In brief: GTG, Life Therapeutics, AusBiotech, CyGenics

Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG; Nasdaq:GENE) has appointed London-based lawyer SJ Berwin to help the company expand its licensing program for its non-coding patents in the UK and in Europe. This follows the appointment of Californian-based licensing contractor PatentBridge to help GTG expand its licensing program in the US.

Life Therapeutics (ASX:LFE) has been granted an FDA license to collect hyperimmune plasma used to combat infection caused by flu. Originally scheduled to take 12 months, FDA approval was completed in 97 days. Eight of Life Therapeutics' 13 US plasma collection centres are now collecting the new product.

Prof Fiona Wood has been appointed a director of the AusBiotech board. Australian of the Year for 2005, Wood is currently director of the Western Australian Burns Service and chairman of the McComb Research Foundation. She co-founded Clinical Cell Culture (ASX:CCE) and is chairman of the Perth-based biotech's scientific advisory board. She is also a consultant plastic surgeon to the Royal Perth and Princess Margaret Hospitals.

CordLife, the tissue banking subsidiary of Singapore-based cell therapy services company CyGenics (ASX:CYN), has entered into an agreement with one of the largest insurance companies in Singapore, NTUC Income, to provide existing and future CordLife customers with medical coverage for a stem cell transplant using cord blood.