Industry News
GroPep posts fourth consecutive positive quarter
Adelaide biopharma GroPep (ASX:GRO) today announced its fourth consecutive quarter of positive operating and net cash flow. [ + ]
CSIRO, Bayer in RNAi deal
International agbiotech company Bayer CropScience has acquired a licence from CSIRO to develop new crops using the patented RNA interference (RNAi) gene-silencing technology developed by CSIRO Plant Industry researchers. [ + ]
AGT pipeline boosted in merger with US firm
AGT Biosciences (ASX:AGT) has merged with US company ChemGenex Therapeutics to create a genomics-driven pharmaceutical company with two products in Phase II clinical trials. [ + ]
Test to detect aquatic pests
CSIRO marine scientists have developed a technique that gives hope in the battle to stop the spread of aquatic pests.
[ + ]WEHI head gets pontifical appointment
Prof Suzanne Cory, director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, has been appointed a member of the Pope’s scientific advisory council, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. [ + ]
Obesity drug alters brain, says scientist
A British scientist has warned that Sanofi-Synthelabo's experimental obesity drug Acomplia could alter the way people think. [ + ]
Singapore's Cordlife sets up CyGenics, plans Australian capital raising
Singapore-based Cordlife has created a holding company, CyGenics, which will be based in Melbourne, and revealed plans to raise up to $20 million in funding. [ + ]
Queensland's Xenome files IND for painkiller
Xenome -- 25 per cent owned by Medica Holdings (ASX:MCA) -- has filed an investigational new drug (IND) application with the US Food and Drug Administration for its Xen2174 cancer painkiller, which is derived from cone shell venom. [ + ]
Biotechs, big pharma benefit as first P3 grants awarded
The federal government has today ladled out just under 60 per cent of the funding for its five-year $150 million Pharmaceutical Partnerships Program -- known as P3 -- giving 11 pharmaceutical and biotech companies a cash boost to fund drug development. [ + ]
WA's BioPharmica readies for float
Perth-based investment company Grandbridge (ASX:GBA) is preparing to list its biotechnology business BioPharmica on the ASX. [ + ]
Prize for Australian scientist
The highest global ecology award, the Japan Prize, has been presented to Australian marine scientist Dr Keith Sainsbury recently.
[ + ]Bacterial parasite shows potential in disease control
The recently completed Wolbachia pipientis gene sequence is paving the way to understanding this parasite's interaction with its insect hosts. [ + ]
Pharmaxis says study points to larger market for lung drug
Sydney-based Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) believes the market for its Aridol lung function test has the potential to double, after a pilot Swiss study gave Aridol the stamp of approval for predicting patients' response to steroids used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [ + ]
Proteome Systems to assist in Huntington's research
A US foundation that sponsors research into Huntington's disease has turned to Sydney proteomics company Proteome Systems to search for prognostic markers and targets for drugs to treat the fatal neurodegenerative disorder. [ + ]
Select Vaccines aiming to raise $1.8m
Select Vaccines (ASX:SLT) is planning to raise up to AUD$1.8 million in a private placement to support its R&D programs. [ + ]
