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Japan Tragedy no Impact so far on Biota, Cellmid
16 March 2011
Biota and Cellmid are apparently the only two Australian-listed biotechnology companies with significant operations in Japan and both say they are unaffected at this stage.
Biota’s has partnered with the Tokyo-based Daiichi Sankyo and chief executive officer Peter Cook told Biotech Daily that so far Daiichi Sankyo’s operation had not been affected by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear reactor failures.
Mr Cook said the Daiichi Sankyo staff had remained in the office overnight on Friday
March 11, due to the collapse of the public transport system and made their way home the next day.
He said Biota was “very pleased to know that all our colleagues at Daiichi Sankyo were safe and sound”.
Cellmid said it had a number of collaborations and partnerships in Japan, but was “not aware that any of its programs are affected at this stage”.
Cellmid said its CK3000 trial at Kumamoto University on the southern island of Kyushu would continue to run as scheduled (BD: Nov 3, 2010).
The company said its Advangen hair loss products were manufactured in Chiba about 50km south east of Tokyo and the manufacturing facility was intact and production should not be affected.
Cellmid said its CS5000 trials were in preparation in Tokyo and were not expected to
commence until late in 2011 and “at this stage there is no delay expected”.
Cellmid said it had no laboratories or manufacturing facilities in Japan and its programs were conducted by partners or collaborators.
Cellmid said its advisers in Tokyo said that media reports of periodic, planned power
outlets, petrol shortage and interrupted public transport were correct.
“It is the testament to the resilience of our Japanese colleagues that they have continued working under these difficult conditions,” Cellmid said.
Cellmid said its board and staff wanted to express their heartfelt sympathies to the
Japanese people, our friends and colleagues.
Biotech Daily supports these sentiments.
Cellmid was up 0.1 cents or four percent to 2.6 cents.
Biota fell 1.5 cents or 1.6 percent to 92.5 cents with 1.5 million shares traded.
