Press Releases
Breast Cancer Patients Can Access New Interest-Free Payment Plan for Genomic Test That May Help Them Avoid Chemotherapy
Melbourne, Australia, 15 March 2021: BREAST cancer patients who wish to have a genomic test that may help them to avoid chemotherapy can now take out interest-free payment plans of up to two years to pay for the test, following an exclusive arrangement between independent pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA) and Latitude Finance.
New Drug for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST) to be Launched in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia Following Distribution Agreement
Singapore, 06 November 2020: A NEW therapy to treat advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) will be available to patients in Australia, New Zealand and in some parts of South East Asia, following an exclusive distribution agreement.
STA Named Employer of Choice in 2020 ABA Business Awards
Melbourne, Australia, 8 October 2020: Independent pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA) has been recognised as an Employer of Choice in The Australian Business Awards 2020.
ST Asia Executive Appointments
Singapore, 23 July 2020: Independent pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Asia (ST Asia) has appointed two senior executives to its Singapore team, as it drives commercialisation of new oncology products in the region.
New Early Breast Cancer Drug Now Approved in Malaysia
Singapore, 17 July 2020: A NEW breast cancer drug shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence is now approved for use in Malaysia.
New Small Cell Lung Cancer Drug Accepted for TGA Evaluation under Project Orbis
Singapore and Melbourne, Australia, 3 June 2020: A NOVEL marine-derived drug to treat Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) has been granted a provisional designation by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), based on encouraging results from an international trial evaluating its safety and efficacy in several solid tumours, including SCLC.
New Early Breast Cancer Drug Available Now in Singapore
Singapore, 23 April 2020: A NEW breast cancer drug shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence is now commercially available to Singapore patients.
Specialised Therapeutics Signs Exclusive Deal for New Haematology Drug
Singapore, 18 December, 2019: Independent pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Asia has signed an exclusive license deal with US-based Onconova Therapeutics, securing commercialisation rights to a new therapy for the treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).
New Early Breast Cancer Drug Approved by Singapore Health Sciences Authority
Singapore, 3 December, 2019: A NEW breast cancer drug shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence has received approval in Singapore – at least six months ahead of its expected schedule.
STA to market sarcoma drug in Australia, New Zealand and SE Asia following license deal
Singapore and Melbourne, Australia, 14 October 2019: Independent pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Asia (STA) has signed a new license deal, enabling it to provide a global advanced sarcoma therapy to patients in Australia, New Zealand and throughout SE Asia.
New drug for diabetes-induced vision loss TGA-approved for Australian patients
Melbourne, Australia and Atlanta, Georgia, 5 August 2019: Australian patients with diabetes-induced eye disease can now access a new treatment option that provides consistent and continuous treatment with long-lasting effect.
Specialised Therapeutics Asia unveils ‘Track and Trace’ pharma model to boost drug security, improve patient safety
Singapore, 17 May 2019: Independent pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Asia (STA) is launching an innovative tracking system that will enable real time monitoring of every unit of drug product provided through its supply chain – from packing to patient.
New Early Breast Cancer Drug to Reduce Risk of Recurrence or Death Approved for Australian Women1
Australia, 19 March 2019: A NEW drug shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence or death in an aggressive form of breast cancer has today been approved for use in Australian patients.
New Early Breast Cancer Drug to be made available in Singapore via Special Access Program
Singapore, 18 February 2019: A NEW breast cancer drug shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence is being made available to women in Singapore from today via a Special Access Program
World-First Approval For Multiple Myeloma Drug Aplidin®
Singapore, December 11, 2018: Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration approves APLIDIN (plitidepsin) for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients
Specialised Therapeutics to Collaborate with Pharmacy Phusion to Improve Patient Outcomes
Singapore, November 2, 2018: Independent pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics (ST) has struck a new agreement with specialty pharmacy services group Pharmacy Phusion to assist with the distribution and patient support for a new medicine that treats HER2 overexpressing early-stage breast cancer.
New PBS listing for Leukaemia Drug ICLUSIG™ (ponatinib)
Singapore, September 1, 2018: A DRUG currently used to treat Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from today as a new treatment for another aggressive form of the disease.
