Bridge program to expand
15 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerThe InnovationXchange's BRIDGE program is set to expand, as it moves toward the end of its one year pilot program. It plans new clusters in health, nanotechnology and medical devices, and has welcomed Resmed to its fold.
NZ-based $100m fund to breathe life into VC sector
14 March, 2005 by Iain ScottThe launch of what is being touted as a new NZ $150 million (AUD$140 million) Australasian life-science venture capital fund, has grabbed centre stage on the first day of the NZBio conference in Auckland.
Tysabri fallout hits Burrill index
14 March, 2005 by Renate KrelleThe withdrawal of Tysabri in mid-Feburary not only "gutted" both Elan and Biogen Idec, but also hit the share prices of other publicly traded biopharmaceutical firms, sending the Burrill Biotech Select Index tumbling to end February down 2 per cent.
Biotech projects win five R&D Start grants
11 March, 2005 by Renate KrelleFive biotechnology projects were amongst $19 million worth of AusIndustry R&D Start grants announced today by federal industry minister Ian Macfarlane.
DiaBTech appoints former ministerial adviser as CEO
11 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerRecently listed Dia-B Tech (ASX:DIA) has appointed general manager Ken Smith as CEO.
Avexa charts course for Shire drug
11 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerAvexa (ASX:AVX) consultant James Sawyer outlined to investors this week the company's plans for its Phase IIb clinical trial of AVX754, the HIV drug it recently acquired from UK company Shire Pharmaceuticals.
Biota gets ready to inhale
10 March, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillMelbourne anti-viral drug developer Biota Holdings (ASX:BTA) has signed an agreement with American company Aerogen (NASDAQ:AEGN) to use Aerogen's Aeroneb nebuliser in clinical trials of new, long-acting anti-viral compounds for influenza developed by Biota and its Japanese partner Sankyo.
Antisense halts MS drug trial
10 March, 2005 by Renate KrelleAntisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) bowed to the inevitable today, announcing that it would halt the Phase IIa trial of its lead drug candidate for multiple sclerosis, ATL1102, following the withdrawal of Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals' Tysabri from the market. However the Melbourne company has not yet terminated the project altogether.
VRI probiotics inhibit inflammation
09 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerVRI Biomedical (ASX:VRI) has reported success in the first stage of a drug discovery program to identify the molecule responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of its probiotic bacterial strain PCC.
Metabolic confirms dosing study
08 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerMetabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) has confirmed that it will perform a further dosing study of its anti-obesity drug AOD9604, but a final decision on the protocol must await the outcome of partnering discussions
Stirling goes back to the drawing board
07 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerStirling Products (ASX:STI) will extend its proof-of-concept studies to include a more direct delivery method after analysis of levels of its beta agonist ST810, a single enantiomer form of salbutamol, in the bloodstream of merino lambs showed that the growth promoter was not getting into the bloodstream.
In brief: Epitan; Genesis R&D
07 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerEpitan (ASX:EPT) has been given the green light to go ahead with its Phase II study evaluating the photo-protective effects of its sustained release formulation of Melanotan, after receiving ethics approval from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.
Cochlear acquires Swedish hearing implant company
04 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerCochlear (ASX:COH) has signed an agreement to acquire Swedish hearing implant company Entific Medical Systems, owned by Swiss-Swedish group Nobel Biocare for SEK1,050 million (approximately AUD$195 million) to be paid with around AUD$40 million in cash and the remainder as bank debt to be raised in a combination of Euros and US dollars.
In brief: Rockeby, C3, Heartware
04 March, 2005 by Staff WritersRockeby Biomed Limited (ASX:RBY) is poised to launch its Candia5 candidiasis diagnostic in Europe, having received ISO certification and CE Mark approval for the product.
Phylogica launches IPO, touts protein libraries
04 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerPerth company Phylogica has launched its IPO and is hoping to raise AUD$5 million from the sale of 25 million shares at $0.20 to support the preclinical development of three lead candidates -- including an asthma vaccine -- and its protein libraries.
