** Shares of Hydrix HYD.AX rise as much as 107.1% to A$0.029, their highest level since early February 2025

** The medical device distributor's unit enters a contract worth A$2.5 million ($1.68 million) to start development of SynCardia's total artificial heart

** The project is anticipated to be completed this year

** About 20.8 million shares change hands, 89.1 times the 30-day average

($1 = 1.4885 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Anjali Singh in Bengaluru)

((anjali.singh2@thomsonreuters.com;))