Australian Academy of Science President Professor Suzanne Cory has said the government must urgently invest to ensure Australian science remains internationally competitive and relevant.

The terms of Starpharma's (ASX:SPL) phase III trial for its VivaGel bacterial vaginosis treatment have now been endorsed by both the European EMA and the US FDA. [ + ]

Biomarker specialist HealthLinx (ASX:HTX) has signed an exclusive agreement with a Spanish partner for its OvPlex ovarian cancer diagnostics product. [ + ]

AusBiotech congratulates Professor Graeme Clark, the pioneer of the bionic ear, who was last night awarded the CSL Florey Medal in a ceremony in Parliament House Canberra. [ + ]

Victoria's Phosphagenics (ASX:POH) will commence clinical trials of its lead oxycodone delivery patch product at the end of the month, after securing ethics approval. [ + ]

Professor Graeme Clark, inventor of the bionic ear, has won the CSL Florey Medal, and plans to return to research to further improve the device. [ + ]

Dr Michael Hirshorn, a leader in the life science industry and co-founder of Cochlear and Resmed, lost his battle with cancer on Friday 18 November 2011. [ + ]

BioTek Instruments has received the Frost & Sullivan 2011 North American New Product Innovation Award for Workflow Solutions in Life Sciences.

The world’s most advanced bio-secure laboratory, the ACBRF, was officially opened at CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong.

A new world class bio-security facility has been opened in Geelong to research some of the most dangerous viruses and diseases known to science. [ + ]

Queensland University of Technology is home to a powerful new ultrahigh vacuum and scanning probe microscope which is being used to develop efficient and low-cost plastic solar cells.

CogState (ASX:CGS) has signed a $2.6m contract with an international pharmaceutical company to use its cognition tests in a clinical trial of depression. [ + ]

Australia-China research collaborations will benefit from an additional $18 million over the next three years with the opening of a dedicated Australia-China Science and Research Fund (ACSRF).

With Christmas just around the corner, AusBiotech's CEO will be hosting state-based events around the country to celebrate the festive season and the year. [ + ]

Mesoblast's stem cell treatment for cardiovascular conditions is the first to have shown efficacy in treating the main causes of congestive heart failure. [ + ]