Industry News
Bluechiip cashes in on R&D Tax Incentive
Bluechiip (ASX:BCT) has become the latest life science company to take advantage of the government's R&D Tax Incentive. [ + ]
Sirtex sales continue to grow
Sirtex Medical (ASX:SRX) has reported another strong quarter for its SIR-Spheres targeted radioactive liver cancer treatments, reporting year-on-year sales growth of 37% for Q1. [ + ]
AusBiotech submits to Productivity Commission on compulsory licensing
AusBiotech has provided a submission in response to the Productivity Commission’s discussion paper on its review into compulsory licensing in the patents system. [ + ]
Scientists find new way to up safety factor of stem cell therapy
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have found a way to detect and purge stem cells at risk of developing into tumours. [ + ]
McKeon Review proposes $2-3bn boost to health and medical research
The health and medical research community has reacted positively to a draft discussion paper released today by the Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research in Australia, better known as the McKeon Review. [ + ]
Feature: Protein treasure hunt
Dr Peter Hoffman’s research group is using mass spectrometry to create high-resolution images of proteins in archived tumour samples to help identify new diagnostic markers for cancer. [ + ]
Sunshine Heart to start C-Pulse Heart Assist trial in US
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conditional approval for an investigational device exemption (IDE) for Sunshine Heart’s (ASX:SHC) flagship C-Pulse Heart Assist System paves the way for the company to conduct a key clinical trial of the system to support its FDA application. [ + ]
Remarkable enzyme points the way to reducing nitric acid use in industry
An enzyme in the bacterium that causes potato scab could help create new, environmentally benign biocatalysts with the potential to cut use of the highly corrosive chemical nitric acid. [ + ]
Algae bioreactors in pipes
Engineers at GF Piping Systems have succeeded in finding the balance between light permeability and durability. They have developed a piping system made of transparent PVC, which allows sufficient light to pass through in the right wavelength for microalgae to be grown in the interior of the pipe. [ + ]
BioDiem launches $2.5m rights issue
BioDiem (ASX:BDM) has commenced an up to $2.5m rights issue to raise funds for its various vaccine and infectious disease development programs. [ + ]
Vale Nancy Millis AC, Australia’s “first lady” of biotechnology
The Australian life sciences community is mourning the loss of Emeritus Professor Nancy Millis AC, who passed away this weekend at the age of 90. [ + ]
AusBiotech & Beacon to partner on key investment events
AusBiotech and Beacon Events, organiser of the largest resource sector investor event in the Asia Pacific Region – Mines and Money – have announced a partnership to deliver biotechnology investor meetings in Hong Kong and Sydney until 2015. [ + ]
Nanotechnology device aims to prevent malaria deaths through rapid diagnosis
A pioneering mobile device using cutting-edge nanotechnology to rapidly detect malaria infection and drug resistance could revolutionise how the disease is diagnosed and treated. [ + ]
Research powerhouses join forces for manufacturing
Monash University and CSIRO will build on their shared strengths with an agreement to develop a world-class innovation precinct that aims to underpin the future of Australian manufacturing. [ + ]
Avita gets more US army funds for ReCell trial
Avita Medical (ASX:AVH) has secured additional funding from the US Department of Defense to support the FDA trial for its ReCell Spray-On-Skin in burn injuries. [ + ]
