As the global energy transition accelerates, demand for base metals like copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) is booming. Yet, exploration success rates for major discoveries are shrinking worldwide. In Australia—home to an array of world-class resources—the biggest challenge isn’t finding the right rocks, it’s working out where to start looking beneath the post-mineralisation cover that hides up to 80% of the continent’s prospective geology.

Invion Limited (ASX: IVX) has signed a funded collaboration with Protect Animal Health Inc. (Taiwan, 7850.TT) to evaluate Photosoft™ in veterinary oncology across in-vitro, in-vivo, and companion-animal studies. Invion supplies compounds, Protect funds, and runs the work. Invion retains all Photosoft IP, with scope to move to a co-development/commercial agreement if results warrant.

Proteomics International (ASX: PIQ) has expanded its research agreement with the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women’s Hospital (RWH), a leading centre for endometriosis research. The partnership has two clear streams: (1) additional clinical validation for Promarker®Endo—PIQ’s first-in-class blood test for diagnosing endometriosis—and (2) discovery work toward a tissue-specific, next-generation test using peritoneal fluid to improve disease localisation.