A portable biosensing device based on micro- and nanotechnologies is expected to help doctors rapidly and accurately forewarn patients of their genetic risk of developing diseases such as cancer.

Researchers at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI) at Oregon Health & Science University have developed new diagnostic methods to better detect future monkeypox or smallpox outbreaks. The research also sheds new light on the 2003 monkeypox outbreak in the US - monkeypox is closely related to smallpox. This new information suggests that the 2003 outbreak was larger than the 72 cases reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Atherosclerotic plaque typically builds up without symptoms and the search is on to develop early detection devices that will enable physicians to offer treatment before the disease progresses to advanced stages.

Regenera (ASX:RGA) has appointed Hon Dr Michael Woodridge as non-executive chairman effective immediately, subject to shareholder approval. [ + ]

Brisbane-based Agenix (ASX:AGX, NASDAQ:OTC:AGXLY) has raised a total of AUD$10.3 million through a non-renounceable 1:4 entitlements offer. [ + ]

Melbourne's Phosphagenics (ASX:POH) has found its vitamin product Phospha E has reduced LDL-C (bad cholesterol) concentrations in blood by up to 44 per cent in an animal study. [ + ]

Select Vaccines reports promising results for hep C [ + ]

DiagnoSwiss and bioMerieux have signed an exclusive licence agreement for the development and use of DiagnoSwiss electrochemical microchips in human in vitro diagnostics.

Sydney-based biopharma Apollo Life Sciences (ASX:AOP) has commenced its phase Ib clinical trial for a topical psoriasis treatment, developed from human-expressed protein. [ + ]

Living Cell Technologies (ASX:LCT) has filed a request for a pre-IND meeting with the US FDA to seek guidance and feedback on the development program for its NeurotrophinCell (NtCell) product for the treatment of Huntington's disease. [ + ]

Bob Atwill will join MediVac (ASX:MDV) as a consultant to assist in the commercialisation of the company's MetaMizer series II. Atwill was formerly sales and marketing director of London Stock Exchange listed orthopaedic company Corin Group. [ + ]

Melbourne-based Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) has started recruiting subjects in a low dose phase IIb clinical trial of its obesity drug AOD9604. [ + ]

A pain drug development company spun out of The University of Queensland has received a $3.25 million investment commitment to develop its innovative pain therapy.

Ventracor (ASX:VCR) and HeartWare (ASX:HTW) have commenced negotiations to settle an on-going patent dispute between the two artificial heart firms. [ + ]

Premier Bionics (ASX:PBI) is seeking to list on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM). [ + ]