Posts Tagged ‘Biotechnology’

ASX Company News: BioDiem Licenses Influenza Vaccine In China

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Australian vaccine development company BioDiem Ltd (BDM) announced that it has licensed its Live Attenuated Influenza Virus (LAIV) vaccine technology to China-based Changchun BCHT Biotechnology Co. (BCHT). This is an exclusive licence for the Chinese private sector market for pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines made using an egg-based production method. BCHT holds a complementary licence to the LAIV for the public market in China via a sublicence from the World Health Organisation.

BCHT is a well-established technology company engaged in medical research and development, marketing and production, based in Jilin Province’s High Tech Zone. Established in 2004, the company now employs more than 600 employees and has developed significant in-house expertise in viral technology development with particular successes in the areas of influenza and preventative HIV vaccines.

BioDiem’s LAIV vaccine is based on a well-established vaccine type, where the virus has been weakened and simply presents the immune system with the proteins needed to establish immunity. BioDiem’s vaccine has the additional advantage of being delivered through a nasal spray, eliminating the need for injections, which increases patient acceptability and compliance. Furthermore, BioDiem’s LAIV vaccine has been shown to produce a broader immune response, more akin to the natural immune response, than standard flu shots delivered through injection.

BioDiem CEO Julie Phillips said “We are delighted to have secured another licence for our LAIV technology. BCHT is an experienced and well-regarded vaccine developer and producer. It has its own R&D and production facilities and marketed products. China is an exciting territory with an enormous potential market for influenza vaccines and we are pleased to enter it through our new partnership with BCHT for BioDiem’s LAIV technology.”

www.biodiem.com

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/Fundamentals/bdm

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ASX Company News: Living Cell Technologies Granted US Patent For Disease Free Pigs

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Living Cell Technologies Limited (LCT) announced that it has been granted U.S. Patent No. 8,088,969 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent provides exclusive rights to the use of cells and tissue derived from Auckland Island pigs for xenotransplantation therapies. It protects the holder’s ability to commercialise therapies based on its core cell encapsulation and xenotransplantation capabilities. The original Auckland Island pig herd has been developed by LCT over the last decade to produce a unique stock of pigs which are free from disease and, in particular, do not transmit pig viruses to human cells. The pigs are housed in bio-isolation facilities in New Zealand, and cells are harvested for the treatment of human diseases. Regulatory authorities in New Zealand, Argentina and Russia have judged the cells free of infectious organisms and safe for human recipients.

Professor Bob Elliott, LCT’s Medical Director said, “A disease-free source herd is an absolute requirement for transplantation of animal cells into humans. The discovery of the Auckland Island herd, its subsequent development and the characterisation of its disease-free properties is the foundation of LCT’s human xenotransplantation trials for diabetes and degenerative neurological conditions.”

Living Cell Technologies (LCT) is developing cell-based products to treat life threatening human diseases. The Company owns a biocertified pig herd that it uses as a source of cells for treating diabetes and neurological disorders. The Company’s lead product, DIABECELL®, consists of microencapsulated porcine islets which are implanted into a patient’s abdomen using a simple laparoscopic procedure. DIABECELL is designed to help normalise the lives of people with unstable Type 1 diabetes, especially those suffering from life-threatening episodes of unaware hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), a dangerous and potentially fatal diabetes complication. The Company entered clinical trials for its diabetes product in 2007 and very encouraging results have been reported to date.

www.lctglobal.com

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/Fundamentals/lct

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ASX Company News: Acuvax To Acquire Diagnostic Technology

Friday, January 27th, 2012

The Directors of Acuvax Ltd (ACU) are pleased to advise that, subject to a satisfactory outcome on due diligence, the Company has negotiated an acquisition of a sophisticated non-invasive early detection diagnostic technology. The Technology has been developed over many years by an Israel-based company and is designed to diagnose more than 200 illnesses, disorders and diseases in humans. Several clinical trials have been completed to date and the medical device product is now ready for full commercialisation. The medical device is safe, painless, non-invasive, portable, economical and clinical trials to date across numerous areas of patient health have demonstrated a compelling level of accuracy. The Technology can be used as a point-of-care first-stage screening tool able to identify specific pathologies in the general population, prior to advancing patients to appropriate confirmative diagnostic tests.

