In brief: Imugene; Cryptome
17 January, 2005 by Staff WritersImugene (ASX: IMU) has been granted patent protection for its Receptor Mimic Technology (RMT) in the United States.
APAF, Qiagen team on $1m proteomics project
17 January, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillThe Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, headquartered at Sydney's Macquarie University, is to team up with global life science supplier Qiagen in a AUD$1m research project to develop more efficient ways of removing high-abundance proteins from serum samples.
Metabolic's Belyea happy to focus on science
14 January, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerMetabolic Pharmaceuticals' CEO Chris Belyea is looking forward to stepping down from the hot seat and focusing on the science and technology aspects of biotechnology.
Visiomed blows hot
13 January, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillShares in Visionmed (ASX:VSG) rose 1.3 cents to 4.4 cents today, before relaxing to 4.3 cents, on news that the Perth medical-device company is gearing up to market and distribute its Funhaler asthma spacer device for children in the US.
Virax raises $3.25 million
13 January, 2005 by Renate KrelleVirax (ASX:VHL) has secured $3.25 million of the $4 million it was aiming to raise through a non-renounceable share purchase plan.
Narhex float loses ground
12 January, 2005 by Renate KrelleShares in Sydney anti-viral drug developer Narhex Life Sciences' (ASX:NLS) made a promising debut this morning, listing at 4 cents above their $0.20 issue price. However they failed to maintain momentum, and at time of writing had dropped to $0.19.
Narhex drug proves multi-talented
11 January, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillSydney anti-viral drug developer Narhex Life Sciences has one of the world's most promising drugs for HIV/AIDS. Could it also have, in the same drug, a potential treatment for Hepatitis B?
In brief: Biodiem; Avexa
11 January, 2005 by Staff WritersBioDiem (ASX:BDM) has received a US$1m signing-on payment, the first in a number of milestone payments due under its US$8m licence agreement with Akzo Nobel's Nobilon.
Biotech stocks tread water in 2004
11 January, 2005 by Renate KrelleDespite a boom in IPO activity, retail and institutional investors left biotechnology stocks on the shelf in 2004, two sector indices have revealed. The Southern Cross Equities Australian Biotechnology Index declined 5 per cent in 2004, and the 80-company Intersuisse Biotechnology index - bolstered by some larger stocks including Cochlear (ASX:COH) and Resmed (ASX:RMD) -- edged forward only 0.16 per cent over the year.
Rockeby awaits US marketing approval
11 January, 2005 by Renate KrelleSingapore's Rockeby biomed (ASX:RBY) is a step closer to gaining US marketing approval for its candiadiasis diagnostics, Syscan3 and Candia5, having released results of its US 510(k) study which confirmed that both tests are effective as diagnostic aids when used in conjunction with microscopy and microbiological culture.
Peplin cheered by sunspot trial results
10 January, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillShares in Peplin Biotech (ASX:PEP) jumped today when the company announced that full analysis of the data from its Phase I safety and tolerability trial had provided "hugely exciting" results: in 40 per cent of cases, a single application of its PEP005 topical gel for pre-cancerous skin 'sunspots' completely or substantially cleared the volunteers' actinic keratoses (AK), compared with 15 per cent for placebo patients.
Metabolic hits back at drug trial criticism
17 December, 2004 by Renate Krelle and Melissa TrudingerMetabolic (ASX:MBP) today did its best to salvage its reputation and share price, hitting back at analyst criticism of its Phase II clinical trial results of its obesity drug AOD9604.
In brief: Proteome Systems, EpiTan, Genesis R&D
17 December, 2004 by Renate KrelleConfirming its ambitions to move into drug development, Sydney-based Proteome Systems (ASX:PXL) has signed a contract to acquire US antioxidant drug-developer Eukarion. The acquisition involves a cash payment of up to AUD$150,000 in up-front consideration, and an an initial equity issue by Proteome Systems of approximately 1.7 million shares.
Heartware to lodge prospectus despite litigation rumours
17 December, 2004 by Renate KrelleUS artificial heart firm Heartware will today lodge its prospectus with ASIC, for an ASX-listing schedule to take place in late January, despite rumours of a possible patent battle with Australian artificial heart firm Ventracor (ASX:VCR).
In brief: Chemeq; C3; Gropep; Starpharma; Meditech
16 December, 2004 by Staff WritersNon-executive director Paul Grujic and chief financial officer Ian Purdy today resigned from West Australian biotech Chemeq (ASX: CMQ).
