Proteome Systems chairman sets out company's new course
02 December, 2004 by Renate KrelleProteome Systems (ASX:PXL), once the great hope of the Australian biotech sector, has set a new course towards drug discovery and diagnostics, and away from its traditional identity as an instrument manufacturer -- and is considering selling sections of its business, as well as buying into a drug discovery play, as it changes focus.
New head named for QBF
02 December, 2004 by Renate KrelleNeill Colledge, the senior portfolio manager and head of research for domestic equities at Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), has replaced Kathryn Radford as CEO of the AUD$100 million Queensland BioCapital Funds (QBF).
Benitec to fight patent claims
02 December, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillBrisbane-based gene therapy company Benitec (ASX:BLT) will continue to defend itself against what it today described as "baseless attacks" on its patent position by US company Nucleonics.
The re-invention game
01 December, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillBig Pharma executives are searching desperately for a way of 'evergreening" the world's most lucrative drugs, the cholesterol-lowering statins, before they run out of patent protection in a few years time.
Pfizer to invest $36m in Aust
30 November, 2004 by Renate KrellePfizer, the world's biggest drugmaker, has earmarked AUD$36.4 million over four years for Australian collaborations.
Stirling reports positive preliminary trial results
30 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerStirling Products (ASX: STI) has reported that preliminary results from the trials of its lead product ST810 (R-salbutamol) in pigs indicate significantly higher potency than expected, with economic viability at the lowest dose tested.
Select acquires remainder of subsidiaries
30 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerSelect Vaccines (ASX: SLT) will acquire the remaining 35 per cent of its two subsidiaries Picoral and Hepgenics from the Burnet Institute.
Acrux signs second distribution agreement with CSL
30 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerAcrux (ASX: ACR) has signed a second distribution agreement with CSL (ASX: CSL), giving CSL the rights to distribute Acrux's Fentanyl MDTS treatment for severe pain.
Nucleonics, Benitec trade new blows in patent fracas
30 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillUS antiviral therapeutics developer Nucleonics has claimed first blood in its attempt to have the Australian patent office revoke a key RNA interference (RNAi) gene-silencing patent owned jointly by CSIRO and Brisbane gene-therapy company Benitec (ASX:BLT).
Adelaide's VivoPharm revelling in the rat race
29 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillDr Ralf Brandt's company VivoPharm has been in profit virtually since it opened for business 15 months ago in Bio Innovation SA's Thebarton biotech breeder precinct in Adelaide, despite a monthly mouse bill that ranges between $15,000 and $25,000.
Gradiflow to play role in hep C project
26 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillChronic hepatitis C patients at risk of liver failure, of cancer or the liver may take heart from a joint venture announced this week between Sydney company Life Therapeutics (formerly Gradipore) (ASX:GDP) -- and Italian blood-products company Kedrion, based in Naples.
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.
