The AusBiotech 2013 national conference culminated last week in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between AusBiotech and the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KoreaBIO).  [ + ]

Dr Michael Berendt has replaced Bioniche (ASX:BNC) founder Graeme McRae as the company's CEO. [ + ]

AusBiotech has announced the election of two new directors to its board at its annual general meeting in Brisbane last week - Julie Phillips, CEO of BioDiem; and Dr Andrea Douglas, vice president, R&D strategy and portfolio at CSL. [ + ]

The largest platypus ever found has been discovered in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area of north-western Queensland. [ + ]

Organic electronics researcher Professor Andrew Holmes has been elected as the next President of the Australian Academy of Science. [ + ]

Clinuvel (ASX:CUV) is awaiting approval to commence a new phase II trial of Scenesse in vitiligo, to help confirm the positive findings of an earlier trial. [ + ]

The NHMRC has recognised a human molecular geneticist and an IVF researcher with the respective NHMRC Outstanding Contribution Award and the NHMRC Ethics Award. [ + ]

Clinical trials facility Linear Clinical Research, drug discovery CRO Epichem and sera supplier Serana have all won prizes during this year's Western Australian Industry and Export Awards. [ + ]

The Delboeuf illusion is an optical illusion whereby a large context makes a small, enclosed area appear smaller than it really is. Researchers have found that this illusion is having an impact in the field of dentistry, with some dentists making larger holes in teeth than they really need to. [ + ]

A team of international scientists, including Flinders University animal studies expert Dr Guido J Parra, has found evidence to suggest the recognition of at least four distinct species in the humpback dolphin family - one of which is completely new to science. [ + ]

Biotech supplier Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB) and medical technology company BD Diagnostics have announced a collaboration to develop, manufacture and market various ready-to-use, prefilled media products for microbiological applications in pharmaceutical, biotech and research laboratories. [ + ]

Chemical engineers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have synthesised an iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP) that delivers cancer drugs to cells while simultaneously monitoring the drug release in real time. [ + ]

The Janssen Industry Excellence Awards, held this week during the AusBiotech 2013 national conference in Brisbane, every year recognise outstanding commercialisation of innovative healthcare solutions by Australian biotechnology and healthcare companies. The 2013 Company of the Year award was presented to Nanosonics. [ + ]

Whole genome sequencing at birth is soon to arrive in our hospitals, predicts Professor Matt Brown. [ + ]

Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) has elected to receive the full US$40m investment from NovaQuest, to help fund its continuing efforts to achieve US approval for Bronchitol in cystic fibrosis. [ + ]