New Zealand biotechnology company Neuren Pharmaceuticals is evaluating possible options in Australia for raising capital, including private equity and an IPO on the ASX. [ + ]

Brisbane RNAi gene therapy company Benitec (ASX:BLT) has granted a global, non-exclusive licence for its gene-silencing technology to a German company that develops genetically modified mice for research. [ + ]

Biota (ASX: BTA) shareholders have shown resounding support for the company in an oversubscribed share purchase plan that has raised AUD$20 million. [ + ]

In-licensing of clinical-stage compounds for development is a useful way to build sustainable value for your company and fill out your pipeline, the CEO of San Diego company Structural Genomix (SGX) Timothy Harris told venture capitalists and other attendees at this week's AVCAL networking lunch in Melbourne. [ + ]

Healthcare projects like personal health monitoring and distance medical care will be core issues at CSIRO's new national ICT research centre. [ + ]

Hong Kong biotechnology company CK Life Sciences, part of the Cheung Kong group, is set to invest $10 million in R&D in Victoria, according to state premier Steve Bracks. [ + ]

Is the NSW Carr government -- the first state government to legislate for a moratorium on genetically modified crops -- having second thoughts? [ + ]

Melbourne-based licensing and business development group BioComm has opened an office in London to facilitate licensing and partnering activities in Europe. [ + ]

Sirtex (ASX: SRX) has been awarded a AUD$1.311 million R&D Start grant from AusIndustry to commercialise its Targeted Hyperthermia Therapy. [ + ]

The pharmaceutical industry is expected to face pressure to curb rising prescription-drug costs no matter which candidate wins next week's US presidential election. [ + ]

It's the Tasman paradox: although Australia and New Zealand are the world's leading exporters of grazing-derived products, they have both struggled to develop viable agricultural biotechnology industries. Why? [ + ]

A leading New Zealand biotechnologist has urged Australian and New Zealand medical researchers to establish a trans-Tasman research consortium to explore the body's cell-signalling systems. [ + ]

The Biosphere New Zealand Roadshow 2004 has hit the road in Melbourne, arguing the case for a strategic union of the biotechnology industries on either side of the Tasman Sea. [ + ]

Prima Biomed (ASX: PRR) announced today it had finalised its $10 million placement to institutional and sophisticated investors. [ + ]

Optiscan (ASX:OIL) has won earlier-than-expected clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the flexible endomicroscope it is jointly developing with Pentax. [ + ]