French scientist Gilles-Eric Seralini caused quite a stir last week when he claimed he’d shown cancer in rats increased when they were fed genetically modified corn and/or water spiked with the herbicide Roundup. The paper, which seven of his colleagues co-authored, was published in the peer-reviewed journal Food and Chemical Toxicology. [ + ]

Alchemia (ASX:ACL) has revealed an extra $10 million investment to reduce production costs and maximise profits after acknowledging that market competition has delayed the profitability of generic fondaparinux in the US. [ + ]

The government has invited comment from the public on “tough new” amendments to intellectual property laws to tighten up innovation patents. [ + ]

GI Dynanics (ASX:GID) continues rollout of its EndoBarrier in Australia with it now offering the weight loss and diabetes treatment in two additional locations, St Vincent's Clinic and Macquarie University Hospital. [ + ]

A systematic review of the effects of antihypertensive drug therapy on people with mild hypertension has found no benefits come with the drugs. If this review is accurate, big pharma won’t be happy and the government will be thrilled. [ + ]

Major US clinical trials of Avita Medical's (ASX:AVH) ReCell spray-on skin could provide the impetus needed to stimulate adoption of the technology in the medical community, a recent report suggests. [ + ]

A new model which reveals how the immune system functions under conditions of neutropenia may lead to safer chemotherapy and also bring us closer to the holy grail of personalised medicine. [ + ]

A $168 million investment in nuclear medicine and treatment at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is expected to create around 250 jobs. [ + ]

A chemistry research team has developed an inexpensive paper-based tool that can screen for counterfeit pain relievers. The paper analytical device (PAD) is the size of a business card and offers results in less than five minutes. It is technology that could ferret out other fake drugs that promise cures for everything from malaria to the flu. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a serious problem in developing countries. [ + ]

Patrys (ASX:PAB) plans to commence a phase I/IIb trial of anti-tumour antibody PAT-SM6 in Germany in Q4, after getting the go-ahead from regulators. [ + ]

The Australasian Life Science Investment Summit 2012, the largest investment event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere will again be held in conjunction with Australia’s premier biotechnology industry conference, AusBiotech 2012. Companies selected to present at the event have been announced. [ + ]

The life science sector is increasingly concerned over an indefinite freeze which has been placed on federal government grants that support innovation. The freeze is not only preventing funds from flowing through to companies that have lodged applications, but the uncertainty over the nature and implications of the freeze is causing some to fear that certain grants may be cut. [ + ]

Avexa is still working on developing next generation treatments for HIV following a turbulent couple of years, including the dumping of board in 2010 which ceased development of its lead HIV drug apcicitabine (ATC). [ + ]

Immuron (ASX:IMC) has reported a 100% survival rate from animal trials of the C. difficile treatment candidate it is developing with Monash University. [ + ]

Biota Holdings (ASX:BTA) and US-based Nabi Pharmaceuticals have amended the terms of their proposed merger, in a bid to placate Nabi shareholders seeking to block the deal. [ + ]