BUSINESS MATCHING AT BIO 2005
Australian Plant DNA Bank Ltd
Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
Avexa Limited
Baker Heart Research Institute
Benitec Australia Limited
BioPharmica Limited
Biota Holdings Limited
Biotron Limited
BresaGen Limited
The Burnet Institute
Cellulose Valley Institute
Clinical Network Services Pty Ltd
Clinical Trials Victoria
CollTech Australia Ltd
Cortical Pty Ltd
CSIRO
CSIRO Plant Industries
CSIRO Livestock Industries
Datapharm Australia Pty Ltd
EQiTX Limited
EvoGenix Pty Ltd
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Gene Stream Pty Ltd
Glykoz (Glycomics Discovery)
Griffith University
Gropep Ltd
IMBcom Pty Ltd
Institute for Child Health Research
Invetech
James Cook University
Medical Therapies
Meditech Research Ltd
Mimetica Pty Ltd
MiniFAB (Australia) Pty Ltd
Minomic Pty Ltd
Neurosciences Victoria Ltd
Origo Biotech Pty Ltd
Ozgene Pty Ltd
Phylogica Limited
Queensland Brain Institute
Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Solbec Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Stirling Products Limited
The University of Adelaide
Australian Plant DNA Bank Ltd
Overview
The Australian Plant DNA Bank is an innovative approach to the conservation and sustainable utilization of Australia’s diverse plant genetic resources. It offers unique solutions to research, assessment and documentation of biodiversity.
The Australian Plant DNA Bank Ltd provides a range of commercial DNA extraction and sample archiving services. In addition, biobanking services, novel genetic technologies for discovery of biological active products and support for the establishment of new biobanks are available from the Australian Plant DNA Bank Ltd. The Bank curates an extensive collection of DNA from wild and domesticated plants, supporting sustainable access to and conservation of biological resources.
Technology
A wide range of expertise and facilities exists to service plant genetics research and development. The Australian Plant DNA Bank Ltd use robotic platforms, which enable high sample throughput with increased accuracy.
Corporate Alliances/Partnerships
- Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics
- Grain Foods CRC Limited
- Puragrain Pty Limited
Partnering Opportunities
The Australian Plant DNA Bank seeks new collaborative and/or contract research opportunities with other organizations interested in leading-edge plant genetics, biodiscovery, genomics and biotechnology.
Core Business definition / Provide facilitated access to plant genetic material for research and development.
Compilation © AusBiotech 2004
Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
Overview
The University of Queensland's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)is an integrated multi-disciplinary research institute bringing together the skills of world-class researchers in the areas of bioengineering and nanotechnology.
Based in Brisbane, this integrated biotechnology-based institute merges the skills of the engineer, chemist, biologist and computational scientist who focus their efforts towards research that produces positive health and environmental outcomes, including:
- biomedical delivery;
- biodevices;
- tissue regeneration; and
- cell therapies.
Dedicated to bioengineering and nanotechnology the AIBN focuses its research efforts into four major programs:
- Nanotechnology for Energy and the Environment.
- Cell and Tissue Engineering.
- Systems Biotechnology.
- Biomolecular Nanotechnology.
Once construction is completed, the AIBN will be located in an AUD$60 million purpose built world-class research complex. The AIBN will accommodate over 300 research scientists, engineers and support personnel. Until construction of the facility is complete research groups of the AIBN will continue to work within modern and well equipped laboratories throughout UQ.
Avexa Limited
Overview
Avexa Limited is an ASX listed, Melbourne-based biotechnology company with a focus on research and development of anti-infectives.
The company is developing drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases, which have a significant unmet medical need. Avexa’s current programs focus on the areas of antiviral drugs for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and an antibiotic alternative for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Avexa announced in January 2005 that it had in-licensed a Phase II HIV drug from the global pharmaceutical company Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc, and would take the drug into a Phase IIb trial.
Core Business definition
The discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases. Avexa aims to discover and develop new classes of drugs or drugs that treat infections that are resistant to current therapies.
