Avacta Group Share News (AVCT)

TowerBrook Capital Partners has decided not to bid for nursing homes operator Southern Cross Healthcare. TowerBrook made what was described as "a highly preliminary proposal" in August. Southern Cross says that other parties have approached it and discussions are continuing. Full year figures will be announced on 7 December. African Eagle Resources has announced that initial drilling at its Zanzui project in Tanzania has showed the potential for a "significant" nickel oxide deposit. Additionally, the "VTEM geophysical data" from the project has identified a number of targets to enhance the prospectively of the deposit.Pharmaceutical and diagnostics technology group Avacta has announced the launch of its new AX-1 product which hopes to gain a foothold in the $1.5bn veterinary diagnostics market. The product provides an initial test to identify animals which suffer from an allergy, saving on more costly and detailed allergy tests that it could perhaps not need."There is also a much bigger opportunity for the AX-1 to address by further developing the product to deliver multiplexed testing and diagnostics for the human market", says Avacta's chief executive Alastair Smith.The human point of care testing market is valued at approximately $16bn.Satellite operator Avanti Communications first satellite HYLAS 1 is due to be launched tomorrow. The launch is due to happen between 18.39 and 21.54 GMT and can be watched on www.arianespace.com. HYLAS 2 has passed the key milestones of its critical design review and will have three times the capacity of HYLAS 1. HYLAS 2 is expected to be launched next spring. Both satellites will offer broadband services.