Deakin University molecular geneticist Professor Greg Collier was right on the mark when he chose the chubby Israeli sand rat as a model species for his quest for susceptibility genes for non insulin-dependent diabetes. [ + ]

The CSIRO ICT Centre has completed the successful spin-off of its unique compound semiconductor technologies to EpiTactix.

The share price of Perth veterinary drug-developer Chemeq Ltd (ASX:CMQ) lost over 25 per cent of its value when the company resumed trading today after a two-week voluntary suspension. [ + ]

Melbourne-based Biota (ASX:BTA) has reported a loss of $7.8 million, down 25 per cent from its 2003 loss of $10.3 million. This is despite a hefty legal bill of just under $1 million for Biota’s lawsuit against marketing partner GlaxoSmithKline for failure to promote its influenza drug, Relenza. [ + ]

Brisbane’s Agenix [ASX: AGX, NASDAQ OTC: AGXLY] has filed an Investigational New Drug application with the US Food and Drug Administration for its blood clot imaging technology, Thromboview. [ + ]

Brisbane cancer-drug developer Progen Industries (ASX:PGL, NASDAQ:PGLAF) has reported a reduced net loss of AUD$4.8 million for the year to June 30, down from $7.6 million in 2003, after increasing revenues by 8.6 per cent. [ + ]

The Royal Adelaide Hospital’s human ethics committee has approved an application by Perth biotech Solbec Pharmaceuticals (ASX:SBP) to conduct a Phase I clinical trial of the company’s lead anti-cancer compound, SBP002, as a potential treatment for the painful skin disorder psoriasis. [ + ]

Sleep device company Somnomed (ASX: SOM) made an impressive debut on the ASX today, opening 30 per cent above the IPO issue price of AUD$0.30 at $0.40. [ + ]

Antisense Therapeutics (ASX: ANP) has ended the financial year in great shape, as it plans to move forward on Phase IIa clinical trials following the completion of Phase I safety studies. [ + ]

Living Cell Technologies has closed its IPO after raising AUD$6.36 million from institutional and retail clients of underwriting stockbroker Taylor Collinson. [ + ]

Starpharma Holdings (ASX: SPL) has reported a reduced loss of AUD$5.5 million compared to last year's loss of $7.7 million, despite a slight drop in revenues. [ + ]

CSIRO Livestock Industries has developed an experimental vaccine to protect chickens from the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza (bird flu).

CSL, the world's largest maker of human plasma products, tripled its annual net profit with the sale of its animal health business and its purchase of Aventis Behring at a discount to asset value. [ + ]

Melbourne brain-disease drug-discovery company Prana Biotechnology (ASX:PBT, NASDAQ:PRAN) has reported an after-tax loss of $9.9 million in the year to June. [ + ]

Johnson & Johnson has added a new warning to the label for rheumatoid arthritis drug Remicade about blood disorders that sometimes were fatal, US regulators have announced. [ + ]