Researchers at Harvard University have published a study showing that a group of fatty acids called trans-palmitoleate appears to be connected with decreased risk of Type 2 Diabetes. [ + ]

Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced that it has completed the acquisition of TKA Wasseraufbereitungssysteme GmbH, a European provider of laboratory water purification systems. Based in Niederelbert, Germany, TKA has nearly 60 employees and had 2009 full year revenue of AU$14 million.

Australian xenotransplantation pioneers Living Cell Technologies announced today that the New Zealand minister of health has approved the expansion of the company’s clinical trial of Diabecell, a porcine-based implant designed to treat Type 1 diabetes. [ + ]

Perth drug developer Phylogica has signed a licensing and collaboration agreement with Pfizer which will see the two companies work together to develop novel peptide-based vaccines. [ + ]

The enormous achievements of Emeritus Professor Frank Fenner will be commemorated by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) fellowship in honour of the pioneering researcher.

The developers of Reversible Addition Fragmentation-chain Transfer (RAFT) technology, CSIRO and DuPont, have enhanced their technology transfer and licensing program to enable companies to more easily access the technology.

The journey to market for biological products can be a complex and frustrating process. A key challenge in this process is producing or obtaining the relevant compounds in quantities large enough to support research studies, pre-clinical studies and/or early-stage clinical trials. [ + ]

S&P/ASX 200 Heathcare Index closed just 22 points shy of 9000 today after notching up its sixth consecutive week in the black. [ + ]

The University of Western Australia will soon be home to one of the most powerful microscopes in Australia that can capture 3D images of objects and surfaces at the molecular or nanoparticle level in real time.

Mayne Pharma Group has applied for a marketing authorisation application (MAA) with the European Union (EU) for the sale and supply of its Subacap drug to treat fungal infections. [ + ]

It’s a market once deemed ‘too-hard’ by biotech and pharma companies, but with the Chinese government set to spend $US125 billion on healthcare by the end of next year, it’s an opportunity too hot to ignore. [ + ]

The WHO report on malaria shows promising reductions in infections and deaths, but scientists warn malaria might be back with a vengeance unless efforts to eradicate it aren't maintained. [ + ]

Melbourne biotech BioDiem has reported the receipt of the first royalty payments to stem from a licencing agreement signed earlier this year for the sale of its Nasovac vaccine for H1N1 (swine flu). [ + ]

Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced that it will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Dionex Corporation for a total purchase price of approximately $2.1 billion. The transaction is not conditioned on financing and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2011. Dionex will be integrated into Thermo Fisher’s Analytical Technologies segment.

Thermo Fisher continues its acquisition frenzy by agreeing to buy laboratory equipment manufacturer, Dionex, for US$2.1 billion ($2.11 billion). [ + ]