US buy boosts Life Therapeutics' plasma business
26 September, 2005 by Helen SchullerSydney-based Life Therapeutics (ASX:LFE) has acquired privately-held California-based Pyramid Biological for US$13 million, plus assumption of US$7 million debt, increasing its stake in the global plasma supply industry.
Epitan founder: why I'm not leaving biotech
26 September, 2005 by Helen SchullerEpitan (ASX:EPT) founder and former managing director and CEO Dr Wayne Millen is set to retire as chairman of the board at the end of October but intends to continue to play a role in the company and the biotech sector.
From A to Z: Amrad wants Zenyth as new name
26 September, 2005 by Ruth BeranMelbourne's Amrad Corporation (ASX:AML) has proposed that its name be changed to Zenyth Therapeutics.
Mesoblast stem cell trial gets ethics approval
23 September, 2005 by Ruth BeranAdult stem cell specialist Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) has received ethics approval to commence its first human orthopaedic trial.
CathRx opens IPO for listing next month
23 September, 2005 by Helen SchullerSydney medical device company CathRx has opened its initial public offering and aims to raise AUD$14 million before listing on the ASX in late October.
New drug discovery facility for Melbourne
22 September, 2005 by Ruth BeranThe privately funded Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) has awarded a grant of AUD$900,000 to Melbourne's St Vincent's Institute (SVI) to establish a rational drug discovery facility for cancer research.
Vaxine awarded $2.5m bioterrorism grant
21 September, 2005 by Ruth BeranPrivately-held vaccine developer Vaxine and Flinders University have been awarded a grant of US$2.5 million over three years by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop vaccines that protect against bioterrorist attacks.
Biota aims to raise $10m
21 September, 2005 by Ruth BeranMelbourne-based Biota Holdings (ASX:BTA) is aiming to raise more than AUD$10 million in a non-renounceable share offer to existing shareholders.
Mesoblast to start commercial stem cell production
21 September, 2005 by Ruth BeranMelbourne-based Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) has signed a process development and manufacturing agreement with US life sciences company Cambrex Corporation (NYSE:CMB) for the large scale production of Mesoblast's adult stem cells.
Local pharma firms to distribute Funhaler
21 September, 2005 by Helen SchullerPerth-based biomedical devices developer Visiomed Group (ASX:VSG) has successfully competed negotiations with three pharmaceutical wholesale distributors in Australia for the distribution of its Funhaler incentive asthma spacer into Australian pharmacies.
Ventracor chalks up first revenues
20 September, 2005 by Ruth BeranVentracor (ASX:VCR) has received its first revenues, in the form of a cheque from the University of Maryland Medical Centre as payment for a VentrAssist left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recently implanted in a patient as part of its US clinical trial.
Premier subsidiary to go ahead with lung device
20 September, 2005 by Helen SchullerPremier Bionics (ASX:PBI) subsidiary Pulmosonix will continue with the development of its PulmoScreen device which measures lung damage following the successful completion of a proof-of-concept trial.
Medical Therapies narrows focus, issues new prospectus
20 September, 2005 by Helen SchullerUnable to secure sufficient funds with its first attempt at an IPO, Sydney-based Medical Therapies has issued a replacement prospectus which CEO Llewellyn Casbolt believes has "uncluttered and demystified the company and its technologies".
Eqitx, Mimotopes sign partnering deal
19 September, 2005 by Ruth BeranEqitx (ASX:EQX) and PharmAust (ASX:PAA) subsidiary Mimotopes have signed a partnership deal to jointly develop new targets for therapeutic or diagnostic approaches.
Cryptome to chase opps in vascular field
19 September, 2005 by Helen SchullerMelbourne biopharma Cryptome Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CRP) has signed a collaboration agreement with the University of Virginia for the further discovery of compounds to treat 'vascular leak' -- a major component of inflammatory disorders and tissue damage associated with stroke, heart attacks and MS.
