Industry News
Khan attacks Biota board performance, pay
The performance and pay of Biota Holdings' directors have been attacked by the drug discovery company's largest shareholder. [ + ]
Sirtex gains European approval
Anti-cancer company Sirtex Medical has been given the green light to begin marketing and sales of its lead product SIR-Spheres in the European Community. [ + ]
Automation specialist a winner
Lab automation specialist Advanced Rapid Robotic Manufacturing (ARRM) is simultaneously winning professional accolades and expanding its revenue base. [ + ]
Technology centre to bring new industries to arid lands
Applying technologies for the sustainable management of arid lands, including solar and wind energy use, and water and waste management systems and practices, will be the focus of the new South Australian Centre for Arid Land Technology (SACALT) based at UniSA’s Whyalla campus.
[ + ]AstraZeneca pledges another $35m for Qld biodiscovery partnership
AstraZeneca is investing another $35 million in its joint effort with Queensland's Griffith University to search out naturally-occurring bioactive molecules with pharmaceutical potential. [ + ]
Wet wheat launched in Wagga
It looks like any other wheat variety, and it's not genetically engineered, but Drysdale, a new semi-dwarf wheat cultivar launched today in Wagga Wagga, is a harbinger of an agricultural revolution. [ + ]
VRI launches allergy Phase II trials
VRI BioMedical has started two Phase II clinical trials in Western Australia and the UK to evaluate the use of its probiotic bacteria for prevention and treatment of allergic disease. [ + ]
'Baby' biotechs targeted by NSW seminar
A free seminar has been set down for November 13 in Sydney, with the aim of letting young biotechnology companies into the secrets of developing management strategies that will allow them to survive adverse events. [ + ]
Ellex launches new laser
Adelaide company Ellex Medical Lasers yesterday announced it had a signed a contract with Californian manufacturer Lumenis to produce a compact new photocoagulator laser for retinal surgery, the Laserex LP3532. [ + ]
AusBiotech launches bioinformatics group
Industry association AusBiotech has today launched a special interest group to drive collaboration between the IT, biotechnology and medical device sectors. [ + ]
Gene therapy used in cystic fibrosis treatment
Adelaide researchers have made progress on the development of a new gene therapy technique for cystic fibrosis, utilising a naturally occurring detergent in combination with a retroviral delivery vector. [ + ]
Biota rejects Bigshop board demand
A bid by Perth lawyer and financier Farooq Khan to force his way onto the board of Biota Holdings has been rejected by the drug discovery company. [ + ]
Sunlight and natural gas in new energy source
CSIRO scientists have combined solar energy and natural gas in a process capable of producing large-scale energy to power Australia's future industrial and domestic needs.
[ + ]Understanding a dry continent
With NSW in the grip of drought a major new study has been launched to determine the mechanisms linking water availability and plant productivity in Australia.
[ + ]Nobel Laureates to speak at cancer conference
The 2003 Lorne Protein and Cancer Conferences have snared two of the biggest names in medical research as guest speakers next February: 2002 Nobel Laureates Prof Sir Sidney Brenner and Prof Robert Horovitz. [ + ]