Daily Roundup

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E-Waste Supply & Metal Offtake MOU Executed with Glencore

Metallium Limited, a rising player in the e-waste recycling space, has struck a game-changing deal with global mining giant Glencore. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on securing critical feedstock supply and metal offtake for Metallium's U.S. operations.

Under the agreement, Glencore will be a major supplier of electronic scrap to Metallium's first commercial facility in Texas, committing to provide a significant portion of the 8,000 tonnes per year of printed circuit boards the company needs for its initial stage. Glencore will also lend its technical expertise, assisting with the incoming feedstocks.

But the partnership goes both ways - Glencore has also agreed to purchase up to 75% of Metallium's recycled metal production, including valuable materials like gallium, germanium, indium, and rare earth elements. This provides Metallium with a reliable offtake partner as it scales up its innovative Flash Joule Heating technology.

The MOU sets the stage for a long-term collaboration, with the companies aiming to finalize a binding agreement by the end of 2025. This strategic alliance validates Metallium's U.S. growth strategy, allowing the company to rapidly expand its network of e-waste processing hubs near major collection points and industrial corridors.

Final Distribution Announcement

Vanguard Investments Australia has some important news for investors - the final distribution amounts and timetable for its range of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) listed on the ASX.

The announcement covers 19 Vanguard ETFs, including popular funds like the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS), Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (VAP), and Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (VAF). Investors will receive their distributions on October 16, with the ex-distribution date set for October 1 and the record date on October 2.

Notably, Vanguard's Distribution Reinvestment Plan (DRP) will be available, allowing investors to automatically reinvest their distributions to compound their returns. Just remember, you'll need to be registered as a security holder on the record date to be eligible.

The primary market for applications, redemptions, and secondary market trading will remain open throughout the distribution period, so investors can continue to access Vanguard's range of low-cost index tracking funds.

Discovery of the Anticancer Mechanism of (EE)-bisantrene

Race Oncology has uncovered a game-changing discovery about the primary mechanism of action behind its lead drug candidate, (E,E)-bisantrene (RCDS1). Rather than acting like a traditional chemotherapeutic, RCDS1 exerts its anticancer effects by binding to and stabilizing critical G-quadruplex (G4) DNA and RNA structures.

These G4 structures play a pivotal role in regulating the expression and translation of many cancer-causing genes, including the notorious MYC oncogene. By binding to and stabilizing G4s, RCDS1 is able to indirectly inhibit enzymes like topoisomerase 2 and telomerase, as well as increase levels of the m6A RNA modification.

This novel mechanism of action has significant clinical and commercial implications. It allows Race Oncology to rationally select the cancer types and drug combinations most likely to respond to RCDS1, as well as develop predictive biomarker tests. Importantly, it also opens up new partnering opportunities with large pharmaceutical companies.

Race plans to further explore RCDS1's G4-targeting effects in preclinical studies, identify the best indications to pursue clinically, and share its findings through publications and conferences. This discovery marks an exciting new chapter in the development of this promising anticancer agent.

Enterprise Contract Win

Straker Ltd, a global leader in AI-powered translation solutions, has secured a major new agreement with a leading global enterprise customer. The 24-month contract, effective September 1, 2025, is estimated to be worth a cool $1.4 million annually.

Under the deal, Straker will provide a range of translation services, including translation, revision, proofreading, editing, and desktop publishing. The customer has committed to a minimum volume of 13.3 million translated words per year across 35 target languages.

This partnership is a testament to Straker's technological capabilities and ability to meet the stringent quality and volume requirements of large global enterprises. It aligns perfectly with the company's five-year vision to unify its platforms into a single, AI-driven ecosystem that can deliver speed, efficiency, and cost savings.

With this lucrative contract in the bag, Straker is well on its way to cementing its position as a go-to provider of enterprise-grade translation solutions. Investors will be eager to see how this deal contributes to the company's growth trajectory in the years ahead.

Continuation of on-market share buy-back

Boom Logistics, a leading provider of total lifting solutions, is giving its shareholders a little extra love. The company has announced the continuation of its on-market share buy-back program, aiming to purchase up to 10% of its issued ordinary shares.

This move is part of Boom's capital management framework, which targets returning 40-60% of the previous two years' average operating net profit after tax (NPAT) to shareholders through buy-backs. The renewed buy-back is scheduled to commence on or around October 16, 2025 and run for a full year.

By repurchasing its own shares, Boom is demonstrating its commitment to increasing value for its shareholders. At the same time, the company is ensuring it maintains sufficient funds to execute on its asset regeneration and growth strategies - a delicate balancing act that many investors will appreciate.

Of course, Boom reserves the right to vary, suspend, or terminate the buy-back at any time, so there are no guarantees on the final number of shares purchased. But for now, this is a clear sign that Boom has faith in its future and is willing to put its money where its mouth is.