Melbourne's Cytomatrix and Switzerland's HeiQ Materials have entered a joint venture to produce the nanofibre materials required for the former's bone marrow stem cell candidate.

The Australian Academy of Science has launched Brain Box, a series of video podcast interviews with Australian scientists. Available for free on YouTube and iTunes, the series features short clips of scientists speaking about their passions, motivations, heroes and experiences. [ + ]

Specialised Therapeutics Australia's cancer drug Abraxane will now receive PBS reimbursed in metastatic pancreatic cancer, expanding its initial listing covering metastatic breast cancer.

Novogen (ASX:NRT) has initiated a placement to raise up to $7.5m to take Cantrixil into phase I trials in ovarian cancer and abdominal cavity cancers.

The final part of the government's Entrepreneurs Infrastructure Program, the Accelerating Commercialisation stream, has been launched. [ + ]

Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) has recruited the first patient for a phase III trial of Bronchitol in cystic fibrosis, designed as part of the company's FDA application.

AusBiotech has announced that a new chairman and three new directors were appointed to its board at the Annual General Meeting on the Gold Coast. CEO of BioDiem and existing AusBiotech director Julie Phillips was appointed Chairman, taking the mantle from long-serving chairman Dr Deborah Rathjen, and the board welcomed Serina Cucuzza, Barry Thomas and Serg Duchini as directors.

Four of the world's most notorious pest fruit flies have been found to be one and the same. [ + ]

In the lead-up to the 2014 Melbourne Cup, RMIT researchers have revealed a tip for those jockeys looking to reduce drag on a horse during a race. [ + ]

The Australian Research Council has opened its latest research training centre, the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Portable Analytical Separation Technologies (ASTech), at the University of Tasmania.

As part of the announcement of their new Asia Pacific Innovation Centre, Johnson & Johnson - parent company of Janssen - will facilitate new collaborations with Australian university researchers.

The accomplishments of Australian scientists and science educators have been celebrated with the announcmement of this year's Prime Minister's Prizes for Science.

The government is seeking input from the research sector and industry on its strategy to boost commercial returns from research. [ + ]

Patrys (ASX:PAB) has appointed an interim CEO to ensure an orderly transition once it chooses a permanent replacement for outgoing chief Dr Marie Roskrow.

Starpharma (ASX:SPL) is set to start reaping royalties from partner Ansell's sales of VivaGel coated condoms and has received a $4.2m R&D tax incentive rebate for FY14.