Briefcase: Business snippets from space-based cancer research to the sale of a key feedlot
In this week’s Briefcase, an Indigenous food company partners with major retailer and the federal government signs a multi-million dollar AUKUS deal.
- Cancer cells to be tested in space
- Elders sells key feedlot
- Indigenous superfoods business partners with Foodland
- App developer to sign with Vodafone
- New AUKUS deal to support Osborne manufacturing
Cancer cells to be tested in space
A new space research mission supported by the state government would see SA-based researchers launch cancer biology experiments onboard a suborbital rocket.
The experiments would investigate behaviour of cancer stem cells in microgravity and establish a “repeatable pathway” to space that’s more affordable and accessible for researchers, universities and industry.
The mission is a partnership between Cambrian Defence and Space, Blue Dwarf Space and the Robinson Laboratory at the Centre for Cancer Biology.
It would be facilitated by a South Australian Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund grant.
“The mission will investigate the behaviour of stem cells that sit at the tipping point between normal function and potential malignancy in microgravity, offering a unique window into the earliest stages of cancer risk,” lead investigator Dr Nirmal Robinson said.
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Elders to sell key feedlot
Elders has entered into an agreement with Australian Meat Group to sell 100 per cent of shares held in Killara Feedlot for approximately $195.8 million.
Killara is an integrated grain-fed and grass-fed beef production facility in Liverpool Plains of NSW and holds 62,000 head of cattle on 1402 hectares of freehold land.
Elders expects the approval of the sale to be completed before June 30 and would carry forward capital tax losses of $107.4 million to offset capital gain from the transaction.
“We feel for Killara to continue to grow and develop as a blue-chip operation, it is appropriate for it to move to a more natural owner, and we have found this in Australian Meat Group,” Elders managing director and CEO Mark Allison said.
Indigenous superfoods business partners with Foodland
Indigenous-owned food business Cooee Native Superfoods has expanded its retail reach, with its products now available in 90 Foodland Supermarkets across SA.
Cooee recently acquired Creative Native Foods and has committed to partner with Indigenous farmers across SA to source native ingredients.
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Available products include the Cooee Cookies which come in a range of flavours including Nan’s Jam Drops with Davidson Plum, Choc-Chip, and Wattleseed.
“We are proud to support an Indigenous-owned Australian business like Cooee that is combining strong commercial growth with genuine community impact,” Foodland SA CEO Franklin dos Santos said.
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App developer to sign deal with Vodafone
Spacetalk has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with Vodafone Australia to distribute Spacetalk’s Family Safety software platform to Vodafone’s mobile customer base.
The Family Safety app features family location sharing and has been downloaded more than 500,000 times globally, with the MOU looking to deliver the app to millions of Vodafone users.
The MOU is non-binding and will remain in effect for up to 12 months with a binding agreement targeted for the third quarter of the financial year.
“It validates our strategy to become a software-led partner to telecommunications operators, embedding family safety, engagement and insight directly into the telco customer experience,” Spacetalk CEO Simon Crowther said.
New AUKUS deal to support Osborne manufacturing
The Federal Government has announced a $310 million acquisition of long‑lead items from the United Kingdom to support the manufacturing of critical components for nuclear‑powered submarines.
It follows the investment of $3.9 billion as a down payment to deliver the new Submarine Construction Yard in Osborne.
The latest acquisition would enable construction of the SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines to start at Osborne by the end of the decade.
“Australia continues to work with the United Kingdom and United States to develop the capabilities, skills and knowledge that will underpin our ability to build, operate and maintain nuclear‑powered submarines,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.
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