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Critical minerals move fast when geology, chemistry and execution align. We sit down with Dr Mark Cooksey, Managing Director and CEO of ABx Group, to unpack how the company plans to bring heavy rare earths and clean fluorine chemicals to market while capturing value from proven bauxite assets.

First, we break down why ABx’s Tasmanian ionic clay resource matters: cleaner leaching, fewer process steps and a mixed rare earth carbonate with higher proportions of dysprosium and terbium, the workhorses behind high‑temperature permanent magnets. Mark explains how collaboration with ANSTO strengthens metallurgy from bench to larger test scales, and how a new exploration licence in northern Tasmania bridges existing leases, supports resource growth and deepens understanding of the geological controls behind the ionic clay system.

We then shift to fluorine. With fluorspar supply tightening and fluorine recognised as a critical input for semiconductors, fluoropolymers and refrigerants, ABx is developing a process to convert a surplus aluminium smelter byproduct into hydrogen fluoride. The pilot plant at Bell Bay, Tasmania, leased within a Rio Tinto facility, is designed for fast learning: build over the next six months, then run to generate performance data and samples for customers. Alongside, ABx advances bauxite projects through agreements with GII in Queensland and New South Wales, progressing environmental approvals and option studies, while a smaller Tasmanian bauxite operation targets early 2026.

Across the conversation, Mark lays out clear FY26 priorities: finalise metallurgy and engineering for a right‑sized rare earths start‑up, advance commercial talks for premium MREC, complete and operate the fluorine pilot, and drive bauxite approvals toward near‑term cash flow. If you care about heavy rare earths, fluorine supply chains, and practical, local execution in Australia, this is a timely look at where the market is heading and how ABx plans to lead.

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A tiny dose that holds cancer at bay for a year, scans that turn solid tumours into “donuts,” and a bold trial where patients receive cell therapy before chemo—this conversation with Dr Rebecca McQualter, CEO of Chimeric Therapeutics, is packed with data and real-world impact. We dig into the CHM CDH17 CAR T program as it clears dose level two with clean safety and early signs of activity across colorectal, mid and hindgut neuroendocrine, and select pancreatic cancers. The durability story stands out: a patient on the lowest dose maintained stable disease for 12 months with detectable CAR T cells and no further treatment, trading chemo sessions for time with family and a long-postponed trip to the Redwoods.

We also unpack the CHM Core NK platform for blood cancers, an off-the-shelf approach with a unique frontline design at MD Anderson Cancer Center. By delivering engineered NK cells first and chemotherapy second in frail, high-risk AML patients, the study is seeing three complete responses and one partial response trending to complete, alongside stronger persistence signals. For clinicians and investors, this sequencing could reshape how frontline care is conceived when transplant isn’t an option, offering a path that prioritises efficacy while preserving patient resilience.

On strategy, we talk portfolio breadth and focus: four clinical-stage programs, yet concentrated execution on the first-in-class CHM CDH17 asset where unmet need and market potential intersect. With only five patients left to finish phase one, FDA-cleared phase one/two mechanics to accelerate, and active partnering underway for phase two, the near-term roadmap is clear. We close with how a lean team, refreshed board, and disciplined spend power complex cell therapy programs without losing sight of the person behind each data point. If you care about CAR T innovation, NK cell persistence, and rethinking cells-before-chemo in AML, this is your next listen. Subscribe, share with a friend who follows oncology, and leave a quick review to tell us what you want answered next.

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A boom, a backlash, and a pivot with teeth—this conversation traces how Zoono Group turned a pandemic-era hygiene surge into a durable, data-backed strategy to cut food waste and boost supermarket margins. We unpack the science behind a dry-active antimicrobial coating that bonds to packaging, survives heat and storage, and delivers a mechanical kill through cell disruption. The result is a protective surface that prolongs freshness, reduces shrink, and moves retailers from cost-centre thinking to a measurable return on investment.

We walk through the road from lab to store shelf: multi-year regulatory and safety validation in the UK, proof-of-concept with Marks & Spencer across soft fruit categories, and the durability tests required for real-world packaging lines. Then come the commercial wins—Sharpak in the UK, Mpact in South Africa, and Multisteps in Australia—adding up to roughly $50 million in contracted sales over five years. The economics are striking: one extra day on 150 million punnets of raspberries can save an estimated £11 million, while coating those trays costs about £1 million. For packaging suppliers, the technology becomes a point of difference; for retailers, it’s a direct line to less waste and stronger margins.

We also touch on capital discipline—remaining debt-free, fully subscribed rights issues, and guidance to return to profit by year-end. Looking ahead, we explore growth in Asia and India, including trials on bananas and mangoes, and the network effects that could take the UK model into Europe at larger scale. If you care about food waste reduction, packaging innovation, or the business of fresh produce, this is a clear-eyed look at how a durable antimicrobial platform can create value across the supply chain.

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