Specialised Therapeutics Celebrates 10 Years and Unveils Expansion Plan
Melbourne, Australia 27 August 2018: Privately-held pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia will today mark its 10th anniversary, unveiling new Australian headquarters and a business plan to drive healthcare innovation over the next decade.
Specialised Therapeutics Asia Initiates Early Access Program for Neratinib
Singapore, 5 April 2018: Specialised Therapeutics Asia today announces the initiation of an early access program for neratinib, an extended adjuvant treatment for early-stage HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer.
New Early-Breast Cancer Drug to be Made Available in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia following License Deal
Singapore, 23 November 2017: A NEW breast cancer drug shown to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence will soon be made available in Australia, New Zealand and throughout South-East Asia, following a key license deal between Specialised Therapeutics Asia (ST Asia) and US biopharmaceutical company Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBYI)
Federal Government Rejects Funding Bid for Novel Breast Cancer Test that may Spare Women from Chemotherapy
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 4 OCTOBER 2017: The Federal Government’s peak advisory committee for Medicare funding has rejected calls from doctors, patients and the pharma industry to fund a novel breast cancer test that may spare thousands of Australian women from enduring unnecessary chemotherapy.
Brain Surgery Breakthrough: New Zealand Neurosurgeon Pioneers NZ-First Technique
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 31 May 2017: A 33 year old Wellington mother of two has become the first New Zealand patient to be treated with a novel brain cancer visualisation drug that 'lights up' tumours during surgery to enable more complete removal of the malignant tissue.
Specialised Therapeutics Asia to License a Promising Anti-Cancer Compound Lurbinectedin (PM1183) for South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand
SINGAPORE and MELBOURNE, Australia, May 17, 2017. International biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Asia (ST Asia) is set to commercialise a promising new anti-cancer drug throughout South East Asia, after signing a second major licensing deal with European pharmaceutical company PharmaMar.
Brain Tumour Visualisation Drug GLIOLAN to be listed on NZ Hospital Medicines List from 1 June
Singapore, Melbourne and Auckland, 28 April 2017: A NOVEL drug which ‘lights up’ malignant brain tumours to help surgeons more thoroughly resect the cancer tissue will be widely available to New Zealand patients from 1 June, after a leading neurosurgeon applied for its reimbursement.
Specialised Therapeutics to Remove Territory Sales Incentives from Staff Bonus Plan
February 1, 2017: In-field representatives will no longer receive incentive payments based on prescription volumes. STA introducing model to improve transparency, relationships with healthcare professionals.
Specialised Therapeutics to Relaunch GELCLAIR in Australia
April 4, 2017: Independent pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Asia (ST Asia) will today relaunch a product used to relieve the pain of oral mucositis, a condition that can affect cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
Study Finds ABRAXANE Combination Chemotherapy is Superior to Other Chemotherapy Combinations in Women with Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer
December 23, 2016: An international study has found that women with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) demonstrated improved progression-free survival when treated with a combination of ABRAXANE (nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel) and carboplatin, compared to other chemotherapy combinations.
Aeterna Zentaris and Specialised Therapeutics Asia Sign Exclusive License Agreement for the Potential Marketing of Zoptrex™ in Australia and New Zealand
October 12, 2016: Aeterna Zentaris Inc. and STA today announced the signing of an exclusive license agreement for the Company’s lead investigational anti-cancer compound, Zoptrex™ (zoptarelin doxorubicin), for the territories of Australia and New Zealand.
Specialised Therapeutics Strikes Deal With World Courier Australia To Manage Logistics For Specialty Pharma Products
June 16, 2016: International biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia has struck an important agreement with global logistics partner World Courier Australia (WCA) to manage and handle its growing portfolio of specialist healthcare products around the country.
Novel Multiple Myeloma Drug APLIDIN® Shows Positive Results in Pivotal Phase 3 Study
March 31, 2016: International biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Asia Pte Ltd (ST Asia) will seek regulatory approvals for novel multiple myeloma drug Aplidin® (plitidepsin) following the release of positive results in a pivotal Phase 3 study.
