NioCorp (Nasdaq: NB) has successfully wrapped up Phase I of its drilling campaign at the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in Nebraska, marking a key step toward converting Indicated Resources into Measured and Probable Reserves into Proven. The 6,817-meter drill program supports the company’s $800M EXIM Bank financing application and sets the stage for an updated feasibility study — with Phase II now underway to further enhance resource confidence and derisk mine design for key critical minerals like niobium, scandium, titanium, and rare earths.

bioAffinity Technologies (Nasdaq: BIAF) is gaining momentum with its CyPath® Lung test, reporting a 72% jump in July test volume over the prior monthly average, marking a second consecutive record month. Backed by compelling early-stage cancer detections and rising physician adoption, the company is on track to triple year-over-year test revenues, as it expands into new markets and scales its noninvasive, AI-powered diagnostic solution for high-risk lung cancer patients.

Nova Minerals (Nasdaq: NVA) continues to gain high-level momentum as both Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy and Australian Consul-General Tanya Bennett express strong support for the company’s Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project. Positioned as a dual gold-antimony asset of strategic importance, Estelle is attracting growing interest from U.S. defense and infrastructure agencies, with Nova pursuing potential non-dilutive funding and fast-tracked permitting. As one of only nine global projects with near-term antimony production potential, Estelle is fast emerging as a key player in efforts to secure Western critical mineral supply chains.

Creative Medical Technology (Nasdaq: CELZ) has received FDA Fast Track designation for its lead therapy, CELZ-201-DDT, a cutting-edge allogeneic cell treatment for degenerative disc disease (DDD) — a major global driver of chronic lower back pain. Backed by promising early data and a $20B+ market opportunity, the designation paves the way for accelerated development and potential early access to a non-opioid, regenerative solution targeting the root cause of DDD.