Amrad nets second Merck milestone payment
01 March, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerAmrad has received a second US$3 million milestone payment from Merck, Sharp and Dohme, bringing the total payments to the company under the terms of the agreement to $11 million to date out of a possible $112 million.
Peptech draws strength from antibodies, new and old
27 February, 2004 by Renate KrellePeptech's (ASX:PTD) recent investment in UK domain antibody specialist Domantis took centre stage at the company's annual general meeting today, despite shareholder discontent regarding an employee performance share plan.
Macfarlane pledges continued biotech support
27 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe biotechnology industry is likely to be one of the beneficiaries of the forthcoming successor to the Backing Australia's Ability program, according to federal industry minister Ian Macfarlane.
Bionomics, WEHI team on drug discovery
25 February, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillAfter announcing a $6m capital raising yesterday, Adelaide epilepsy specialist company Bionomics Limited (ASX:BNO, US OTC: BMICY) has wasted no time mounting a project to identify new drugs to treat inherited epilepsy and anxiety disorders.
Antisense moves into development with growth hormone compound
25 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerAntisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has advanced its acromegaly project from research to development after seeing efficacy in animal studies for its antisense compound ATL1103, which targets the growth hormone receptor.
GM deliberation leaks worry gene advisory chairman
24 February, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillThe chair of the NSW Agricultural Advisory Council on Gene Technology, Prof Tim Reeves, has expressed concern that anti-GM representatives on the council have breached its confidentiality code by claiming that the council had already decided to recommend a large-scale trial planting of genetically modified canola in NSW.
Bionomics raises $6m for drug development
24 February, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillAdelaide-based epilepsy specialist Bionomics has raised AUD$6 million in additional capital to fast-track its drug-discovery for new drugs to treat epilepsy and anxiety disorders.
Peptech boosts Domantis investment
23 February, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillSydney biotech company Peptech (ASX:PTD) is lifting its investment in leading UK domain antibody therapeutics developer Domantis by the equivalent of £6.2 million (AUD$15 million) this year to remain Domantis' major investor.
AustCancer reveals Nasdaq strategy
20 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerAustralian Cancer Technologies (ASX:ACU) has announced plans to pursue listing on the US Nasdaq exchange, through the American Depositary Receipts (ADR) program.
Antisense cheered by Biogen Idec MS drug news
20 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerMelbourne company Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has been cheered by news this week that Biogen Idec will file early for approval of its monoclonal antibody-based drug for multiple sclerosis.
Losses down, revenues up in Amrad half-years
19 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerAmrad (ASX:AML) released its half-year results today, revealing a 10 per cent increase in revenues to AUD$8.14 million and a decrease in operating loss to $2.2 million -- down 48 per cent.
Alchemia program yields cancer candidate
19 February, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillBrisbane biotech Alchemia's (ASX:ACL) drug design program has yielded a promising molecule that significantly inhibits the growth of human prostate tumours in mice.
NZ's transgenic sheep face slaughter
18 February, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillWhether it refers to cause or consequence, the term 'overkill' applies: New Zealand biotechnology company PPL Therapeutics is being forced to slaughter its unique flock of 3500 transgenic sheep in the name of public safety.
Eqitx selects pain drug candidates
16 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerPerth biotechnology company EqiTX (ASX:EQX) has passed the first development milestone for its gingerol project, which aims to develop drugs to treat pain and inflammation from compounds isolated from the plant Zingiber officinale.
Axon sells Optiscan stake
16 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerAxon Instruments (ASX:AXN) has sold its majority shareholding in Optiscan Imaging (ASX:OIL) to JF Asset Management, the Hong Kong-based Jardine Fleming institutional investment group, one of the largest fund managers in the Asia Pacific region.
