In brief: Eqitx, Chemeq, NeuroSolutions

Melbourne-based Eqitx (ASX:EQX) has invested a further AUD$500,000 in equity in VacTX, making its total investment in the vaccine developer $2.3 million to date.

VacTX is developing synthetic vaccines to prevent or treat human diseases including infections, cancers, allergies and inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. It has outlined plans to develop its prostate cancer vaccine for early out-licensing, continue the development of an oncogenic virus vaccine with John Hopkins University, and further evaluate vaccines targeting the treatment of allergy and asthma and cardiovascular disease. VacTX also has ongoing projects to evaluate targets in other disease areas including HIV.

VacTX was formed in January 2004 as a partnership with the Cooperative Research Centre for Vaccine Technology and EQiTX. EQiTX has the opportunity to obtain a controlling 50.5 per cent interest in VacTX by investing a total of 3.5 million.

Chemeq names new chairman

Perth-based antimicrobial specialist Chemeq (ASX:CMQ) has appointed John Hopkins as non-executive chairman, effective immediately. He replaces current executive chairman and founder Dr Graham Melrose, who will remain a non-executive director of Chemeq.

Hopkins is currently chairman of listed companies Evans & Tate, Golden State Resources and Matilda Minerals. He has more than 20 years' experience as a public company director prior to which he was a partner of a major Perth law firm.

NeuroSolutions in marketing deal

UK-based NeuroSolutions, the wholly-owned subsidiary of neurology-focused biotech NeuroDiscovery (ASX:NDL), has established a co-marketing agreement with London-based Pharmidex Pharmaceutical Services.

Under the agreement, NeuroSolutions and Pharmidex will cooperate to identify and exploit new business opportunities for each other and provide introductions and referrals in relation to the services provided by both parties. In addition the agreement is expected to assist in raising the profile of both companies in the biopharmaceutical sector, potentially leading to additional clients and collaborations.

Pharmidex works in the area of brain medicines research, particularly the prediction and assessment of the ability of compounds to cross the barrier between blood and brain.