Biotech

Antibiotic developer Halcygen Pharmaceuticals today reported a maiden net profit of $3.25 million for the year ended June 30, 2010, largely driven by the company’s acquisition of Mayne Pharma International late last year from Hospira Inc.

Adelaide biotech Bionomics has presented the results of preclinical and clinical data for its anti-anxiety compound BNC210, demonstrating that the drug is more effective in treating stressed rats than the current market leader valium (Diazapem).

Australia’s biggest healthcare provider Ramsay Healthcare this week reported a 21.9 percent jump in full-year net profit to $178.5 million.

The Australian stock market just clawed its way into positive territory today as investors defied the prevailing gloom surrounding the US economy, although it wasn’t enough to snap a three-week losing streak.

Troubled HIV drug developer Avexa may be poised for yet another coup after major shareholder Caldaza this week called for an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the future of the company

Testosterone booster Acrux this week stormed into the black for the first time, announcing a net profit of $46.6 million after earlier in the year signing one of the biggest ever multinational licensing deals for an Australian biotech.

A report by analyst group Datamonitor has identified China and India’s pharmaceutical industries as the ones to watch following a flurry of M&A activity over the last three years.

Regenerative medicine specialists Mesoblast today reported a net loss of $14.8 million for the full year ended 30 June 2010, an increase on the previous year’s loss of $12.3 million.

Melbourne biotech Clinuvel announced today that it plans to conduct clinical trials of its UV protection drug Scenesse as a treatment for the skin pigmentation disorder vitiligo.

They may have sneered at each other in the past, but collaborative efforts for translational research between academia and industry are happening, and they are working.

The All Ordinaries dipped back towards the 5,000 mark after seeing well over a month of consistent gains, including pipping 5,000 for the first time since the onset of the global financial crisis.

QRxPharma is another step closer to bringing its immediate release dual-opioid pain therapy, MoxDuoIR, to the market with the completion of one of two pivotal Phase III clinical trials held in the United States.

News of a further awakening economy and the possibility of more interest rate rises has seen the All Ordinaries nudge up another 11.5 points in morning trading to 4,985, primarily driven by IT and utilities.

Living Cell Technology, Ansell, ChemGenex, Biota Holdings, Sonic Healthcare, ResMed, CSL

CSL, ResMed, Primary Health Care

UPDATED: Release of OvPlex ovarian cancer test in UK sends shares soaring.

Prima BioMed, Biota Holdings, Cochlear, ResMed, CSL

CSL, ResMed, Living Cell Technology, Mesoblast, Prima BioMed, Sirtex Medical, CathRx

CathRX, Mesoblast, ChemGenex, Living Cell Technologies, QRxPharma, CSL, ResMed, Cochlear