Pre-clinical costs boost 'busy' Peplin's half-year losses
13 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerBrisbane biotech company Peplin (ASX: PEP) released its half-year results this week, with a net loss of AUD$3.9 million and cash reserves of $9.1 million at the end of December.
Rockeby Biomed commences US clinical trial of thrush diagnostic
13 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerRecently listed Perth and Singapore biotech company Rockeby Biomed (ASX: RBY) has commenced a US clinical trial of its laboratory-based SysCan3 and rapid point-of-care CanDia5 diagnostic tests for Candida infections, as a step toward gaining FDA approval of the products.
Virax HIV trial data generates interest
12 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerResults from a Phase I/IIa study of an experimental HIV therapeutic vaccine developed by on Melbourne company Virax have generated interest from researchers at an international conference of HIV and AIDS researchers in San Francisco, according to the trial's coordinator.
Progen begins third Phase II trial of cancer drug
11 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerBrisbane-based Progen (ASX:PGL) has begun its third Phase II clinical trial in a series of four designed to evaluate the efficacy of its anti-angiogenic drug PI-88 against blood-based and solid tumours, in combination therapy and as a post-surgical treatment.
GroPep back in the black after $3.1m turnaround
11 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerAdelaide company GroPep (ASX:GRO) has posted a AUD$227,000 profit for the half year ending 31 December, 2003, representing a $3.1 million turnaround on the company's $2.9 million loss during the period.
EpiTan boosted by drug delivery trial results
11 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerTanning drug developer EpiTan (ASX:EPT) has announced better than expected efficacy in its Phase II trial to evaluate the delivery of its Melanotan drug via an implant.
BioDiem receives key US patent
10 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerNewly listed biotechnology company BioDiem (ASX: BDM) has received a Notice of Allowance from the US Patent Office for a key patent covering its synthetic peptide for retinal eye disease, BDM-E. The patent will automatically be granted after a period of public exposure.
Biotech assesses implications of trade deal
10 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerWhile the proposed Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United States is likely to have an impact on the biotechnology industry here, it's not yet clear exactly how that will shake out.
Colltech closes IPO early, oversubscribed
09 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerWestern Australian collagen purification company Colltech has closed its initial public offering a week early and oversubscribed.
Heart device firm attracts $2m in VC funding
09 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerVentureAxess Capital, a VC group with offices in Sydney and Perth, is to invest AUD$2 million over the next 12 months into Heart Assist Technologies, a medical device company that had its origins in the now defunct CRC for Cardiac Technology.
Metabolic cheered by patent indication
09 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerMetabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) has received indication from the US Patent Office that a key patent covering the company's AOD904 obesity drug will be granted, giving the company a patent monopoly until September 2018.
We're on track, says Pharmaxis boss at first half-year
06 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerRecently floated Pharmaxis has filed its first half-year results, and according to CEO Alan Robertson, the company's performance is right on track with its predictions in last year's prospectus.
Bird flu bigger worry than SARS, says expert
06 February, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillA Queensland University microbiologist who led the World Health Organisation's response to last year's SARS outbreak says he is much more concerned about the potential of the new strain of avian influenza sweeping Asian poultry farms to cause a human influenza pandemic.
CSIRO, Imugene cooperate on bird flu vaccine project
05 February, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillCSIRO Livestock Industries and its animal health spin-off Imugene have begun a joint research project to develop a vaccine to protect chickens against the deadly new strain of avian influenza devastating poultry farms in Asia.
AGT soars on OTC obesity product hopes
04 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe share price of AGT Biosciences leapt nearly 15 per cent today, after the company announced it had filed patent applications for a series of 10 proteins that are likely to be suitable targets for the development of over-the-counter products to combat obesity.
