In brief: Ventracor granted patents; Pentrys trial completes recruiting
18 March, 2005 by Staff WritersThe US Patent and Trademark Office has granted Ventracor (ASX:VCR) and the company's research partners at the University of Technology Sydney a patent over the control system used in its VentrAssist heart device.
FDA places clinical hold on Tysabri's drug class
17 March, 2005 by Staff WritersGlaxoSmithKline said US regulators had halted clinical trials on multiple sclerosis drugs in the same class as recently withdrawn treatment Tysabri, including its experimental product '699.
Psiron's cancer therapy passes first clinical tests
16 March, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillSydney virotherapy developer Psiron (ASX:PSX) reported this week that two end-stage melanoma patients have shown no adverse effects from the first human test its of its oncolytic virus therapy,
Researchers use gene-profiling to predict metastasis
16 March, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillMolecular oncologist Dr Kent Hunter, of the Laboratory of Population Genetics at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, told the recent Lorne Genome Conference that it may soon be possible to predict a patient's risk of developing metastatic cancer based on their individual gene-expression profiles.
Firestone looking for improvement at AustCancer
14 March, 2005 by Renate KrelleAustCancer (ASX:ACU) shares have clawed back some of their recent losses since the company announced last Wednesday it has appointed US biotech executive Len Firestone as CEO. And although Firestone's recent experience would seem to make him something of a merger-specialist, he insists that he was not recruited to catalyse a merger.
Pacmab raises funding, tackles multiple myeloma
11 March, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillSydney monoclonal antibody therapeutics developer PacMab - which this week raised AUD$700,000 in equity funding -- is in the late stages of clinical pre-testing of a humanised monoclonal antibodies that binds to an antigen expressed exclusively by multiple myeloma cells.
Methylation tests herald new cancer diagnostics and treatments
09 March, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillEighteen years ago CSIRO biochemist Dr Robin Holliday first advanced the radical idea that that perfectly normal genes inactivated by hypermethylation played a role in the onset of cancer. Today, specific, sensitive tests for methylation are being developed which could play a role in early detection of cancer.
Novogen fast-tracks ovarian cancer study
08 March, 2005 by Melissa TrudingerNovogen (ASX:NRT) subsidiary Marshall Edwards (NSDQ:MSHL; MSE-AIM:MSH) has outlined its plans for Phase IIb and Phase III studies of its anti-cancer drug phenoxodiol for treatment of recurrent, chemo-refractory ovarian cancer, which received fast-track status from the FDA late last year.
Schizophrenic brains out of synch: study
07 March, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillScientists at Sydney's Westmead Millenium Institute (WMI) have discovered that a rapidly-pulsed electrical signal that normally integrates the brain's many different activities 'misfires' in schizophrenia.
UK agency proposes ban on Alzheimer's drugs
02 March, 2005 by Staff WritersBritain's agency charged with assessing whether drugs and procedures are worth their cost has issued a preliminary ruling against all of the four main drugs licensed for treating Alzheimer's disease.
Opara rocks AustCancer, Polartechnics
01 March, 2005 by Renate KrelleWho is Richard Opara? That was the question being asked by many industry observers this week, as his name surfaced in connection with two sudden biotech board reshuffles, signalling that a double coup was underway.
Qld biotech to treat heart disease with taipan venom
28 February, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillResearchers have discovered that taipan venom contains potent peptides that may prevent death from congestive heart disease.
Young brains give clues to schizophrenia
22 February, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillAn international study led by Australia's National Institute of Schizophrenia and Associated Disorders (NISAD) has shown, for the first time, that cognitive abnormalities in schizophrenia map closely to structural abnormalities in the brain.
Mayne loses UK appeal on generic cancer drug
21 February, 2005 by Staff WritersMayne Group will book a AUD$5 million one-off charge in its first-half results after a UK appeal court ruled its version of the cancer drug epirubicin infringed a patent on the original drug.
Weet-bix to get a bacterial boost from VRI
18 February, 2005 by Graeme O'NeillSydney probiotics manufacturer VRI BioMedical has announced a deal with Australia's largest vegetarian food company, Sanitarium, to develop a range of health-promoting functional foods around its probiotic technology.
