Industry News
BioDiem viral vector research clears first hurdle
BioDiem (ASX:BDM) and French partner VIVALIS have reached two significant milestones in their work towards the development of a new viral vector. [ + ]
PM’s Manufacturing Taskforce reports
Non-government members of the Prime Minister's Manufacturing Taskforce, representing business, unions and the research sector, have released their report Smarter Manufacturing for a Smarter Australia, after the group was established in late 2011. [ + ]
Bioniche launching more animal health products
Bioniche (ASX:BNC) has launched an equine inflammation treatment in the US, and scored Canadian distribution rights for six more products. [ + ]
Sartorius loses distribution rights to the Biohit Ergo Tube
Having paid €68m for Biohit’s liquid handling business, Sartorius has failed to reach an agreement with the patent holders and manufacturers of the Biohit Ergo Tube. [ + ]
Scientists’ gold discovery sheds light on catalysis
A physicist at the University of York has played a key role in international research which has made an important advance in establishing the catalytic properties of gold at a nano level. [ + ]
QRxPharma meets with FDA about MoxDuo IR knockback
QRxPharma (ASX:QRX) executives left a pivotal meeting with the US FDA hopeful of being able to avoid prolonging the MoxDuo IR approvals process with another clinical trial. [ + ]
Molecular code cracked: potential for future treatments of genetic disease
Scientists have cracked a code underlying recognition of RNA molecules by a superfamily of RNA-binding proteins called pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins. This may open the way to destroying or correcting defective gene products, such as those that cause genetic disorders in humans. [ + ]
Science leader joins NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
Dr Ian Ferguson (MNZM) has been appointed to the newly created position of Departmental Science Adviser for the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Deputy Director General of Policy Paul Stocks announced today. [ + ]
Manufacturing Taskforce largely overlooks biotechnology
The Prime Minister’s Manufacturing Taskforce report from non-government members, released yesterday, has focused largely on traditional manufacturing with little attention given to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing sectors. [ + ]
Accidental breakthrough on the puzzle of atmospheric acids
In a classic example of an accidental scientific breakthrough, a University of Sydney research team may have solved the mystery of why there is more non-industrial acid in air than anyone can explain. [ + ]
Botany student proves ‘New England Banksia’ a distinct species
Research by Margaret Stimpson, a postgraduate student of botany at the University of New England, has given the New England region its very own species of banksia: Banksia neoanglica. [ + ]
Sir David Attenborough signs his way into Australian history
Sir David Attenborough, acclaimed broadcaster and distinguished naturalist, will today formalise his election as a Corresponding Member of the Australian Academy of Science. [ + ]
AusBiotech national office on the move…
The national office of AusBiotech will move this weekend from its current location in Malvern to Level 4, 627 Chapel Street, South Yarra Victoria. [ + ]
Opinion: Scrapping the R&D tax incentive is hardly a smart idea for economic policy
The Business Tax Working Group discussion paper’s suggestion to reduce the R&D tax incentive reveals a clear-cut attitude to policy aimed at Australia’s economic development: “It’s all about the tax take.” [ + ]
Government quells concerns about R&D Tax Incentive
Industry Minister Greg Combet has moved to quell concerns that the fledgling R&D Tax Incentive could be trimmed in order to help fund a cut to the corporate tax rate, as raised by the government’s Business Tax Working Group discussion paper. [ + ]