Starpharma gel wards off retrovirus infection
19 March, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillMelbourne nano-biotech company Starpharma Pooled Development (ASX:SPL) announced today that tests in the US have shown that its lead compound, a intravaginal gel developed to protect against sexually transmitted diseases, is completely effective in warding off an HIV-like retrovirus infection in macaque monkeys.
World on alert as unidentified pneumonia strikes
17 March, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillInternational health authorities have gone on high alert as more reports emerge from south-east Asian countries of deaths and illness caused by an unidentified, potentially lethal pneumonia-like infection dubbed Hong Kong severe acute respiratory syndrome.
Prana chief wins award
17 March, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillThe American Academy of Neurology has given its 2003 Potamkin Award for research into Alzheimer's disease to Dr Ashley Bush, co-founder of Melbourne biotechnology company Prana Biotechnology (ASX: PBT).
Melbourne scores $10 million Diabetes Vaccine Centre
14 March, 2003 by Jeremy TorrMelbourne has been chosen as the site for the world's first Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre, a joint initiative of the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International.
Domantis signs deal with ImClone
11 March, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillUS anti-cancer therapeutics company ImClone Systems has signed an agreement with UK antibody engineering company Domantis, to use Domantis' proprietary domain-antibody technology to develop new therapeutics.
Remicade royalty refusal beggars analysis
04 March, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillUS biomedical company Centocor continues to puzzle analysts and investors alike with its refusal to pay royalties on its market-leading rheumatoid arthritis therapy Remicade to small Sydney biotechnology company Peptech.
CK Life, Swinburne team to trial ancient remedy as potential AIDS vaccine
03 March, 2003 by David BinningCK Life Sciences, the biotech child of Asian business tycoon Li Ka Shing, will this month start an Australian trial of an AIDS vaccine drawn from ancient Chinese herbal remedies after inking a $600,000 deal with the Swinburne University Graduate School of Integrative Medicine.
ErbB2 research may give key to cancer growth
28 February, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerResearchers at the CRC for Cellular Growth Factors have determined the structure of ErbB2, providing an important clue in how the molecule may contribute to the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells.
Bionomics, Florey in epilepsy collaboration
26 February, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillAdelaide biomed company Bionomics (ASX: BNO) has established a strategic research collaboration with the Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine that it hopes will speed its development of new drugs for epilepsy and other brain disorders.
HIV vaccine research landscape 'not all doom and gloom'
25 February, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillNew approaches mean there is still hope for an effective HIV vaccine, Australian researchers have said in the wake of today's release of disappointing AIDS vaccine results by US company VaxGen.
WEHI scientist wins Eppendorf research award
21 February, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerHamish Scott, of Melbourne's Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, was presented with the Eppendorf Award for Young Australian Researchers at this week's 24th Lorne Genome Conference.
Garvan celebrates 40 years
18 February, 2003 by Iain ScottSydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research yesterday threw a party to celebrate its 40th birthday.
NHMRC guidelines recommend embryo access freeze
14 February, 2003 by Pete YoungA freeze on access by researchers to any human embryo not in storage for at least one year is among proposed official guidelines on the use of embryonic stem cells released this week by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
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.
