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Biotech News Company news Regular news within the Australian biotech industry. |
- Ambri invests in next generation biosensor
- CogState awarded BIF grant for Parkinson's Drug
- Human Genetic Signatures awarded BIF grant
- Minomic awarded BIF grant
- Peptech and Centocor settle Remicade dispute
- Proteome Systems expands biomarker hunt
Ambri invests in next generation biosensor
November 22 – Ambri is to discontinue development of its current Ion Channel Switch technology, cancelling plans for an Australian market release and instead reallocating expenditure to fast track a next generation sensor for use in the wider international diagnostics market. Ambri claims the current sensor, married with a novel silicon chip platform, simplifies high volume fabrication at low cost, resulting in a disposable micro-sensor capable of performing multiple tests at once in a hand held device. The current system utilising the Sensi DX platform was primarily aimed for release to the Australian hospital critical care market. Ambri has reallocated AU$8 million to fast track the next generation sensor to function on six undisclosed tests – elected based on commercial potential. Ambri aims to have the next generation sensor in a simple test format by mid 2005.
[Source: Company Announcement]
CogState awarded BIF grant for Parkinson's Drug
November 16 – The Federal Government's Industry Research and Development board have awarded to CogState a AU$250,000 grant through its Biotechnology Innovation Fund. The grant will fund the development of CogState's Parkinson's drug, NLT, over the next two years. NLT or N-(a-linolenoyl) tyrosine was in-licensed by CogState from Bar Ilan University of Israel in 2002. The grant will enable proof of concept in animal studies and determine whether to advance the drug into pre-clinical development during 2005. In a separate announcement, Pfizer has contracted CogState to utilise proprietary neurological diagnostic tools in separate Phase III and Phase I clinical trials generating over AU$0.5 million in revenue for CogState.
[Source: Company Announcement]
Human Genetic Signatures awarded BIF grant
November 16 – The Federal Government's Industry Research and Development board has awarded to Human Genetic Signatures a AU$250,000 grant through its Biotechnology Innovation Fund. The grant will fund the commercialisation of its nucleic acid detection assay.
[Source: Company Announcement]
Minomic awarded BIF grant
November 16 – The Federal Government's Industry Research and Development board has awarded to Minomics a AU$250,000 grant through its Biotechnology Innovation Fund. The grant will fund the development of instrumentation to access hidden parts of the proteome.
[Source: Company Announcement]
Peptech and Centocor settle Remicade dispute
November 15 – Peptech has signed an agreement resolving its dispute with Centocor over licensing arrangements for the sale of the anti-inflammatory, Remicade. Peptech initiated formal arbitration proceedings against Centocor in September 2003 to resolve an ongoing licence dispute in relation to Peptech's patents covering anti-bodies against tumour necrosis factor alpha. Settlement details have not been disclosed. Peptech has announced a revised after tax profit guidance of AU$18 – 21 million for the year ending 30 September 2005, which includes development and trial costs for obtaining market approval for a male dog contraceptive, Suprelorin, in Europe and USA.
[Source: Company Announcement]
Proteome Systems expands biomarker hunt
November 15 – Proteome Systems and the High Q Foundation will expand their biomarker discovery program for Huntington's Disease. The 18 month program aims to identify biomarkers that will lead to the development of clinical tests to assist in the monitoring of the disease. Proteome Systems will receive technology access fees and milestone payments, up to a maximum of US$3 million. The High Q Foundation brings together industrial, governmental and other funding organisations to support numerous projects related to Huntington's Disease.
[Source: Company Announcement]
