Industry News
FDA permits marketing of TB bacteria and antibiotic-resistance test
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised the marketing of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay, manufactured by Cepheid. This is the first FDA-reviewed test that can rapidly detect the bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB) and determine if the bacteria contain genetic markers that make them resistant to rifampin, an important antibiotic for the treatment of TB. [ + ]
Biofuel production from Australian algae
Native species of algae have been identified as potential candidates for the development of cheap, efficient and commercially viable alternative fuels. [ + ]
Partnership to prepare for the next pandemic
A $20 million research partnership between Australia, Singapore and the US aims to prepare the world for its next pandemic. [ + ]
HPV increases risk of oesophageal cancer
The human papillomavirus has been linked to yet another malignancy - cancer of the oesophagus. [ + ]
Registrations open for Australia’s premier biotech investment and capital raising event
AusBiotech and Beacon Events have joined forces to launch Australia’s premier event for biotech investment and capital raising - Australia Biotech Invest. [ + ]
Patrys doses third group in multiple myeloma trial
Patrys (ASX:PAB) has completed initial treatment for the third of four groups of patients in a phase I/IIa trial of the company’s anticancer antibody, PAT-SM6, in multiple myeloma. [ + ]
QRxPharma collaborates with Aesica
Melbourne-based biopharmaceutical company QRxPharma (ASX: QRX) has announced a collaboration agreement with Aesica Pharmaceuticals subsidiary Aesica Formulation Development. [ + ]
Qiagen and Exosome Diagnostics partner to create biofluid sample preparation kits
Qiagen and Exosome Diagnostics have announced a partnership to develop and commercialise high-performance kits for the capture and processing of RNA and DNA from biofluid exosomes and other microvesicles. [ + ]
Phosphagenics releases results of investigation
An independent investigation into irregularities in Phosphagenics’ accounts has revealed that $5.7 million has been misappropriated from the company over the past eight years. [ + ]
NSW medical device companies receive funding
The NSW government has announced $10.3 million over three years to support companies working in the medical device arena. [ + ]
Phylogica appoints new CEO
Phylogica has named Richard Hopkins as its new CEO and director, commencing immediately. [ + ]
Expression of interest invited for TGA statutory advisory committees
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from experts for various positions on a number of statutory advisory committees. These committees provide independent expert advice to the Minister for Health and to the TGA on specific scientific and technical matters, which aids the TGA’s regulatory decision-making and other regulatory processes. [ + ]
Fossil fragments rearrange marsupial evolution
Two tiny fossils are prompting an overhaul of theories about marsupial evolution after they revealed unexpected links to South America - and possibly Africa. [ + ]
New neuroscience facility opens in Sydney
The new $54 million Neuroscience Research Australia facility has been officially opened in Sydney. [ + ]
Pharmaxis gets simplified PBS listing for Bronchitol
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has agreed to tweak the PBS reimbursement criteria for Pharmaxis’s (ASX:PXS) Bronchitol in cystic fibrosis. [ + ]
