Industry News
Nanospace breakthrough in membrane technology
A team of Australian and US scientists has announced a world advance in the use of membrane technology to filter and separate various gases and vapours.
[ + ]BresaGen wins NIH deal
A second Australian company has won the right to provide embryonic stem cell lines to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States. [ + ]
UNSW calls in heavyweights over allegations
Ongoing investigations into the alleged misconduct of a University of New South Wales scientist, Prof Bruce Hall, are to be directed by a selection panel comprised of eminent scientist Sir Gustav Nossal and UNSW chancellor Dr John Yu and vice-chancellor Prof John Niland. [ + ]
Start grants stopped in Fed funding freeze
Biotechs banking on an AusIndustry Start grant will have to look elsewhere for research cash after the government body revealed it would indefinitely freeze new funding. [ + ]
AGRF participates in schizophrenia study
The Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) has played a crucial role in a major international study on the genetic causes of schizophrenia. [ + ]
Dwarf grapes may revolutionise viticulture
Australian scientists have discovered a mutation in grapevines equivalent to the dwarfing mutation in cereals discovered in the 1960s that was the basis of the "green revolution", which saw an increase in wheat yields. [ + ]
Breakthrough in treatment of cystic fibrosis
Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) researchers based at The University of Queensland have led a team to a significant discovery with implications for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis (CF).
[ + ]GE-free zones inhibit farmers' freedom: Avcare
Farmers need to be given freedom to grow their choice of crops - GM, organic or conventional - and this freedom is inhibited by GE-free zones being imposed by certain councils and local governments, according to Avcare. [ + ]
Freehills lawyer new VP of global IP group
Adam Liberman, a partner at law firm Freehills, has been appointed vice-president of the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI), a global intellectual property organisations. [ + ]
Partnering: try before you buy
Australian biotechnology companies need to think very carefully about who they partner with, according to Garry Redlich, managing director of Peplin Biotech. [ + ]
Ellex teams with US on laser deal
A new deal with US firm Lumenis will allow South Australian company Ellex Medical Lasers to design, develop and manufacture a range of lasers to treat secondary cataracts and glaucoma. [ + ]
Virax HIV trial to begin
Biopharmaceutical research and development group Virax Holdings has announced it has finished recruiting patients to its HIV treatment trial. [ + ]
Jellyfish deaths spark research call
The recent deaths of two tourists thought to have been stung by tiny, previously unknown species of jellyfish off tropical Queensland beaches has sparked a call for extensive research funding. [ + ]
Analyst IDC bets on bio-IT boom
Spending on IT products and services by life science companies will reach $US38 billion by 2006, according to market analyst IDC. [ + ]
GroPep revises forecast, now predicts loss
Drug discovery group GroPep (ASX: GRO) has forecast a $4 million loss this year despite predicting profits of $1.9 million for 2001-02 just two months ago. [ + ]