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Several biotechs stood out this week, among an influx of company results.
Leading the pack was Melbourne-based Avexa.
The company announced very positive results in its Phase 2b trial for potential HIV treatment Apricitabine, or ATC.
Over a six month period, the drug was found to suppress the presence of HIV in the blood to below detectable levels - in over 80 per cent of tested patients.
Further, patients treated with ATC were shown to have higher levels of CD4 cells, essential for a healthy immune system.
This success in improving patient’s immune system means ATC now has the makings of a long term anti-HIV drug.
The safety of the drug is also looking good, with no serious adverse events having occurred to date. In addition, no patients withdrew from the trial due to side-effects.
Avexa now plan to present the results of the trial at an upcoming international HIV conference.
Melbourne-based Biodiem was another standout this week.
The company recently announced the commencement of four new studies on its peptide eye drug, BDM-E.
The news follows the success of BDM-E in treating angiogenic eye diseases.
The tests will evaluate BDM-E’s effectiveness on dry, age-related macular degeneration, or ARMD. The macula, located at the back of the eye, is the point where vision processing is most critical.
There is currently no treatment on the market for dry ARMD.
The drug will also be tested for potential applications to improve retinal inflammation and function from the onset of diabetes.
Currently BDME is being used in a clinical trial of diabetic retinopathy, with positive results expected in November.
Finally some news in the ongoing saga involving rivalry between suitors Primary Health Care and Health Scope, for takeover target Symbion.
Healthscope yesterday rejected an offer from Primary to participate in a joint takeover of Symbion.
The rejection is thought to centre around the future division of Symbion’s assets, with both Healthscope and Primary Health Care setting their sights on Symbion’s NSW pathology operation.
Primary, which has steadily been building a 20 per cent stake in Symbion, is now expected to launch a full takeover bid for Symbion early next week, in collaboration with a private equity firm.
Symbion shareholders are now set to vote on an existing $2.8 billion takeover bid from Health Scope next week.
Leading the pack was Melbourne-based Avexa.
The company announced very positive results in its Phase 2b trial for potential HIV treatment Apricitabine, or ATC.
Over a six month period, the drug was found to suppress the presence of HIV in the blood to below detectable levels - in over 80 per cent of tested patients.
Further, patients treated with ATC were shown to have higher levels of CD4 cells, essential for a healthy immune system.
This success in improving patient’s immune system means ATC now has the makings of a long term anti-HIV drug.
The safety of the drug is also looking good, with no serious adverse events having occurred to date. In addition, no patients withdrew from the trial due to side-effects.
Avexa now plan to present the results of the trial at an upcoming international HIV conference.
Melbourne-based Biodiem was another standout this week.
The company recently announced the commencement of four new studies on its peptide eye drug, BDM-E.
The news follows the success of BDM-E in treating angiogenic eye diseases.
The tests will evaluate BDM-E’s effectiveness on dry, age-related macular degeneration, or ARMD. The macula, located at the back of the eye, is the point where vision processing is most critical.
There is currently no treatment on the market for dry ARMD.
The drug will also be tested for potential applications to improve retinal inflammation and function from the onset of diabetes.
Currently BDME is being used in a clinical trial of diabetic retinopathy, with positive results expected in November.
Finally some news in the ongoing saga involving rivalry between suitors Primary Health Care and Health Scope, for takeover target Symbion.
Healthscope yesterday rejected an offer from Primary to participate in a joint takeover of Symbion.
The rejection is thought to centre around the future division of Symbion’s assets, with both Healthscope and Primary Health Care setting their sights on Symbion’s NSW pathology operation.
Primary, which has steadily been building a 20 per cent stake in Symbion, is now expected to launch a full takeover bid for Symbion early next week, in collaboration with a private equity firm.
Symbion shareholders are now set to vote on an existing $2.8 billion takeover bid from Health Scope next week.