Competitive Advantages
Avexa's most advanced project is AVX754, a Phase 2 anti-HIV drug which was licensed from Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc. This drug is currently being developed and positioned as a first choice second regimen therapy for the treatment of drug-resistant HIV which arises during early HIV therapy.
The company has in-house and collaborative/contractual facilities and expertise to synthesise new chemical leads, rapidly screen these through in-vitro and in-vivo biological models for anti-infective activity, and undertake and manage early to late clinical development. Avexa has significant expertise and experience in the discovery and development of antiviral agents.
Technology
Avexa's antiviral drug-discovery technology is aimed at developing novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of HIV, HBV and serious antibiotic resistant bacterial infections. By using novel targets or assay systems able to identify unique leads Avexa's goal is to discover higher potency therapies which act in different ways against such diseases.
Avexa uses its expertise and know-how in computational modelling and computer assisted drug-design and -property prediction to design drugs to bind to specific biological targets. This technology has been successfully used in the discovery of a number of antiviral agents, and Avexa's own HIV-Integrase model leads itself ideally to this type of research.
Corporate Alliances/Partnerships
- Shire Pharmaceuticals on AVX754
Partnering Opportunities
One of Avexa's later projects is a novel antiviral for the treatment of HBV infections. This compound acts through a mechanism that is distinct from other anti-HBV treatments either on the market or in clinical development. As such this novel compound and those in its class could be ideal components of a combination therapy for the treatment of HBV infections. Avexa would be interested to discuss possible collaborations or partnerships that could help to accelerate this novel compound’s progress to market.
Partnering Needs
Avexa is seeking partners that would be interested in working with Avexa to accelerate its existing programs. Alternatively Avexa is also interested in exploring opportunities with companies that could benefit from Avexa’s expertise in developing drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases.
Baker Heart Research Institute
Overview
The Baker Heart Research Institute (Baker) is the premier cardiovascular research organisation in Australia, and is a World Health Organisation (WHO) centre for research and training in cardiovascular disease.
Our mission is to reduce death and disability from cardiovascular disease, and we achieve this through activities ranging from research at the laboratory bench to clinical trials and patient care. With an international reputation for research excellence, the Baker targets the two ends of the heart disease spectrum—the prevention of heart disease and stroke, and the treatment and prevention of heart failure.
Key Research Strengths
- Molecular neurocardiology
- Molecular endocrinology
- Diabetes complications
- Clinical physiology (vascular)
- Proteomics
Competitive Advantages
- Breadth and depth of expertise in the cardiovascular arena
- Proven track record of performance delivery
- Established reputation
- Strong brand name
- Leading academic cardiovascular scientists
- Geographically located in the AMREP cluster
- Baker facilities contiguous with the Heart Centre in the adjacent Alfred Hospital.
Technology
- State of the art technology
- Brand new building and facilities, including proteomics, confocal microscopy etc.
Corporate Alliances/Partnerships
Partnering Opportunities
Device and drug development for cardiovascular products
Benitec Australia Limited
Overview
Benitec is a leading international biotechnology company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange with its R&D and clinical operations centered in the heart of Silicon Valley in Mountain View, California, USA.
Benitec was founded in 1997 to develop and commercialize research from Queensland's Department of Primary Industries. Benitec’s core patents are jointly owned with Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the R&D arm of the Australian government. Benitec has been a pioneer in RNA interference (RNAi) since 1994 and was the first company to trigger RNAi in human cells and in live animals.
Benitec’s goal is to be the leader in the development of RNAi therapeutics using its proprietary DNA-directed RNAi (ddRNAi) technology, using both in-house research and strategic partnerships with academic and industry. Benitec was the first company to trigger RNAi in human cells and in whole mammals, and with CSIRO, holds the only issued patent estate covering RNAi in mammalian cells.
The Company has continued to expand its proprietary platform by developing a comprehensive suite of technologies to deliver the full potential of ddRNAi. Benitec’s customers and partners are international biopharmaceutical companies and research institutes. The Company is growing through strategic alliances and licensing for high value therapeutic and biomedical applications.
