Biotechs crunchy, Mesoblast keen, LabTech launches and NeuroDiscovery averts pain.

Two local scientists are off to the BIO convention in June after winning the Advance BioBusiness award.

Gene silencing by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) has emerged as an extremely useful technology for discovery biology, but off-target activity has proved a stumbling block. Detailed mechanistic insights and chemical modification of siRNAs can now improve the robustness of RNAi experiments, as Kate McDonald reports.

Melbourne's Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has raised $3.6 million through a private placement to Australian and professional investors to fund the phase IIa trial of its antisense compound ATL1102 for patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Melbourne's Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has been granted approval to restart the phase IIa trial of its antisense compound ATL1102 for patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Biotech shares bucked the trend during the month of October - the Intersuisse biotechnology index gained 6.6 per cent in contrast to the All Ordinaries and the Nasdaq Biotech Index, which fell by 3.9 per cent and 3.8 per cent respectively.

Living Cell Technologies (ASX:LCT) has appointed US based neuroscientist Dr Dwaine F Emerich as chief scientific officer of LCT BioPharma. He has been LCT's US vice-president of research since 2003, joining the company from Sertoli Technologies.

Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has produced positive results from a 'proof-of-concept' study of its second generation antisense drug ATL1101 to suppress the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), which is under development as a cream for the topical treatment of the skin disorder psoriasis.

Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has claimed successful results from animal studies targeting the growth hormone receptor with an antisense drug, designed to reduce the growth of new blood vessels that can lead to two eye diseases which are major causes of blindness.

Melbourne's Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) is planning to restart the phase IIa trial of its lead drug candidate for multiple sclerosis ATL1102 before the end of the year, following recommendations from its advisory board.

Melbourne's Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has reported a full-year after-tax loss of AUD$6.2 million, up from $4.6 million from last year, in results described by CEO Mark Diamond as "good news tinged with less than positive news".