Heart monitor firm USCOM launches $16m IPO
07 November, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerDevices company USCOM is seeking to raise AUD$16 million in an IPO to raise funds to commercialise its heart monitor.
Cochlear hooks up with continence control company
07 November, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerA University of Melbourne spin-off and pioneering bionic ear company Cochlear have joined forces to develop a treatment for severe incontinence.
Biota hot on the trail of cold cure
07 November, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillMelbourne drug design company Biota Holdings is preparing to sign up a partner to develop its new lead compound to quell the so-called 'common' cold.
Metabolic launches Phase IIb trial
06 November, 2003 by Iain ScottMelbourne-based Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) has commenced what it says is the largest clinical trial ever undertaken by an Australian biotech, a Phase IIb trial of its obesity drug, AOD9604.
Iliad hires cancer specialist, ramps up discovery
06 November, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerMelbourne-based Iliad Chemicals has appointed former Cerylid Biosciences scientist Dr Gino Vairo as head of drug discovery and development as it ramps up its efforts to identify a lead candidate.
WA's Grain Biotech's eyes up a vintage wheat crop
06 November, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillFirst there was golden rice, a genetically modified variant of the world's number two cereal, designed to prevent blindness and ill health in an estimated 400 million malnourished people in Asia and Africa, whose monotonous diet of rice leaves them vulnerable to blindness and ill health. Now Western Australian company Grain Biotech Australia has engineered an experimental wheat, the world's number one cereal crop, that could help by keeping over-nourished Westerners in the pink of health.
New chief named for CSIRO Plant Industry
06 November, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillDr Jeremy Burdon is to succeed Dr Jim Peacock as chief of CSIRO Plant Industry, the organisation's chief executive, Dr Geoff Garrett, announced today.
Cryptome debuts on ASX
06 November, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerCryptome Pharmaceuticals, the first in a series of Australian biotechs scheduled to float in the next few months, made its debut on the ASX today with a starting price of AUD$0.25 and a market capitalisation of $12.6 million, after raising $6.6 million in its IPO.
Xenome nets $3.2m grant
05 November, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerQueensland company Xenome has received a AUD$3.2 million R&D Start grant from the Federal government to accelerate the development of its lead chronic pain drug, Xen2174 into early clinical trials.
New proteomics technology applied to plasma work
04 November, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerResearchers at the Joint Proteomics Laboratory (JPSL) at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research are using a new proteomics technology to remove common high-abundance proteins from plasma before analysis.
Weevil overcome, but GM pea project shelved
03 November, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillCSIRO Plant Industry in Canberra has wound up a decade-long project to develop a genetically modified field pea resistant to the destructive pea weevil, because poultry and pigs fed on the GM pea dropped about 10 per cent in productivity.
Mayne buys cancer drugs for US market
31 October, 2003 by Iain ScottMayne Group (ASX:MAY) has continued its move into the US oncology market with the AUD$9.37 million purchase of two injectable oncology products from US firm Xanodyne Pharmacal.
Metabolic, Biota in successful share issues
30 October, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillTwo of Melbourne's leading biotechs, Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:BBP) and Biota Holdings (ASX:BTA) have both announced successful share issues.
Eiffel claims trial confirms technology's promise
30 October, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillMelbourne drug-reengineering company Eiffel Technologies (ASX:EIF) says the results of a new pre-clinical study in an animal model confirm the early promise of insulin 'nanomised' by its proprietary supercritical fluid technology.
Weeds' herbicide resistance loophole exposed
30 October, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillThe quest for potent new herbicides with highly selective activity against plant enzyme systems may be having the paradoxical effect of accelerating the emergence of herbicide-tolerant weeds, according to an Australian weeds expert.