Number of employees: 19
Business Opportunity Focus:Development of RNAi Therapeutics
RNA Interference
RNA interference is a natural cellular mechanism that can be exploited to selectively eliminate the effect of any disease-causing gene by destroying its messenger RNA (mRNA). Destruction of the targeted mRNA prevents protein synthesis, effectively silencing the target gene.
The RNAi process is triggered by 21 bp double-stranded RNA, where one strand is complementary to a short sequence of the target mRNA. Benitec's ddRNAi technology involves introduction of a promoter-driven DNA construct into cells to produce double-stranded RNA which is cut by the ribonuclease Dicer into the 21 bp fragments that trigger RNAi and silence the target gene.
Competitive Advantages
Benitec’s ddRNAi technology offers a number of advantages over major competing technologies for gene silencing: ribozymes, antisense DNA and siRNAs:
- Enables Multi-targeting: The ability to target multiple genes is mandatory for developing therapies against deadly viruses such as HIV and hepatis C virus and for diseases such as cancer, diabetes and obesity.
- Disease Modelling: Traditional knockouts are a viable option only in mice. Transgenic ddRNAi technology enables gene knockouts in multiple animal species quickly and cheaply.
- High Throughput Functional Genomics: ddRNAi enables systematic knockdown of multiple genes, allowing the rapid characterization of gene function, a major initiative in the current post-genomic era.
Corporate Alliances/Partnerships
- City of Hope (COH, Los Angeles, California, USA)—Benitec and COH have developed a multi-RNA therapeutic for AIDS lymphoma, which will enter Phase I clinical trials in early 2006. A second AIDS collaboration is funded through Phase I clinical trials by a $7.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, USA. Other collaborators include the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, University of Washington and Colorado State University.
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research (Sydney, Australia)—Benitec exclusively licensed nucleic acid based therapies for diabetes and obesity from Garvan, targeting the c-Cbl research collaboration agreement for use of ddRNAi to identify and investigate the role of candidate genes in Type II diabetes and obesity.
- Combimatrix Corporation (Seattle, Washington, USA): collaboration to study possible off-target effects of RNAi therapeutics using CustomArrays from Combimatrix. CombiMatrix has nonexclusively licensed to Benitec pools of siRNAs as therapeutic agents against viral diseases, including two specific sequences against HIV that CombiMatrix previously exclusively licensed from its partner irsiCaixa.
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO, Australia)—joint ownership of core ddRNAi intellectual property. Benitec has worldwide exclusive commercialization rights for applications in human cells and the development of human therapeutics, and an interest in CSIRO applications to production of animals using ddRNAi.
- Tranzyme Inc. (Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA)—research agreement for joint development & marketing of advanced delivery of ddRNAi for biomedical applications in vitro and in vivo using Tranzyme’s proprietary lentivirus delivery system.
Technology Access
(Please contact Licensing)
- The ddRNAi patent estate: Benitec holds exclusive worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of ddRNAi for all human applications. Benitec offers attractive licenses for R&D and therapeutic activities to ensure broad application and technology access to ddRNAi.
- Minicircle DNA for gene delivery: Benitec has exclusive rights from Stanford University, with rights to sublicense, for all RNAi applications of Minicircles. Minicircles result in gene expression up to 500 times greater than that seen with traditional plasmid DNA in animal models(Chen, et al. Mol Ther 2001; 3:403-410), due to the removal of bacterial sequences in normal plasmid DNA that appear to inhibit prolonged gene expression.
Therapeutic ddRNAi Licenses
Research licenses to Benitec’s core technologies provide freedom to operate for commercial entities using ddRNAi technologies for therapeutic development. Benitec retains all rights to license, partner and collaborate with third parties wishing to use ddRNAi for therapeutic targets.
