** Shares of Argenica Therapeutics AGN.AX rise as much as 2.1% to A$0.735 to hit highest level since June 11; last up 0.7%

** Biotechnology co gets federal government funding up to A$1.5 million ($972,600.00) to advance later stage clinical trial of ARG-007 being developed to treat stroke patients

** Stock up ~15% this year, including the day's move

($1 = 1.5423 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by John Biju in Bengaluru)

((John.Biju@thomsonreuters.com;))