Industry News
Biocomm and Monash University collaborate to establish CNSBio
Business development and seed finance company Biocomm Services and Monash University, through Monash Commercial, have established CNSBio -- a new Melbourne-based company focused on the research and treatment of pain associated with cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. [ + ]
Stem Cell Sciences raises £6 million on AIM
Despite terrorist attacks in London last week, BioTech Capital (ASX:BTC) investee company Stem Cell Sciences has raised £6 million (approximately AUD$14 million) as part of its initial public offering and listing on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM). [ + ]
Former Amrad CEO takes top job at Cerylid
Two months after his surprise resignation as CEO of Amrad (ASX:AML), Peter Smith has taken on a part-time role as CEO of Cerylid Biosciences, an unlisted company of which Amrad is the major shareholder. [ + ]
In Brief: Medical Developments International, Ventracor, Anadis, Ozgen, GlaxoSmithKline
Chris Weaver has resigned as Medical Developments Internationa (ASX:MVP) managing director and CEO to take up an executive management position with a bank. Current CFO Jeremy Payling will act as interim CEO while the company searches for a new CEO. [ + ]
Rockeby granted US patent for candida detection kit
Rockeby biomed (ASX:RBY) has been awarded an additional US patent over its SysCan3 Hospital Test Kit for use in the diagnosis of candida infections such as systemic candidiasis and thrush. [ + ]
GroPep clarifies its recurrent miscarriage project to the market
Media speculation has forced Adelaide-based GroPep (ASX:GRO) to clarify its position on ethics committee approval for a clinical study of an infertility drug. [ + ]
Relenza inventor Mark von Itzstein wins Adrien Albert Award
Prof Mark von Itzstein has won the RACI's Adrien Albert Award for his contribution to medicinal chemistry through the design and development of anti-influenza virus drug Relenza. [ + ]
Avexa CEO: how we landed Shire deal
When asked about Avexa's (ASX:AVX) successful in-licensing of HIV drug AVX754 from UK company Shire Pharmaceuticals, Avexa's CEO, Julian Chick, likes to use the following anonymous quote: "How did a little Australian company with no proven ability in-license a phase II drug from a specialty pharma?" [ + ]
GE sale offers new hope to Iatia
Phase imaging enhancement specialist Iatia (ASX:IAT) is showing the early stages of a turnaround following the signing of two deals within the last month. [ + ]
'What fatigue?' Auckland Health offers view of GTG settlement
The Auckland District Health Board has offered its own perspective on the out-of-court settlement of its dispute with Victorian biotech Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) over GTG's request for AUD$12 million in licensing and royalty payments for NZ agencies using its proprietary gene-testing and gene-mapping technologies. [ + ]
Parasite network aims to focus research efforts
A new, federally-funded Research Network for Parasitology met for the first time in Melbourne last week, bringing together more than 200 researchers in a bid to focus research efforts in the area. [ + ]
Neuren extends US partnership
Preclinical trials of Auckland biopharma Neuren's (ASX:NEU latest neuroprotectant, NNZ-2566, have convinced the US Army's Walter Reed Research Institute in Washington to back a clinical trial of the new drug in brain-trauma patients. [ + ]
Hughes grants flow to local malaria researchers
The latest list of international research grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) has confirmed Australia's status as a leading nation in malaria research. [ + ]
Novogen drug said to promote wound healing
A phase II trial conducted by Novogen (ASX:NRT) subsidiary Glycotex has found that its wound healing compound Glucoprime promotes healing in venous stasis ulcers. [ + ]
New $2m gait research centre launched
Federal treasurer Peter Costello and Dame Elisabeth Murdoch today launched the $2 million Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) in Gait Analysis and Rehabilitation at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. [ + ]