Valneva: The Austrian/French biotech company Valneva SE initiated Phase 2 Clinical Development for its leading, unique Lyme disease vaccine candidate VLA15. The overall Phase 2 objective for VLA15 is to determine the optimal dosage level and schedule for use in Phase 3 pivotal field efficacy studies, based on immunogenicity and safety data. The Phase 2 development for the Lyme disease vaccine candidate will include the evaluation of the highest dose of VLA15 tested in Phase 1 in addition to two higher doses. Furthermore, the company plans to include the evaluation of an additional, alternative three-dose schedule.  Wolfgang Bender, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of Valneva, commented, “Lyme disease cases in the U.S. have increased dramatically over the last 30 years or so, substantially increasing the costs for healthcare systems. The fear of contracting Lyme disease diminishes the quality of life of people of all ages. As the disease footprint widens, the need for a vaccine to prevent this significant unmet medical need increases. Valneva is doing everything possible, in consultation with FDA and EMA, to develop a safe and effective vaccine under the fast track designation.” The Phase 2 duration is expected to be approximately two years with interim data (primary endpoint) expected mid-2020.
Valneva: weekly performance: -4.35%

OMV:  Production started from the Aasta Hansteen gas field. The deep-water gas development is located in the northern part of the Norwegian Sea, 300 kilometers from the mainland of Norway and in water depths of 1,300 meters. Equinor is the operator of Aasta Hansteen with a 51% stake and OMV (Norge) AS has a 15% interest in the field. The other partners are Wintershall Norge AS and ConocoPhillips Skandinavia with a 24% and a 10% share, respectively. Aasta Hansteen production will provide reliable gas supply to the European market. The total gross estimated recoverable reserves, including Snefrid North discovery, which has been included in the development, are approximately 324 million boe (55.6 billion cbm) and 4.1 million boe of condensate (0.6 million cbm). The production will reach a plateau of approximately 20 kboe/d net to OMV. Gas from Aasta Hansteen will be transported via pipeline to Norway and then further exported to the European market. The condensate will be loaded to shuttle tankers and transported to the market. The total capital investment in the Aasta Hansteen project is approximately Euro 4 bn (Euro 600 mn net to OMV).
OMV: weekly performance: -9.38%

Semperit: In the course of the strategic focus on the large-scale production of high-quality and sophisticated hydraulic and industrial hoses, Semperit AG Holding sells the Italian Semperflex production site Roiter in Rovigo/Northern Italy to the Italian Matec Group. “By selling the factory, we are taking another step towards a Group-wide complexity reduction within the scope of our restructuring and transformation process,” says Martin Füllenbach, Chairman of the Management Board of Semperit AG Holding. “Following the expansion of the Czech location Odry, which therefore became a process-optimised producer of large volumes in the quality and high-performance sector, the high-quality hose manufacturer Roiter no longer fits in with the Semperflex production footprint. We have found an ideal buyer in the Matec Group, which adds special rubber hoses to its portfolio and will be connected to us by a close business relationship.” In the future, Semperflex will focus on the European mega factory in Odry/Czech Republic and the two large Asian plants in addition to its headquarters in Wimpassing/Lower Austria. The contract was recently signed. We have agreed not to disclose any information on the purchase price.
Semperit: weekly performance: -9.87%