In brief: Sirtex, GTG, LCT, Bone

Independent clinical studies performed in the US, Europe and Australia have verified the efficacy of Sirtex Medical's (ASX:SRX) SIR-Spheres liver cancer treatment.

All six studies, which were carried out in the US, Germany, Spain, the UK and Australia, showed efficacy with few adverse side effects and high rates of regression of the cancer being treated, said CEO Bruce Gray. The company expects the positive results, which were reported at two key radiology and nuclear medicine meetings in Europe, to have a ripple effect amongst oncologists, leading to increased sales. In Europe, annual sales of the treatment are currently around AUD$1.8 million.

Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) has granted a second licence for its non-coding DNA to New Zealand dairy biotechnology company ViaLactia Biosciences, extending its option to include commercial uses of the patents as well as research uses. While the financial details are confidential, GTG will receive an exercise fee as well as royalties on future sales by ViaLactia. ViaLactia's first licence from GTG was granted in September 2003.

Living Cell Technologies (ASX:LCT) has demonstrated proof-of-concept for its Huntington's disease therapeutic in animal studies, according to the company. After receiving the receiving the NeurotrophinCell treatment, which includes the implantation of encapsulated choroid plexus cells into the brain, animals with brain damage caused by conditions similar to Huntington's disease showed 86 per cent less damage to the brain and improved use of their limbs, it said. Details of the study will be presented at the Society for Neuroscience conference in San Diego this month.

"NeurotrophinCell has effectively shown the ability of LCT's technology, to protect brain tissue that would otherwise die, potentially forestalling or preventing the debilitating consequences of this disease," said Alfred Vasconcellos, the CEO of LCT's US operations, LCT BioPharma, in a statement. At the time of writing, LCT shares were trading 10.6 per cent higher at AUD$0.47.

Bone Medical (ASX:BNE) and the Institute of Bone and Joint Research at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital have received clearance to begin pre-clinical studies on a new class of compounds to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Earlier studies in macrophage cell lines derived from mice have shown that the compounds act as TNF regulators, with the ability to restore levels of TNF production to normal.