The Business on ABC TV: Interview with Starpharma CEO Jackie Fairley
ABC News’ The Business Presenter Ticky Fullerton interviewed Starpharma CEO Dr Jackie Fairley on Thursday 10 April 2014. With the biotechnology sector predicted to offer some of the best growth, Ticky discussed the newly announced expansion of Starpharma’s drug delivery platform, the receipt of $4.7M of R&D tax incentives and its benefits for the Australian biotechnology industry and more Australian-based clinical trials.
Starpharma expands its Drug Delivery Program with AstraZeneca
Starpharma today announced the signing of a second, expanded agreement with AstraZeneca in the field of cancer medicine using Starpharma’s proprietary DEP™ dendrimer drug delivery technology.
The agreement follows on from an evaluation by AstraZeneca which began in September 2012 of Starpharma’s delivery technology. The new agreement will see the application of Starpharma’s technology to a cancer drug, from AstraZeneca’s pipeline.
VivaGel®-coated condom approved for marketing in Japan
Starpharma today announced that regulatory certification has been granted for marketing Starpharma’s VivaGel®-coated condom in Japan, the world’s second largest condom market. VivaGel® is licensed to Okamoto as a condom coating for the Japanese market. Okamoto is the market leader for condoms sold in Japan and has held this position for many years.
Starpharma receives $4.7M R&D tax incentives
Starpharma today announced it has received the anticipated $4.7M of R&D tax incentive relating to FY13 expenditures, following the lodgement of the Company’s annual income tax return.
Starpharma to present to US institutional investors
Starpharma will participate later today in the ASX Spotlight New York event. Starpharma is one of 15 ASX listed companies to be featured at the event, which is held annually to showcase emerging Australian companies before US institutional investors.
Starpharma Interim Report and Half-year Financial Results
Starpharma today released its interim report and financial results for the half-year ended 31 December 2013.
Financial Summary
- Reported loss of $5.6M (Dec 2012: $1.8M)
- R&D tax incentives of $2.6M reported in the half-year (Dec 2012: $6.8M)
- Cash position at 31 December 2013 of $27.8M
- R&D tax incentive receivables at 31 December 2013 of $7.3M
Appendix 4C - Quarterly Cashflow Report
Starpharma today released its Appendix 4C – Quarterly Cashflow report for the period ended 31 December 2013.
The cash balance at 31 December 2013 was $27.8 million, a net cash burn of $3.7 million for the quarter. The cash balance excludes the Company’s anticipated R&D tax incentive refund of $4.7 million receivable this financial year.
Starpharma commences Dendrimer-Docetaxel clinical trial
Starpharma today announced that it has received the necessary approvals to commence a phase 1 human clinical trial for its dendrimer-enhanced docetaxel (Taxotere®) chemotherapeutic product, referred to as DEP™-Docetaxel.
The trial will be conducted exclusively in Australia, at Nucleus Network's clinical facility at the AMREP/Alfred Hospital initially, with the plan to add 1 to 2 additional sites in the near future.
Starpharma to recoup additional $2 million for overseas R&D
Starpharma today announced that following a submission to AusIndustry, it is eligible to receive an additional estimated A$2.3 million cash in R&D tax incentive for overseas R&D activities for its Dendrimer-Docetaxel program.
Starpharma will also receive the 45% R&D tax incentive for eligible Australian expenditure for the Dendrimer-Docetaxel program, including the clinical trial that will commence shortly.
Cancer Australia funding for dendrimer-based lung treatment
Starpharma today announced that a program utilising its proprietary dendrimer-based nanoparticles which have already shown impressive activity in lung cancer models, have been awarded Cancer Australia funding through its collaboration with Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS).
The Cancer Australia grant was awarded to Dr Lisa Kaminskas and Prof Chris Porter at MIPS under its Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme to develop dendrimer drug delivery systems for the treatment of lung cancer.