Pharmaxis and Synairgen will develop a selective inhibitor to the LOXL2 enzyme to treat the lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis — a fatal condition that causes persistent and progressive scarring of the alveoli in the lungs. [ + ]

Businessman and former Telstra CEO David Thodey has been appointed the new chair of the board of CSIRO for the next five years, Minister for Industry and Science Ian Macfarlane has announced. [ + ]

The inaugural Sydney Science Festival will feature 70 science-based events, tours, workshops, exhibitions and activities held in 34 venues across the NSW capital. [ + ]

Digital health technology manufacturer Adherium is seeking to raise a maximum of $35 million in the lead-up to its listing on the ASX. [ + ]

SCU researchers are utilising a cutting-edge radioisotope laboratory to investigate the history of carbon sequestration and pollution during the past 150 years. [ + ]

The Australian Academy of Science has broadly endorsed the government's consultation paper for boosting Australia's capability in STEM, Vision for a Science Nation. [ + ]

CSL has completed its acquisition of the Novartis global influenza vaccine business for a cash consideration of US$275 million. A new subsidiary resulting from the acquisition is set to become the second-largest influenza vaccine business in the US$4 billion global industry. [ + ]

Bionomics Chief Business Officer Tony Colasin will lead corporate development for the company, including business development and strategic opportunities. [ + ]

Google Australia has pledged to provide three Australian not-for-profits with $1 million in cash grants, which will be used to help promote STEM to underrepresented students such as girls, Indigenous Australians and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. [ + ]

As part of National Science Week, citizen scientists are being asked to help in classifying thousands of galaxies located 800 million to 4 billion light years away. [ + ]

Sleep disorder device supplier ResMed has signed a definitive agreement to acquire its Chinese counterpart Curative Medical. [ + ]

Australia is in the position to secure a globally competitive, locally based advanced manufacturing sector, according to CSL CFO Gordon Naylor. [ + ]

The ESCMID is imploring global healthcare professionals and bodies to take a more active role in the growing problem of fungal resistance. The society believes that fungal infections are neglected worldwide, despite the fact that over 300 million people of all ages suffer from a serious fungal infection every year. [ + ]

ANSTO has welcomed the opening of its new electron microscopy facility by the Hon Karen Andrews, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Science. [ + ]

AXT has completed the installation of a TESCAN LYRA focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope at Curtin University, Perth, as part of the National Resource Sciences Precinct's Advanced Resource Characterisation Facility. [ + ]