Australian biotech has attracted US investments in the last 5 years. Picture Getty
Health & Biotech
The Australian biotech sector continues to attract significant investment from US investors.
Data from AusBiotech shows that over the period from 2018 to 2022, a total of US$1.43 billion was injected into the sector, representing 100 deals between US-based investors and Australian-headquartered life sciences companies.
Around US$139m representing 14 deals were reported in 2018, but that figure has ballooned to 24 deals representing US$642m in 2022.
Most of the funds were invested in sub-sector thematics such as therapeutics, drug discovery, and medical devices among others.
Notably, the research also singled out a rise in Australian ‘digital health’ companies receiving significant investment from the US over that five-year period.
The list of local biotechs being funded by US firms include unlisted names such as Eucalyptus (US$71 million plus an undisclosed seed round), and Harrison.ai (US$62 million of venture capital).
On the ASX, the biggest acquisition over the past year was that of Resapp Health, which was bought by US-based Pfizer in 2022 for about $121 million.
Another ASX company to be acquired by a US investor is aged care company Estia Health (ASX:EHE).
Estia recently signed a binding agreement to sell 100% of its shares to Boston-based Bain Capital for $3.20 each, in cash.
And at present, Washington D.C based private equity firm Carlyle is reportedly pursuing more stake in Opthea (ASX:OPT).
According to a recent report by the AFR, Carlyle has signalled its intention to take up an option to invest another $US50 million in the clinical-stage biotech, bringing its total investment to $US170 million.
Opthea’s lead drug candidate OPT-302 is an advanced-stage drug currently progressing to Phase 3 clinical trials. The drug could potentially hit the market soon as a treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).
Swipe or scroll to reveal the full table. Click headings to sort
| CODE | COMPANY | PRICE | 1 WEEK RETURN % | 1 MONTH RETURN % | 6 MONTH RETURN % | 1 YEAR RETURN % | MARKET CAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDX | Lumos Diagnostics | 0.11 | 9.38 | 66.67 | 114.29 | 94.44 | $46,561,505 |
| BDX | Bcaldiagnostics | 0.11 | -16.00 | 50.00 | 69.35 | 36.36 | $21,323,269 |
| BOT | Botanix Pharma Ltd | 0.19 | 4.05 | 48.08 | 156.67 | 143.67 | $262,921,410 |
| ICR | Intelicare Holdings | 0.02 | 36.36 | 36.36 | -16.67 | -53.60 | $2,715,900 |
| IRX | Inhalerx Limited | 0.05 | 0.00 | 28.57 | -10.00 | -19.64 | $8,539,513 |
| HXL | Hexima | 0.02 | 4.55 | 27.78 | 43.75 | 64.29 | $3,841,911 |
| ANP | Antisense Therapeut. | 0.07 | 22.64 | 20.37 | -34.01 | -24.42 | $60,403,513 |
| CU6 | Clarity Pharma | 1.07 | 4.39 | 20.22 | 21.59 | 49.65 | $288,045,156 |
| RHT | Resonance Health | 0.06 | -15.49 | 20.00 | 15.38 | -18.92 | $27,651,119 |
| NXS | Next Science Limited | 0.65 | 12.07 | 18.18 | -10.96 | -29.35 | $139,613,587 |
| HGV | Hygrovest Limited | 0.05 | 17.78 | 17.78 | -24.29 | -19.70 | $11,146,462 |
| CMP | Compumedics Limited | 0.20 | 11.11 | 17.65 | 11.11 | -27.27 | $31,003,516 |
| AVE | Avecho Biotech Ltd | 0.01 | -22.22 | 16.67 | -22.22 | -41.67 | $15,135,146 |
| RNO | Rhinomed Ltd | 0.08 | 0.00 | 15.38 | -18.48 | -55.88 | $20,000,379 |
| TSN | The Sust Nutri Grp | 0.01 | 0.00 | 11.11 | -47.37 | -92.86 | $1,409,029 |
| 1ST | 1St Group Ltd | 0.01 | 0.00 | 11.11 | 11.11 | 11.11 | $14,169,912 |
| SHG | Singular Health | 0.04 | -14.58 | 7.89 | -58.16 | -65.83 | $5,935,031 |
| BIT | Biotron Limited | 0.03 | 3.57 | 7.41 | 11.54 | -49.25 | $26,156,402 |
| KZA | Kazia Therapeutics | 0.15 | -3.33 | 7.41 | 16.00 | -39.58 | $36,634,153 |
| CYC | Cyclopharm Limited | 2.51 | 6.36 | 7.27 | 67.33 | 73.10 | $251,374,154 |
| ALA | Arovella Therapeutic | 0.05 | 10.64 | 6.12 | 67.74 | 108.00 | $44,196,275 |
| EZZ | EZZ Life Science | 0.61 | -7.58 | 6.09 | 52.50 | 76.81 | $23,060,700 |
| NC6 | Nanollose Limited | 0.06 | 3.57 | 5.45 | -3.33 | -14.71 | $8,635,409 |
| PIQ | Proteomics Int Lab | 0.84 | 1.82 | 5.00 | -12.50 | -11.11 | $107,654,554 |
| ATX | Amplia Therapeutics | 0.09 | 10.00 | 3.53 | 3.53 | -23.48 | $17,072,509 |
| AMT | Allegra Orthopaedics | 0.06 | 0.00 | 3.45 | 9.09 | -64.71 | $6,267,552 |
| CGS | Cogstate Ltd | 1.43 | 1.06 | 2.89 | -8.65 | -15.93 | $249,388,052 |
| IMC | Immuron Limited | 0.08 | 6.76 | 2.60 | 5.33 | -12.22 | $17,768,271 |
| VLS | Vita Life Sciences.. | 1.52 | 5.57 | 2.36 | 2.71 | -22.31 | $81,741,237 |
| PTX | Prescient Ltd | 0.08 | -4.43 | 2.03 | -11.18 | -56.86 | $57,979,425 |
| NEU | Neuren Pharmaceut. | 13.08 | 5.74 | 0.93 | 78.44 | 127.48 | $1,632,697,220 |
| ALT | Analytica Limited | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | $4,613,801 |
| ADR | Adherium Ltd | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 14.29 | -50.00 | $19,997,633 |
| BP8 | Bph Global Ltd | 0.00 | 25.00 | 0.00 | -81.01 | -81.01 | $3,336,824 |
| MEB | Medibio Limited | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 50.00 | 0.00 | $9,151,116 |
| AN1 | Anagenics Limited | 0.02 | -5.00 | 0.00 | -13.64 | -40.06 | $6,946,779 |
| AC8 | Auscann Grp Hlgs Ltd | 0.04 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -2.44 | $17,621,884 |
| MVF | Monash IVF Group Ltd | 1.22 | 3.39 | 0.00 | 17.31 | 22.61 | $463,665,460 |
| BWX | BWX Limited | 0.20 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 11.11 | -68.25 | $39,997,500 |
| CTE | Cryosite Limited | 0.65 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -18.24 | -10.96 | $31,726,216 |
| MX1 | Micro-X Limited | 0.12 | 14.29 | 0.00 | -7.69 | -9.43 | $61,970,999 |
| PYC | PYC Therapeutics | 0.06 | -3.33 | 0.00 | -24.68 | -12.12 | $216,506,294 |
| TD1 | Tali Digital Limited | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -66.67 | -76.00 | $3,295,156 |
| MDC | Medlab Clinical Ltd | 6.60 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -50.38 | $15,071,113 |
| NOX | Noxopharm Limited | 0.04 | -5.26 | 0.00 | -62.11 | -84.00 | $10,812,804 |
| ATH | Alterity Therap Ltd | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -22.22 | -53.33 | $17,079,283 |
| EPN | Epsilon Healthcare | 0.02 | 4.76 | 0.00 | -12.00 | -40.54 | $6,607,788 |
| IBX | Imagion Biosys Ltd | 0.02 | -6.25 | 0.00 | -34.78 | -60.53 | $20,892,265 |
| PCK | Painchek Ltd | 0.03 | 3.33 | 0.00 | 10.71 | 14.81 | $40,237,676 |
| PBP | Probiotec Limited | 2.63 | -1.13 | -1.13 | 14.35 | 19.00 | $213,067,324 |
| TLX | Telix Pharmaceutical | 11.11 | 12.56 | -1.24 | 59.17 | 85.48 | $3,427,457,631 |
| OCC | Orthocell Limited | 0.39 | 0.00 | -1.27 | 1.30 | 4.00 | $77,934,713 |
| RCE | Recce Pharmaceutical | 0.70 | 0.72 | -2.10 | 22.27 | -12.50 | $124,778,017 |
| SDI | SDI Limited | 0.86 | 1.18 | -2.29 | -1.72 | -2.84 | $102,224,356 |
| DXB | Dimerix Ltd | 0.07 | 1.45 | -2.78 | -38.05 | -49.11 | $27,409,570 |
| AHC | Austco Healthcare | 0.17 | -5.56 | -2.86 | 36.00 | 41.67 | $49,434,328 |
| RAD | Radiopharm | 0.10 | 10.34 | -3.03 | -26.15 | -46.32 | $22,256,112 |
| RAD | Radiopharm | 0.10 | 10.34 | -3.03 | -26.15 | -46.32 | $22,256,112 |
| ADO | Anteotech Ltd | 0.03 | 0.00 | -3.23 | -40.00 | -50.00 | $67,423,094 |
| PSQ | Pacific Smiles Grp | 1.40 | 9.80 | -3.45 | 21.74 | -9.68 | $219,425,165 |
| CAN | Cann Group Ltd | 0.13 | 4.00 | -3.70 | -22.91 | -50.55 | $53,225,511 |
| PAA | Pharmaust Limited | 0.08 | 11.43 | -3.70 | -2.50 | -7.14 | $27,901,995 |
| CBL | Control Bionics | 0.08 | -2.56 | -3.80 | -55.29 | -65.45 | $7,885,487 |
| ALC | Alcidion Group Ltd | 0.12 | 0.00 | -4.00 | -11.11 | -20.00 | $152,168,286 |
| CAJ | Capitol Health | 0.23 | -2.17 | -4.26 | -16.67 | -28.57 | $234,478,069 |
| VTI | Vision Tech Inc | 0.22 | 0.00 | -4.35 | -26.67 | -29.03 | $6,977,788 |
| IDT | IDT Australia Ltd | 0.07 | -4.41 | -4.41 | -1.52 | -51.85 | $22,836,915 |
| CHM | Chimeric Therapeutic | 0.04 | 0.00 | -5.13 | -45.59 | -67.83 | $19,587,909 |
| PNV | Polynovo Limited | 1.50 | -3.70 | -5.22 | -39.13 | 10.11 | $1,021,544,471 |
| TRP | Tissue Repair | 0.27 | -1.85 | -5.36 | 10.42 | -24.29 | $12,396,794 |
| PGC | Paragon Care Limited | 0.22 | -2.27 | -6.52 | -18.87 | -44.16 | $145,056,104 |
| ZNO | Zoono Group Ltd | 0.04 | -4.44 | -6.52 | -40.42 | -65.21 | $8,166,890 |
| AT1 | Atomo Diagnostics | 0.03 | -6.67 | -6.67 | -40.43 | -58.21 | $17,897,665 |
| MDR | Medadvisor Limited | 0.21 | -4.65 | -6.82 | -24.07 | 36.67 | $114,684,945 |
| ARX | Aroa Biosurgery | 0.85 | -2.31 | -7.14 | -21.76 | 11.18 | $295,074,142 |
| TRU | Truscreen | 0.02 | 0.00 | -7.69 | -12.73 | -45.45 | $9,999,408 |
| OSL | Oncosil Medical | 0.01 | 20.00 | -7.69 | -57.80 | -75.79 | $23,710,094 |
| ACR | Acrux Limited | 0.05 | -4.08 | -7.84 | -22.95 | -21.67 | $13,544,246 |
| ONE | Oneview Healthcare | 0.22 | -2.27 | -8.51 | 117.17 | 65.38 | $145,133,051 |
| 1AD | Adalta Limited | 0.02 | -4.55 | -8.70 | -47.50 | -58.00 | $9,272,052 |
| AGH | Althea Group | 0.04 | 2.50 | -8.89 | -12.77 | -55.91 | $15,872,828 |
| OSX | Osteopore Limited | 0.07 | -2.78 | -9.09 | -43.37 | -72.77 | $10,844,304 |
| NSB | Neuroscientific | 0.09 | 0.00 | -9.09 | -2.17 | -62.50 | $13,014,438 |
| LCT | Living Cell Tech. | 0.01 | 3.57 | -9.38 | 54.53 | 33.46 | $22,899,050 |
| UBI | Universal Biosensors | 0.24 | -7.69 | -9.43 | -20.00 | -11.11 | $50,968,664 |
| IMM | Immutep Ltd | 0.28 | 3.70 | -9.68 | 18.50 | 1.57 | $326,509,207 |
| OIL | Optiscan Imaging | 0.07 | -2.63 | -9.76 | -19.66 | -37.07 | $61,793,019 |
| JTL | Jayex Technology Ltd | 0.01 | 0.00 | -10.00 | -10.00 | 0.00 | $2,531,507 |
| PAB | Patrys Limited | 0.01 | 0.00 | -10.00 | -65.38 | -64.00 | $16,459,579 |
| BPH | BPH Energy Ltd | 0.02 | 0.00 | -10.00 | 0.00 | -26.64 | $15,814,003 |
| CYP | Cynata Therapeutics | 0.13 | -3.70 | -10.34 | -58.73 | -62.86 | $22,453,973 |
| 4DX | 4Dmedical Limited | 0.65 | 3.20 | -12.24 | 63.29 | 25.24 | $217,433,520 |
| NTI | Neurotech Intl | 0.05 | 6.38 | -12.28 | -1.96 | -49.49 | $41,947,655 |
| MEM | Memphasys Ltd | 0.01 | -6.67 | -12.50 | -6.67 | -51.72 | $13,433,285 |
| RHY | Rhythm Biosciences | 0.40 | 6.67 | -13.04 | -58.33 | -70.59 | $81,739,508 |
| SOM | SomnoMed Limited | 0.76 | -10.59 | -14.61 | -38.46 | -42.42 | $62,483,283 |
| VHT | Volpara Health Tech | 0.76 | -6.75 | -14.61 | -3.18 | 23.58 | $193,312,314 |
| IPD | Impedimed Limited | 0.18 | -16.67 | -14.63 | 191.67 | 157.35 | $353,286,772 |
| EXL | Elixinol Wellness | 0.01 | 0.00 | -15.38 | -56.00 | -68.57 | $6,866,101 |
| DVL | Dorsavi Ltd | 0.01 | -8.33 | -15.38 | -15.38 | -15.38 | $6,123,278 |
| IIQ | Inoviq Ltd | 0.71 | -4.73 | -16.57 | 38.24 | 23.68 | $64,873,185 |
| IVX | Invion Ltd | 0.01 | 0.00 | -16.67 | -28.57 | -50.00 | $32,108,161 |
| HCT | Holista CollTech Ltd | 0.01 | 0.00 | -16.67 | -50.00 | -74.36 | $2,788,001 |
| GLH | Global Health Ltd | 0.14 | -6.67 | -17.65 | -20.00 | -63.16 | $8,126,935 |
| PXS | Pharmaxis Ltd | 0.04 | 5.13 | -18.00 | -8.89 | -46.05 | $28,819,483 |
| MVP | Medical Developments | 0.94 | -9.22 | -18.70 | -35.52 | -46.72 | $84,147,589 |
| S66 | Star Combo | 0.10 | -13.64 | -19.15 | -36.67 | -56.82 | $14,859,128 |
| LBT | LBT Innovations | 0.02 | -9.09 | -20.00 | -62.96 | -73.68 | $6,650,161 |
| GTG | Genetic Technologies | 0.00 | 0.00 | -20.00 | -42.86 | -50.00 | $23,083,316 |
| VBS | Vectus Biosystems | 0.40 | 0.00 | -20.00 | -40.74 | -52.38 | $21,275,808 |
| IHL | Incannex Healthcare | 0.08 | -17.00 | -20.95 | -42.76 | -64.68 | $130,134,849 |
| M7T | Mach7 Tech Limited | 0.75 | 3.45 | -21.47 | 17.19 | 5.63 | $176,594,320 |
| OPT | Opthea Limited | 0.43 | -23.78 | -21.81 | -45.69 | -60.05 | $205,550,151 |
| ILA | Island Pharma | 0.08 | -8.24 | -22.00 | -3.70 | -54.12 | $6,420,209 |
| BXN | Bioxyne Ltd | 0.01 | 0.00 | -22.22 | -41.67 | 0.00 | $28,524,681 |
| RSH | Respiri Limited | 0.03 | 10.71 | -22.50 | -43.64 | -31.11 | $31,158,325 |
| DOC | Doctor Care Anywhere | 0.05 | -12.96 | -22.95 | -29.85 | -53.00 | $16,865,543 |
| BNO | Bionomics Limited | 0.01 | -16.67 | -23.08 | -65.52 | -80.00 | $14,687,354 |
| CDX | Cardiex Limited | 0.15 | -6.45 | -23.68 | -44.23 | -50.00 | $20,834,111 |
| AHK | Ark Mines Limited | 0.20 | 5.26 | -24.53 | 0.00 | -33.33 | $9,028,952 |
| GSS | Genetic Signatures | 0.46 | -9.80 | -24.59 | -45.88 | -53.54 | $64,532,698 |
| EYE | Nova EYE Medical Ltd | 0.19 | -20.83 | -26.92 | -17.39 | -25.49 | $36,216,830 |
| ACW | Actinogen Medical | 0.03 | 0.00 | -29.65 | -68.64 | -66.20 | $45,406,304 |
| RGS | Regeneus Ltd | 0.01 | -30.00 | -30.00 | -41.67 | -85.71 | $2,145,058 |
| PAR | Paradigm Bio. | 0.66 | 0.00 | -30.16 | -51.11 | -48.03 | $172,093,374 |
| MXC | Mgc Pharmaceuticals | 0.00 | -33.33 | -33.33 | -77.78 | -88.24 | $7,784,719 |
| IMU | Imugene Limited | 0.07 | -5.07 | -34.50 | -49.62 | -71.52 | $430,558,339 |
| ZLD | Zelira Therapeutics | 1.10 | 19.57 | -36.23 | 4.76 | -28.57 | $13,616,586 |
| ZLD | Zelira Therapeutics | 1.10 | 19.57 | -36.23 | 4.76 | -28.57 | $13,616,586 |
| RAC | Race Oncology Ltd | 0.80 | -5.88 | -39.39 | -62.62 | -60.59 | $132,901,056 |
| ME1 | Melodiol Glb Health | 0.01 | 0.00 | -41.67 | -46.15 | -80.56 | $20,256,243 |
| NYR | Nyrada Inc. | 0.03 | -3.70 | -48.00 | -78.33 | -81.43 | $4,056,226 |
Market darling Lumos was the best biotech over the past month after a slew of newsflow.
The company earlier reported that a core patent covering the camera technology used in its reader platform has been granted for Europe and Japan.
Lumos also announced an agreement with Henry Schein B.V. for the FebriDx point-of-care test. The agreement further expands the distribution of FebriDx through Henry Schein’s Medical business to include the Netherlands.
And on Wednesday, Lumos reported that its commercial services revenue for FY23 was US$10.2m, up from US$9.4 million in FY22.
Botanix appointed Dr Howie McKibbon as CEO, effective 24 August.
Dr McKibbon was previously chief operating officer for Botanix, and has more than 25 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He has personally led the successful launch of more than 15 products, according to the ASX release.
Botanix says the appointment comes at an important time in the development of Botanix, with the acceleration of commercial activities in preparation for the pending launch of Sofpironium Bromide.
The FDA approval of Sofpironium Bromide is targeted for the end of September.
Clarity announced that the first participant of cohort 4 of the theranostic CL04 trial investigating 64Cu/67Cu SARTATE in neuroblastoma has been treated at the highest dose cohort of 375MBq/kg body weight.
Ealier, Cohort 3 was successfully completed in 3 participants with neuroblastoma who received therapy with 67Cu SARTATE at a dose of 275MBq/kg body weight.
Clarity also said that the first participant of cohort 3 in the theranostic SECuRE trial investigating 64Cu/67Cu SAR-bisPSMA in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has been treated at the highest dose level of 12GBq.
Earlier, Cohort 2 was completed in three participants who received therapy with 67Cu SAR-bisPSMA at the dose level of 8GBq.
Resonance says it has been contracted by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, an Indian based publicly listed multinational pharmaceutical company.
Under the agreement, Resonance, through its wholly owned subsidiary, CRO Services, will serve as CRO (Contract Research Organization) and local sponsor for Sun, engaging and making payment to the institutions, trial sites, and the vendors needed to conduct the clinical trial.
Resonance will also provide its imaging analysis services to Sun at various timepoints throughout the clinical trial, along with exploratory laboratory biomarker assessment services.
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
