Industry News
Opposition grows in face of PIIP axing rumours
Industry protests are coming loud and long following reports that the federal government's PIIP (Pharmaceutical Investment Incentive Scheme) may be axed in the next budget. [ + ]
EvoGenix, Genesis team to target new anti-inflammatories
A trans-Tasman collaboration between New Zealand's Genesis R&D and Sydney-based EvoGenix will target a novel target for anti-inflammatory therapeutics. [ + ]
Genesis R&D to spin off plant division
New Zealand's largest biotechnology company, Genesis Research and Development, is spinning out its plant division into a separate, fully owned company to maximise the value of its assets, according to CEO Dr Jim Watson. [ + ]
Euro-demand for Corbett range
Australian-based research instrument specialist Corbett Research has sealed a hardware deal with prime Swedish genetic analysis company Pyrosequencing. [ + ]
50 years of nuclear science benefitting Australia
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is this week celebrating 50 years since the Atomic Energy Act, 1953, was passed by the Federal Parliament.
[ + ]BresaGen soars on Parkinson's results
Australian stem cell company BresaGen has demonstrated functional recovery from the effects of Parkinson's disease in a rat model treated with human dopaminergic neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells. [ + ]
VC: the smart money's in Australia, not the US
A Sydney biotech conference has heard that the gold rush for venture capital in the US is becoming so constrained it makes sense to look at home. [ + ]
Researchers discover SARS' genetic blueprint
Researchers in Canada and the US have reported success in isolating and mapping a likely culprit for the recent outbreak of SARS. [ + ]
Audacious science for Australia's future
The Prime Minister has launched one of the largest targeted scientific research programs in Australia's history.
[ + ]GM crops offer hope for endangered wildlife
In the first piece of research into how genetically modified (GM) herbicide-tolerant crops could be used to benefit the environment, scientists have shown that creative use of GM crops could bring back increasing numbers of endangered wildlife and birds such as skylarks and finches in the UK.
[ + ]Benitec licenses to US supplier Promega
Gene silencing company Benitec has taken a giant stride forward on the world stage by sealing a global licensing agreement for its technology with leading life sciences industry supplier Promega Corp. [ + ]
Get familiar with new ASX rules, biotechs told
Biotechnology companies should make themselves aware of the new guidelines for corporate governance released by the ASX recently, says Chris Sotiropoulos, VP for commercialisation at Melbourne-based technology business development and commercialisation company Biocomm. [ + ]
ASX to teach investors how to approach biotech
Australian investors tend to adopt a herd mentality and this is making it difficult for listed Australian biotechnology companies to retain their liquidity and make inroads into the investment community, the Australian Stock Exchange's James Gerraty told attendees at an AusBiotech roadshow in Melbourne this week. [ + ]
Boron opens new lab, suggests IPO possible
Melbourne company Boron Molecular has named its new research laboratory in honour of the Japanese scientist whose reaction, the Suzuki Coupling, underpins the company's technology. [ + ]
Circadian soars on buyback plan
In a move that caused a 35 cent jump in the company's stock price, Melbourne firm Circadian announced yesterday that it would buy back up to 10 per cent of the company's outstanding shares. [ + ]