In a major breakthrough, an international team of scientists has proved that addiction to morphine and heroin can be blocked, while at the same time increasing pain relief. [ + ]

Bioniche (ASX:BNC) is continuing to build up its animal health product portfolio, signing a deal to allow it to distribute an equine probiotic. [ + ]

AusBiotech has made a formal response to the Federal Government’s discussion paper on the National Research Investment Plan (NRIP) giving the Australian Research Committee (ARCom) a biotechnology industry perspective. [ + ]

Researchers at the Burnet Institute have solved a hepatitis C vaccine mystery which, once developed, could be the first ever preventative vaccine for the virus. [ + ]

Lifesaving medical research received a major boost yesterday, with the opening of the final stage of The John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) at The Australian National University. [ + ]

The London 2012 anti-doping facilities, operated by King’s College London, will be developed after the Olympic and Paralympic Games into a world-class resource that could help revolutionise healthcare. [ + ]

What makes a champion? With Olympic fever running hot, this is a question that is likely to have been asked more than a few times in recent weeks both in living rooms and locker rooms worldwide. [ + ]

Busselton residents and researchers from The University of Western Australia have contributed to a worldwide scientific collaboration that has identified new genetic links in the quest to map the biological pathways that cause diabetes. [ + ]

Innovative Australian exporters will have a better chance of protecting their technology overseas following the recent approval of stronger patent standards. [ + ]

The Australian Academy of Science has welcomed the launch of UNCOVER: Searching the deep earth, a visionary new project to unlock Australia’s enormous potential mineral wealth. [ + ]

Veterinary drug developer Nexvet has signed the first licensing deal covering a biologic drug adapted for animal use using its PETization process. [ + ]

The Hon Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Health, will be at The Australian National University on Monday 13 August to open the third and final stage of The John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR). [ + ]

On 23 July, South Korean biosimilar manufacturer Celltrion announced the approval of Remsima (CT-P13), a biosimilar antibody, by the Korean Food and Drug Administration. Remsima is a biosimilar version of Johnson & Johnson’s Remicade (infliximab), which was one of the first monoclonal antibody TNF inhibitors approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). [ + ]

While the eyes of the world may currently be focused on the Olympics, human sport is not the only area where drug testing is routinely carried out. Horse racing is a massive worldwide industry and regular testing is essential to maintain its integrity. [ + ]

RS Components, the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc, has extended its global partnership with the SMC Corporation, specialist in pneumatics and automation, into Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]