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Health & Biotech
At the time of writing, the ASX 200 Health Index (XHJ) is up by another 3.3%, while the benchmark ASX 200 has risen by 0.5%.
Cancer and fibrosis focused biotech Amplia Therapeutics (ASX:ATX) said its AMP945 drug improves effectiveness of current standard of care therapy in an animal model by using human pancreatic cancer cells.
Using this method, results have shown the addition of AMP945 pre-treatment to standard care gemcitabine/Abraxane chemotherapy regimen increased survival rate by 33%.
Previously in June 2021, Amplia had reported a 27% improvement in survival rate in the mouse model.
But in the study reported today, cancer cells derived from a human pancreas cancer were transplanted into the pancreas of laboratory mice.
Once pancreatic tumours were established, mice were treated either with gemcitabine/Abraxane, or AMP945 in combination with gemcitabine/Abraxane.
When intermittent oral doses of Amplia’s AMP945 were added to gemcitabine/Abraxane, survival increased by 33% compared to gemcitabine/Abraxane alone.
“We have run this model on several occasions using different FAK (focal adhesion kinase) inhibitors and now with AMP945,” commented Professor Paul Timpson of the Garvan Institute.
“This result clearly shows that AMP945 increases survival in this model, and is likely superior to other FAK inhibitors we have tested.”
In November, Amplia’s Phase 1 clinical trial demonstrated the ability of AMP945 to inhibit the intended target, FAK, in human volunteers when given as an orally administered capsule, boosting the company’s confidence for a Phase 2 trial.
Here’s the half yearly results announced by ASX healthcare stocks today:
Revenue of $3.2m, an increase of +193% on pcp.
Operating loss after tax of -$8.3m vs -$9.4m in the pcp.
The company’s B2B model gained momentum during the half with a number of new customers entering into supply agreements.
An upgrade to Cann’s Southern facility was also completed during the half, and a TGA licence for this facility was obtained in January.
With this license, Cann is now able to manufacture its own Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and medicinal cannabis products under cGMP conditions, which should result in substantial cost savings.
Positive progress was also made on the company’s major laboratory project at Mildura during the period, where construction is nearly complete and commissioning of various components is either finalised or underway.
Revenue of $101.0m, an increase of +11.2% on pcp.
EBITDA profit of $26.8m, an increased 8.5% on pcp.
MVF has continued its strategy of investing in growth, adding four new domestic fertility specialists during the half.
This has resulted in a market share increase of 0.7% in the half, with an overall market share of 20.8% in its key domestic market.
Monash has improved its clinical pregnancy rates from 32.6% in 2018 to 37.2% today.
The company declared an interim dividend of 2.2 cents per share, fully franked and above the 2.1 cents per share declared for 1H21.
Revenue of $6.488m, an increase of +1% on pcp.
EBITDA loss of -$0.673m vs $0.973m in the pcp.
Revenue was attributable almost entirely to the sale of its portfolio of proprietary glaucoma surgical devices.
Despite modest sales growth during the half, the company says it’s confident that progress on its next generation canaloplasty device, iTrackTM Advance is advancing well.
Commencement of pre-launch activities in Europe for this product could potentially provide an outlook for strong sales growth ahead, it said.
Record sales of $46.3m, up 26% on pcp.
EBITDA profit of $6m, down 30.3% on pcp.
The dental equipment specialist says sales in the half were underpinned by strong growth in all product categories and in most regions.
However, additional freight costs of $2.7m impacted product margins by 5.8%, with operating expenses up 23.1% on pcp.
Looking ahead, aesthetics and whitening products will continue to be the focus for new product development.
SDI maintained its interim fully franked ordinary dividend at 1.50 cents per share.
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
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