Brisbane cancer-drug developer Progen Industries (ASX:PGL, NASDAQ:PGLAF) has been offered and intends to accept a AUD$3.39 million AusIndustry "Commercial Ready" grant for further development of the company's drug discovery program over the next three years. [ + ]

Melbourne-based biotech Avexa (ASX:AVX) has started the phase IIb trial of AVX754, the HIV compound it in-licensed from UK company Shire Pharmaceuticals in January. [ + ]

Biologists have a new tool to track and videotape cells moving about inside living tissue. Called two-photon laser-scanning microscopy, it has revealed, for example, the dramatic difference between the random wanderings of immature T cells and the goal-oriented, beeline movement of activated T cells.

Compumedics' (ASX:CMP) has reported revenues of AUD$38 million for the 2004-2005 financial year, with the company's audited results anticipated to be released during the second half of August. [ + ]

Perth-based biomedical devices developer, Visiomed Group (ASX:VSG) has been awarded two Business Development and Skills Training Scheme (BDSTS) grants, worth a total of AUD$40,000 from the Western Australian Department of Industry and Resources. [ + ]

Bacteria and fungi thrive in some of the most hostile environments on the planet, and employ exotic metabolic reactions to extract energy from the most toxic substrates -- including acidic industrial wastes and hydrocarbon fuels. [ + ]

Melbourne-based stem cell specialist Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) has entered into agreements with Colorado State University to perform preclinical dose-escalation trials of its universal donor adult stem cell technology for the treatment of long bone fractures, and a new indication, intervertebral spinal fusion. [ + ]

Researchers at Melbourne's Monash Medical Research Institute (MMRI) have identified a readily accessible source of adult mesenchymal stem cells in the lining of the uterus that could help repair uterine prolapse. [ + ]

Proteome Systems has won a prestigious 2005 Frost and Sullivan Technology Innovation Award for its ingenious Chemical Inkjet Printer (ChIP). [ + ]

Federal science minister Dr Brendan Nelson announced today the government will provide AUD$2,972,440 to fund 42 new awards for Australian-based researchers to participate in joint research projects with their overseas peers in 18 different countries, under the Australian Research Council's Linkage International Scheme. [ + ]

On the back of yesterday's announcement, Pharmaxis (ASX:PXC) has been granted approval from Health Canada to conduct a clinical trial of Bronchitol in patients with cystic fibrosis. [ + ]

Melbourne-based Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) has raised AUD$4.04 million in its share purchase plan (SSP) which closed last Friday. [ + ]

BioTech Capital (ASX:BTC) investee company Continence Control Systems International (CCS) has commenced patient recruitment for its severe urinary incontinence treatment, following completion of pre-clinical studies and human ethics approval for human implants. [ + ]

BresaGen (ASX:BGN) has been awarded a Commercial Infrastructure Grant of AUD$200,000 from Bio Innovation SA, the South Australian government's biotechnology agency. [ + ]

Following a trading halt, Chemeq (ASX:CMQ) has updated the market on the allotment and issue of AUD$20 million additional convertible bonds to Japanese investment group Mizuho International and related entities of investment management group Stark Investments, due on July 15. [ + ]