A major venture capital investment of tens of millions of dollars is currently being secured for the South Australian bioscience industry. [ + ]

Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) has responded to a request by the ASX to explain why its shares rose from $1.34 on 15 June 2005 to $1.61 on 22 June 2005 by saying that it is unaware of any information that could explain the price change and increase in volume of trading in its shares over that period. [ + ]

The development of nano-sized microcapsules and bioactive bandages to assist in the delivery of the synthetic growth factor complex, VitroGro, is one of 251 projects to be funded in the latest round of the Australian Research Council's (ARC) Linkage Projects scheme. [ + ]

Sydney biomaterials company Avastra (ASX:AVS) has halted its Bioweld human clinical trial due to unexpected results in its long-term animal study, although the company is still unsure what caused the unexpected results. [ + ]

Monash University fertility researchers have succeeded in producing oocytes -- eggs -- from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, offering hope to couples who are unable to conceive, even by in vitro fertilisation, because the partner lacks viable eggs. [ + ]

Researchers at Monash University have developed a process that causes embryonic stem (ES) cells to develop into ovarian structures containing eggs. Dr Orly Lacham-Kaplan from the Monash immunology and stem cell laboratories has presented their findings at the annual meeting of the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology.

Psivida (ASX:PSD) has released the full results of its Phase IIa trial of BrachySil in inoperable primary liver cancer patients, showing that the product is safe and effective in prompting tumour regression. [ + ]

Speaking at BIO 2005 in Philadelphia, Victorian premier Steve Bracks announced a new AUD$63 million initiative to fund the new Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative (VNI). [ + ]

CSIRO Plant Industry released its new low-glyceaemic index barley last week: BARLEYMax, developed from a mutant form of an old 'lab rat' strain of barley called Himalaya. [ + ]

A study by Peptech's (ASX:PTD) joint venture partner Biosceptre has found that its diagnostic test successfully identified ovarian cancer in tissue analysis, paving the way for the development of a commercial test for this disease. [ + ]

South Australian genomics company Bionomics (ASX:BNO) has found that antibodies against it's proprietary cancer drug target BNO69 can be used to distinguish between malignant and benign breast cancers. [ + ]

The Bill Gates-funded Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) has called on Sydney's Proteome Systems (ASX:PXL) to develop a new diagnostic test for tuberculosis, one of the deadliest diseases in developing countries. [ + ]

SciGen (ASX:SIE) has executed a commercialisation agreement with Rangs Pharmaceuticals for the commercialisation of insulin in Bangladesh. [ + ]

The Centre for Neuropsychology at Swinburne University of Technology will conduct an independent study, subject to ethical approval, for botanical biotech Solagran (ASX:SLA) to examine the neuro-cognitive, mood and brain EEG effects of Bioeffective R. [ + ]

Melbourne respiratory drug developer Biota Holdings (ASX:BTA) has reportedly rejected a confidential AUD$10 million offer from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to drop its lawsuit seeking compensation for loss of royalties from the Australian-developed influenza drug Relenza. [ + ]