Cerylid to test new clot-prevention drug
18 April, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillHeart surgeons who perform coronary bypass operations or aorta grafts face a dilemma: they need to use anti-clotting agents to prevent potentially lethal post-surgical clots, but standard blood-thinning drugs like aspirin can cause bleeding from graft joins - or from weakened blood vessels in the brain.
The big Australian biopharma
18 April, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerBrian McNamee has been at the helm of Australia's oldest - and now biggest - life-sciences company, CSL, for 15 years. He guided the company through its public listing in 1994 and has overseen its growth to a market capitalisation of $6.8 billion. He spoke with Melissa Trudinger about CSL's research and development programs, and his vision for the company's future.
Queensland to build drug scale-up facility
18 April, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillQueensland Premier Peter Beattie has committed $7m in state funding to build a new scale-up manufacturing facility for pharma and biotech companies to produce experimental drugs for pre-clinical and clinical trials.
Phosphagenics reports pre-clinical progress
15 April, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillMelbourne drug developer Phosphagenics (ASX:POH) has pulled a dozen-odd plump but otherwise healthy rabbits out of the hat after completing the first arm of a three-armed preclinical study of its anti-atherosclerosis drug candidate APA-01.
In brief: Qld scale-up facility, OGTR risk framework, new auditory lab
15 April, 2005 by Staff WritersPremier Peter Beattie has announced Queensland will commit $7 million towards a scale-up manufacturing facility to make drugs for pre-clinical and clinical trials. He said the funding would be used to encourage international and national investment.
New bionic ear centre uses clever plastics
14 April, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillMelbourne is to be home to the world's first centre for medical bionics and hearing science, the brainchild of bionic-ear inventor Prof Graeme Clark.
In brief: Agenix; Cellestis; Prima Biomed; Novogen
14 April, 2005 by Staff WritersAgenix (OTC: AGXLY, ASX: AGX) subsidiary, Agen Biomedical has signed an agreement with diagnostics company Axis-Shield under which Axis-Shield will produce a new laboratory assay for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The Axis-Shield assay will use Agen's 3B6 D-dimer antibody, and will be incorporated into Abbott Laboratories' mmunodiagnostic analyser, AxSYM.
Solbec to fund trials through equity facility
14 April, 2005 by Renate KrellePerth biotech Solbec Pharmaceuticals (ASX:SBP) has followed in the footsteps of small resources companies in setting up a $5 million facility known as a standby equity distribution agreement through US-based investment fund, Cornell Capital Partners.
GlaxoSmithKline defence to Biota lawsuit delayed
12 April, 2005 by Renate KrelleGlaxoSmithKline has missed the timetabled April 8 deadline for the filing of its defence to Biota's lawsuit, set by Victorian Supreme Court Justice Whelan in Feburary.
In brief: BioDiem, Life Therapeutics, Bone Medical
12 April, 2005 by Staff WritersThe Queensland Investment Corporation has ceased to be a substantial shareholder in flu vaccine developer BioDiem (ASX:BDM), having sold more than AUD$500,000 worth of stock in the company. BioDiem raised $12 million at $1.25 per share in its IPO at the beginning of last year, and QIC took a shareholding of 5.1 per cent. At time of writing Biodiem's shares were trading at $0.44.
Vioxx blamed for 300 Australian deaths
11 April, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillA Royal Adelaide Hospital cardiovascular disease expert has told ABC-TV's current affairs program Four Corners that Merck & Co's anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx may have contributed to the deaths of many as 300 Australians from heart attack or stroke.
Prana aborts trial in 'blow for biotech'
11 April, 2005 by Renate KrellePrana Biotechnology (ASX:PBT) has dropped a bombshell on the market, announcing that it has halted a UK Phase II/III clinical trial for its lead compound clioquinol (PBT-1) after it discovered that manufacturing impurities could cause side-effects including mutagenicity and neurotoxicity.
COX-2 woes boost demand for AstraZeneca's Nexium
11 April, 2005 by Ben HirschlerIts US rivals' pain is proving to be AstraZeneca's gain -- at least in the short term. The withdrawal of Merck & Co's Vioxx last September has lifted demand for AstraZeneca's Nexium heartburn and ulcer treatment, and the suspension of Pfizer's Bextra may give a further boost, industry analysts said on Friday.
NZ's AgResearch to sell vaccine start-up
08 April, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillNew Zealand Crown Research Institute AgResearch is selling off its wholly owned subsidiary, sheep vaccine distributor AgVax, under its policy of divesting itself of its profitable start-ups.
ChemGenex aims to lend Gleevec a helping hand
08 April, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillMelbourne-based drug-development company ChemGenex (ASX:CGX) has begun a Phase II trial of its developmental drug Ceflatonin to re-sensitise late-stage chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) who have developed resistance to the Novartis 'miracle' drug Gleevec.
