US drug test setback puts downer on Borders pharma ProStrakan's shares

PHARMACEUTICALS group ProStrakan slipped almost 3 per cent yesterday on the news that it had suffered a fourth delay to the US approval of its Sancuso anti-sickness drug for chemotherapy patients.

The Borders-headquartered firm fell 2.25p to 77.25p after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it would not meet yesterday's deadline due to a lack of resources at its offices.

Fund manager Aberdeen Asset Management leaped on news that it had continued to win new business despite global economic turmoil.

Shares in the firm were up 20.75p, or 17.08 per cent, at 142.25p, despite AAM admitting that it is to make a small number of job cuts as part of a 57 million cost-cutting drive.

Wolfson Microelectronics, which is believed to make the audio components for the new 3G phone made by Apple, jumped just over 11 per cent or 12.25p yesterday to 122p.

Investment group Braveheart remained unchanged at 101p despite news that fellow investment company Angle has cut off takeover talk with the firm. Angle rejected Braveheart because the deal on the table was for shares, not cash.

• Scotsman owner Johnston Press rose 26.09 per cent, or 10.50p, to 50.75p.