An extraordinary general meeting of Polartechnics (ASX:PLT) shareholders, requisitioned by the company's former interim chairman Richard Opara, has voted against each of the resolutions he put forward. [ + ]

Trading of shares in Perth-based nano-biotech company Psivida (ASX:PSD) resumed trading today, after the company revealed that it was in negotiations to acquire an as yet unnamed US based specialised drug delivery company. [ + ]

Melbourne-based Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) has received a go-ahead to progress its painkiller ACV1 to the second part of its phase I clinical trial dosing in humans. [ + ]

The oft-repeated cliche that Australia 'punches above its weight' in biotechnology is little more than a security blanket, and needs to be replaced with some real muscle, Merck Sharp & Dohme's external licensing coordinator, Graham Macdonald, told a meeting on Friday. [ + ]

Amid tough global competition, with 500 scientists from 62 countries, Australia has confirmed its position as one of the world's pre-eminent biomedical destinations by securing almost 20% of the prestigious worldwide medical research awards announced by the US-based Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).

The term 'Cathedrals of the Future' has been coined for the world's most impressive biotechnology complexes which are designed to provide a stimulating working environment for the best scientific minds. The road to discovery needs every assistance it can get to facilitate research and attract top researchers.

Two researchers from Queensland are contributing to a $436 million global plan to improve the health of millions of people in some of the world's poorest countries.

The Western Australian branch of industry association AusBiotech has held a forum to examine the issues facing agricultural biotechnology in the state, and the challenges that must be faced if it is to move forward. [ + ]

Perth-based neurology-focused biotech company NeuroDiscovery (ASX:NDL) has closed its $1.5 million IPO and completed its acquisition of UK-based NeuroSolutions. [ + ]

In the wake of its annual Australian Biotechnology Expo, held earlier this week in Sydney, EG Capital executive director Alison Coutts is optimistic that the Australian biotech sector is on the way back up. [ + ]

Dental scientist Prof Eric Reynolds has won the $50,000 Victoria Prize. [ + ]

Brisbane-based cancer therapeutic developer Peplin's (ASX:PEP) revenues dropped to AUD$3.4 million in the 2004/05 financial year, down substantially from $6.3 million in the previous year, due to the termination in October 2004 of a collaboration and license agreement with US company Allergan for the company's topical skin cancer drug PEP005. [ + ]

Reports that a potential blockbuster drug for multiple sclerosis, Tysabri, could be back on shelves later this year appear to have given a boost to Melbourne company Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP), which is also developing an MS drug. [ + ]

A Polartechnics (ASX:PLT) extraordinary general meeting (EGM) requisitioned by the company's former interim chairman Richard Opara will be held in Sydney this Friday, despite the company receiving a letter from him on August 8 proposing to postpone the meeting. [ + ]

Biota Holdings (ASX:BTA) has backed as "accurate" a newspaper report that Germany has placed an order of more than AUD$100 million for Relenza, the anti-flu drug developed by Biota and commercialised by GlaxoSmithKline. [ + ]