Imugene to fast-track pig vaccine
11 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillSydney-based animal-health products developer Imugene (ASX:IMU) is on track to bring home the commercial bacon with its new virally-vectored vaccine against the 'mystery swine disease' that struck the US pig industry in the early 1980s.
Sunshine Heart device approved for human trials
10 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillSydney medical technology company Sunshine Heart Ltd (ASX:SHC) has chosen cloudy Auckland as the venue for a long-term clinical trial that should gladden -- and reinforce -- the failing hearts of six patients.
Oil-from-flax project shows new life for oilseeds
09 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillResearchers at University of Hamburg in Germany have provided a glimpse of the future of oilseed crops, by modifying the oil-synthesis pathways in flax to synthesise low levels of health-boosting omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in its seeds.
Insect noses to sniff out bad smells
09 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerResearchers at New Zealand's HortResearch Crown Research Institute are using insect smell receptors to develop biosensors that act as an artificial nose, capable of detecting volatile compounds.
Peplin launches $10m fundraising bid
08 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillBrisbane cancer-drug developer Peplin (ASX:PEP) has announced a renounceable rights offer to shareholders aimed at raising AUD$10.2 million for the first Phase II clinical trial of its lead skin-cancer molecule, PEP005.
GTG, Bionomics form epilepsy alliance
08 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillEpilepsy gene-hunter Bionomics (ASX:BNO) has announced a strategic alliance with gene-test specialist Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) under which GTG will market Bionomics' epilepsy tests worldwide.
In brief: Sirtex, Imugene, Biosignal, Uscom
08 November, 2004 by Staff WritersCancer technology specialist Sirtex (ASX:SRX) has firmed new distribution deals in Israel and India for its targeted radioactive particle liver cancer treatment, SIR-Spheres, which has recently won regulatory approval in both markets.
Biotechs cashed-up on capital raising: report
08 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe Australian biotech sector's cash reserves totalled nearly three quarters of a billion dollars at the end of the 2003-2004 financial year, according to a report by biotech investment newsletter Bioshares.
Xeno hopes raised by LCT study
08 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillA study of 18 type 1 diabetes patients transplanted with insulin-secreting pancreatic islet cells from pigs more than a decade ago appears to have cleared away a major obstacle to transplanting pig cells, tissues and organs into seriously ill human patients.
INTERVIEW: The innovation tug-of-war
05 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillDr John Raff tells Graeme O'Neill why Australia's agbiotech industry is struggling.
In brief: Genzyme; Novo Nordisk
05 November, 2004 by Staff WritersGenzyme will pay Wyeth US$121 million in cash for buy back rights to sell arthritis drug Synvisc in the United States and Europe. Genzyme said additional payments could extend until June 2012 for total payments of US$294 million.
Drug maker Shire profit up, still no medicine deal
05 November, 2004 by Staff WritersShire Pharmaceuticals has posted an expected rise in underlying third-quarter earnings, but its shares have fallen on disappointment it had still not closed a long-awaited deal to buy new medicines.
ChemGenex anti-cancer drug set for Phase II trial
04 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillFew expect much of a new and unproven cancer drug undergoing its first test in Phase I clinical trial to determine its safety and tolerability -- so when it exhibits a clear therapeutic benefit in seriously ill cancer patients, people become excited.
Biotech grants deliver $12m to local firms
04 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe sixth and final round of the federal government's Biotechnology Innovation Fund (BIF) grants has been announced, with AUD$11.8 million going to 51 biotechnology companies around Australia.
ASX biotech guidelines a step closer
03 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and industry group AusBiotech will put together a committee to oversee the continued development and uptake of voluntary ASX reporting guidelines released earlier this year.
