Industry News
BioDiem to trial blindness treatment
Melbourne-based biopharma BioDiem (ASX:BDM) has received regulatory approval to commence a phase I/II clinical trial for its peptide BDM-E in patients with diabetic macula oedema, a leading cause of blindness. [ + ]
Psivida launches food technology spinout
Perth-based bio-nanotech company Psivida (ASX:PSD, NASDAQ:PSDV, Xetra:PSI) has created a new spinout company, PsiNutria, to develop its silicon technology in the food industry. [ + ]
New study finds brains behind social phobia
New research common condition known as social phobia, in which individuals show a heightened response to threatening faces, or perceive normal social situations as threatening, is associated with heightened activity of the brain's 'fear centre', the amygdala. [ + ]
Novogen launches phase II therapy trial
Marshall Edwards, the US-based subsidiary of Australian cancer drug developer Novogen (ASX:NRT, NASDAQ:NVGN), has begun a phase Ib/IIa trial of Novogen's investigational chemotherapy re-sensitising drug phenoxodiol. [ + ]
New Epitan CEO sees IND soon
After a sudden change of management earlier this week, Melbourne-based Epitan (ASX:EPT, ADR:EPTNY, XETRA:UR9) has entered the "final stretch" in the process of lodging an IND application with the FDA for Epitan's lead drug EPT1647, according to newly-appointed CEO Dr Philippe Wolgen. [ + ]
Start-up Haplomics to muscle in on gene-testing market
Melbourne gene-testing company Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG), currently engaged in a protracted court case with giant US rival Applera over licensing and royalties for GTG's controversial non-coding DNA patents, has a potential rival in its own backyard. [ + ]
Study suggests drug may reverse psychosis
Cannabis, a drug believed to increase the risk of psychosis in users, contains a compound that may be able to reverse psychotic behaviour, Monash researchers have found.
[ + ]Benitec tells AGM of better times ahead
"Seeing you all here means the company has survived," the chairman of RNAi specialist Benitec (ASX:BLT) Ray Whitten, told shareholders at today's AGM in Sydney. [ + ]
In brief: C3, SSH, Axon
Clinical Cell Culture's (ASX:CCE) co-founder Prof Fiona Wood will step down from the company's board on December 31. She will remain as a consultant, an R&D partner through her research vehicle the McComb Foundation, and a substantial shareholder. [ + ]
Visiomed aims to raise $1.6m
Perth-based biomedical devices developer Visiomed Group (ASX:VSG) is aiming to raise AUD$1.6 million after costs through a placement of up to 90 million shares at $0.02 each. [ + ]
Ambri on the hunt for M&A targets
Sydney-based Ambri (ASX:ABI) is looking to merge with another medical diagnostics company with products that are closer to market. [ + ]
Biomedical facility opens in WA
A biomedical research facility tipped to speed up research into the genetic causes of human diseases has been officially opened.
[ + ]Select Vaccines to raise $1.79m
Melbourne's Select Vaccines (ASX:SLT) is planning to raise AUD$1.79 million through a rights issue and placement to provide working capital for the development of a vaccine against hepatitis C and further development of diagnostic assays. [ + ]
US$1m milestone payment for BioDiem
Melbourne-based flu vaccine company BioDiem (ASX:BDM) has received a payment of US$1 million (AUD$1.35 million) from Akzo Nobel's Nobilon, bringing its total milestone payments to US$3 million. [ + ]
Unknown party lists Psiron on Berlin-Bremen stock exchange
The Berlin-Bremen stock exchange in Germany has advised Psiron (ASX:PSX) that a third party has applied for the Sydney-based oncology therapy developer's shares to be listed on Freiverkehr, the stock exchange's third market segment. [ + ]
