Polarean Imaging PLC (AIM
OLX, OTC
LLWF) has signed a commercial agreement with Ascend Imaging, a US-based medical technology distributor, as part of efforts to expand sales of its lung imaging products in the United States. The UK-listed company, which develops specialist magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology using hyperpolarised xenon gas, said Ascend would act as an independent sales representative in four US states. The agreement is non-exclusive, meaning Polarean is free to enter into similar arrangements elsewhere. Ascend, which focuses on imaging and radiology solutions, will help identify new customers, support contract negotiations and promote Polarean's products, including its xenon-based MRI platform. The deal is intended to strengthen the company’s reach in key US markets without significantly increasing its internal salesforce. "This partnership enhances our reach in key US regions while maintaining operational efficiency, and we expect it to support meaningful commercial momentum in the second half of 2025 and beyond," Alan Huang, Polarean's vice president of sales. The company's imaging technology is designed to provide clearer and more detailed pictures of lung function than conventional scans. It is primarily aimed at diagnosing and monitoring respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, by allowing clinicians to see how air moves through the lungs in real time. The price of gold dropped 1.2% to a two-week lows below $3,320 after Israel and Iran agreed a ceasefire, following 12 days of fighting. Gold has fallen around 2% over the past week, after gaining from safe haven demand in the past week amid an escalation of hostilities and missile strikes, culminating with US intervention in the form of 'bunker buster' bombs dropped on Iran's nuclear facilities over the weekend. US President Donald Trump revealed in a post at just after 11pm London time that "it has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a complete and total ceasefire" and that once final military activities had been completed in the subsequent few hours "the war will be considered ended". Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the truce, with Iran’s foreign minister saying that "we have no intention to continue our response" provided that Israel stops its aggression and that a final decision on cessation of military operations "will be made later". The news also sent oil prices tumbling and a retreat for the US dollar. Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, says: "The pronouncement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran and the lack of meaningful response from the latter to the US strikes over the weekend have lifted investor spirits and removed a plank of uncertainty. "The news gives fresh impetus to a risk-on approach, which has lifted shares across most developed markets, while also weighing on the gold price as investors switched their attention elsewhere."