Specialized Therapeutics Grants Sublicense for Anti-Emetic Products to Mundipharma for Australia and New Zealand
March, 2016: Specialized Therapeutics Pty Ltd and Mundipharma Pty Limited today announce a sublicense agreement enabling Mundipharma to assume all commercialisation responsibilities for the anti-emetic products ALOXI® (palonosetron hydrochloride) and AKYNZEO® (netupitant/palonesetron).
Specialised Therapeutics Asia To Distribute Novel Multiple Myeloma Drug APLIDIN® in South East Asia, Australia And New Zealand
February 2, 2016: International biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Asia (ST Asia) will supply and distribute a novel oncology drug candidate throughout South East Asia, following an exclusive licensing deal with European pharmaceutical company PharmaMar.
TAILORx trial finds 99 percent of women with low Oncotype DX® Recurrence Score® results are free of breast cancer recurrence after five years of hormone therapy alone
September 29, 2015: Specialised Therapeutics Australia and Genomic Health announce the presentation of the first results1 from the Trial Assigning IndividuaLised Options for Treatment (Rx), or TAILORx, a large, prospectively conducted trial, designed and conducted by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group under the sponsorship of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Specialised Therapeutics’ Breakthrough Brain Tumour Visualisation Drug GLIOLAN® Approved For Use in New Zealand
September 17, 2015: A NOVEL drug which helps neurosurgeons to better visualise and remove malignant brain tumours has been approved for marketing and distribution in New Zealand by Medsafe.
Cutting Edge Breast Cancer Test ‘Should Be Reimbursed’ – Medical Experts
September 3, 2015: A BREAKTHROUGH genetic test that could spare thousands of Australian women with early stage breast cancer from chemotherapy and its toxic side effects will be considered for reimbursement later this year.
STA: License Agreement with PharmaMar to Market, Distribute Oncology Drug APLIDIN® (plitidepsin) in AU and NZ
August 20, 2015: Australian biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia has struck an exclusive license and commercialisation agreement with European pharmaceutical partner company PharmaMar to market and distribute the novel oncology drug APLIDIN® (plitidepsin) in Australia and New Zealand.
TGA Approves AKYNZEO® (netupitant/palonosetron) for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV)
May 8, 2015: Australian biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA) and Helsinn, a Swiss group focused on building quality cancer care, announce that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved AKYNZEO® for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately and highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.1
Ariad and STA announce approval of ICLUSIG™ (ponatinib) in Australia
November 24, 2014: ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA) and Specialised Therapeutics Australia Pty Ltd (STA), today announced the marketing approval of ICLUSIG™ (ponatinib) in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
STA Announces Breakthrough Cancer Drug ABRAXANE® to be PBS Listed for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
October 31, 2014: Australian biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA) is pleased to announce ABRAXANE®(nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel) in combination with gemcitabine, will be reimbursed via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer from the 1st of November.
STA to License New Drug – ILUVIEN® – to Improve Vision in Patients with Diabetes-Induced Vision Loss
April 28, 2014: Australian and New Zealand patients suffering from vision impairment due to a type of diabetes-induced eye disease will have access to a new treatment, following a license deal between Australian biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA) and Alimera Sciences. (NASDAQ: ALIM).
STA Receives TGA Approval for ABRAXANE® in Combination with Gemcitabine for First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
March, 2014: Australian biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA) is pleased to announce that ABRAXANE® (nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel) in combination with gemcitabine in now approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Specialised Therapeutics Australia Partners with Genomic Health Inc. to Deliver Novel Genomic Test to Breast Cancer Patients
January 7, 2014: Australian women will potentially have greater access to the only genomic test validated to predict whether patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer would benefit from chemotherapy, following an agreement between Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA) and Genomic Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: GHDX).
ARIAD Announces Commercial Agreement for ICLUSIG® (ponatinib) in Australia
January 28, 2014: ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA) and Specialised Therapeutics Australia Pty Ltd (STA), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that ARIAD has granted STA exclusive rights to commercialize Iclusig® (ponatinib) in Australia in patients with Philadelphia-positive (Ph+) leukemias.
