Industry News
Season's greetings
We are taking a break over Christmas and will be back in early January to keep you up to date with the latest in life science news. [ + ]
Round three of NSW Medical Devices Fund
Applications for round three of the NSW Medical Devices Fund have officially opened. The fund is a $5 million per annum technology developments and commercialisation program, with $6.7 million available for the 2015-2016 funding round. [ + ]
Pathogen reduction system to treat plasma
The US FDA has approved Cerus Corporation's Intercept Blood System for plasma - said to be the first pathogen reduction system for use by blood establishments in the preparation of plasma in order to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections. [ + ]
Universal Biosensors and Siemens partner on blood testing strips
Universal Biosensors and Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics have announced the Xprecia Stride Coagulation Analyzer - a prothrombin time (PT-INR) testing system which offers high performance and ease of use in an affordable, handheld format. [ + ]
Genea stem cells approved in UK
The UK Stem Cell Bank (UKSCB) has approved 84 human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines from Genea Biocells for research in the UK.
[ + ]RV Investigator welcomed to port
The research vessel Investigator was officially commissioned into service on Friday by Minister for Industry Ian Macfarlane. At a welcome-to-port ceremony, held on the CSIRO Wharf at Battery Point, Hobart, the vessel was handed over from CSIRO to the Marine National Facility for operation. [ + ]
Lonza announces collaborations and pilot study results
Life sciences company Lonza has announced collaboration agreements with two prominent innovation clusters in France and Italy, as well as the publication of two early pilot studies conducted in tandem with Lipogen. [ + ]
Potential hepatitis B cure hits trial stage
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and partner TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals have commenced a phase I/IIa trial of a new drug showing promise as a cure for hepatitis B.
[ + ]Vale Don Metcalf AC
The life sciences community is saddened by the death of Professor Donald Metcalf AC on 15 December 2014 at the age of 85.
[ + ]NFMRI awards 2015 grants
The National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation (NFMRI), with the support of the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), this week congratulated its 2015 grant recipients at an awards ceremony held at the MLC Centre, Sydney. [ + ]
Inaugural industry report released
The Australian Industry Report 2014 has been released by the Department of Industry's Office of the Chief Economist. Providing an overview and analysis of the major economic factors affecting Australia's industries, the focus of this year's inaugural report is structural change.
[ + ]Plan B and the MRFF
The federal government has revised its GP co-payment plan along with the funding mechanism for the proposed Medical Research Future Fund.
[ + ]Imugene completes $3.5m capital raising
Imugene (ASX:IMU) has completed a second placement and SPP to take the total value of its capital raising to $3.5m. Proceeds will be used in part to fund HER-Vaxx trials in gastric cancer.
[ + ]Malaria on the decline
Good news: the number of people dying from malaria has fallen dramatically since 2000, according to the World Malaria Report 2014. [ + ]
New agricultural and environmental sciences precinct
The Australian National University and CSIRO have formed a new collaborative science precinct. [ + ]
