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).
Analysts offer up biotech's good, bad and ugly for '04
16 December, 2004 by Iain ScottBiotechnology industry observers have given the sector a mixed report card for 2004, pointing to highlights like a lively capital market and low points like failed mergers.
Mesoblast lists at a premium
16 December, 2004 by Melissa Trudinger and Renate KrelleTrapping and harnessing adult mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs) - some of the rarest and most valuable cells in the body - is the game of junior biotech Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) - which listed on the ASX today at AUD$0.91, almost double its issue price of $0.50.
Prima signs US$20m deal with US biopharma
15 December, 2004 by Renate KrellePrima Biomed (ASX:PRR) has signed its second deal -- reportedly worth as much as US$20 million -- for anti-inflammatory therapeutics which act at the FcoRIIa receptor, this time with US biopharmaceutical company Zymogenetics.
Stirling cheered by pig trial results
15 December, 2004 by Renate KrelleStirling Products (ASX:STI) has reported that its ST810 beta agonist has produced a 16 per cent improvement in weight gain in a 28-day US trial in 196 pigs.
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.
