Industry News
Nexvet raises $2.5m to fund human-to-animal drugs
Nexvet Biopharma has closed a $2.5 million seed financing round, after receiving an investment from the universities-led Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund (TTCF). [ + ]
New joint initiative to promote biotech and GM in agriculture
A new industry group, the Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia (ABCA) has been formed to promote and encourage debate on the use of biotechnology and gene technology in agriculture in Australia. [ + ]
Nominations called for Janssen 2012 Industry Excellence Awards
Janssen & AusBiotech are pleased to announce that the Janssen 2012 Industry Excellence Awards, in three categories, are now open for nominations. [ + ]
Burnet discovery paves the way for more effective vaccines
Scientists have discovered an important mechanism in which a synthetic DNA targets the immune system that could significantly improve the effectiveness of future vaccines. [ + ]
ANU sells time machine
A SHRIMP IIe advanced geochronology instrument manufactured by ANU spin-off Australian Scientific Instruments has been purchased by Polish and Japanese researchers to investigate the geochronology of the Earth. [ + ]
Genetic test predicts risk for autism
A team of Australian researchers, led by the University of Melbourne, has developed a genetic test that is able to predict the risk of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). [ + ]
Bionomics acquires American cancer stem cell company
Bionomics (ASX:BNO) has acquired US-based cancer stem cell drug development company Eclipse Therapeutics in a deal worth US$10 million ($9.5 million). [ + ]
Prosthetic device restores and improves decision-making ability in animals
An electronic prosthetic system has been used on monkeys to restore and improve the animals’ decision-making performances. [ + ]
Priceline to stock Cellmid hair growth range
Cellmid (ASX:CDY) subsidiary Advangen has now secured agreements with over 700 pharmacies including Priceline stores to stock its evolis line of hair growth products. [ + ]
AusBiotech makes submission on R&D Tax Incentive quarterly payments
AusBiotech has been advocating for quarterly payments since its first submission on the Tax Credit and is pleased to see the Government responsive to the cash-flow needs of small companies, giving companies the ability to smooth out cash-flow over the year and provide increased predictability. [ + ]
Phylogica looks to recoup $1.9m from R&D Tax Incentive
The first wave of companies is beginning to take advantage of the government’s recently installed R&D Tax Incentive, with Phylogica (ASX:PYC) lodging an application to recoup $1.9 million in research and development costs. [ + ]
Bioniche FY12 loss doubles to $24m
Bioniche (ASX:BNC) said its net loss for FY12 nearly doubled to C$24.1 million ($23.6 million), even as revenue from its animal health division grew by over 10%. [ + ]
Iron ‘blueberries’ may be sign of microbial life on Mars
It’s unlikely anything lives on Mars today, but it may well have done so millions or billions of years past. And it may have left traces of its existence in the geology of the red planet. One such tantalising hint was discovered by the NASA Opportunity Rover, which found small spherical hematite balls, dubbed ‘blueberries,’ in the Martian soil. [ + ]
How brilliant a scientist are you?
A new formula reveals if young scientists will have a brilliant future. [ + ]
UWA discovery helps search for extraterrestrial life on Mars
A discovery at The University of Western Australia (UWA) that microbes helped shape rare spheres of iron-oxide on Earth may aid the newly landed rover Curiosity in its search for the first verifiable signs of extraterrestrial life in similar rocks on Mars. [ + ]
