Industry News
NSCC, Stem Cell Sciences to team up on ES cell lines
Stem Cell Sciences (SCS), the former Melbourne company now based in the UK, is to collaborate with Australia's National Stem Cell Centre on new human embryonic stem cell lines to be derived by SCS and Melbourne IVF. [ + ]
Ambri system makes clinical debut
The first diagnostic system to use an ion-channel switch, able to sense tiny concentrations of a specific molecule, has been installed in the pathology laboratory at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital. [ + ]
BIO 2004: Vics restate biotech dominance aim
Victorian premier Steve Bracks has used the BIO 2004 conference, which kicked off in San Francisco on Sunday, as a platform to reiterate the state's ambitious plan to become one of the top five biotechnology locations globally by 2010. [ + ]
Austin, Ludwig to run PII melanoma vaccine trial
The Austin Health/Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research (LICR) joint oncology unit has received a grant of US$600,000 from US-based cancer charity, the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), to conduct an international Phase II clinical trial that will test the effectiveness of a therapeutic vaccine for melanoma. [ + ]
International effort assists dairy research
A plant toxins expert from Iran is assisting CSIRO Livestock Industries' scientists in their search for the cause of a liver disease afflicting dairy cattle in southern Australia.
[ + ]EQiTX pain-soothing molecules show promise
Research by a University of Queensland research team suggests Melbourne-based biotech ZingoTX may have a lead compound for neuropathic pain in its synthetic derivatives of the mouth-burning molecules found in ginger and chillies. [ + ]
Bayer pulls plug on GM canola trial in NSW
At the last minute, Agbiotech giant Bayer CropScience has pulled the plug on its plan to conduct a 40-hectare demonstration trial of its genetically modified hybrid canolas in NSW. [ + ]
GTG to DNA-test 20,000 NZ sheep
Melbourne biotech Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) has signed its first contract with New Zealand agbiotech company Ovita in Dunedin for a pilot program to DNA-test up to 20,000 sheep. [ + ]
Amrad stunned as Serono drops emfilermin trial
Amrad (ASX:AML) has been dealt a blow with the news that Serono is abandoning further development of emfilermin following Phase II clinical trial results that showed the molecule was no more efficacious than the placebo. [ + ]
New biotech Bone revs up in Perth
A new biotechnology company sprang into being yesterday -- seemingly fully-formed -- when Perth-based Revenir (ASX:REV), formerly a property management company, announced plans to merge with private British biopharmaceutical company Bone Limited. [ + ]
Prima subsidiary touts cancer antibody success
Prima Biomed (ASX:PRR) subsidiary Oncomab has published results of an animal study demonstrating the efficacy of its anti-Cripto monoclonal antibody in a mouse model of human colon cancer. [ + ]
Solbec mesothelioma trial shows promise
The news from a pre-clinical trial of Perth biopharma Solbec Pharmaceuticals' (ASX:SBP) lead anti-cancer compound SBO002 could hardly be more positive. [ + ]
QLD 'kissing disease' vaccine on the way
Researchers at the Queensland Institute for Medical Research (QIMR) in Brisbane hope to begin human trials late this year of a vaccine that could prevent three different forms of cancer associated with infection by Epstein-Barr virus. [ + ]
Cerylid, Kinacia to merge
Melbourne biotech Cerylid Biosciences has acquired fellow unlisted biotech Kinacia in a merger that finally puts an end to months of rumour. [ + ]
Regenera closes oversubscribed in tough market
Perth-based opthamology specialist Regenera has prevailed in an increasingly tough IPO market, closing its IPO today AUD$2 million oversubscribed, having raised in excess of AUD$10 million. [ + ]
