Viralytics (ASX:VLA) has signed on 12 patients in the last three months for its phase II trial of oncolytic virus Cavatak in patients with late-stage melanoma. [ + ]

Alchemia (ASX:ACL) has added an oncology expert and an international investment banking veteran to its board. [ + ]

Research suggests that there is just one single species of giant squid, capable of long-distance travel, rather than the 21 previously described species that were thought to exist. [ + ]

The Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA) launched its foresighting report ‘Elements in Everything: Current profile and future trends for the Australian chemicals and plastics industries’ at Parliament House in Canberra this week. [ + ]

Dr Aaron Nilsen and colleagues have discovered a new drug called ELQ-300 that can target multiple stages of the malaria parasite’s life cycle, including the liver stage, and could dramatically boost the prevention, treatment and transmission of disease. [ + ]

Prima BioMed (ASX:PRR) will receive a $4.7m grant from Saxony Development Bank and will use the funds to explore the use of CVac in more cancer types beyond ovarian. [ + ]

Animal trials of Patrys’s (ASX:PAB) anticancer antibody PAT-SM6 suggest the treatment is more effective when combined with other multiple myeloma treatments. [ + ]

iSonea (ASX:ISN) has used an Asthma Foundation conference to unveil AsthmaSense Cloud, a system for cloud storage and transfer of wheeze monitoring data. [ + ]

US regulator FDA has told Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) that it will likely need to conduct a new phase III trial before Bronchitol can be approved as a cystic fibrosis treatment. [ + ]

A new device that stimulates the spinal cord provides relief for patients with difficult-to-treat chronic pain. [ + ]

Collaborators from Mayo-Illinois Alliance for Technology Based Healthcare have developed a new, single molecule test for detecting methylated DNA. [ + ]

Researchers at The University of Western Australia and the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research have revealed a groundbreaking new molecular structure formed by two human proteins involved in turning genes on and off in cancer. [ + ]

Ondek has appointed a new chief executive as it continues development of a drug delivery platform based on the research of its Nobel Laureate founder. [ + ]

The TGA and Medsafe are inviting comment on a consultation document for the trans-Tasman early warning system of safety concerns with medicines and medical devices. [ + ]

The alarming rate at which the malaria parasite is developing resistance to drugs may be countered by changing the timing of the drug treatment and developing drugs that last longer in the bloodstream. [ + ]