Vaxx will be trialled in combination with MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy, pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA), in patients with HER-2 positive gastric cancer. MSD is one of the world’s leading immuno-oncology companies. HER-Vaxx has already shown a tolerable safety profile and encouraging efficacy in patients with metastatic HER-2 positive gastric cancer, according to Imugene. ‘This collaboration with MSD is significant for our company as it provides the opportunity to optimise and enhance our formulations and utility in an additional setting in an effort to improve outcomes for more patients. We are committed to finding ways to address the unmet needs of patients living with cancer’.

ABT receives $500,000 R&D offset

Advanced Braking Technology has received a $537,000 tax offset refund for research and development spending from the federal government. The company, which manufactures ‘fail-safe’ braking systems for the mining sector, will use the funds to progress ‘opportunities that align to the implementation of ABT strategy’. Acting CEO Andrew Booth said the company was pursuing high impact growth opportunities in markets for innovative braking systems and ‘industrial mobility solutions’.

Picture: Cann Group

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