Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Creso Pharma delivers cannabis product to South Africa

Creso Pharma has completed the delivery of its first shipment of cannaQIX to South Africa where it will be sold by local company Pharma Dynamics under the Cannamics brand. CannaQIX is a range of cannabidiol hemp oil-based neutraceuticals which aim to reduce stress and support mental and nervous functions.

Brickworks profit hit revealed

Brickworks has revealed the extent of its profit hit for the first half of 2020 brought about by a poor performing investment in Washington H. Soul Pattinson. The diversified company, which owns shares and property as well as extensive brickmaking interests, recorded underlying earnings before interest and tax down 36 per cent of $135 million on turnover steady at $449 million. While five of the company’s US brick plants are closed because of the coronavirus, the integration of its US businesses is proceeding well.

Amplia drug awarded ‘orphan’ status

Anti-cancer drug developer Amplia Therapeutics’ AMP945 treatment for pancreatic cancer has been awarded ‘orphan status’ by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a move which will accelerate clinical trials and potentially commercialisation. The drug is a Focal Adhesion Kinase inhibitor (FAKi) developed for pancreatic cancer. Orphan drug status is awarded in cases where few or no treatments exist allowing accelerated development timelines.

Respiri raises $2 million

Asthma and breathing technology group Respiri has successfully raised $2 million from institutional investors. The raising, to be followed by a $1 million share placement, will fund the market development of its Wheezo device, a connected home-monitoring system for asthma sufferers.

Picture: Brickworks/UTS Sydney business school

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