Industry News
SLIRP gene affects male fertility
Researchers have found that the SLIRP gene - discovered at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) and known to affect hormone action in breast and prostate cancer cells - has an impact on male fertility. [ + ]
WA govt funds five more years of radioastronomy
WA Premier Colin Barnett has announced a $26m investment in the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), based in Perth. The commitment is part of the state’s wider $96m investment in radio astronomy. [ + ]
Biotron develops capsule form of HIV/HCV drug
A trial of a capsule formulation of Biotron’s HIV/HCV drug candidate BIT225 has confirmed its ability to improve drug levels by around 160%. [ + ]
Sirtex exceeds expectations with FY2013 profit
The future looks bright for liver cancer treatment specialist Sirtex Medical (ASX: SRX), which has reported a net profit after tax of $18.3 million in FY13. [ + ]
International Symposium on Human Identification: 7-10 October
The 24th International Symposium on Human Identification, to be held from 7-10 October in Atlanta, Georgia, is said to be the largest conference on DNA analysis for human identification. [ + ]
Previously overlooked cytokine is a potential anticancer agent
Melbourne researchers have found that the cytokine interleukin-11 (IL-11) plays a bigger role than thought in the growth and development of gastrointestinal cancers. [ + ]
Positive results for patients in Patrys’s myeloma trial
Two of the six multiple myeloma patients in the second and third cohorts of Patrys’s (ASX:PAB) phase I/IIa trial of PAT-SM6 have shown evidence of stable disease post-dosing. [ + ]
Dendright and Janssen Biotech to collaborate on rheumatoid arthritis treatment
Autoimmune therapy business Dendright has signed an agreement with Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company Janssen Biotech. The deal is an R&D collaboration and option to license agreement to develop and commercialise Dendright’s tolerising immunotherapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). [ + ]
Overlooked cytokine potential anticancer agent
Interleukin-11 has revealed itself to be a potential new target for anticancer therapies. [ + ]
Deadline extended for The Australian Innovation Challenge
On 8 July, entries in this year’s $70,000 The Australian Innovation Challenge awards were officially opened. The deadline was originally 26 August but it has now been extended until 9 September. [ + ]
MDI achieves goals with Penthrox trial
Medical Developments International (ASX:MVP) said a safety study of its Penthrox inhaler uncovered no safety concerns associated with a single supratherapeutic dose. [ + ]
Viralytics to get wider EU oncolytic virus patent
Viralytics (ASX:VLA) will be granted a European patent covering a wider group of oncolytic viruses that bind to ICAM-1, target of the company’s Cavatak candidate. [ + ]
Compumedics expects return to black for 1H14
Compumedics (ASX:CMP) expects to report a loss for FY13, but is projecting a return to profitability in 1H14 as it resolves its order-backlog issues. [ + ]
Ita Buttrose to speak on philanthropy for research
Legendary media editor, businesswoman and 2013 Australian of the Year Ita Buttrose will be the guest dinner speaker at next week’s Research Australia 2013 Philanthropy for Health and Medical Research conference. [ + ]
UNSW responds to the ABC’s claim that its research into DZ13 was flawed
The University of New South Wales responds to claims that the research into the antiskin cancer drug, DZ13, was flawed. Clinical trials have been suspended as a third round of investigations continue. [ + ]
