This Month
‘Next Cochlear’ launches ASX float to sell its ‘medical Lego’
Tetratherix, a medical device company backed by Xero founder Rod Drury, is set to make its ASX debut later this month with an ambitious global pitch for investors.
May
‘Game changer’ Alzheimer’s blood test cleared in the US
US regulators have approved the first blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, potentially making it easier to find and treat patients.
Disclosure doozy makes a mockery of Australia’s safe-haven fantasy
If you told a private-equity suitor about a regulatory headache, but not shareholders, was the event disclosable or not? A 15 per cent share price drop says Mayne Pharma got this one wrong.
The companies that are winners and losers from Labor’s landslide victory
Winners include healthcare diagnostics, vehicle financiers, and developers. Mortgage insurers, fuel suppliers, and automotive firms may face challenges.
The stage of life Australians can’t afford to ignore
Kate Carnell says federal funds for end-of-life planning would reduce costly hospitalisations and prevent unnecessary suffering.
The Aussie bringing Black Mirror-esque brain tech to reality
This neurologist has built technology allowing humans to control machines with just their thoughts. Now he’s racing Tesla’s founder to take it to the masses.
April
Pharmacy Guild coming to you from the Chairman’s Lounge
Labor has been remarkably kind to the chemists’ lobby group recently, but we suspect that’s more due to their choice of lobbyist than airline lounge access.
This $1.3b biotech is still run out of a spare bedroom in Melbourne
It’s been a volatile few years for Neuren, the neurological disorder treatment group which has seen shares rocket, then slump. Now it has a promising new drug.
Meet the 24-year-old Australian behind a $300m US start-up
Max Marchione moved to San Francisco to start Superpower and capitalise on the US’ under-resourced healthcare sector.
Eli Lilly issues warning for Australia as Trump signals pharma tariffs
In an interview, the US pharmaceuticals giant’s international chief says Australia has made no progress in making life easier for medicine developers.
Doctors say this show is first to get the emergency ward right
Binge’s unusually accurate medical drama The Pitt, starring Noah Wyle as a beleaguered intensive care physician, has become the talk of real-life hospital breakrooms.
Woolworths buys into telehealth consultations with $70m start-up
The supermarket giant’s pharmacy division has led a funding round in Hola Health, giving customers access to virtual doctor’s appointments and prescriptions.
March
How Ozempic and other GLP-1s are transforming much more than just waistlines
We don’t yet know how many Australians are taking the jab, but we’re certainly seeing the effects.
Doctors told him he was going to die. Then AI saved his life
In labs around the world, scientists are using AI to search among existing medicines for treatments that work for rare diseases.
Trump could target our healthcare system next. We don’t need to panic
If there are retaliatory tariffs because of standing up for our PBS jewel, so be it. That would be unfortunate and unfair, but Australia can weather it.
Do viruses trigger Alzheimer’s?
A growing group of scientists think so, and are asking whether antivirals could treat the disease
Uni side hustle grows to nearly $70m valuation
Three friends have turned their university side hustle into a software business after landing new venture capital investors.
Medical marijuana boom for Australian exporters
Australian Natural Therapeutics Group is considering raising money to fund a 500 per cent increase in cannabis production as global demand soars.
February
Albanese makes $8.5b Medicare overhaul his signature election policy
The prime minister will make Medicare the centrepiece of his re-election campaign, promising to spend big to eliminate patient costs for visits to the doctor.
$50m donation aims to foil ‘sneak thief of sight’
The University of Sydney has received its second major donation in just two weeks – this time to change the trajectory of 80 million glaucoma sufferers.