Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia, with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) estimating it costs Australia $5.9 billion in 2004-2005. [ + ]

The world market for treatments addressing allergic rhinitis will shrink by 20 percent to $US4 billion over the next 10 years as increasing numbers of generic products come to market, according to industry analysts Datamonitor. [ + ]

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) has received grants totalling $450,000 from the Victorian Cancer Agency to support its research into BH3 mimetics cancer drugs and the creation of an information sharing portal focussed on rare cancers. [ + ]

Xenotransplantation specialists Living Cell Technologies (LCT) announced today that promising results from a Phase II clinical trial of its cell implant Diabecell in diabetes patients in New Zealand had prompted the country’s health regulator to approve the addition of four more patients. [ + ]

Professor Andrew Lloyd of the University of New South Wales is one of the central figures in the HITS study (Hepatitis C Incidence and Transmission Study) is a long-term prospective cohort study of eligible prison inmates in NSW. Lloyd’s cohort comprises high-risk, uninfected injecting drug users, who are followed at regular intervals longitudinally. [ + ]

Melbourne biotech Patrys announced today that it has secured funding of up to $15 million over the next three years to develop its lead natural human anti-body candidates into treatments for various cancers. [ + ]

The University of Western Australia’s Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems is involved in a research project aimed at securing long-term, safer and cleaner forms of energy.

It’s one of nature’s most impressive machines, yet it’s barely micrometres long. It’s a motor with 99 per cent efficiency that can rotate at up to 100,000 rpm, and switch directions faster than any device created by human ingenuity. [ + ]

Melbounre biotech Patrys announced today that the Royal Adelaide Hospital has approved a clinical trial evaluating its PAT-SM6 natural human antibody as a treatment for melanoma. [ + ]

The Australian stock market was down for the second day in a row today although it ended the month on a four-week winning streak. [ + ]

Next-generation genome sequencing technology company, Illumina, today launched the Illumina Genome Network, which is a global partnership to link researchers working in human genome sequencing projects. [ + ]

A study by Sydney researchers showing that the protease inhibitor type of HIV drugs carry a greater risk of heart attack than the new integrase inhibitor family of drugs is expected to have major implications for the future direction of treatment. [ + ]

The Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) has awarded grants of $75,000 each to two of its scientists hoping to identify new treatments for melanoma as well as boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs against the disease. [ + ]

Melbourne-based generic pharmaceutical manufacturer, Halcygen Pharmaceuticals (ASX:HGN), is seeking to add new talent to its board and senior management following the departure of Executive Director and COO, Craig Bottomley yesterday. [ + ]

Human antibody therapy specialists Patrys announced today that is has acquired a new anti-cancer antibody which has been shown to significantly reduce gastric and pancreatic tumours in animal models of human cancers. [ + ]