Policy

Biotron is preparing to advance its hepatitis B drug candidate into formal preclinical development after new laboratory studies found it showed strong antiviral activity against both hepatitis B and hepatitis D viruses, including in combination with an existing treatment for hepatitis delta.

Interim chief executive and managing director Gordon Naylor said CSL took decisive action during the year to simplify the organisation, strengthen commercial capabilities, and position newer therapies for growth.

Mesoblast has completed treatment of all 350 patients in its pivotal phase 3 trial of rexlemestrocel-L for chronic low back pain caused by inflammatory degenerative disc disease, putting the company on track for top-line results in mid-2027.

Dimerix has taken over sponsorship of a United States investigational new drug application for DMX-652, giving the Australian biotechnology company direct control of clinical development plans for its newly acquired acute kidney injury asset.

OncoSil Medical has received US Food and Drug Administration approval for its OncoSil device to treat patients with unresectable, non-metastatic distal cholangiocarcinoma, giving the Australian medical-device company a pathway into the world’s largest healthcare market.

Six Australian health and medical technology startups have secured a combined $13.5 million through the second funding round of CUREator+, as the national commercialisation program seeks to move locally developed therapies, diagnostics and digital health tools closer to patients and private investment.

QIMR Berghofer researchers have created a detailed new map of the chemical signals that influence heart function, in a development that could help accelerate the discovery of new treatments for heart disease.

CLINUVEL has identified a lead formulation from its VLRX L controlled-release injectable peptide platform and plans to progress it into further preclinical studies in the first quarter of 2027.

Perth biotechnology company Spartan Therapeutics says it plans to begin a human clinical trial in 2027 of a circular RNA platform designed to restore more youthful function in organs and tissues across the body.

Starpharma has completed its fully underwritten $32 million entitlement offer, securing strong backing from existing shareholders as it prepares to advance its DEP HER2-Lutetium oncology program into first-in-human clinical testing.

AusBiotech has unveiled the integrated program for the 2026 AusBiotech International Conference and AusMedtech Conference, bringing more than 250 speakers together across approximately 60 sessions on the Gold Coast in October.

Percheron Therapeutics, previously known as Antisense, has appointed biotech executive Dr Michael Baker as its new chief executive officer and managing director, as current CEO Dr James Garner prepares to leave the role for an overseas opportunity.