New approaches to cancer treatment and improved nickel mining output were the winning ideas from the Grand Final of UniQuest’s annual Trailblazer innovative ideas competition, held at The University of Queensland (UQ) on 4 September 2012. [ + ]

Australian drug developer CBio has completed its merger with US-based Inverseon and formally changed its name to Invion (ASX:IVX). [ + ]

Starpharma's (ASX:SPL) cancer drug development platform has attracted the attention of UK pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca. [ + ]

After being cleared to submit existing trial data to back up its IND application for pain formulation MoxDuo IR, QRxPharma (ASX:QRX) now expects the US FDA to make its decision in mid-2013. [ + ]

pSivida (ASX:PVA) licensee Alimera has scored a win in efforts to gain UK acceptance for the Iluvien micro-insert as a treatment for chronic diabetic macular edema (DME). [ + ]

AusBiotech has announced it will hold its annual general meeting at the AusBiotech 2012 national conference in Melbourne on Thursday 1 November 2012 at 1:00pm, where business will include the outcome of the election for two directors to join the AusBiotech Board. [ + ]

It has taken nearly a decade of hard work, but the first pages of an ‘Encyclopaedia Genomica’ have been published by an international consortium of researchers, revealing some surprising insights about the human genome. [ + ]

The NSW government has launched a seven-figure fund to encourage the development and commercialisation of innovative medical devices in the state. [ + ]

Avita Medical (ASX:AVH) will raise up to $10m through a placement and SPP to support marketing and US commercialisation efforts for its ReCell Spray-On Skin technology. [ + ]

The best young Australian scientists will have the chance to be mentored by Nobel Prize winners, thanks to a new collaboration between the Australian Academy of Science and the Science and Industry Endowment Fund. [ + ]

The event, to be held in Melbourne – 30 October - 2 November 2012 – will feature expert speakers from overseas and Australia, who will speak on investment, public policy, industry experiences and business development. [ + ]

New Zealand's Innate Immunotherapeutics has launched a US$10 million ($9.75 million) capital raising to help fund an Australian trial of a prospective treatment for progressed multiple sclerosis. [ + ]

Azure Healthcare (ASX:AZV), shed of its unprofitable audio visual business, swung to a $744,000 net profit for FY12. [ + ]

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an extremely nasty disease. It is the most common inherited, life-shortening condition affecting Australian children. It is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis trans-membrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a transport protein found in epithelial linings. [ + ]

Life Technologies Corporation and Sino Biological have announced a partnership for worldwide product distribution and product development. Life Technologies will distribute Sino Biological’s portfolio of recombinant proteins, antibodies and Elisa kits through its global distribution channels. [ + ]