In a week dominated by geopolitical tensions and a roaring commodities market, four standout ASX companies have delivered spectacular gains for investors. The Bulls N' Bears Runner of the Week award highlights Zelira Therapeutics, Linq Minerals, Dalaroo Metals, and Osteopore, showcasing a split between surging healthcare prospects and resource sector momentum.
Global markets navigated a complex landscape, with former US President Donald Trump's renewed interest in Greenland triggering a diplomatic scramble involving Denmark and Russia. Concurrently, unrest in Iran sent shockwaves through oil markets, causing a brief but sharp price spike. Against this backdrop, precious metals shone, with silver hitting a record high of US$92.2 per ounce and gold reaching US$4642.
Zelira Therapeutics Secures Transformative Funding
The week's top performer was biopharmaceutical company Zelira Therapeutics Ltd (ASX: ZLD), which skyrocketed by 184% from 35.5 cents to $1.01. This dramatic re-rating followed the announcement of a major US$33 million (A$50 million) funding deal for its HOPE 1 autism program.
The capital was raised directly into Zelira's US-based special purpose vehicle (SPV), with institutional partner ThirdGate Capital coming on board. The deal values the SPV at approximately US$66 million post-money, with Zelira retaining a significant near-40% stake. The funding is earmarked to fast-track the development and potential US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of HOPE 1, a prescription cannabinoid medicine targeting symptoms of autism, initially focusing on Phelan-McDermid Syndrome.
Linq Minerals Hits High-Grade Gold and Copper
Fresh from its ASX listing, explorer Linq Minerals Ltd (ASX: LNQ) surged 103% from 27 cents to 55 cents. The company announced compelling maiden drill results from its flagship Gilmore copper-gold project in New South Wales' prolific Macquarie Arc.
Drilling at the Dam deposit intersected 142 metres grading 1.01 grams per tonne gold equivalent from 121m depth, following a similar hit of 144m at 1.0g/t gold equivalent the week prior. The project is situated in a world-class geological belt, neighboured by mining giants like Newmont's Cadia and Evolution's Lake Cowal. Linq is now planning infill and step-out drilling to grow the resource, which already stands at 76.9 million tonnes.
Dalaroo Metals Strikes Rare Earths in Greenland
Capitalising on Greenland's sudden prominence in the global critical minerals race, Dalaroo Metals (ASX: DAL) jumped 76% from 4.6 cents to 8.1 cents. The company reported highly promising first-pass sampling at its Blue Lagoon project.
Surface sampling outlined a broad 2.7-kilometre rare earths, zirconium, and hafnium system. All 113 samples returned anomalous results, with standout assays including up to 8079ppm total rare earth oxides. The project also showed strong results for magnet rare earths like dysprosium and terbium, with zirconium oxide grades above 4%. Notably, uranium and thorium levels were low, simplifying future permitting.
Osteopore Unlocks Major Chinese Market Deal
Medtech company Osteopore Ltd (ASX: OSX) rounded out the winners, climbing 55% from 11 cents to 17 cents. The gain was driven by an exclusive distribution and commercialisation agreement for the Chinese dental and maxillofacial market, valued at over RMB 12 million (A$2.56 million).
Osteopore's technology involves 3D-printed, bioresorbable implants that help the body regenerate natural bone. The multi-year deal partners Osteopore with Singapore-based Majeton and its parent company, Hong Kong-listed Essex Bio-Technology, which has an extensive network across more than 13,500 Chinese hospitals. This partnership provides a direct route into China's rapidly growing dental bone graft market, estimated to be worth over US$200 million.
The week's performance underscores a market rewarding both clinical progress in overlooked healthcare sectors and strategic discoveries in the red-hot critical minerals and precious metals spaces.
