Industry News
CogState makes ASX debut
Melbourne company CogState has made its debut on the ASX, after raising AUD$7 million in its IPO. [ + ]
Virax HIV trial data generates interest
Results from a Phase I/IIa study of an experimental HIV therapeutic vaccine developed by on Melbourne company Virax have generated interest from researchers at an international conference of HIV and AIDS researchers in San Francisco, according to the trial's coordinator. [ + ]
Benitec plans for global growth
Brisbane-based RNAi specialist Benitec (ASX:BLT) has set up two subsidiary companies in the US, in a first step toward expanding its operations both here and overseas. [ + ]
Progen begins third Phase II trial of cancer drug
Brisbane-based Progen (ASX:PGL) has begun its third Phase II clinical trial in a series of four designed to evaluate the efficacy of its anti-angiogenic drug PI-88 against blood-based and solid tumours, in combination therapy and as a post-surgical treatment. [ + ]
Lorne Protein report: Tagging proteases
A US researcher has described to the Lorne Protein Conference a powerful new technique for 'tagging' protease enzymes in living cells, illuminating potential new drug targets for parasitic diseases like malaria, and metastatic cancers. [ + ]
GroPep back in the black after $3.1m turnaround
Adelaide company GroPep (ASX:GRO) has posted a AUD$227,000 profit for the half year ending 31 December, 2003, representing a $3.1 million turnaround on the company's $2.9 million loss during the period. [ + ]
EpiTan boosted by drug delivery trial results
Tanning drug developer EpiTan (ASX:EPT) has announced better than expected efficacy in its Phase II trial to evaluate the delivery of its Melanotan drug via an implant. [ + ]
Hydrogen energy fuels interest
Researchers seeking ways to produce, use and store environmentally-friendly hydrogen energy are seeking $50m from industry, government and university sectors to establish a Hydrogen Energy Cooperative Research Centre later this year.
[ + ]Novogen presents phenoxodiol Phase II trial results
Preliminary Phase II trial results of Novogen's anti-cancer drug phenoxodiol have been presented at a US gynaecologic oncology conference, the company (ASX: NRT, Nasdaq: NVGN) said today. [ + ]
Lorne Protein report: beating anthrax
Molecular geneticist John Collier has devised a potentially perfect counter-measure to the bioterrorist's current weapon of choice -- the deadly anthrax bacterium. [ + ]
BioDiem receives key US patent
Newly listed biotechnology company BioDiem (ASX: BDM) has received a Notice of Allowance from the US Patent Office for a key patent covering its synthetic peptide for retinal eye disease, BDM-E. The patent will automatically be granted after a period of public exposure. [ + ]
Biotech assesses implications of trade deal
While the proposed Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United States is likely to have an impact on the biotechnology industry here, it's not yet clear exactly how that will shake out. [ + ]
Colltech closes IPO early, oversubscribed
Western Australian collagen purification company Colltech has closed its initial public offering a week early and oversubscribed. [ + ]
Heart device firm attracts $2m in VC funding
VentureAxess Capital, a VC group with offices in Sydney and Perth, is to invest AUD$2 million over the next 12 months into Heart Assist Technologies, a medical device company that had its origins in the now defunct CRC for Cardiac Technology. [ + ]
Metabolic cheered by patent indication
Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) has received indication from the US Patent Office that a key patent covering the company's AOD904 obesity drug will be granted, giving the company a patent monopoly until September 2018. [ + ]