Peplin (ASX:PEP) has reported preliminary results of its US-based phase IIa dose escalation clinical trial to establish the maximum tolerated dose of PEP005 in actinic keratosis (AK), also known as solar keratosis, a skin condition which can develop into skin cancer. [ + ]

Singapore-based Rockeby Biomed (ASX:RBY) has signed an exclusive deal to supply its avian flu kits to the Turkish Poultry Industry, an organisation which represents 90 per cent of the poultry industry in Turkey. [ + ]

A team of 12 students from the Bio21 and Howard Florey Institutes scooped the pool at an awards ceremony held last week in Melbourne for the 2005 Young Achievers Australia Biotechnology Entrepreneur program. [ + ]

In the lead up to the BIO Conference 2006, delegates are being invited to attend Bootcamp, a series of full-day workshops being held around Australia on negotiating technology deals. [ + ]

As the biotechnology industry matures and more companies become profitable, many are looking outside their traditional business areas to grow -- with mixed results. [ + ]

AgResearch, the largest of New Zealand's crown research institutes, has formed a new company with San Diego venture capital firm Finistere Partners, to commercialise its plant genome technology in the US. [ + ]

Cancer drug developer Novogen's (ASX:NRT, Nasdaq:NVGN) revenue was down 10 per cent for the half year to December 31, 2005 compared with the previous corresponding period, due to a decrease in sales of its over-the-counter (OTC) natural products for menopause following a resurgence in rival prescribed drugs. [ + ]

Industrial biotech will eclipse its so-called 'red' and 'green' cousins, as industries are forced to adapt to environmental pressure, the head of global biosciences at the giant Proctor & Gamble corporation has predicted. [ + ]

Melbourne scientists have identified a new method of detecting abnormal embryonic stem (ES) cells before they change into cancerous cells. [ + ]

Melbourne's Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTX, Nasdaq:GENE) has formed a strategic alliance with MetaMorphix, a developer of new genetic markers. [ + ]

Melbourne-based Epitan (ASX:EPT) will now be known as Clinuvel. [ + ]

Independent research teams from Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital Boston have identified a master protein that sheds light on one of neurobiology's biggest mysteries - how neurons change as a result of individual experiences.

Melbourne's Zenyth Therapeutics (ASX:ZTL), formerly Amrad, has posted a smaller loss for the half year to December 31, but also revealed a drop in revenues. [ + ]

A team at Monash Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne has grown a human prostate from embryonic stem cells, and hopes the discovery will lead to better understanding of what causes prostate cancer. [ + ]

Sherwood Technology has entered an exclusive worldwide licence agreement with Sessions of York. The collaboration enables Sessions to combine its labelling expertise with Sherwood's colour change and specialist manufacturing know-how in order to produce the Gamma Sterilisation Indicator labels over a ten year period. The labels provide an immediate visible record of all products and equipment that have undergone a volume sterilisation process. Sessions of York will continue to apply its registered brand name of 'Detex' to the Gamma Sterilisation Indicator labels.