LONDON (ShareCast) - Marketing firm Cello Group has reported good trading during the first three months of the year, reflecting 'the strong pipeline of work secured at the end of 2011 and a solid flow of bookings'.

The research and consulting division was a strong performer, while the group's focus on the pharmaceuticals research market, continues to pay off. Pharma is an area in which the group continues to expand, with a focus on international markets and particularly the US market where the group is planning to invest further. A 'notable improvement' in profitability was seen during the quarter, and the forward pipeline of work is 'solid', the firm said, adding the it remains optimistic that full year expectations will be met.

DDD Group, a 3D solutions company, has revealed that sales of both its TriDef for PCs and TriDef 3D Mobile products have passed the one million unit mark. Total shipments of TriDef 3D for PC, which enables more than 650 of the latest 2D PC games to be played in 3D exceeded 1.3m licences on March 31st. TriDef 3D Mobile units surpassed one million units within nine months of its launch. "TriDef 3D software has become an industry standard, capturing an estimated 85% of the 3D PC market during 2011," the company said.

Supply chain software company Kewill has stated that it expects its adjusted operating profit for the year ended March 31st will be £9.3m. The figure is now defined by the company as being profit before amortisation of intangibles, share based payment charges, expensed acquisition costs, reorganisation costs and impairment costs.

Pennant International Group, a computer simulation training and logistics company, has announced that 2012 revenues are likely to exceed current market expectations as a result of progress in the first quarter and improved visibility of the likely conduct and delivery of major contracts during the calendar year.

Biopharmaceutical contract manufacturer Angel Biotechnology has formed an agreement with Cardium Therapeutics worth in excess of £0.4m over an inital 12 month period for the manufacture of formulated collagen for Cardium's Excellagen product, which has recently been cleared for marketing by the US Food and Drug Administration. Angel will also assist Cardium both to facilite filing for a CE Mark for Excellagen for marketing and sale in the European Union and in other countries recognizing CE Mark approval and in establishing its own Device Master File with the FDA's Center for devices and radiological health.

ValiRx, an AIM listed life sciences firm, has been granted a US patent for its cancer screening gene biomarker. This means that the company now has biomarker patent protection in both the US and Europe. This latest patent relates to the genetic personalisation of cancer treatment and also for improving treatment methods. The development significantly enhances the firm's patent portfolio.

Losses were worse-than-expected at voltage optimisation equipment firm Active Energy, despite revenues coming in on target at £0.86m. Pre-tax losses for the twelve months to December 31st were £2.5m, compared to expectations of £1.48m and 2010 losses of £1.4m. Losses per share came in at 1.47p compared to forecasts of negative earnings per share of 0.84p. Revenues may have been in line with forecasts but they equaled less than a third generated in 2010, at £2.97m. Offsetting this decline somewhat were significantly reduced sales costs, down year-on-year from £2.6m to £0.8m. A £0.7m impairment of goodwill in 2011 deepened losses further. Cash levels were slightly improved at the year end, at £1.0m compared to £0.65m the previous year.

Motive Television has completed the first milestone of its joint venture (JV) with Granite Broadcasting, enabling Television Anytime Anywhere, a technology platform which enables television to be broadcast to tablet devices. Shortly after that the company completed a technical feasibility analysis and business plan, which has since been approved by the JV. The JV will now conduct discussion with a number of other broadcasters about the possibility of joining. Technical development is set to begin net month, leading to a commercial launch in Spring 2013, which the firm described as a "large opportunity".

NR

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