QPS, Orvana and M&T advance sector operations

QPS rolls out Oracle Argus for pharmacovigilance

US-based contract research organisation QPS Holdings has implemented Oracle Argus as its new clinical trial pharmacovigilance system, aiming to enhance safety case management and regulatory compliance across its global operations. The platform is intended to improve capturing, managing and reporting of adverse events in line with international requirements, while supporting more efficient workflows and regulatory submissions.

QPS executive vice-president Derek Grimes said patient safety and data integrity are central to its clinical trial work, adding that Oracle Argus offers a scalable solution for growing sponsor portfolios and evolving regulatory expectations. Oracle Health and Life Sciences executive vice-president Seema Verma described Argus as a trusted, globally recognised drug safety platform that streamlines end-to-end safety operations and insights at scale.

The CRO employs more than 1,200 staff across Asia, Europe, India and the US, providing services from discovery and preclinical work through Phase I/II clinical units. It has experience in areas including drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, translational medicine, toxicology, central safety labs and multi-site operations. The new system follows a January 2025 collaboration with Ryght AI to optimise clinical trial processes globally, underscoring QPS’s focus on technology in research delivery.

Orvana posts stronger gold output and Don Mario update

Orvana Minerals reported operational and exploration results for its first quarter of fiscal 2026, highlighting higher production at its Orovalle operation in northern Spain and progress at its Don Mario Oxides Stockpile Project in Bolivia. Orovalle milled about 129,622 tonnes in Q1 FY2026, up 28% on the prior quarter, producing 9,308 ounces of gold, a 47% increase, supported by higher tonnes, slightly better recoveries and a 13% rise in head grade driven by more oxide ore in the blend.

Copper output at Orovalle declined 9% quarter-on-quarter to 0.7 million pounds, mainly due to lower grade and recoveries, partly offset by higher tonnes milled. The company said Orovalle remains on track to meet its FY2026 guidance of 34,000–37,000 ounces of gold and 2.7–3.0 million pounds of copper. Orvana also detailed ongoing infill and brownfield drilling in the El Valle Boinás Area 208 and greenfield work at the Lidia project, as it advances its life-of-mine plan based on reserves disclosed in its FY2025 Annual Information Form.

At Don Mario in Bolivia, Orvana reported that its plant expansion to process oxide stockpiles is in final construction and commissioning. Completion of the copper circuit, originally scheduled for January 2026, is now expected by mid-March following delays in delivery of materials and services, with oxide stockpile processing targeted to start in April 2026. Initial doré production, using legacy Las Tojas ore via the Au-Ag circuit, is expected to begin in February, subject to completion of performance verification activities that have been extended into early February.

The expansion project includes new circuits for copper oxide acid leaching and electro-winning, enhancements to gold-silver and detox circuits, an overhaul of comminution and thickening circuits, and broader business-readiness initiatives such as power generation and laboratory upgrades. An on-site pilot test for the oxide stockpiles has been completed, with analytical work under way; Orvana plans to update its metal production estimates once those results are validated. The company is also preparing a deep drilling campaign at its Taguas Project in Argentina through April 2026 to test copper-gold porphyry targets.

M&T Bank delivers higher 2025 earnings and capital returns

M&T Bank Corporation reported fourth-quarter 2025 net income of $759 million, or $4.67 diluted earnings per common share, and full-year net income of $2.85 billion, or $17.00 per share. On a net operating basis, which excludes certain non-operating items, Q4 net operating income was $767 million, with diluted net operating EPS of $4.72, up 20% year-on-year. For 2025 overall, net operating income rose to $2.88 billion, with diluted net operating EPS of $17.20, a 16% increase on 2024.

Taxable-equivalent net interest income in Q4 increased 1% sequentially and 3% year-on-year to $1.79 billion, as average earning assets grew to $192.4 billion and net interest margin edged up to 3.69%. Average loans rose 1% versus Q3, with higher commercial and industrial, residential real estate and consumer balances, partially offset by lower commercial real estate loans. Noninterest income in the quarter was $696 million, down from Q3 due to the absence of several one-time gains, but 6% higher than a year earlier, driven by stronger mortgage banking, service charges, trust income and trading results.

Asset quality metrics improved, with nonaccrual loans falling to $1.25 billion at year-end from $1.69 billion a year earlier, and the allowance for loan losses declining to 1.53% of loans from 1.61%. The provision for credit losses was $125 million in Q4 and $505 million for the year, lower than in 2024. M&T’s estimated CET1 capital ratio was 10.84% at December 31, 2025, and the bank increased its quarterly dividend by 11% during the year, repurchased 9% of its outstanding shares, and grew tangible equity per common share by 7%.