Revenues from the Technology are able to be generated from both upfront device purchases and ongoing ‘per use’ patient tests. Acuvax is poised to benefit from consolidating and controlling all aspects of the Technology including: research and development (incorporating clinical trials), intellectual property (“IP”) protection, manufacture, market positioning and pricing model flexibility. Acuvax will also negotiate distribution arrangements with parties already in talks for device orders for South Africa, Australia and parts of Asia. It is the Company’s aim to open up new markets by sourcing, vetting and securing either strategic alliances or distribution arrangements with groups that have the infrastructure, expertise, and financial and human resources necessary to maximise sales of devices and ongoing tests in their respective countries; whilst supporting those business partners and distributors with high quality production, continued product R&D and an ongoing peer-reviewed clinical trial program.

www.acuvax.com.au

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/Fundamentals/acu

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ASX Company News: Genesis To Merge With Mariposa

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Genesis Research and Development Corporation Ltd (GEN) announces that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mariposa Health Ltd to merge with Mariposa. Mariposa is an unlisted public Australian based pharmaceutical development company with several development projects. The lead product is TA-270 which is being developed as a tablet formulation for the treatment of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and neutrophilic asthma. COPD is the 4th major cause of death in the developed world with a significantly growing incidence. TA-270 has been the subject of 9 human clinical trials including in excess of 700 subjects. Mariposa also has rights to an immune modulator to Golden staph (staphylococcus aureus) and a further compound awaiting patent submission.

Genesis Chief Executive, Stephen Hall, said “Genesis has been reviewing a number of investment opportunities in the Life Sciences and other industries, and has determined that Mariposa is the best prospect for Genesis shareholders. It has a well-developed lead product and other projects that can progress into human clinical trials in the near future.

Founded in 1994, Genesis is a New Zealand-based biotechnology company. It has established Solirna Biosciences Ltd which is focusing on developing a novel single stranded gene silencing technology using the RNAi mechanism. Genesis also holds an equity interest in Real Time Genomics Inc. and has royalty rights resulting from previous collaborations for various products that are being developed by other parties in the fields of agriculture, forage grass, forestry, etc.

www.genesis.co.nz

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/fundamentals/gen

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ASX Company News: Heartware International Enters Pacemaker Joint Venture

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

HeartWare International, Inc. (HIN), a leading innovator of less invasive, miniaturized circulatory support technologies that are revolutionizing the treatment of advanced heart failure, and Dualis MedTech GmbH, a subsidiary of AVRA Surgical, Inc., today announced an agreement to develop ventricular assist devices with wireless, transcutaneous energy transfer system (TETS) technology exclusively for HeartWare. Since mid-2011, a collaborative team of HeartWare and Dualis engineers has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of integrating Dualis’ proprietary wireless energy transfer technology with the HeartWare® HVAD and MVAD systems. Under terms of the agreement, HeartWare will fund a TETS development program for left ventricular assist devices, as well as receive an option to fund programs to explore developments in bi-ventricular support and first rights to future developments outside the field of TETS and ventricular assist devices.

“What makes us most enthusiastic about this alliance is the expertise, passion and creativity of the people at Dualis. Dualis was spun out of DLR, the German Aerospace research organization and we now have access to the talents and ideas of the team at Dualis, as well as the research powerhouse present at DLR,” said Doug Godshall, CEO and President of HeartWare. “Our internal TETS program has melded seamlessly with Dualis’ and through this relationship we can accelerate our development timeline, as well as take advantage of the technology upgrade we have seen through the integration of the two programs. We have augmented our capabilities via this relationship and foresee a meaningful expansion of our pipeline utilizing new technologies generated by our new European partners.”

DUALIS is a young and highly innovative medical technology company that specializes in the area of active implants. The company offers research and development services, as well as its own technologies developed in close collaboration with the German Aerospace Center.  DLR is Germany’s national research center for aeronautics and space. Its extensive research and            development work in aeronautics, space, transportation and energy is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures.  HeartWare International develops and manufactures miniaturized implantable heart pumps, or ventricular assist devices, to treat Class IIIB / IV patients suffering from advanced heart failure.

www.heartware.com

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/fundamentals/hin

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ASX Company News: Tyrian Diagnostics Licenses Antibody Production

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Tyrian Diagnostics Limited (TDX) announced that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with NeoClone LLC for the manufacture and distribution of antibodies it has developed to detect TB proteins, including antibodies to Tyrian’s lead TB protein biomarker. Under this agreement, Tyrian will receive 40% of gross income on products sold. NeoClone will pay all costs associated with the manufacture, marketing and distribution of the antibodies, which will be sold for research uses only. Tyrian retains the sole rights to grant licences to third parties to use the antibodies for development and sale of products for other commercial purposes. Based in Madison, Wisconsin (USA), NeoClone is a quality provider of antibodies and distributes a portfolio of antibodies that detect a range of clinical diagnostic targets in the oncology, CNS and infectious disease areas.

