Takeover bid made for Sirtex
12 February, 2003 by Iain ScottUS company Cephalon has made a $AUD271 million takeover offer for Sydney-based cancer treatment company Sirtex Medical.
Allergan deal paying off for Peplin
11 February, 2003 by Pete YoungThe first fruits of anti-cancer drug developer Peplin Biotech's landmark licensing deal with US pharmaceutical company Allergan have surfaced in the form of a 240 per cent surge in Peplin's first-half revenues.
Malaria vaccine at least eight years away, conference told
10 February, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillVeteran Melbourne malaria researcher Prof Robin Anders believes a malaria vaccine is still at least eight to 15 years away -- but he is optimistic that a vaccine is feasible, and will be effective, despite the phenomenal capacity of the parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, to take evasive action against drugs and vaccines.
New cancer genomics centre opens at Peter Mac
04 February, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerThe new Ian Potter Foundation Centre for Cancer Genomics and Predictive Medicine was opened today at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute by Victorian Innovation Minister John Brumby.
VRI happy with H. pylori diagnostic study
03 February, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerVRI BioMedical's OncoAlert diagnostic test has performed well in a clinical study examining the test's ability to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infections.
Malaria parasite gene targets identified
31 January, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillA Melbourne-Philadelphia research team has provided a graphic demonstration of the power of genomics and bioinformatics by identifying a host of prospective drug targets in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.
Boost for NSW spinal injury research
29 January, 2003 by Susan WilliamsonNSW Premier Bob Carr has pledged $AUD10.9 million towards research into spinal injury.
Former telco ventures into biotech with Burnet deal
24 January, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerFormer telecommunications company Select-Tel is the latest to venture into biotech, signing a memorandum of understanding with Melbourne's MacFarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health to commercialise several projects from the Institute.
New genetic theory claims epileptics may cop a double whammy
23 January, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillSome individuals born into families with a history of epilepsy may be doubly, even triply cursed, according a new theoretical model of the world's most common inherited brain disorder.
Melbourne research aims to show how Epstein is barred
17 January, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerResearchers from Monash and Melbourne Universities investigating the immune response toward the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have used crystallographic techniques to visualise the shape of the T-cell receptor that specifically prevents the virus from wreaking havoc.
Amrad mystified by shareholder splurge
13 January, 2003 by Pete YoungMelbourne biotech Amrad Corp says it is mystified by a sudden flurry of investor interest that drove its share price up 50 per cent last week and sparked a formal query from the Australian Stock Exchange.
Meditech considers large-scale m'facture after discoveries
19 December, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerResearchers, funded by Meditech, at Curtin University of Technology in Perth have identified carbohydrate compounds that specifically bind to proteins involved in asthma, atopic dermatitis and other inflammatory responses.
Canon deal to net Psiron $US1m, royalties
17 December, 2002 by Melissa TrudingerSydney biotech company Psiron has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Canon, providing the Japanese company with exclusive worldwide rights to the Vapotronics inhaled drug delivery system in return for an up-front payment of $US1 million and potentially substantial royalties.
Garvan teams with Benitec in diabetes genetics project
16 December, 2002 by Pete YoungSydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research is collaborating with gene silencing specialist Benitec to probe the role of specific genes in type 2 diabetes.
Q-Vis calls in administrators
16 December, 2002 by Pete YoungPerth biotech Q-Vis Ltd is in the hands of administrators Ferrier Hodgson after coming up empty-handed from a six-month search for a strategic partner with deep pockets.