Specialised Therapeutics Australia Receives Therapeutic Goods Administration Approval for Brain Tumour Visualisation Drug - GLIOLAN®
November, 2013: A novel drug which assists neurosurgeons to better visualise and remove malignant brain tumours has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
New ‘Superbug’ Antibiotic Approved For Use In Australia
April 26, 2013: An effective new antibiotic designed to specifically treat the common superbug* infection Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea will be available to patients in Australia from 14th May 2013.
ABRAXANE® plus Gemcitabine Improves Survival in Phase III Study of Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
January 23, 2013: Australian biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia announces that a phase III clinical trial of world leading breast cancer drug ABRAXANE® (nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel) in combination with current standard of care gemcitabine in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer has demonstrated substantially improved survival times, with double the number of patients surviving two years.1
ABRAXANE® Demonstrates Significant Improvement in Progression-free Survival Compared to Standard Chemotherapy in Advanced Melanoma Patients
October 25, 2012: Australian biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia announces that a phase III clinical trial of world leading breast cancer drug ABRAXANE® (nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel) in combination with current standard of care gemcitabine in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer has demonstrated substantially improved survival times, with double the number of patients surviving two years.1
Helsinn Grants Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA) Rights to Anamorelin, a First-in-Class Compound to Treat Cachexia-Anorexia Related to Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
October 15, 2012: Melbourne biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA) has been granted exclusive commercialisation rights to a new drug for the treatment of NSCLC cachexia-anorexia.
GLIOLAN® Granted Orphan Drug Status by the Therapeutic Goods Administration
April, 2012: A drug which aids neurosurgeons to better visualise and more completely remove malignant brain tumours has been granted orphan drug status by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Specialised Therapeutics Australia Extends Collaboration with Swiss Helsinn Group
August 10, 2011: Melbourne bio-pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia plans to further expand its oncology portfolio, to include a new product for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).
Specialised Therapeutics to License Brain Tumour Visualisation Drug GLIOLAN® in Australia & NZ
June, 2011: A new drug which aids neurosurgeons to better visualise and operate on high grade glioma, a type of brain tumour which has a poor prognosis, has been in-licensed by Melbourne bio-pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia Pty Ltd (STA).
World Leading Breast Cancer Drug Now Available in New Zealand
February 21, 2011: New Zealand women now have access to a leading breast cancer drug ABRAXANE® (nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer after failure of anthracycline therapy.
Specialised Therapeutics and Helsinn Group Announce a PBS Listing For ALOXI® (Palonosetron) in Australia
November 1, 2010: A world leading anti-nausea/anti-vomiting drug for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy will be available in Australia on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from November 1st 2010.
Celgene acquires Abraxis BioScience and leading anti-cancer drug Abraxane
October 20, 2010: Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) today announced it has completed its acquisition of Abraxis BioScience, Inc. The transaction adds Abraxane®(nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel) to the company’s existing portfolio of leading cancer products and offers another significant scientific platform that may drive future development.
Study Shows Leading Breast Cancer Drug ABRAXANE® Increases Survival Time for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
May, 2010: An international study of world-leading breast cancer drug ABRAXANE ® (nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel) has shown promising results for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer when used in combination with Gemcitabine.
ABRAXANE® Meets Primary Endpoint in Phase 3 Trial for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
March, 2010: An international lung cancer trial has shown positive results in those patients treated with the leading breast cancer drug ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin.
PBS Change for Leading Breast Cancer Drug ABRAXANE®
June 7, 2010: Melbourne pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA) wishes to announce a change in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing for its lead product ABRAXANE® (nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel).
ABRAXANE® Granted Orphan Drug Status for Pancreatic Cancer by Therapeutic Goods Administration
February, 2010: A leading Australian breast cancer drug, ABRAXANE® (nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel), has been granted orphan drug status by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for pancreatic cancer.
Abraxis Bioscience and Specialised Therapeutics Announce Approval to Market ABRAXANE® for Metastatic Breast Cancer in New Zealand
July, 2010: Abraxis BioScience, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABII), a fully integrated, global biotechnology company, and Specialised Therapeutics Ltd. today announced that MEDSAFE, the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, has approved for marketing ABRAXANE® (nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer after failure of anthracycline therapy.