Melbourne-based Cryptome Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CRP) and the National Trauma Research Institute (NTRI), at the Alfred Hospital, have signed an agreement that will accelerate Cryptome's drug discovery platform in neuroinflammation. [ + ]

AVT Plasma (ASX:AVT) has suspended trading in its shares, following a board decision to wind up the company and appoint a provisional liquidator. [ + ]

A new lab study has shown that Brisbane-based Tissue Therapies' (ASX:TIS) VitroGro technology could stimulate the growth of human skin cells, offering hope for a new treatment for diabetic ulcers, the company said. [ + ]

The independent committee appointed to review federal laws restricting stem cell research in Australia met for the first time yesterday, in Sydney. [ + ]

NeuroDiscovery, a Perth-based neurology-focused biotech company, has lodged an IPO prospectus with ASIC to raise funds and acquire 100 per cent of NeuroSolutions, a UK-based service provider and drug discovery company. [ + ]

Probiotec, which bought Agenix' Milton Pharmaceuticals division earlier this year, has relocated from Brisbane to Victoria. [ + ]

Macquarie University spinoff Fluorotechnics is establishing a reputation for lucrative liaisons with giants, announcing a global marketing agreement with Sigma Aldrich for its new-tech FluoroProfile protein-quantification kits. [ + ]

A lacklustre third quarter for Australian biotechnology stocks resulted in an overall fall of almost 20 per cent for the year ending June 2005, according to the Intersuisse Biotechnology Index. [ + ]

Adult stem cell company Mesoblast (ASX:MSV), which listed on the ASX six months ago, has appointed the Bank of New York to establish and maintain a Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program. [ + ]

Patients suffering from chronic HIV infection are no longer under the risk of the deadly drug treatment reaction thanks to advances in genetic screening technology.

Sydney-based Life Therapeutics (ASX:LFE) has firmed up its stake in the global plasma supply industry, issuing a definitive letter of intent to acquire privately-held California-based Pyramid Biological for US$13 million, plus assumption of US$7 million debt. [ + ]

Bone Medical (ASX:BNE) has completed a Phase I trial of its oral parathyroid hormone (PTH) product Perthoxal under development for the treatment of osteoporosis. [ + ]

Biopharmaceutical company Novogen's (ASX:NRT) anti-inflammatory compound NV-52 is set to enter Phase I trials at the Gold Coast Hospital. [ + ]

Melbourne-based neurodiagnostic specialist CogState (ASX:CGS) says its sales exceeded AUD$1 million in sales for the 2004-05 fiscal year, up 420 per cent on the previous year, largely through sales to major pharmaceutical companies and research institutions. [ + ]

Rockeby Biomed (ASX:RBY) has lodged a prospectus to raise AUD$1.78 million through a non-renounceable one-for-one share rights issue. The issue price for each share is $0.01 and the company expects the capital to see it through to the end of financial year 2006. [ + ]