Stem cell researcher Prof Alan Trounson would support a moratorium on therapeutic cloning, but says that research into embryonic stem cells is still necessary. [ + ]

Eiffel Technologies has gained full control of its research and development arm in a move that will ensure all future revenue streams flow directly to the drug reformulation company. [ + ]

A warning on meningitis risk by US cochlear implant manufacturer Advanced Bionics and the Food and Drug Administration last week took its toll on market leader Cochlear. [ + ]

Drug discovery company, RiboTargets, in the UK, is mounting a fresh attack on bacteria that cause disease, especially on bacteria that have become resistant to the antibiotics used against them today.

Vision BioSystems' recent acquisition of British reagent company Novocastra Laboratories is part of a broader strategy to expand into the global diagnostic instruments market, according to managing director Michael Ohanessian. [ + ]

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute spin-out Genera Biosystems has appointed a new chief executive officer to spearhead partnership opportunities in the United States. [ + ]

Victoria has cemented its reputation as Australia's biotechnology and bioscience industry leader, which was initiated with the introduction of the smallpox vaccine 80 years ago, a report has found. [ + ]

One of the rare biotech companies with origins in rural Australia, Plasvacc Pty Ltd, is dropping its low-key strategy and moving into fast-track expansion mode. [ + ]

Marshall Edwards Inc, a listed subsidiary of Australian pharma Novogen, has signed a cooperative agreement with a National Institutes of Health agency in the United States to examine clinical applications for its anti-cancer compound, phenoxodiol. [ + ]

A research team at Flinders University in South Australia is collaborating with biopharmaceutical company Elan Pharmaceuticals on a project investigating Parkinson's disease. [ + ]

Victoria's government unveiled its second round of Science, Technology and Innovation Grants today, with almost $60 million being poured into mostly biotechnology projects. [ + ]

An Australian agbiotech company has been named as a finalist in this year's World Technology Awards for its excellence in wheat transformation. [ + ]

Australia's best-known stem cell scientist has asked that researchers hold off lobbying for therapeutic cloning in order to cement the concessions granted by the Prime Minister so far. [ + ]

Australian biological researchers aren't responding in hoped-for numbers to offers of access at bargain basement rates to US company Celera Genomics' genome databases. [ + ]

Industry organisation AusBiotech is to set up a working group to deliver the recommendations of a pre-clinical development meeting held in Melbourne this week. [ + ]