The ASX Healthcare index rose by 1.5% this morning, compared with the broader index which rose by 1.4%, helped by brain injury specialist, HitIQ (ASX:HIQ) which rose by 5.5%.

HIQ announced a deal with Bupa Dental for a trial of its concussion management technology with junior rugby players.

This is the first time a hi-tech mouthguard technology has been made available to junior rugby players in Australia to monitor head impacts, with the aim of enhancing grassroots concussion safety protocols.

The HITIQ mouth guards, currently used by professional AFL, rugby and NRL players, 
is embedded with force measuring sensors that record and interpret head impacts, and the accumulation of force from hits sustained during a game.

“This is a landmark trial that bridges the gap between dental care and general healthcare and safety for junior athletes,” says Bupa’s Managing Director of Health Services, Dr Dwayne Crombie.

“This has the potential to be a truly transformational offering, and we proud to be the first dental practice to offer HITIQ’s technology to Australian children.”

 

HIQ share price today:

 

 

Other ASX health and biotech stocks with announcements today

Amplia Therapeutics (ASX:ATX) +5%

The company announced that results of its Phase 1 clinical trial of AMP945 have confirmed that AMP945 was safe and well tolerated at all doses tested, supporting its progression into later stages of clinical development in both cancer and fibrosis.

The clinical trial, designated as AMP945-101, was conducted at Nucleus Network in Melbourne.

Amplia’s CEO and Managing Director, Dr John Lambert, commented: “This Phase 1 trial has delivered exactly what we wanted. We are now planning those trials and expect to start the Phase 2 trial in pancreatic cancer around the end of 2021.”

Ecofibre (ASX:EOF)  +3.4%

The company reported that unaudited revenue for Q4 was $7.3m, up 7% from the prior quarter ($6.8m) and down 3% on the prior corresponding period.

Post Hemp Black acquisition is near completion, with initial revenue streams in Q1 FY22 expected from multiple new clients.

Ecofibre is a provider of hemp products in the US and Australia.

In the US, the Ecofibre produces nutraceutical products for human and pet consumption, as well as topical creams and salves.

In Australia, the company grows and produces hemp food products including protein powders, de-hulled hemp seed and hemp oil.

Argenica Therapeutics (ASX:AGN) +2.5%

Argenica’s Chief Scientific Offer, Prof Bruno Meloni and his team at the Perron Institute, have secured a $290k cash grant to advance pre-clinical research of ARG-007 in preparation for Phase 1 trials.

The grant has been awarded to ascertain ARG-007’s ideal dose amount for neuroprotective response effectiveness when administered alone, or with clot dissolving tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) drug, in an experimental stroke model

Immutep (ASX:IMM) +1.4%

The company announced that its oversubscribed share purchase plan (SPP) is now completed, receiving an overall application funds of $7,175,720, exceeding the targeted of $5 million.

Immutep’s board has exercised its discretion to increase the size of the SPP to accept the full amount of applications.

The $7.1m funds raised from the SPP will be used to support its ongoing and planned immuno-oncology clinical development programs, its pre-clinical program in autoimmune disease and for general working capital purposes.

Total Brain (ASX:TTB) -1.72%

The digital mental healthcare company  has received commitments to raise approximately $6.5 million through the issue of new shares in the company.

This includes a placement of $2.5m at 26c a share, and a fully underwritten 1 for 7 entitlement offer of $4m.

 

 

Share prices today: