This Month
CSL tumbles as investors fear RFK jnr’s vaccine plans
The White House appointment of the anti-vax conspiracy theorist is devastating ASX healthcare and biotech shares as he threatens to turn the FDA ‘on its head’.
- Updated
- Joshua Peach and Joanne Tran
Frozen Perth fund made a big bet on a German cannabis stock
Accounts for the $70-odd million vehicle show more than a third of its FUM is held in a single unlisted medicinal company.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
High-profile Perth fund manager freezes redemptions
Merchant’s other fund, the biotech fund, remains open, liquid and top-performing, delivering 24.73 per cent returns over the past six months.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Wilsons healthcare analyst jumps to Barrenjoey
Melissa Benson will work alongside Nick McGarrigle and Josh Kannourakis in the emerging companies team.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
October
Cochlear-backed medtech Epiminder seeks $200m val in pre-IPO raise
The company expects its implants to be commercially available in the US market in 2027.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Vitrafy Life Sciences fast-tracks IPO bookbuild
Vitrafy looks like it would raise $35 million for its ASX debut. Three existing investors – Regal, Thorney and Ryder Capital – are cornerstoning the book.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
CSL pulls studies, trials on three therapies in late-stage setback
The biotech giant has not ruled out expanding its pipeline of treatments through acquisitions after a number of projects were put on hold.
- Michael Smith
Ballarat’s Vitrafy Life Sciences preps IPO bookbuild for $117.5m float
IPO hopeful Vitrafy is led by Wesfarmers non-executive director and former Virtus Health boss Kate Munnings.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Meet the powerful sovereign wealth fund circling TPG’s $4b Novotech
It’s Singapore slings all round for dealmakers at Bain Capital and EQT with management meetings set for the last week of October.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
West African explorer Turaco Gold in $35m placement
A term sheet sent to potential investors said the miner would use the proceeds to fund drilling, metallurgical test work and infrastructure at its Afema project in Cote d’Ivoire.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Indicative offers land for TPG’s golden child, the $4b CRO Novotech
At least three credible players have come forward with first-round offers for Novotech, but that doesn’t mean the business has succeeded in seducing every dealmaker in town.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
September
Pro Medicus’ billionaire boss says simplicity secret of success
Pro Medicus’ stranglehold on cloud-imaging healthcare tech means its growth trajectory has a long way to go.
- Michael Smith
Nordic PE firm comes calling for Melbourne life sciences biz IonOpticks
The deal comes after this column revealed IonOpticks had mandated Rothschild to run a strategic review, with expectations of a circa $160 million valuation.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
August
- Exclusive
- Venture capital
How this research institute turned cancer success into a $66m VC fund
After banking $US325m from co-developing a blockbuster cancer drug, WEHI has begun making start-up investments seeking scientific breakthroughs from a new $66m fund.
- Tess Bennett
- Analysis
- Higher Education Awards
Winning strategy: Love hormone research bears multimillion-dollar deal
Comment provided by the joint winners of the Research Commercialisation award, the University of Sydney and UNSW.
- Michael Kassiou and Guan Heng Yeoh
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
‘I want to win every time’: The Olympic-style goal driving CSL’s boss
The company’s growth forecasts for next year are a touch weaker than the market expected. But inspired by the Games, CEO Paul McKenzie is focused on another goal.
- Updated
- James Thomson
Billionaire Salesforce boss tips into Sydney biotech incubator
Along with Marc Benioff, World Bank president Ajay Banga and Melbourne’s Churchill Asset Management all put in for a round that values the firm at $90 million.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
July
Heart medtech Anteris Technologies in $40m raise
The proceeds would fund development of its flagship DurAVR THV product which aims to mimic a healthy aortic valve.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Imricor Medical Systems in $35m raise
A presentation sent to potential backers said Imricor had spent 18 years and $US105 million ($155.7 million) on its technology.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
June
How China became a scientific superpower
From plant biology to superconductor physics, the country is at the cutting edge.
- The Economist