Tyrian’s Managing Director, Dr Jenny Harry, said “We are delighted to appoint NeoClone as the preferred provider of Tyrian’s TB antibodies for research purposes. This agreement ensures that third parties can access Tyrian’s proprietary antibodies to fully explore the potential for sensitive TB assays on a variety of diagnostic platforms. The Company previously reported that currently available, rapid Point-of-Care diagnostic systems lack the sensitivity to detect TB proteins in sputum or blood. With further advances in the pipeline for Point of Care diagnostic technologies there is potential for significant improvements in sensitivity that may result in entirely new tests becoming possible for the rapid and accurate detection of active TB using Tyrian’s antibodies.”

Tyrian Diagnostics is a diagnostics company which has discovered and validated novel biomarkers for tuberculosis and developed a proprietary diagnostics platform, DiagnostIQTM, for use with multiple sample types at point-of-care. The company is currently focused on licensing and sale of its assets. NeoClone is focused on the development of monoclonal antibodies for the diagnostics market and currently services over 700 clients in 30+ countries. Additionally, NeoClone has advanced its proprietary ability to make fully human antibodies from a de novo immune response and plans to offer these services to the market in early 2012.

www.tyriandx.com

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/Fundamentals/TDX

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ASX Company News: Biodiem Acquires Savine Therapeutics

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Australian vaccine development company BioDiem Ltd (BDM) announced that it has acquired Savine Therapeutics Pty Ltd. Savine was incorporated in 2007 to commercialise intellectual property acquired from the Australian National University. Savine’s key asset is the patented Scrambled Antigen Vaccine technology. This platform technology can be used to design antigens that are able to be incorporated into vaccines for different diseases. In addition, as part of the transaction, BioDiem will now own the software used to design such antigens together with a number of SAVINE-manufactured genes, or SAVINEs, that are suitable for vaccines against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (an Epstein Barr virus- related cancer which is prevalent SE Asian cancer), tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis C.

SAVINE antigens are encoded as synthetic genes which, together with a delivery technology such as BioDiem’s LAIV-based vaccine vector technology, can be used to design novel vaccines. The SAVINE technology has a number of significant potential advantages compared to alternative disease protein delivery strategies. It can incorporate more than one target disease protein (antigen), which may improve disease protection. The scrambling process is designed to enhance safety by removing the dangerous functions of the selected proteins, for example, cancer-associated proteins. By incorporating as much immunologically-relevant information as possible this enhances the ability of the designed SAVINE to provide broader population coverage.

BioDiem’s CEO Julie Phillips commented “We are delighted to complete this transaction as Savine’s technology is highly complementary to our own. In our vaccine business the key elements are a virus, a cell line (to grow the virus), and antigens (disease proteins). BioDiem now has all of these components through the Live Attenuated Influenza Virus, the mammalian cell line recently licenced and now the acquisition of the SAVINE antigen technology. The SAVINE technology will be valuable to our LAIV vector project as it will allow us to expand the number of diseases that can be targeted. In addition, BioDiem will be able to separately licence out the SAVINE technology in specific disease areas.”

BioDiem is an ASX-listed company, based in Melbourne, with an international focus on finding, adding value to and commercialising world-class research and technology for vaccines. The company uses a cost-efficient approach to development through collaborations with academic centres of excellence, contract research organizations and partnerships with international pharmaceutical companies. BioDiem’s lead technology is the Live Attenuated Influenza Virus (LAIV) technology, which has been developed as an intranasal vaccine to prevent infection from seasonal and pandemic influenza.

www.biodiem.com

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/fundamentals/bdm

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ASX Company News: Anteo Diagnostics Granted Japanese Patent

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Anteo Diagnostics Limited (ADO) announced that the Japanese Patent Office has granted the “Use of Metal Complexes” patent for Mix&GoTM. It is unusual that patents are granted in Japan as quickly as this. Its granting provides Anteo with further confidence in the quality of the science and security over the intellectual property (IP) in a commercially large jurisdiction.

There are many commercially important reasons to bind biological molecules onto synthetic materials. These molecules are often fragile and do not react well when exposed to non-biological conditions. Mix&GoTM has been demonstrated to allow them to retain their activity when bound. The “Use of Metal Complexes” patent covers the IP for the use of Mix&GoTM to facilitate this important binding process. Anteo has demonstrated that the benefits of Mix&GoTM over existing methods are both numerous and significant from technical and commercial perspectives. Further, the Mix&GoTM technology has broad applications in non-biological markets. This is another important patent to be granted to Anteo in a key market and marks another critical step in the continued effort to strengthen the IP of the Mix&GoTM technology.

