Industry News
Sutherland retires to pursue biotech
Professor Grant Sutherland, one of Australia's leading geneticists, is retiring as the director of the Department of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics at the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide. [ + ]
Supercomputer launched at UQ
A $4 million SGI Origin 3000 supercomputer has been officially launched by Paul Lucas, state minister for innovation and information economy, at the University of Queensland.
[ + ]Research backs use of stem cells
Overseas research has boosted the argument for conducting stem cell research on human embryos, according to Peter Mountford, the head of Melbourne based company Stem Cell Sciences.
[ + ]Minister rules out Vic state laws on stem cells
John Thwaites, Victoria's Health Minister, has ruled out introducing his own laws to allow surplus IVF embryos to be used for stem cell research.
[ + ]Showing Australian companies to the US
A significant number of Australian and New Zealand Biotech companies will showcase their wares to business angels and venture capitalists in San Fransisco mid-year. [ + ]
Nerve drug fails in Phase II
A drug intended to reduce peripheral nerve damage in cancer patient has failed in a clinical trial. [ + ]
Bioprospecting company on the move
BioProspect is expanding its beachead in Queensland on the back of promising results from its five-month-old biota mining agreement with the State Government. [ + ]
VCs name their bioinformatic hot buttons
Venture capitalists are hungry for systems biology, data mining, and anything that targets "where the rat is in the snake," said James Sherblom, chairman and managing partner of Seaflower Ventures Inc, speaking at the biotech financing round table held on March 14 at the BioITWorld Conference and Expo in Boston. [ + ]
Metabolic in iron drug deal
Melbourne biotechnology company Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) has entered into licence and research agreements with Sydney's Heart Research Institute (HRI) to develop a drug for the treatment of iron overload diseases. [ + ]
Skin doctor joins tanning tech company
A leading dermatologist has joined the board of the Australian company behind a new tanning drug. [ + ]
Shimadzu to develop DNA sequencer with GenoMems IP
Shimadzu Biotech, the bio-IT arm of Japan's Shimadzu Corp, and Boston-based start-up GenoMems have signed a deal under which the two companies plan to develop and commercialise a fast DNA sequencer. [ + ]
Labour gives MPs free vote on stem cells
Federal Labor MPs have voted to give themselves a conscience vote on the issue of stem cell research.
[ + ]Bishops support stem cell research
New South Wales anglican bishops have joined catholic bishops in supporting stem cell research, as long as it does not destroy human embryos.
[ + ]Gene link to epilepsy and intellectual disability
A gene with links to both epilepsy and intellectual disability has been identified for the first time by researchers at the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide.
[ + ]New Fed science committee
A new standing committe on science and technology has been announced by the Federal government. [ + ]