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.
Phosphagenix raises $4m in UK placement
03 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerPhosphagenics (ASX:POH) has raised £1.75 million (AUD$4.3 million) through a placement of about 18 million shares in the UK.
Pharmaxis raises $16.5m in placement
03 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerPharmaxis (ASX:PXS) has raised AUD$16.5 million in an oversubscribed placement to institutional and sophisticated investors in Australia.
Amrad, Ludwig beef up agreement
03 November, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerAmrad (ASX:AML) and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research have strengthened their collaboration for the development of vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B), which has potential applications in cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Pharmaxis to raise further funds
02 November, 2004 by Renate KrelleFollowing its recent announcement of a successful Phase III trial of the successful completion of a Phase III clinical trial for its asthma diagnostic and treatment management tool Aridol, Sydney's Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) has entered a trading halt -- to be lifted tomorrow morning -- pending the announcement of details of a placement and share purchase plan.
Portland boss shares business secrets
02 November, 2004 by Renate KrellePortland Orthopaedics CEO David Sekel told a recent gathering of the Australian Venture Capitalists Association that the company's rush to prepare for an IPO last year -- a process which did not come to fruition -- had been premature, and that a trade sale was now an attractive option.
Tamiflu effective against H5N1 avian virus
02 November, 2004 by Staff WritersResearchers from the Queen Mary Hospital in London have said the Roche's neuraminidase inhibitor Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is effective against avian and human forms of the virus, which has so far killed 32 people this year.
NarHex IPO to fund Chinese HIV project
01 November, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillFacing a human and economic catastrophe, and with the Beijing Olympics less than four years away, the Chinese government has struck a unique deal with a small, Sydney-based company, NarHex Life Sciences, to fast-track clinical trials of one of the world's most promising new AIDS drugs.
Cryptome AGM sheds little light on CEO departure
01 November, 2004 by Renate KrelleCryptome (ASX:CRP) chairman Graham Kelly offered shareholders few clues about reasons behind the resignation of CEO Jeffrey Travis at today's annual general meeting, but the company has announced the appointment of Prof Mathew Vardas as acting CEO.
Benitec snaps up sixth licence, aims for $5m per year
29 October, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillBrisbane RNAi gene therapy company Benitec (ASX:BLT) has granted a global, non-exclusive licence for its gene-silencing technology to a German company that develops genetically modified mice for research.
