Vaccine approval

AUSTRALIAN Cancer Technology Limited is set to begin human trials of its p53 cancer vaccine, Pentrix, at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, after receiving all required approvals.

Success with the trials of the broad-application vaccine, to be conducted over the next year, is sure to attract international attention.

While Australian Cancer Technology managing director Alastair Cowden said earlier this year that he expected the market to take a while to realise the value of the vaccine research and trials, there was no anticipation of the overall current downturn in market trading.

Nonetheless, while Australian Cancer Technology shares fell to eight cents recently, they recovered to 14.5 cents earlier this week after announcements of the human trials and the appointment of international consultant and researcher Roger Aston as executive director, research and development.

Formerly a non-executive director of Australian Cancer Technology, Dr Aston will also assist the company with patent and regulatory issues.