Sydney antimicrobial developer Biosignal (ASX:BOS) has been awarded a AUD$1.5 million Commonwealth government grant to develop new antibacterial coatings for medical implants and devices. [ + ]

Sir Gustav Nossal writes that Australian scientists are at the vanguard of developing what could be the most effective weapons in the battle against one of the deadliest of diseases. [ + ]

A discovery made at WEHI by the Cooperative Research Centre for Cellular Growth Factors (CRC-CGF) has led to the selection of an antibody-based drug for full preclinical development as a potential new treatment for asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Newly-listed firm Medical Therapies (ASX:MTY) is set to begin a large-scale mouse study examining the effectiveness of its topical cream therapies as preventatives and cures for a variety of skin cancers. [ + ]

Peplin (ASX:PEP) will raise AUD$10 million through a placement to fund phase IIb clinical trials of its lead product, PEP005 Topical, in actinic keratosis (AK), also known as solar keratosis, a skin condition which can develop into skin cancer. [ + ]

Melbourne-based Biota Holdings (ASX:BTA) has entered into a licensing and collaboration agreement with US company MedImmune (Nasdaq:MEDI) to develop and commercialise Biota's small molecule compounds for the prevention and treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. [ + ]

The CEO of Melbourne company Biota Holdings (ASX:BTA), Peter Cook, believes GlaxoSmithKline is using delaying tactics in the current court case before the Victorian courts, in which Biota is suing GSK for up to AUD$430 million. [ + ]

Brisbane biopharma Alchemia (ASX:ACL) has successfully raised AUD$5 million, closing its share purchase plan heavily oversubscribed. Earlier this month the company raised $14.6 million through a share placement. [ + ]

Auckland-based BrainZ (ASX:BZI), which develops monitors for the detection of brain injury, listed on the ASX today at AUD$0.54, four cents above its issue price of $0.50. [ + ]

Bionic ear specialist Cochlear (ASX:COH) has announced an upgrade of its guidance on core earnings for the 2005-06 financial year to AUD$80 million. [ + ]

Sydney-based drug developer Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) has enrolled the first patients in a US-based phase III trial of its asthma diagnostic and treatment management tool Aridol -- the first of three phase III clinical trials the company is planning to undertake in 2006. [ + ]

Following poor efficacy in preclinical testing of its T-cell peptide drug candidate in psoriasis models, Adelaide biopharma GroPep (ASX:GRO) will undertake a market feasibility assessment for use of the drug in asthma. [ + ]

Brisbane start-up Cleveland Biosensors has attracted investment capital from New Zealand-based VC BioPacific Ventures. [ + ]

Alexanders Securities (ASX:ALE), a financial services firm previously focused on investments in shares and providing venture capital to companies, is re-positioning itself as a consumer healthcare and biotechnology company. [ + ]

Sunshine Heart (ASX:SHC) has raised AUD$3.3 million through a private placement to fund the development of its C-Pulse heart assist device. [ + ]