For decades, Intel has struggled to build processors that could compete with specialised chips from supercomputing rivals. Today's chips, however, are cheaper, more scalable and fast enough that they're winning over life sciences researchers -- and redefining the rules of supercomputing. [ + ]

Biotech companies are shouldering their way into the first wave of successful applicants to the Federal Government’s re-launched R&D Start grant program, supporting research efforts with commercial potential. [ + ]

Drug firm Bristol-Myers Squibb has listed its Melbourne R&D facility at Noble Park as one of 14 global hubs for clinical research and development. The only other hub in the region is Singapore, with others in the US, Europe and Latin America. [ + ]

As the final step in a process of transformation that has taken almost a year, Victorian gene discovery company Autogen (ASX: AGT) has rebadged itself as AGT Biosciences. [ + ]

A battle for the hearts and minds of Biota Holdings shareholders is intensifying on the eve of a confrontation between the board of the embattled biotech and its largest stakeholder. [ + ]

CSIRO's gene analysis capability has just been given a massive fillip with the opening of the new CSIRO Bioinformatics Facility (CBF) in Canberra. [ + ]

CSIRO Bioinformatics, a spin-off company from CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences, has developed new statistical methods it says could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of cancers. [ + ]

Brisbane biotech Promics is feeling optimistic after successfully concluding human toxicity and safety trials on its anti-inflammatory drug PMX 53. [ + ]

Vinlife, a natural antioxidant, grapeseed extract and functional food ingredient developed by the Barossa-based Tarac Technologies, was recently found by the CSIRO to have a positive benefit for aspects of heart health when incorporated in food.

Melbourne nano-biotech company Starpharma Pooled Development (ASX:SPL) announced today that tests in the US have shown that its lead compound, a intravaginal gel developed to protect against sexually transmitted diseases, is completely effective in warding off an HIV-like retrovirus infection in macaque monkeys. [ + ]

Prima BioMed (ASX:PRR) subsidiary Oncomab has entered into a joint venture with US humanised antibody company Medarex to co-develop and commercialise fully human antibodies for the treatment of cancer. [ + ]

Sydney-based Brain Resource Company (BRC) has signed a business partner deal with IBM to tie up its innovative Integ Neuro series of cognitive performance tests to IBM's integrated Countertop kiosk input devices. [ + ]

Autogen has signed two more commercialisation and licensing deals with partner Merck-Sante for genes related to diabetes and obesity, bringing to four the number of gene targets selected for fast-tracked development by Merck. [ + ]

New drugs, 'green' chemicals, more productive animals and superior crops are just some of the outcomes expected from Australia's largest dedicated bioinformatics computer cluster launched by the Minister for Science, the Hon Peter McGauran MP.

The soft IPO market in the US could be advantageous to Australian biotech companies seeking to raise their profile in the US, Nasdaq Asia-Pacific VP Patrick Sutch told an audience of biotech CEOs in Melbourne today. [ + ]