Shares: Taking Stock

Parambe could be the vehicle for the next market-bound restaurant chain. The shares rose 16p to 93.5p after the company said it was in talks which could lead to a substantial acquisition.

With restaurant groups queuing to come to market, it is believed Parambe, which had intended to liquidate, has been approached by a well-known eating-out chain.

Its assets consist of paintings and equities and it was due to wind up at the end of 2,000.

KS Biomedix is challenging to become the new biotech star. Suggestions that t is thinking of listing on Nasdaq lifted the shares 27.5p to a 265p peak.

Last month the recent drugs tiddler, which is now worth more than pounds 100m, said it had developed three antibodies for colon cancer.

Other developments are thought to be near to being unveiled. This year the shares have surged from 106p.