Brisbane oncology-drug developer Peplin (ASX:PEP) has begun a phase IIa dose-escalation trial of its PEP005 lead product for pre-cancerous skin lesions, or actinic keratoses (AKs) caused by ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. [ + ]

Pharmaxis' (ASX:PXS) drug Bronchitol has produced positive results from a phase II trial in cystic fibrosis patients, described by CEO Alan Robertson as "a landmark study and transforming day for Pharmaxis and the cystic fibrosis community". [ + ]

Phylogica (ASX:PYC) has signed a partnership with leading US cancer research institute, the Fox Chase Centre, that gives the Perth peptide therapeutics developer an exclusive global licence to exploit Fox Chase's proprietary technology to screen molecules for anti-cancer activity. [ + ]

Melbourne's Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) is planning to restart the phase IIa trial of its lead drug candidate for multiple sclerosis ATL1102 before the end of the year, following recommendations from its advisory board. [ + ]

Pharmaceutical company Novogen (ASX:NRT) saw revenues of AUD$17.7 million for 2004-05, a 7.5 per cent increase on the previous year, and a net loss of $11.1 million. [ + ]

Two new research facilities have opened their doors, one a joint venture between the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR), and the other based at the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB). [ + ]

Individuals and groups opposed to stem cell research have dominated submissions to the Lockhart Legislative Review of Australia's stem cell legislation. [ + ]

The scene: biotechnology is the quintessential knowledge-based industry. But most of its advances have come from advancements in information technology, and how they are applied to genetic processes. Could this be a model for the biotechnology industry in NSW in 2020? [ + ]

Nucleus Network, the new umbrella name for Clinical Trials Victoria (CTV), the Centre for Clinical Studies (CCS) and its member alliances, was launched today at the organisation's facility, located adjacent to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital -- three hours after a 12-patient clinical trial finished in the same room [ + ]

Pain management company ZingoTX, a subsidiary of Eqitx (ASX:EQX) has been awarded a AUD$1.45 million AusIndustry Commercial Ready grant to support the ZingoTX drug development program over the next 12 months. [ + ]

Melbourne- and California-based ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CXS) posted revenues of AUD$4.1 million, up 13.9 per cent and has reduced its loss by 8.7 per cent to $4.7 million for the year ending 30 June 2005. [ + ]

Auckland biopharma Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX: NEU) has begun to recruit the 30 patients who will take part in its phase II pharmacokinetics and safety trial of its lead drug Glypromate. [ + ]

A handheld biosensor device that can immediately register food, water and blood contaminants will be developed with the help of a AU$774,000 Australian government grant, as part of a multi-million dollar R&D Start funding round recently announced by Federal Minister for Industry, Tourism & Resources, Ian Macfarlane.

Melbourne-based Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) has reported a loss of AUD$10.7 million for the year ended 30 June 2005, up 13 per cent from $9.5 million last year. [ + ]

Biota Holdings' (ASX:BTA) US-based CEO Peter Molloy has decided not to renew his contract in January 2006 following the company's decision to consolidate its operations back into its Melbourne facility. [ + ]