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.
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.
