Industry News
Phylogica defies IPO blues
Perth-based functional proteomics company Phylogica (ASX: PYC) has defied recent biotech trends, with shares in the company opening today 37 per cent above their issue price of $0.20. At time of writing shares had slipped slightly and were trading at $0.25. [ + ]
Blue rose reveals true RNAi colours
The CSIRO has revealed that part of the technology used to develop the blue rose -- unveiled last year by Japanese giant Suntory and its subsidiary, Melbourne company Florigene -- was an RNAi technique developed by CSIRO for gene replacement in plants. [ + ]
Monash installs giant protein purification system
Monash University is hoping to move into the big league of international protein research after completing the world's largest installation of GE Healthcare's new parallel protein purification workstation, in readiness for first light from Victoria's new $180 million synchrotron in 2007. [ + ]
Norwood raises $5.8m in US
Norwood Abbey (ASX:NAL) has raised AUD$5.8 million (US$4.5 million) through a placement to three US institutional investors. The company may also receive a further $6 million in additional equity investment from the same investors within the next six months. [ + ]
In brief: C3, DNT, Starpharma, synchrotron
Clinical Cell Culture (C3, ASX:CCE) has received its first batch of stocking orders for its ReCell device used to treat small burns and scars from its European distributor network. [ + ]
PM backs down on stem cell research 'roadblock'
The Australian prime minister, John Howard, has dropped plans for a 12-month extension to the current restriction on creating new embryonic stem cell lines, which is due to expire on April 5, after being rebuffed by state premiers. [ + ]
Medsaic sets out to profile leukaemia
A Sydney company is hoping pathologists will be making room next to their flow cytometers for a new technology which provides doctors with a detailed profile of leukaemias and lymphomas, setting the scene for tailored treatment. [ + ]
In brief: Resonance Health; Covance
Australia's largest diagnostic imaging company, DCA Group (ASX: DVC) has agreed to launch and co-market Resonance Health's (ASX:RHT) liver diagnostic, FerriScan in Australia and potentially the UK. [ + ]
Australian genomics comes in from the cold
Australia's on-the-fence approach to large-scale sequencing and genomics projects has left it until recently on the fringes of the field, according to a leading US-based genomics researcher. [ + ]
Phylogica IPO closes oversubscribed
Perth-based functional proteomics company Phylogica has closed its IPO after raising $5 million through the sale of 25 million shares at $0.20. [ + ]
UK scientists to probe need for monkey research
British scientists are to take the world's first hard look at whether monkeys should continue to be used in biological and medical research. [ + ]
Alchemia to put anti-cancer drug through clinical paces
Alchemia (ASX:ACL) has confirmed it expects to take its first drug candidate, ACL16907, into clinical trials in the first half of 2006. [ + ]
First biosciences company lists in Singapore
Dutch company LMA International has become the first biosciences company to list on Singapore's stock exchange, raising S$248 million (AUD$194 million) through the an initial public offering by its Singapore unit, LMA International. [ + ]
GBS invests in US-based biotech
Australian biotech venture capitalists GBS Venture Partners has invested in US-based therapeutic antibody company KaloBios Pharmaceuticals as part of a US$20 million series B financing round. [ + ]
Domantis in licence deal with Tanox
UK biotech Domantis -- in which Sydney firm Peptech (ASX:PTD) is a 36 per cent investee -- has licensed the rights to domain antibodies for a specific but undisclosed autoimmune target to US biotech Tanox, best known for its asthma biological Xolair. [ + ]
