In brief: Coley; Arpida; Lion Bio; Danisco; Genencor; Genmab
21 April, 2005 by Staff WritersColey Pharmaceutical has filed with regulators to raise up to US$115 million in an initial public offering of common stock.
Mesoblast gets ethical backing for stem cell trial
20 April, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillMelbourne stem cell therapeutics developer Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) has received ethics approval to begin a Phase I human trial of its adult stem cell therapy for angina.
'New' Peptech monoclonal a possible rival for Remicade
20 April, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillSydney peptide therapeutics developer Peptech (ASX:PTD) has reported "outstanding" results from a trial of an anti-TNF monoclonal antibody (mAb) resurrected from its tumour necrosis factor (TNF) research program of the late 1980s.
Phosphagenics delivers promising morphine results
19 April, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillMelbourne pharma Phosphagenics (ASX:POH) has demonstrated that its patented TPM-01 transdermal delivery system can administer morphine safely and efficiently through the skin, to maintain therapeutic levels of the drug in the serum over a period of at least 48 hours.
Brisbane's Implicit announces debut deal
19 April, 2005 by Renate KrelleAfter a year scouting for its first deal, private Brisbane biotech Implicit Biosciences is hoping to raise a phoenix from the ashes of a dead US company, Cytran, which went bankrupt in 2002 after the Phase III failure of its lead candidate IM862.
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.
