The last month of Australian Winter – with Melbourne in full Spring bloom – was mixed, with the August Biotech Daily Top 40 Index (BDI-40) down 1.5 percent after nine months of consecutive gains.

The benchmark ASX200 was even at 8,092 points, the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (NBI) was up 0.8 percent; the collective value of the three Big Caps of Cochlear, CSL and Resmed (which are not included in the BDI-40) edged up 0.3 percent to its highest value on record at $220,711 million, while Cannabis Corner continued to fall, down 0.75 percent.

Resmed’s $4,756 million, or 10.0 percent rise to $52,484 million, just compensated for CSL’s 0.6 percent fall to $148,808 million and Cochlear’s 14.1 percent loss to $19,419 million, following three consecutive months of gains.

For the year to August 31, the BDI-40 was up 69.0 percent, the NBI improved 18.6 percent, the three Big Caps were up 17.9 percent and the ASX200 rose 10.8 percent.

In August, 17 of the BDI-40 companies were up, eight by more than 10 percent; 21 fell, with 13 down by more than 10 percent, and two were unchanged.

Again, Pro Medicus added the most - $364 million in August - but Amplia was the percentage best, up $18 million or 120 percent to $33 million, followed by Opthea (36.1%), Medical Developments (27.8%), Percheron (20.0%), Immutep (17.4%), Resonance (16.0%), Clarity (14.9%) and Imugene (11.3%).

Last month’s 50 percent best, Atomo, led the August falls, down $11 million or 45.8 percent to $13 million, followed by Actinogen (36.8%), Impedimed (22.4%), Cynata (22.2%), Micro-X (22.2%), Neuren (21.2%), Aroa (13.4%), Avita (12.5%), Cyclopharm (12.1%), Medadvisor (11.9%), Polynovo (11.5%), Nova Eye (11.1%) and Curvebeam (10.7%).

The 12 companies that comprise Cannabis Corner slipped a collective 0.75 percent in August to $265 million – a very long way from the $1.9 billion peak in 2021 – and down 45.1 percent for the year to August 31, 2024. Bioxyne improved 91.7 percent to $23 million, Emyria fell 23.5 percent to $13 million, three were unchanged and the rest had small falls or rises.

Outside the BDI-40, several companies in the Third 20, were knocking on the BDI-40 door; including Argenica, Bcal, Botanix and EBR, with Control Bionics, Oncosil and Radiopharm in recovery.

LTR had a 268.6 percent bump from $65 million to a market capitalization of $159 million, following news that its vardenafil-based (Levitra) Spontan nasal spray for erectile dysfunction had Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration special access scheme and authorised prescriber approvals.

On the Nasdaq, Kazia recovered 11.8 percent to $19 million, but Bionomics, Eyepoint (Psivida), Incannex and Redhill (with Australian assets) all fell. Queensland’s Protagonist added $277 million or 8.0 percent to $3,735 million.