Anteo’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Geoff Cumming commented “Anteo is extremely pleased to be granted the “Use of Metal Complexes” patent. In particular we were pleased with the outcome given the relative difficulty of achieving such grants in Japan.  “As we continue to advance negotiations for new licensing agreements, protecting the Mix&GoTM technology is of critical importance for Anteo.” Anteo is also pleased to inform shareholders that the company has progressed dialogue with potential customers in recent months. As previously explained, these negotiations take a significant amount of time due to the due diligence considered necessary by interested parties before incorporating Mix&GoTM into their commercial products.”

www.anteodx.com

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/fundamentals/ado

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ASX Company News: Acuvax Acquires BioHealth Pty

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

The Directors of Acuvax Ltd (ACU) are pleased to advise that, the Company has negotiated the opportunity to secure a potential controlling ownership stake in an unlisted biopharmaceutical company, BioHealth Pty Ltd. Acuvax will in turn, assist with revenue growth, market penetration and new product development of its present platform formulation. BioHealth is focused on effective, illness-specific medicines comprised of natural non-toxic ingredients. The first of BioHealth’s products, “proVent”, has been approved and listed by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) as a complementary medicine with the claim: “Helps Maintain Health Respiratory Function”. BioHealth has been successfully selling the product in a limited capacity over the past two years from a modest financial base and has reached the point of moving beyond breakeven and into sustained profitability.

The Board of BioHealth believes that with the injection of capital provided by Acuvax’s shareholding along with a network in Asia that its officers can introduce, together with its own contacts in select European markets, BioHealth can achieve an increased sales rollout and quicker entry into various overseas market. Subsequent to a successful increase in its marketing and revenue program, BioHealth intends to conduct further research and development, exploring other illness- specific “healthy” medicines from the platform formulation it currently uses and other non-related products as and when new opportunities are presented. Under the terms of the acquisition Acuvax shall pay an initial $10,000 option fee which will allow for a 60 day due diligence period. Subject to a satisfactory outcome a further $178,000 is to be paid to hold 51% of the debt free biopharmaceutical organisation. Acuvax and BioHealth will use their best endeavours to progress the commercial development of BioHealth’s products which currently offer potential health benefits to the millions of Australians and tens of millions globally that are affected by respiratory complaints. The first six months following completion of the initial aspects of the transaction is set to see increased sales activities and results within Australia through pharmacies and natural health shops. BioHealth’s ongoing business plan will then be continued or accelerated further as appropriate milestones are achieved.

The Directors of Acuvax believe that the acquisition of BioHealth is a sound commercial and ethical investment which it seeks to utilise as a platform for greater expansion of its revenue base both within BioHealth’s product range and through unrelated opportunities the Company seeks out in the healthcare and life sciences market space.

www.acuvax.com.au

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/fundamentals/acu

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ASX Company News: Unilife Corporation To Supply Organ Delivery Device

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Unilife Corporation (UNS) announced the signing of a clinical development and supply agreement with a global pharmaceutical company for a novel device for targeted organ delivery. The proprietary Unilife device is intended to be used in a drug clinical trial that is scheduled to commence in early 2012. The terms of the agreement and the pharmaceutical company are to remain confidential at this time. Unilife will receive $1.4 million in development fees and revenue from initial unit sales of the devices for the clinical trial under the first phase of this program. Upcoming phases of the clinical development program are expected to generate additional revenues for Unilife over the coming year.

Unilife Chief Executive Officer, Alan Shortall, stated, “Unilife is addressing the unmet needs of another global pharmaceutical company with the development of a technology that enables the delivery of a pipeline drug to a target organ of the human body. We look forward to supplying our device to the pharmaceutical customer for use in human drug clinical trials, and eventually for the commercial supply of the drug upon the successful completion of its clinical development and regulatory approval. “The economic opportunity is significant here. The target disease state has a high prevalence and affects a significant and growing proportion of people in the U.S. and around the world. The current annual treatment costs for the disease exceeds $30 billion in the U.S. Alone.

Unilife Corporation (UNS) is a U.S. based developer and commercial supplier of advanced drug delivery systems. Unilife collaborates with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies seeking innovative, differentiated devices that can enable or enhance the delivery of injectable drugs and vaccines supplied in either a liquid stable or lyophilized form. The Unifill syringe, the world’s first and only prefilled syringe with fully integrated safety features, sits at the leading edge of this diversified portfolio. In addition to prefilled and hypodermic safety syringes with automatic, user-controlled needle retraction, Unilife has other proprietary technology platforms including drug reconstitution delivery systems, auto- injectors, auto-infusion pump systems, specialized devices for targeted organ delivery. Unilife’s global headquarters and state- of-the-art manufacturing facilities are located in York, PA.

www.unilife.com

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/Fundamentals/uns

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