Industry News
How hairy-nosed DNA could save a northerner from extinction
DNA testing could be the key to preventing the northern hairy-nosed wombat from becoming extinct. [ + ]
Monash research could lead to new thymus growth
Scientists at Monash University have identified a population of epithelial cells in the thymus they hope will be able to regenerate and regrow the tiny immune system organ. [ + ]
WA govt waits to be convinced on GM benefits
The Western Australian government is approaching zero hour on the issue of whether to ban genetically-modified (GM) commercial food crops, says Agriculture Minister Kim Chance. [ + ]
Genetic way to make drugs more effective
Molecules that lock away unwanted sections of DNA, enabling drugs to work more effectively, have been discovered by research chemists at Warwick University in the English Midlands.
[ + ]SDI champing at the bit for projected profit jump
Dental materials manufacturer SDI is tracking for a 40 per cent full-year profit jump on the back of the company's R&D investment and push into global markets. [ + ]
US orthopaedic company to test pSiMedica nanomaterials
pSiMedica, the UK subsidiary of WA-based company pSiVida, has signed a materials exchange research agreement with Implex Corporation, a US orthopaedic products company. [ + ]
Eiffel in second deal with US pharma
Drug reformulation company Eiffel Technologies has signed a one-year contract with specialist pulmonary medicines maker BattellePharma to create nanoparticles for the United States group's asthma product. [ + ]
Grains board backs genetic treaty signing
The head of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Dr John Lovett, has supported this week's signing by the Australian government of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. [ + ]
Axon implements cost-cutting in bid to cushion losses
Salary freezes, a reduction in voluntary superannuation fund contributions and modest job cuts in the United States are among several cost cutting measures underway at Axon Instruments to pare back its losses over the coming year. [ + ]
Benitec's big Bio splash
Until this week, Benitec (ASX: BLT) was a small, virtually unsung Queensland biotech company. But that changed at this week's Bio 2002 conference in Toronto, where the company showcased its gene silencing technology, which it claims will revolutionise gene control. [ + ]
OGTR seeks GM cotton input
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has called for public comment on two licence applications for Monsanto's GM cotton. [ + ]
Garvan appoints BioLateral to help set up bio-IT division
Sydney bio-IT company BioLateral has won a three-month contract to help the Garvan Institute of Medical Research establish its $1 million Peter Wills Centre for Bioinformatics. [ + ]
Clinical trials facility to be built in Queensland
The first custom-designed facility to conduct Phase I clinical drug trials in Queensland will be built as part of a new start-up company, Q-Pharm. [ + ]
Cytopia strengthens deals with US biotech Chemicon
Immune disease drug discovery company Cytopia has again joined forces with Californian life sciences group Chemicon International, this time to develop and commercialise recombinant protein kinases. [ + ]
