Peptech, Abbott resolve patent dispute
05 January, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillAfter receiving tidings of comfort and joy on Christmas Eve, Sydney-based biotech Peptech (ASX:PTD) has established a solid strategic position for the endgame of its corporate chess match with the two leading players in the rheumatoid arthritis antibody therapy business.
Alchemia, Rockeby on track for pre-Christmas float
19 December, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerLocal biotechs Alchemia and Rockeby Biomed are set to list on the ASX next week after successfully raising $21 million and $4 million, respectively, in oversubscribed IPOs.
NZ's Genesis spins out plant branch
19 December, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillAuckland-based biotech Genesis Research and Development Corporation has lopped its plant sciences branch and planted it in the market as a fully-owned but independently managed scion, AgriGenesis BioSciences.
CSL aims to develop stroke therapy
17 December, 2003 by Iain ScottCSL (ASX:CSL), which last week became the world's largest supplier of blood plasma products after its purchase of Aventis Behring, now aims to maximise its return from those products by developing a therapy for stroke.
New drug centre opens for business in Melbourne
17 December, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerThe Victorian College of Pharmacy's AUD$17 million Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation has been officially opened in Parkville.
Monash spin-out Cortical seals $1m deal with Genzyme
17 December, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerCortical, a spin-out from Monash University in Melbourne, has closed a deal worth up to AUD$1 million with US biotech Genzyme to collaborate on the development of oral drugs for inflammatory diseases based on Cortical's small molecule antagonists of the cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF).
Medical Developments sets cracking pace at market debut
16 December, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerMedical Developments International (ASX:MVP) floated on the ASX on Monday at AUD$0.495 -- almost double its IPO placement price of $0.25.
WA's Colltech goes for IPO on the sheep's back
16 December, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerWestern Australian company CollTech is aiming to raise up to AUD$5 million in its IPO to build a collagen extraction and purification facility, based on its novel and proprietary method for extracting the protein from sheep skins.
Why apomixis is genetic gold
16 December, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillThey seek it here, they seek it there, but it remains hidden in the genetic thickets of flowering and seed development. A place in history awaits its finder.
Arnotts crumbles in face of anti-GM action
15 December, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillLeading Australasian biscuit manufacturer Arnotts has reacted to the threat of a consumer demonstration against its products in New Zealand by renewing its commitment to avoid the use of GM ingredients.
Chemeq earns new patents, readies for Feb production
12 December, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillPerth-based pharmaceutical company Chemeq (ASX:CMQ) has announced that patents on its polymeric molecules to control microbial diseases in livestock have been approved in the US, Europe, Eurasia and China.
TGR wins dairy research grant
12 December, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerAdelaide company TGR Biosciences has received a grant from the Gardiner Foundation to look for bioactives in milk.
Gradipore raises $2.7m
11 December, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerGradipore (ASX: GDP) has raised AUD$2.7 million in a placement of six million shares at $0.45 to institutional investors.
Benitec, CSIRO, QDPI resolve gene-silencing dispute
09 December, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillThe big legal guns have fallen silent, and Queensland biotechnology company Benitec (ASX:BLT), CSIRO and Queensland's Department of Primary Industries have shaken hands on a landmark agreement that will allow CSIRO and Benitec to pursue their commercialisation of the revolutionary gene-silencing tool known as DNA-directed RNA interference (ddRNAi).
UK firm Vernalis testing Monash painkiller
09 December, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillNew British biotech company Vernalis expects to complete Phase I clinical trials of a powerful new painkiller discovered by Monash University scientists by the middle of next year.
