In brief: Pharmaxis, ES Cell, Optiscan, Benitec
25 February, 2005 by Staff WritersThe US Food and Drug Administration has granted 'orphan drug' status to Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) for its Bronchitol product, for treatment of bronchiectasis. Orphan status entitles Pharmaxis to seven years of market exclusivity for Bronchitol, which is currently in clinical trials.
ATP takes equity in start-up Elastagen
25 February, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillTechnology investment company ATP Innovations has taken equity in Sydney University spin-off Elastagen, investing AUD$250,000 to support commercialisation of the company's recombinant tissue-engineering protein tropoelastin.
Living Cell aims to be on US market in three years
24 February, 2005 by Renate KrelleLiving Cell Technologies (ASX:LCT) has announced preliminary animal results after 12 weeks of a six-month study evaluating the safety and tolerability of its pig islet cell product, Diabcell.
AustCancer claims good results in prostate trial
24 February, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillCancer therapeutics company Australian Cancer Technology (ASX:ACU) announced today its GPI-0100 vaccine adjuvant has produced an enhanced immune response in its Phase I clinical trial in men with relapsed prostate cancer.
Ambri reveals plans to slash workforce
24 February, 2005 by Renate KrelleMedical diagnostics company Ambri (ASX:ABI) has announced plans to halve its workforce and is on the hunt for new medical diagnostic products to shore up its product pipeline after the suspension last year of its SensiDX project.
Benitec to collaborate in AIDS therapy trial
23 February, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillAustralian gene therapy company Benitec (ASX:BLT) is taking its novel AIDS therapy into a Phase I clinical trial in volunteers with AIDS-related lymphoma at the City of Hope Hospital in Duarte, California.
Chemgenex gets milestone from Vernalis
23 February, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerChemgenex Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CXS) will receive a AUD$720,000 milestone payment from its partner Vernalis for progress made on its depression and anxiety target discovery program.
Cryptome acquires option for anti-inflammatory
23 February, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerMelbourne-based Cryptome (ASX:CRP) has joined the ranks of Australian biotech companies sourcing potential products from overseas, with the acquisition of an option for an exclusive licence over a novel class of protein-derived anti-inflammatory compounds from the University of Virginia.
Japanese giant Suntory to partner Aust plant biotech
23 February, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerUnlisted Australian horticulture group Oasis Horticulture has teamed up with Japanese beverage company Suntory in an R&D joint venture to develop new plant varieties for the international market.
CSL reports $160m profit at half-year
23 February, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerCSL (ASX:CSL) has reported a strong net profit of $160.1 million for the first six months of the 2004-2005 fiscal year, up more than 500 per cent on the figures reported last year.
Board shake-up mooted at Polartechnics
22 February, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerDramatic board changes have been proposed at Sydney device company Polartechnics (ASX:PLT).
Norwood Immunology lays its plans
22 February, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerNorwood Immunology (AIM:NIM) CEO Richard Williams is planning a busy year. Along with an Australian trial of GnRH analogue in bone marrow transplant patients, the company is gearing up for preclinical trials Lupron's ability to induce tolerance to donor cells prior to transplantation.
Agenix sells Milton subsidiary
21 February, 2005 by Renate KrelleBrisbane's Agenix [ASX:AGX, NASDAQ OTC:AGXLY] has sold its loss-making Milton Pharmaceuticals subsidiary to an unnamed buyer.
Half-year results: Metabolic, Bionomics, Cytopia, Ventracor, Antisense
21 February, 2005 by Renate KrelleMetabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) has reported a half-year after-tax loss of AUD$6.3, up from $4.2 million in the corresponding period in 2003. That included $6.1 million of expenditure on research and development, up from $5.0 million in 2003. The company's statement of cash flows reveals it took a $500,000 stake in Neuren Pharmaceuticals' (ASX:NEU) IPO earlier this month. Metabolic has also contracted Neuren to conduct in vitro experiments to provide supporting data on the biochemistry of its growth hormone obesity drug AOD9604.
Biocomm sets up in Japan
21 February, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerMelbourne-based business development and seed finance group Biocomm Services has broadened its reach internationally with the announcement that Tokyo biotech company Locomogene would be the company's first Japanese client.
