Industry News
BigShop retreats from Biota bid, but no hard feelings
Perth entrepreneur Farooq Khan is maintaining a stiff upper lip in the aftermath of his failed bid for a board seat on Biota Holdings. [ + ]
Euro giant Serono to develop Amrad compound
Melbourne-based Amrad has granted an exclusive license to Swiss/US company Serono to develop and commercialise emfilermin for use in reproductive health indications, under an option in the original partnership between the two companies. [ + ]
WEHI researchers using stem cells to prevent diabetes
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute are devising a stem-cell-based approach designed to prevent the development of type 1 diabetes in susceptible individuals by engineering the haematopoietic stem cells to express proinsulin after differentiation into antigen presenting cells. [ + ]
Monsanto, Bayer agree to Vic GM canola moratorium
Both Monsanto and Bayer CropScience have agreed to the Victorian State government's 12-month moratorium on the commercial release of GM canola in Victoria, which was announced by Minister for Agriculture Bob Cameron today. [ + ]
Compumedics distribution deal set to net millions
Sleep disorder specialist Compumedics has signed a deal with German medical manufacturer Draeger for distribution of its monitoring and diagnostic products. [ + ]
AGT patents genes for depression, anxiety
Five novel genes linked to depression and anxiety have been identified by AGT Biosciences (formerly Autogen) using the company's unique Israeli sand rat model for the disorder. [ + ]
Progen heartened by melanoma therapy trial
Three US patients with advanced, metastatic melanomas -- one of the most aggressive and rapidly lethal forms of cancer -- remain alive 22 months after being treated with PI-88, an experimental cancer therapy developed by Brisbane-based biotechnology company Progen. [ + ]
Melbourne industry group launches strategy
Recently-formed alliance The BioMelbourne Network has unveiled its action agenda for driving the Victorian biotechnology sector forward, focusing on building networks between science, government and business, and promoting Melbourne as a regional hub for the industry. [ + ]
Acrux libido drug readies for PII trials
Acrux subsidiary FemPharm is poised to commence a Phase II clinical trial testing its proprietary Metered Dose Transdermal System for the delivery of testosterone to women with low libido. [ + ]
Day in the sun for EpiTan
The anti-sunburn drug Melanotan has turned a pallid lifesaver into a bronzed god, according to initial results from trials conducted at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. [ + ]
Research institutes mine microarray gold
Some publicly-funded Australian biotech research institutes are enjoying lucrative returns from selling the microarray fabrication skills of their scientists. [ + ]
Malaria vaccine delivers unexpected bonus to Prima
Prima BioMed subsidiary PanVax and researchers at the Austin Research Institute have demonstrated that a malaria vaccine developed using its DCtag adjuvant technology is able to eradicate established disease in mice infected with malaria. [ + ]
Looking down a virtual microscope
UNSW will be the first university outside the United States to establish a web-based laboratory for virtual microscopy.
[ + ]CSIRO applied to, but didn't, import wheat virus
CSIRO was awarded a licence in 2001 to conduct a genetic research project using the wheat streak mosaic virus which is infesting a growing number of plant research facilities. [ + ]
Novogen investigates fast track to local production
Following highly successful Phase I trials, Sydney-based isoflavone biotech Novogen is considering fast-tracking FDA approval for its new anti-cancer drug Phenoxodiol. [ + ]
