Industry News
IDT surprised by Virax claim
A claim from Virax Holdings that it had been approached by Melbourne company Institute of Drug Technology with a view to a full takeover, has taken IDT managing director Graeme Blackman by surprise. [ + ]
Dow boosts nanotech interests with Starpharma subsidiary appointments
US giant Dow Corning's investment in Australian nanotechnology has deepend with a series of high-profile Dow-related appointments to the board and management of Starpharma's US subsidiary Dendritic Nanotechnologies. [ + ]
Biota inks Sankyo deal
Biota has signed a letter of intent with Japanese pharma Sankyo to collaborate on the development of small molecule long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor (LANI) drugs. [ + ]
Gene may produce drought-resistant plants
The identification and duplication of a gene that controls production of plants' outermost protective coating may allow Purdue University (US) researchers to create crops with increased drought resistance.
[ + ]A forest in a petri dish
Molecular techniques are beginning to transform the forestry industry. Victoria's Department of Primary Industries' Forest Science Centre at Creswick has developed a way of growing wood in tissue culture, that enables researchers to rapidly determine effects of manipulating genes that influence wood growth and quality in long-lived forest trees. [ + ]
Amrad sells property, gets to stay on
Melbourne firm Amrad has sold its 4.7 hectare Richmond property to RMAC, a joint venture between Macquarie Bank and R Corporation, in a deal that allows Amrad to lease back its laboratory space, and provides a cash consideration of $AUD47.5 million. [ + ]
Humira gets the nod in Europe
Peptech-licensed monoclonal antibody Humira, produced by pharma Abbott, has been granted a positive opinion for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Europe. [ + ]
Chemeq claims first blood in battle against superbugs
Western Australian biotech Chemeq is claiming an early victory against against so-called 'superbugs', or antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria. [ + ]
Love-ins and protests over, it's down to work for new Qld precinct
The newest superstar among Australian life science research centres, the Queensland Bioscience Precinct, is getting down to business after an official opening that was part love-in, part confrontation. [ + ]
Xcelerator appointment sets stage for push into Asia
Sydney based biotech incubator Xcelerator has beefed up its board with an old Asia hand in the form of ex-Johnson & Johnson chairman Michael Yates. [ + ]
IATIA will use Bio-Rad partnership to focus on AP
A recent deal with Bio-Rad Asia-Pacific has seen Melbourne bio-optical equipment makers IATIA expand sales into an impressive 17 countries throughout the region. [ + ]
Gradipore still filtering applicants for top job
Time is not on Gradipore's side. Not only has its separation technology been delayed by production problems, but it still hasn't found a replacement CEO for the trouble-shooting Bob Lieb, who officially departs at the end of this week. [ + ]
Handy diagnosis of chemical and biological warfare agents
A spin off company based on research from The University of Western Australia has developed a new method of assisting in the rapid diagnosis of chemical and biological warfare agents.
[ + ]Bioinformatics boost in Queensland
The first alliance of Australian bioinformatics groups to be created with a commercial focus has sprung up in Queensland. [ + ]
Qld firm 'days away' from SARS test
A Queensland biotech recently involved in a TV-driven stoush with defence scientists over anthrax-detecting equipment says it is days away from a working, non-invasive SARS test. [ + ]
