Industry News
Continence Control Systems starts first human implant recruitment
BioTech Capital (ASX:BTC) investee company Continence Control Systems International (CCS) has commenced patient recruitment for its severe urinary incontinence treatment, following completion of pre-clinical studies and human ethics approval for human implants. [ + ]
BresaGen nets $200,000 SA govt grant
BresaGen (ASX:BGN) has been awarded a Commercial Infrastructure Grant of AUD$200,000 from Bio Innovation SA, the South Australian government's biotechnology agency. [ + ]
Chemeq subscribers agree to extend convertible bond completion date
Following a trading halt, Chemeq (ASX:CMQ) has updated the market on the allotment and issue of AUD$20 million additional convertible bonds to Japanese investment group Mizuho International and related entities of investment management group Stark Investments, due on July 15. [ + ]
Pharmaxis drug earns FDA 'orphan' status for cystic fibrosis
The US Food and Drug Administration has expanded an 'orphan drug' designation to Pharmaxis' (ASX:PXS) drug Bronchitol, for the additional indication of facilitating mucus clearance in patients with cystic fibrosis. [ + ]
Peptech, Domantis in new cancer target development
Sydney biotech Peptech (ASX:PTD) has signed up with its 36.1 per cent owned UK partner Domantis to develop a domain antibody (dAb) for the cancer target identified by its Sydney joint venture partner Biosceptre. [ + ]
In brief: Chemeq, Acuron, Compumedics, Synchrotron
Chemeq (ASX:CMQ) is in a trading halt in the lead-up to an announcement concerning the underwriting of AUD$20 million convertible bonds to Mizuho International, Stark Trading and Shephard Investments International, to which it committed itself in April. [ + ]
Locals win grants to study in US
Fellowship grants of more than AUD$270,000 have been awarded to seven Australian scientists to pursue research and studies at American Institutions courtesy, of the American Australian Association. [ + ]
ChemGenex announces two new cancer trials
ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CXS) has outlined its accelerated clinical development plan for its lead anti-cancer therapeutic Ceflatonin, following positive results from initial trials. [ + ]
UQ discovers fear protein
Researchers at the University of Queensland's Brain Research Institute have identified a protein expressed in the amygdala, a region of the brain that mediates the formation of fearful memories, that could be a target for new drugs to treat anxiety, panic attacks, phobias and some mental disorders. [ + ]
Genesis Biomedical granted option to purchase NZ company
Genesis Biomedical (ASX:GBL) has been granted an option to purchase 100 per cent of the issued capital of privately owned New Zealand based Manawatu Biotech Investments (MBI). [ + ]
Meditech IDs new breast cancer target
Victorian cancer biopharma Meditech Research (ASX:MTR) claims to have identified a hot new target for breast cancer therapy -- an enzyme called hyaluronic synthase 2 (HAS2), found in vesicles in cell membranes. [ + ]
Biosignal, US partner to work on biofilm apps
Sydney anti-microbial developer Biosignal (ASX:BOS) has linked up with a major US-based technology evaluation corporation to assess the market potential of its furanone anti-biofilm technology. [ + ]
Network science
There is a relatively new approach to addressing large, complex problems - 'network science'. Dr John Finnigan at CSIRO Atmospheric Research says network science is gaining recognition as a more efficient and productive means of solving complicated problems than the traditional 'examine-one-aspect-at-a-time' approach.
[ + ]It's time for scientists to stand up on cloning
Scientists need to stand up and be counted in the review of cloning legislation to be undertaken by the Lockhart Committee, writes the leader of the National Party in the Senate, Senator Ron Boswell. [ + ]
Narhex hires Polish groups for drug development
Sydney anti-viral drug developer Narhex Life Sciences (ASX:NLS) has signed separate manufacturing research agreements with two Polish organisations to reduce the cost and complexity of manufacturing its HIV protease inhibitor DG-35. [ + ]