Commercial ddRNAi Licenses
For commercial entities using DNA-delivered RNAi to create genetically modified animals across a range of model organisms including mice, rats and primates, Benitec offers commercial licenses for freedom to operate.
Non-therapeutic ddRNAi Research Licenses
For commercial entities developing kits and reagents involving the use of ddRNAi technology to enable gene silencing, Benitec offers non-therapeutic research licenses for freedom to operate.
Minicircle DNA for gene delivery: For commercial entities that are interested to use minicircle DNA technology for research or therapeutic development, Benitec has exclusive rights to sublicense the technology for all RNAi applications.
Partnering opportunities
(Please contact Business Development)
Benitec also offers a number of partnering opportunities for both academia and industry for rapid adoption of RNAi for:
- Target validation in vitro and in vivo using siRNAs and shRNAs (ddRNAi). Leveraging its vast experience in the optimization of short hairpin RNAs for multiple targets, Benitec offers biotech/pharma companies rapid target validation and in vitro/in vivo assays to accelerate drug development. Please contact us for a comprehensive plan for target validation at highly competitive rates and with a rapid turnaround.
- Disease modelling in vitro and in vivo: RNAi has tremendous applications in rapidly modelling diseases by gene knockdown in both in vitro and in vivo systems, without the expense and long time lag for the creation of knockout mice. Benitec can create a customized plan for modelling diseases using user-identified target genes.
BioPharmica Limited
Overview
BioPharmica is working to commercialise a portfolio of Australian biomedical research discovered by leading Australian universities, medical institutes and hospitals targeting large global markets.
The Company has projects undergoing pre-clinical development in the areas of oncology, infectious diseases, depth of anaesthesia monitoring and fibre optic probes.
Number of employees
7
Business Opportunity Focus
Investment/Partner
Core Business definition
Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Therapeutics
Alliances
BioPharmica works with leading Australian universities, research institutes and hospitals including the University of Western Australia, the Laboratory for Cancer Medicine at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR), Swinburne University of Technology and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University. WAIMR combines the Royal Perth Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Fremantle Hospital and UWA. In addition pre-clinical work is being conducted at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Partners
Diagnostic Array Systems Pty Ltd and Cortical Dynamics Pty Ltd
Partnering Opportunities
Seeking overseas partners in the areas of oncology, infectious diseases, depth of anaesthesia monitoring and fibre optic probes.
Biota Holdings Limited
Overview
Biota is a world-leading antiviral drug discovery company with its headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. Biota was responsible for zanamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, subsequently launched by GlaxoSmithKline as Relenza™ for the treatment of influenza.
In partnership with Sankyo, Biota is developing second generation flu antivirals (LANI or long-acting neuraminidase inhibitors), and has discovery and development programs aimed at therapies for diseases caused by Human Rhinovirus (common cold), RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and hepatitis C. In partnership with Thermo Electron, Biota also markets the FLU OIA® diagnostics range for the rapid detection of influenza.
Number of employees
35
Specific focus of company
Antiviral drug discovery
Competitive Advantages
- World-recognised expertise in viral respiratory diseases, particularly influenza.
- Key management in place with outstanding industry experience and commercial partnering skills.
- Consolidation of corporate and research operations into new Australian facility, facilitating improved coordination of research programs and other synergies.
- A US base for optimal global business development activities.
Corporate Alliances/Partnerships
Partners
- Sankyo Co. Ltd (Japan): Biota’s joint venture partner on the development and commercialisation of long-acting neuraminidase inhibitors (LANI).
- Thermo Electron Corporation: US manufacturer and marketing partner of the FLU OIA and FLU OIA A/B rapid flu diagnostic kits.
- Aerogen Inc: Partner for the development of an aerosol formulation of CS-8958 (LANI compound), suitable for use with Aerogen’s proprietary Aeroneb® Go Micropump Nebuliser. In September 2004, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) granted Biota a three-year, US$5.6 million grant designed to accelerate the development of its LANI drug in a bulk dry powder form suitable for stockpiling and administration via a nebuliser.
Partnering Opportunities