Chemeq cuts jobs, delays US marketing
26 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillVeterinary drug developer Chemeq Ltd (ASX:CMQ) announced today it would reduce its staff by 15 per cent - 11 people - and delay its work towards entering the US market, because of the likely time and cost involved in securing independent regulatory approval from the powerful US Food and Drug Administration.
Commercialisation still coming into focus
26 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillA new survey of commercialisation activity in Australia's universities, medical research institutes and national research agencies shows they are lagging well behind their Canadian and US counterparts.
In brief: Biotech Capital sells Xenome; C3 shares suspended
26 November, 2004 by Renate KrelleBiotech Capital (ASX:BTC) announced late yesterday that it had reached agreement to sell its entire stake in investee company Xenome to Queensland Investment Corporation.
NeuroGrid up and running at Florey Institute
25 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerReseachers at the Howard Florey Institute in Melbourne are developing computing systems capable of storing and analysing large datasets from MRI scans of the brain, using grid computing technology to improve data management and analysis.
Angels' wings stretched by funding gap
25 November, 2004 by Renate KrelleA new report has found that US angel investors are pumping more than ever into the market, but that a shortage of later-stage capital is forcing them to stretch their investment into the post-seed stage.
Xenome faces shareholder exodus as Cytopia pulls out
25 November, 2004 by Renate KrelleCytopia (ASX:CYT) has sold its 22 per cent stake in unlisted Queensland biotech Xenome to Queensland Investment Corp (QIC) for more than AUD$3 million.
AusIndustry outlines Commercial Ready criteria
24 November, 2004 by Renate KrelleThe federal government is gearing up to distribute more than AUD$200 million per year as part of its revised and re-badged grant scheme, Commercial Ready.
Genesis pins hopes on skin vaccine trial
24 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillNew Zealand genomics and drug-development biotech Genesis Research and Development Corporation (NZSX/ASX:GEN) is keenly awaiting the unblinding of its Phase II clinical trial results for its AVAC vaccine for atopical dermatitis, after its UK partner's experimental vaccine failed to exhibit any benefit in children with eczema..
Ambri to fast-track cheaper biosensor
24 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillSydney biosensor developer Ambri (ASX:ABI) has decided to bypass 'Go' with its SensiDx point-of-care biochip system, and fast-track second-generation chip capable of performing up to six different antibody tests simultaneously.
Novogen drug acts on prostate cancer
23 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerNovogen (ASX: NRT) subsidiary Marshall Edwards (LSE AIM: MSH, Nasdaq: MSHL) has reported that its lead drug phenoxodiol can slow down the progression of hormone refractory prostate cancer.
Solbec soars 70 per cent on cancer drug result
23 November, 2004 by Staff WritersShares in Solbec Pharmaceuticals (ASX:SBP) jumped almost 70 per cent to $0.21 today after preliminary results from a study conducted by the Tumour Immunology Group at the University of Western Australia indicated that the company's cancer drug, Coramsine, was effective in treating and preventing mesothelioma in a mouse model of the cancer.
In brief: Gropep; Pharmaxis; Ventracor; Rockeby; Phosphagenics
23 November, 2004 by Renate KrelleAdelaide biotech GroPep (ASX:GRO) expects to deliver a net profit after tax of approximately $1 million for the six months to 31 December 2004 following sales growth of its cell culture products. Net profit for the full year 2004/05 is expected to be at least the $1.5 million.
Proteome Systems to cut staff, costs in bid to toughen up
22 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillSydney's Proteome Systems (ASX:PXL) is slimming down and adopting a more muscular sales and marketing strategy for its proteomics technology suite in the northern hemisphere.
FDA stands by safety of approved drugs after insider's criticism
22 November, 2004 by Staff WritersThe US Food and Drug Administration has said that Senate testimony by a veteran FDA researcher regarding safety risks for five drugs does not reflect the views of the agency.
FDA clears Genentech's Tarceva for lung cancer, but limits apply
22 November, 2004 by Staff WritersBiotechnology companies Genentech and OSI Pharmaceuticals have announced that US regulators have approved their drug Tarceva for treating the most common form of lung cancer.
