In brief: BresaGen, Sirtex, AustCancer, Prima, Optiscan
14 December, 2004 by Renate KrelleBresagen (ASX:BGN) has ended its annus horribilus -- having spent much of the year in voluntary administration -- with the reinstatement of its securities to official quotation today.
Norwood Immunology gears up for US clinical trials
14 December, 2004 by Renate Krelle and Susan WilliamsonNorwood Immunology (AIM:NIM) is almost ready to take its GnRH analogue technology, designed to 'reboot' the immune system, into US clinical trials, having just completed a Phase II protocol with US partner TAP Pharmaceuticals.
US officials move toward drug safety independence
13 December, 2004 by Staff WritersUS lawmakers and health officials are moving to give more independence to an office that reviews drug safety, but some experts say ensuring medicines are studied after they hit the market is more important than the bureaucratic pecking order.
In brief: Ambri; QIC; Solbec; IDT
13 December, 2004 by Staff writerSydney-based biosensor developer Ambri (ASX:ABI) has made chief financial officer Jeff Carter redundant, citing a drive to redirect resources towards its biosensor platform. Ambri's current financial controller, Phillip Camilleri, will assume the role of company secretary, and take over responsibility of all financial matters.
NHMRC takes harder line on xenotransplantation
13 December, 2004 by Renate KrelleFollowing its ban on xenotransplantation earlier this year, The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has made a surprise announcement of a five-year moratorium on clinical trials in Australia using animal cellular therapies or animal external therapies.
Metabolic to look for big pharma partner after trial success
13 December, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerMetabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) is to look for a partnering opportunity with a major pharmaceutical company after it successfully completed its Phase IIb clinical trial on obesity drug AOD9604 showing the drug induced weight loss without side-effects.
New technologies take time to deliver
10 December, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerIt pays for a company to consider using alternative technologies as a stepping stone while it continues to develop innovative new technologies, a European technology executive told a conference in Melbourne this week.
Peptech launches dog contraceptive
09 December, 2004 by Renate KrellePeptech Animal Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sydney-based Peptech (ASX:PTD) has begun to market its slow-release canine contraceptive, Suprelorin, to Australian veterinarians.
Metabolic, Circadian trading halted ahead of trial results
09 December, 2004 by Staff WritersTrading in shares of Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) and Circadian Technologies (ASX:CIR) was halted today, in advance of the release of data from Phase IIb trials of Metabolic's obesity drug, AOD9604.
Mesoblast closes IPO, raises $21 million
08 December, 2004 by Staff writerStem cell company Mesoblast today announced that its Initial Public Offer had closed fully subscribed, raising $21 million.
Prana raises US$3.7 million
08 December, 2004 by Staff writerA number of US institutional investors have purchased and exercised 9.5 million options in Prana Biotechnology (NASDAQ: PRAN, ASX: PBT) at $0.50 per share, raising US$3.7 million for the company.
US device firm Heartware aims for ASX
07 December, 2004 by Renate KrelleUS venture-capital-backed artificial heart company Heartware is hoping to be the first in what might become a new wave of US firms considering an Australian IPO as an interim financing round, before moving on to a Nasdaq listing.
Industry cries foul over ACCC chicken labelling ruling
07 December, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillThe Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC), has dismayed Australia's agbiotech community by ruling that chickens fed genetically modified grain cannot be labelled GM-free.
Industry cries foul over ACCC labelling decision
07 December, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillThe Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC), has dismayed Australia's agbiotech community by ruling that chickens fed genetically modified grain cannot be labelled "GM-free".
Eqitx to raise $1.8 million
07 December, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerMelbourne-based biotech managed investment group EQiTX (ASX: EQX) will ask shareholders to approve a AUD$1.8 million capital raising to provide working capital for its two projects ZingoTX and VacTX.
