In brief: Gropep; Pharmaxis; Ventracor; Rockeby; Phosphagenics

Adelaide biotech GroPep (ASX:GRO) expects to deliver a net profit after tax of approximately $1 million for the six months to 31 December 2004 following sales growth of its cell culture products. Net profit for the full year 2004/05 is expected to be at least the $1.5 million.

Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the US Food and Drug Administration for the Phase III trial of its asthma diagnostic Aridol. The 130-person trial will be conducted over ten sites in the US.

Ventracor (ASX:VCR) expects to revisit its e-health roots, after a telemedicine patent retained from the 2003 sale if its e-health division was accepted by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The patent encompasses a system of connecting a medical device to a computer via an electronic communication network. CEO Colin Sutton said Ventracor anticipated incorporating telemedicine features into future versions of its VentrAssist device.

Rockeby Biomed (ASX:RBY) has appointed US-based biotech consultant Rich Casey as business development director and Nick Plumeridge as vice-president of marketing. Casey will take part in the selection a US marketing partner for the launch of Rockeby's thrush diagnostic CanDia5. Rockeby CEO Dr Sze Wee Tan said Rockeby intends to strike a marketing and distribution deal for CanDia5 in the US, and is already in talks with pharmaceutical and medical device companies in the women's health sector.

Phosphagenics (ASX:POH) has signed a material evaluation agreement with an undisclosed US-based pharmaceutical company under which the pharma will test the applicability of Phosphagenics' transdermal technology in its own patented system.