Japan's SPring-8, the world's largest synchrotron, has signed a new partnership with the Australian Synchrotron to share expertise and develop new technology. [ + ]

Australia government must ramp up its investment in health and medical research to secure a strong, enduring, sustainable economic future according to Australian Graduate School of Management innovation and biotechnology expert, Professor Michael Vitale, and CEO of Research Australia, Dr Christine Bennett.

Melbourne-based Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) has clarified details of a previously announced Phase IIb trial of its anti-obesity drug AOD9604, with recruitment expected to commence in September or October this year. [ + ]

While biotechnology stocks have suffered in the first five months of 2005 -- with the Intersuisse biotechnology index showing a 23 per cent fall since December 31 -- the index stabilised in May with a 0.28 per cent gain. [ + ]

Australia must ramp up its investment in health and medical research to ensure its future prosperity, said Research Australia CEO Dr Christine Bennett and Australian Graduate School of Management professor Michael Vitale in a joint paper published this week in the Medical Journal of Australia. [ + ]

NZ-based Neuren (ASX:NEU) has received confirmation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the company can bypass a previously planned Phase IIb study for its lead drug Glypromate and advance directly to a major Phase III efficacy study. [ + ]

The new executive director of CSIRO's business development team, Nigel Poole, is on the campaign trail, seeking to convince the business world that the organisation is open for business. [ + ]

BOC Scientific has available a package called AirSurance. The product range includes Detectagas and Stench Gas mixtures which together monitor and alert workers to unsafe gas levels.

Former AustCancer CEO Paul Hopper has joined the board of Perth-based Bone Medical (ASX:BNE), among other changes at the company, including the resignation of Michael Perrott from the board. [ + ]

Genome scientist Craig Venter is cruising the world in his yacht, sampling the genetic diversity of marine bacteria and microbes wafted over the oceans by intercontinental winds, and finding enough genetic treasure to keep drug-hunters in work for a few centuries. [ + ]

Phenomix, based in Canberra and San Diego, has closed a US$40 million private placement of its series B preferred stock, with new US investors JPMorgan Partners and Delphi Ventures co-leading the financing. [ + ]

Brisbane cancer-drug developer Progen (ASX:PGL) has responded to an ASX 'please explain' in response to its flagging share price, citing the expiry of listed options on May 31 and speculation of a larger than expected shortfall as possible. [ + ]

The orthopaedic surgeon of an injured AFL football player is considering using Melbourne-based stem cell specialist Mesoblast's (ASX:MSB) technology to accelerate bone regeneration in the footballer's fractured leg, the company has claimed. [ + ]

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) in the USA have uncovered the structure of a network of proteins that help regulate the life cycle of cells. Understanding the network’s physical layout is an important step toward learning its function, and in finding ways to correct flaws in the system that could lead to cancer.

New Zealand's Parkside Laboratories has been appointed authorised sales agent by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for Australia and New Zealand in a development that will make it easier for companies to access the US market.